Rugby: Lentjes named in troublesome No 7 jersey for semi-final

James Lentjes will again go from club to Super Rugby and be asked to perform a key role for the Highlanders on Saturday night.

Lentjes has today been named in the troublesome No 7 jersey for the semifinal against the Waratahs in Sydney.

He replaces Dan Pryor, who badly injured an elbow in the stirring playoff win over the Chiefs last weekend.

Lentjes had a handful of games for the Highlanders this season before returning to play for his Taieri club in the Dunedin premier competition.

He is effectively the fourth-choice openside, with John Hardie and Shane Christie also sidelined with injury.

His inclusion is the only change to the Highlanders XV that beat the Chiefs.

There are two changes on the bench. Effervescent lock Joe Wheeler returns from a lengthy injury break, and Trent Renata replaces Marty Banks, who sustained a head knock last weekend and has been ruled out after concussion tests.

1. Brendon Edmonds
2. Liam Coltman
3. Josh Hohneck
4. Alex Ainley
5. Mark Reddish
6. Elliot Dixon
7. James Lentjes
8. Nasi Manu
9. Aaron Smith
10. Lima Sopoaga
11. Patrick Osborne
12. Richard Buckman
13. Malakai Fekitoa
14. Waisake Naholo
15. Ben Smith

Reserves:
16. Ash Dixon
17. Daniel Lienert-Brown
18. Ross Geldenhuys
19. Joe Wheeler
20. Gareth Evans
21. Fumiaki Tanaka
22. Trent Renata
23. Shaun Treeby