Rugby: Team will be glued to TV

The usual mutterings of worrying about your own game and controlling the controllables will go out the window for the Highlanders tonight.

And the team is not even playing.

Three of the four teams directly below the Highlanders will play tonight - the Hurricanes, the side directly below the Highlanders, has a bye - and by midnight the Highlanders will know what they have to do to get into the playoffs, if they are not already there.

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph admitted the television would get a real working out tonight in their Christchurch hotel, as the side gets ready to take on the Crusaders tomorrow night.

''I'm not going to lie. You'd be pretty keen to watch TV on Friday night for us. The way I see it, in the competition we can finish anywhere from second to seventh,'' Joseph said.

''We want to go out and win but they are a good team ... We have got confidence to beat them. We have beaten them before and we were pretty unlucky against them last time.''

The Highlanders are coming off their worst effort of the season - a disappointing 44-16 loss to the Waratahs - and Joseph said that would be motivation enough to get one over the Crusaders in Christchurch.

''We have given some honest feedback to the players. I thought we had a really good training week but Sydney, good town Sydney, with a lot of distractions if you get there a couple of days beforehand. They [Waratahs] are a very good team and you have to play your very best against them.''

Poor weather in Dunedin meant the side had been training hard in the gym this week and has had limited time on the paddock.

''We have met the Crusaders twice before, including pre-season, so we know what they are about. We have just got to get our minds right and get out and perform.''

Along with the loss of Ben Smith, Joseph has switched his pivots, bringing Hayden Parker into the No 10 jersey and putting Lima Sopoaga on to the bench.

The last time Parker started, the team beat the Hurricanes with some smart tactics of pinning the opposition back. With a chilly night forecast in Christchurch the boot of Parker will get plenty of use.

One possible option next week could be a long trip to South Africa or a flight across the Tasman.

Joseph said it was exciting talking about possible playoff venues.

''We have never been in that position before. What is it ? 12 years. To get on a plane to go somewhere next week would be great.''


Highlanders v Crusaders: Christchurch, tomorrow, 7.35pm
Highlanders: Trent Renata, Richard Buckman, Malakai Fekitoa, Shaun Treeby, Patrick Osborne, Hayden Parker, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu (captain), Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon, Joe Wheeler, Tom Franklin, Chris King, Liam Coltman, Kane Hames. Reserves: Ged Robinson, Matias Diaz, JP Koen, Josh Bekhuis, Gareth Evans, Fumiaki Tanaka, Lima Sopoaga, Phil Burleigh.

Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Kieron Fonotia, Ryan Crotty, Dan Carter, Nemani Nadolo, Colin Slade, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (captain), Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock, Dominic Bird, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Corey Flynn, Joe Moody, Nepo Laulala, Jimmy Tupou, Luke Whitelock, Willi Heinz, Tom Taylor, Johnny McNicholl


 

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