Highlanders stood down for curfew breach

MICHAEL HOBBS: Big impact.

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All Black Adam Thomson and star recruit Michael Hobbs have been stood down by the Highlanders for missing a team curfew on their tour of South Africa.

They will not be playing against the Bulls in Pretoria on Sunday (NZ time).

The pair have been disciplined following a night out after the team's 33-nil hiding by the Stormers in Cape Town last weekend.

Highlanders head coach Glenn Moore said the players didn't get back to the team hotel on time. They weren't involved in any other incidents.

Moore said that while suspending the players was a critical decision which impacted on the whole team, it was, in the end, a straightforward one.

"Each week you have to earn the right to play for this team. This slip up, albeit out-of-character for these two guys, means they don't get the opportunity to play this week," Moore said in a statement.

Hobbs and Thomson would stay with the team in Pretoria to help them prepare for the match against the Bulls.

The Highlanders return to New Zealand on Sunday following the match.

Thomson is the Highlanders' most experienced player, with the versatile loose forward playing 15 tests for the All Blacks.

Hobbs has made a big impact after being imported to the Highlanders after playing last year's Super 14 with the Blues.

He has scored four tries with some good performances in the No 10 jersey.

Mat Berquist takes over at first five and Steven Setephano will be at No 8.

Moore has made other changes to his pack for the big assignment in Pretoria.

Tim Boys comes in at blindside flank for John Hardie, prop Chris King replaces Clint Newland and Jason Macdonald returns to hooker for Jason Rutledge.

Captain Jimmy Cowan, who has already returned home with a finger injury, was replaced by Sean Romans with Jamie Mackintosh taking over the skipper's role.

The Highlanders' embarrassing loss to the Stormers last week dented a reasonable record in South Africa for the Kiwis which now stands at 15 wins, 17 defeats and a draw.

They face a massive task to turn things around in round five against the defending champions.

Highlanders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Kenny Lynn, 12 Jason Shoemark, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Mat Berquist, 9 Sean Romans, 8 Steven Setephano, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Tim Boys, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Chris King, 2 Jason Macdonald, 1 Jamie Mackintosh.

Reserves: 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Hayden Triggs, 19 John Hardie, 20 Scott Cowan, 21 Robbie Robinson, 22 James Paterson.

- © Fairfax NZ News