Super Rugby
Ioane to miss Highlanders' South Africa tour
April 14, 2014
The Highlanders' TJ Ioane gets is tackled, Highlanders v Brumbies, Super Rugby pre-season trial, Queenstown Sports Ground, January 31, 2014
TJ Ioane has not recovered from his calf strain in time to make the South Africa trip © Getty Images
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Explosive loose forward TJ Ioane hasn't recovered from injury in time to be named in the Highlanders' squad for their two-game Super Rugby tour of South Africa.

A calf strain sidelined Ioane from the Highlanders' two home wins over the Melbourne Rebels and Bulls and he was not deemed ready for the tour, where they will face the competition-leading Sharks and the Stormers.

Also missing from the 27-strong squad is veteran lock Brad Thorn, who suffered a season-ending bicep injury against the Bulls on Friday.

Lock Tom Franklin, prop Matais Diaz, fly-half Willie Ripia, centre Winston Stanley and scrum-half Frae Wilson have also missed selection, along with wing Kurt Baker, who is serving a six-match suspension.

The Highlanders, who have climbed to sixth place, leave on Friday for the round 11 and 12 games.

Highlanders backs: Ben Smith, Trent Renata, Richard Buckman, Patrick Osborne, Malakai Fekitoa, Jason Emery, Shaun Treeby, Phil Burleigh, Lima Sopoaga, Hayden Parker, Aaron Smith, Fumiaki Tanaka

Highlanders forwards: Nasi Manu, Elliot Dixon, Shane Christie, John Hardie, Gareth Evans, Jarrad Hoeata, Joe Wheeler, Josh Bekhuis, Chris King, Maafu Fia, Kane Hames, Craig Millar, Liam Coltman, Ged Robinson, Brayden Mitchell

© AAP

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