Southland takeover: First the coach, now the captain
“Ethan’s a real team man and a leader and we know that he’ll take the additional responsibility in his stride."
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Okay - yes - we’ve overblown this by describing it as a Southland takeover. Nevertheless, Friday night will be a special one for those with a soft spot for former Southland Boys’ High School loosehead props.
Ethan de Groot will captain the Highlanders in its round three Super Rugby showdown against the New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney on Friday night.
He has been handed the job by Highlanders coach Clarke Dermody - another disciple of Peter Skelt’s loosehead propping school in Southland.
de Groot’s somewhat shock rise to the Highlanders captaincy role is expected to be a short one, whatever way Friday night plays out.
Usual captain Billy Harmon has been relegated to the bench because of a breach of team discipline.
Harmon and Southland’s Sean Withy turned up to a team meeting late this week.
The Highlanders management has described the matter as minor and it did not involve alcohol.
“Part of our standards this year is that no matter who it is, it’s unacceptable, and you lose your place in the team,” Dermody said.
Dermody was confident in de Groot’s ability to get the job done.
“Ethan’s a real team man and a leader and we know that he’ll take the additional responsibility in his stride on Friday night with Sam [Gilbert] there to lend a hand.”
After two impressive 80-minute performances Withy will now come off the bench against New South Wales on Friday night.
Southland’s other Highlander, Jack Taylor, has again been overlooked with Henry Bell to start at hooker and Ricky Jackson filling the bench spot.
The most significant change is in the loose forwards with Tom Sanders set to make his Highlanders debut after stints for both the Chiefs and Crusaders before joining Suntory in Japan.
Nikora Broughton also earns his first start while powerhouse Hugh Renton retains his spot at the back of the scrum.
The backline maintains its consistency for this game with the pairing of Rhys Patchell and Folau Fakatava proving fruitful in the previous two fixtures. The reserve halfback sees a change with James Arscott replacing Nathan Hastie, while young first five Ajay Faleafaga retains his spot on the bench alongside utility back Jonah Lowe.
Highlanders v Waratahs – (9:35pm NZT) Friday
Ethan de Groot (C)
Henry Bell
Jermaine Ainsley
Fabian Holland
Max Hicks
Tom Sanders
Nikora Broughton
Hugh Renton
Folau Fakatava
Rhys Patchell
Jona Nareki
Sam Gilbert (VC)
Tanielu Tele’a
Timoci Tavatavanawai
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
RESERVES
Ricky Jackson
Daniel Lienert-Brown
Saula Ma’u
Sean Withy
Billy Harmon
James Arscott
Ajay Faleafaga
Jonah Lowe