Frustrated coach Tony Brown has accused six Highlanders players of "letting the team down" after they broke team protocols before Friday's clash against the Crusaders.
All Black Josh Ioane, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Teariki Ben-Nicholas, Patelesio Tomkinson, and Sione Misiloi have all been disciplined.
Read on for all the latest Super Rugby AU and Aotearoa team news.
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SUPER RUGBY AU, ROUND SEVEN
WARATAHS vs BRUMBIES, Friday 7.45pm AEDT at Sydney Cricket Ground
WARATAHS (TBC)
BRUMBIES (TBC)
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REBELS vs REDS, Saturday 7.45pm AEDT at AAMI Park
REBELS (TBC)
REDS (TBC)
SUPER RUGBY AOTEAROA, ROUND SIX
CRUSADERS vs HIGHLANDERS, Friday 5.05pm AEDT at Orangetheory Stadium
Highlanders coach Tony Brown has expressed his disappointment after Josh Ioane, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Teariki Ben-Nicholas, Patelesio Tomkinson, and Sione Misiloi broke team protocols and were not considered for selection.
"They let the team down around their standards," Brown said.
"They broke the code we live by. It's all around the professional habits.
"They let the team down, and the whole organisation, and they won't be available for selection."
It's a massive blow to the struggling Highlanders, who are 1-3 in Super Rugby Aotearoa following a disappointing 30-19 loss to the Hurricanes last Friday night.
Stuff understands there was a loud party at Ioane's house last weekend and Brown all but confirmed the incident was alcohol related.
"I can't really say. It's in-house," he said.
"They've let their standards down around preparation. They've let the leaders down, they let the organisation down."
Brown said he expected more from the talented playmaker who is danger of squandering his talent.
"Josh is an All Black. If he wants to get back there for sure he'll have to be better."
CRUSADERS (TBC)
HIGHLANDERS (15-1): Connor Garden-Bachop, Scott Gregory, Michael Collins, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Jona Nareki, Mitch Hunt, Folau Fakatava, Kazuki Himeno, Billy Harmon, Shannon Frizell, Pari Pari Parkinson, Bryn Evans, Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon (co-c), Ethan de Groot.
Reserves: Liam Coltman, Ayden Johnstone, Josh Hohneck, Josh Dickson, Hugh Renton, Aaron Smith (co-c), Caleb Makene, James Lentjes
BLUES vs HURRICANES, Saturday 5.05pm AEDT at Eden Park
BLUES (TBC)
HURRICANES (TBC)
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from WWOS https://wwos.nine.com.au/rugby/super-rugby-2021-teams-news-au-aotearoa-waratahs-brumbies-rebels-reds-highlanders/43a58b3c-bb47-4142-9e01-bf76635d66f4
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