The Highlanders planned "everything" as a potential long-haul flight on Sunday

Do not expect to see Highlanders players pick pints in the Octagon on Saturday night.

Instead, they were told to go home and go to bed after the regular season finale against the Rebels at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Head Coach Aaron Mauger will do the same and insists that he will not burn midnight oil and that he will watch two games played in South Africa in the early hours of Sunday morning (NZT).

Forget the fact that the Lions-Bulls match in Johannesburg and the Sharks-Jaguares clash in Durban will determine where the Highlanders will play in the quarter-finals of the upcoming weekend, Mauger would prefer his team to have a good night's sleep. sleep.

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"Not at all," said Mauger when asked when he was waiting for a sleepless night on Saturday. "We can not control what's happening around the world, but what we can control is our performance, and then we'll make sure the boys get a good night's sleep, we'll need it."

"Our advice would be to go home and have a good night" [19659007] Given that the last game of the Highlanders' regular season, which is also likely their last game at Forsyth Barr Stadium this year, will start at 5:15 pm, hay at a reasonable time should not be difficult.

But this is not the case when we are trying to predict where the Highlanders will play in the quarter-finals next weekend.

What is clear, it is that they can not finish eighth, and this is not realistic, they finish fifth, then lock in sixth or seventh. On the other end, it comes down to who finishes second or third.

Regardless, the Highlanders will play either the Johannesburg Lions, the Buenos Aires Jaguars or the Sydney Waratahs.

"We have plans in place for everything, for all these eventualities," said Mauger. "You have to get up in the morning and press the button."

If the Highlanders are to travel to South Africa or Argentina, a 25-man squad will leave Dunedin on a Sunday afternoon, Mauger said.

If they are ready to play the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, where they were trampled 41-12 earlier in the season, they will remain in Dunedin a good part of the week.

"Whoever ranks in the top eight will be of quality," said Mauger. "We are all aware that no matter who has the ability to beat anyone the day."

Of course, before you get there, they have to repel the rebels, who are practically in a situation where you absolutely have to win. if they want to qualify for the playoffs.

There was both good and bad news for the Melbourne-based team leading the game defining the season.

With little stake, the Highlanders, with the goal of revitalizing the team before the playoffs, have left a stack of players, including All Blacks Ben Smith, Aaron Smith and Luke Whitelock. However, Wallabies Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty and Adam Coleman all failed fitness tests and were excluded for tourists.

The Highlanders will not settle for sixth place on the ladder with a win, they will also extend their winning race under the roof at 12 games, and avoid a losing skid of three games for the first time since 2014.

Perhaps most important of all, this would give some momentum and confidence after consecutive losses of 45-22, as key players like Smith and midfielder Rob Thompson recharge the batteries .

"We know it's going to be a good challenge, there will be a lot of emotion in the first 20 minutes," Mauger said.

"They also have a big physical side, and they like we will have to be on our game from the very first minute and really understand the challenge that is coming." [19659099] ONE SINGLE COUP Eye

Highlanders v Rebels [19659007] Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, Saturday, 5:15 pm

Referee: Glen Jackson

Palette: Midfielder $ 1.23, Rebel $ 4.05

Highlanders: Josh Ioane, Waisake Naholo, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Tei Walden, Tevita Li, Lima Sopoaga, Kayne Hammington, Liam Squire, James Lentjes (captain), Shannon Frizell, Jackson Hemopo, Alex Ainley, Tyrel Lomax, Liam Coltman, Aki Seuili. Reservations: Greg Pleasants-Tate, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Kalolo Tuiloma, Tom Franklin, Dillon Hunt, Josh Renton, Matt Faddes, Josh McKay.

Rebels: Jack Maddocks, Sefa Naivalu, English Tom (Captain), Billy Meakes, Marika Koroibete, Reece Hodge, Michael Ruru; Amanaki Mafi, Colby Fainga's, Angus Cottrell, Ross Haylett-Petty, Matt Philip, Sam Talakai, Anaru Rangi, Fereti Sa & Aga. Reserves: Nathan Charles, Tetera Faulkner, Jermaine Ainsley, Sam Jeffries, Richard Hardwick, Harrison Goddard, Jack Debreczeni, Lopeti Timani.

– Tips and Tricks