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Video: 'I have got full confidence' - Highlanders coach backs reserves to fill Aaron Smith’s boots against Lions

May 10, 2018

Aaron Mauger has rested Smith and loose forwards Shannon Frizell and Dillon Hunt.

Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger has opted to rest star halfback Aaron Smith for his side's Super Rugby match against the Lions in Dunedin on Saturday night.

Smith is required by the All Blacks to sit out two Super Rugby matches ahead of the France Test series next month.

"He (Smith) will be replaced by Kayne Hammington in the No.9 jersey with Josh Renton named on the bench as the reserve halfback," said Mauger

"We knew at the start of the year that we would have to use our squad and I have got full confidence in the guys that are playing those roles.

"Kayne has played well this year and it is exciting for Josh Renton to come back into the 23 as well."

Shannon Frizell has been left out of the 23-man team with Mauger saying the loose forward needs a break after a heavy workload over the last month.

"Well we have felt that Shannon has had an awesome five-six weeks, it's a chance for him to freshen up and reflect on those five to six weeks," said Mauger.

"He has had some really good performances and it has been a good couple of learnings for him as well over that period, so a chance for him to freshen up and bring in Marino (Mikaele-Tu'u) into the mix who has been outstanding through training and has performed really well for his club."

Openside flanker Dillon Hunt has also been given the week off to rejuvenate after a busy rugby season for the Otago based franchise.

"Dillon's work load has been huge he's been in really good form particularly in the last couple of weeks.

"He was one of the standouts on tour even in the weekend against the Sharks where we didn't win the physical battle. His effort and output through the game was outstanding so big work load, just wanted to freshen him up."

Hunt will be replaced by James Lentjies at openside flanker.

"We have been getting Jimmy (James Lentjies) ready over the last couple of weeks as well, he has come back from surgery so a good game for him to bring the energy and for Dills to have a rest."

The Lions sit at the top of the South African conference with the Highlanders in third position on the New Zealand Super Rugby conference ladder.

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (co-captain), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Tei Walden, 11 Tevita Nabura, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Kayne Hammington, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 James Lentjes, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Alex Ainley, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown.

Reserves: 16 Ash Dixon (co-captain), 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Kalolo Tuiloma, 19 Josh Dickson, 20 Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, 21 Josh Renton, 22 Josh Ioane, 23 Sio Tomkinson.

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