The Highlanders return home this week determined to respond after a tough outing in the Brisbane heat, preparing to host a confident Force side fresh off their win over Moana Pasifika in Pukekohe.<\/p>\n
Both teams sit in a position where early\u2011season points are crucial, and Saturday\u2019s clash shapes as an opportunity to strengthen their win\u2013loss records and build momentum heading into the middle stages of DHL Super Rugby Pacific.<\/p>\n
The Highlanders have shown strong composure and connection at home through the opening two rounds but were unable to replicate that at Suncorp Stadium last week. They now face a Force outfit featuring former Highlander and Otago halfback Nathan Hastie and ex\u2011All Black George Bridge, who will add experience and spark to the Western Australian side.<\/p>\n
The Highlanders have made only minor adjustments to their matchday 23:<\/p>\n
Angus Ta\u2019avao returns to the front row, giving Rohan Wingham a well\u2011earned rest.
\nOliver Haig and Will Stodart swap roles on the bench.
\nVeveni Lasaqa and Sean Withy also rotate their bench positions.
\nFolau Fakatava starts at halfback, with last week\u2019s try\u2011scorer Adam Lennox moving to the reserves.<\/p>\n
A notable inclusion is Nikora Broughton, who will add to his 22 Highlanders caps when he makes his first appearance of the 2026 season. Replacing Lucas Casey, the Bay of Plenty loose forward brings speed, skill, and strong ball\u2011carrying ability off the back of the scrum.<\/p>\n
Head Coach Jamie Joseph is preparing for a Force side buoyed by their recent success.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe saw last week what they\u2019re capable of. They\u2019ll be upbeat and enjoying their New Zealand tour, so they\u2019ll present challenges for us, no doubt. We need to build on our start to the season, lift a notch or two, and convert more of the pressure we\u2019re applying into points.\u201d<\/p>\n
This Saturday will also see afternoon rugby for the first time at home in 2026 with a 4.35pm kick-off. It\u2019s also Super Rugby Pacific Club Rugby Round and the players will play wearing socks of the Clubs that they have connections with from within the Highlanders region.<\/p>\n
The Highlanders are also hosting a free \u201cHave A Go\u201d day for junior rugby players at Logan Park (across the road from Forsyth Barr Stadium) in partnership with the Highlanders region provincial unions; Otago RFU, Southland Rugby and North Otago RFU. Running from 2:30pm until 4:00pm on Saturday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
HIGHLANDERS V WESTERN FORCE \u2013 4:35pm, Saturday 7th March, Forsyth Barr Stadium<\/p>\n
Ethan de Groot (CC)Invercargill Blues \/ Green Island
\nJack TaylorAlbion-Excelsior \/ Southern
\nAngus Ta\u2019avaoTe Papapa \/ Zingari-Richmond
\nOliver HaigGreen Island
\nMitch DunsheaSpringston RFC \/ University of Otago
\nTe Kamaka HowdenFielding Yellows \/ Taieri
\nVeveni LasaqaGreerton Marist \/ Alhambra-Union
\nNikora BroughtonRangiuru Sports Club \/ Alhambra-Union
\nFolau FakatavaHastings Rugby \/ Dunedin
\nCameron MillarAlbion-Excelsior \/ Taieri
\nJona NarekiKaierau \/ Alhambra-Union
\nTimoci Tavatavanawai (CC)Central \/ QVS Old Boys \/ Southern
\nJonah LoweClive \/ Zingari-Richmond
\nCaleb TangitauGrammar Tech Auckland \/ Takapuna North Shore \/ Southern
\nJacob Ratumaitavuki-KneepkensTukapa \/ Taieri<\/p>\n
IMPACT<\/p>\n
16. Soane VikenaPonsonby \/ Waitemata \/ Dunedin<\/p>\n
17. Daniel Lienert-BrownHigh School Old Boys \/ University of Otago
\n18. Sosefo KautaiHamilton Marist \/ Kaikorai
\n19. Will StodartMyross Bush \/ University of Otago
\n20. Sean WithyDrummond Lime Hills Star (DLS) \/ University of Otago
\n21. Adam LennoxStratford Eltham \/ Dunedin
\n22. Reesjan PasitoaBays Water \/ Southern
\n23. Tanielu Tele\u2019aMarist Manurewa \/ Green Island<\/p>\n
Home Province Club\/ Highlanders Region Club\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Unavailable due to injury: Saula Ma\u2019u (shoulder – 5 weeks), Finn Hurley (foot – 6 weeks), Taine Robinson (back – 1\/2 weeks)<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Season Ending: Dylan Pledger (ACL), Fabian Holland (Shoulder)<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
ENDS<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Highlanders return home this week determined to respond after a tough outing in the Brisbane heat, preparing…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":517327,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[567],"tags":[64,63,760,85],"class_list":["post-517326","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-rugby","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-rugby","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/517326","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=517326"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/517326\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/517327"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=517326"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=517326"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=517326"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}