The Highlanders are also seeking a response to their controversial 14-10 defeat to the Brumbies in Dunedin last Friday night. Joseph has brought Fakatava, once an All Black, back into their 23 via the bench after getting dropped because of a loss of form. The southerners badly need a win to improve their playoff hopes. They are one place and five points outside the top six with a 3-5 record and haven’t beaten the Blues at Eden Park since 2018.
How to watch Blues vs. Highlanders
- Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
- Time: 8 PM NZDT
- Streaming: 9 Sports
- TV: ESPN
Blues:
Zarn Sullivan, Cole Forbes, AJ Lam, Xavi Taele, Codemeru Vai, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie; Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i, Anton Segner, Sam Darry, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Marcel Renata, Bradley Slater, Mason Tupaea.
Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Ben Ake, Sam Matenga, Josh Beehre, Torian Barnes, Malachi Wrampling, Taufa Funaki, Pita Ahki.
Highlanders:
Juan Soto: Taine Robinson, Caleb Tangitau, Tanielu Tele’a, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-capt), Jona Nareki, Cam Millar, Adam Lennox; Nikora Broughton, Veveni Lasaqa, Sean Withy, Mitch Dunshea, Te Kamaka Howden, Angus Ta’avao, Jack Taylor, Ethan de Groot (co-capt).
Reserves: Soane Vikena, Josh Bartlett, Saula Ma’u, Oliver Haig, Lucas Casey, Folau Fakatava, Xavier Tito-Harris, Finn Hurley.
