Lions happy to play under closed roof against Highlanders

Here's your team to take the field against the @LionsRugbyUnion on Saturday night @ForBarrStadium#WeAreHighlanderspic.twitter.com/6KWHy699Tl

— The Highlanders (@Highlanders) March 10, 2016

Bad weather en route to Dunedin on Thursday morning (SA time) necessitated the aircraft carrying the Lions to turn around which delayed their arrival ahead of Saturday’s clash.

Nothing quite like being in @ForBarrStadium watching @Highlanders in Dunners #undertheroof#HIGvHURpic.twitter.com/e7nMOlJ7pQ

— Jemma Osten (@JemmaOsten) March 5, 2016

“We had a good week in Rotorua, it is just a pity about our traveling that was affected by the weather. We again spent many hours on the plane and we will arrive in Dunedin later than planned,” Ackermann said on Friday.

While arriving late in Dunedin will disrupt his team's preparations, the Lions mentor is happy that the weather won’t spoil proceedings on the field of play.

"Although the weather is bad on the south island at the moment, the Highlanders stadium has a roof and I believe it will be an exciting game against the defending champions with a lot of All Blacks in their side. We must just recuperate from the travel and give our best.”

The Lions slept in Wellington on Thursday evening and flew out to Dunedin on Friday morning (New Zealand time).

Kick-off for Saturday’s clash at Forsyth Barr Stadium is scheduled for 08:35 (SA time).

Teams:

Highlanders

15 Ben Smith (captain), 14 Matt Faddes, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Rob Thompson, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Liam Squire, 7 Dan Pryor, 6 Luke Whitelock, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Alex Ainley, 3 Siosiua Halanukonuka, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Brendon Edmonds

Substitutes: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Elliot Dixon, 20 Shane Christie, 21 Josh Renton, 22 Hayden Parker, 23 Jason Emery

Lions 15 Jaco Van Der Walt, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Warwick Tecklenberg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 1 Jacques van Rooyen

Substitutes: 16 Armand Van Der Merwe, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Julian Redelinghuys, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Ruan Ackermann, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Jacques Nel, 23 Andries Coetzee

Source: News24