Leota back for Highlanders
Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:14
Highlanders centre Johnny Leota has recovered from a virus that forced him to miss the Sharks match and will wear the No.12 jersey when they take on the Bulls in a Super 14 encounter at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Leota was a late withdrawal last week but is fit and will team up with Niva Ta'auso in the midfield.
In the other backline change, fiery scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan returns to the starting line-up after sitting on the bench against the Sharks.
In the forwards, the back row combination has been re-shuffled, with skipper Craig Newby moving to the side of the scrum. Steven Setephano will wear the No.8 jersey.
In the front row Jamie Mackintosh returns at the expense of Chris King, who is amongst the substitutes.
Highlanders: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Matt Saunders, 13 Niva Ta'auso, 12 Johnny Leota, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 James Wilson, 9 Jimmy Cowan (vice-captain), 8 Steven Setephano, 7 Craig Newby (captain), 6
Adam Thomson, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Hoani MacDonald, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Jason Macdonald, 1 Jamie Mackintosh.
Replacements: 16 David Hall, 17 Chris King, 18 Hayden Triggs, 19 Alando Soakai, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Daniel Bowden, 22 Brett Mather.
Date: Saturday, April 19
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Paul Marks (Australia)
Touch judges: Geoff Acton (Australia), Willie Roos (South Africa)
Television match official: Michael Cupido (South Africa)
Assessor: Stuart Beissel (Performance Auditor) (New Zealand), Arrie Schoonwinkel (South Africa)
