Highlanders captain Billy Harmon has been relegated to the bench for a breach of team discipline.
In what is a stark message from head coach Clarke Dermody, Harmon and fellow loose forward Sean Withy have been dropped from the team to play the Waratahs in Sydney on Friday night for turning up late to a team meeting this week.
Other squad members are understood to have been involved but they have not been named.
The Highlanders have stressed the transgression was minor, does not involve alcohol, and would not lead to further sanctions for the players. Dermody would not say what day the meeting was held, merely that it was during the build-up to the match.
"Part of our standards this year is that no matter who it is, it's unacceptable, and you lose your place in the team,'' Dermody said today.
"Unfortunately, a couple of our leaders were late for a meeting.
"Standards in any team are about improving team culture and ultimately performance," he said. "The message is that there is one standard for everyone in our team.
"I think they'll be more disappointed than anyone."
Dermody said he hadn't considered a permanent leadership change.
Prop Ethan de Groot will captain the team on Friday.
Dermody said one silver lining was the impact that Harmon and Withy could bring from the bench. He said both should be motivated to make a point.
Prop Jermaine Ainsley said: "Everyone knows the standards. They're always front of mind."
Highlanders team to play Waratahs in Sydney on Friday, kick-off 9.35pm is: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Tanielu Tele’a, Sam Gilbert, Jona Nareki, Rhys Patchell, Folau Fakatava, Hugh Renton, Nikora Broughton, Tom Sanders, Max Hicks, Fabian Holland, Jermaine Ainsley, Henry Bell, Ethan de Groot (captain). Reserves: Ricky Jackson, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Sean Withy, Billy Harmon, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Jonah Lowe.
SHARE ME