Highlanders start post Malakai Fekitoa era with Rob Thompson at centre ROBERT VAN ROYENGETTY IMAGES Rob Thompson will start the first match in the post Malakai Fekitoa era at centre. The Blues have named a powerful midfield in the form of Sonny Bill Williams and George Moala, but Mauger said his decision to not start Faddes had nothing to do with his defence. READ MORE* Whitelock weighing up future* Gatland gets the nod at 10* Season preview: Highlanders"We just felt it was more around Tei and Robbie," Mauger said. "When Rob and Tei have trained in the midfield, that's how they've run. They're a team that can rattle teams in the space of five or six minutes and take the game away from their opposition," Mauger said.

Source: Stuff February 20, 2018 23:48 UTC