The Highlanders in 2014
Played 17, won 8, lost 9, points for 428, points against 473
Leading points scorers: Lima Sopoaga 178 points (38 pens, 27 cons, 2 tries), Hayden Parker 52 (11 pens, 4 cons, 1 try, 2 dropped goals).
Top tryscorers: Malakai Fekitoa 7, Patrick Osborne 5, Ben Smith 5, Richard Buckman 5
Record
v Blues won 29-21
v Chiefs lost 21-19
v Hurricanes won 35-31
v Blues lost 30-12
v Rebels won 33-30
v Bulls won 27-20
v Sharks won 34-28
v Stormers lost 29-28
v Lions won 23-22.
v Hurricanes won 18-16
v Crusaders lost 32-30
v Reds lost 38-31
v Chiefs won 29-25
v Waratahs lost 44-16
v Crusaders lost 8-34
v Sharks lost 31-27 (playoff)
Appearances: (substitution appearances in brackets) Ben Smith 16, Richard Buckman 17, Malakai Fekitoa 17, Kurt Baker 2, Winston Stanley 1, Jason Emery 2 (1), Shaun Treeby 15 (2), Patrick Osborne 11, Lima Sopoaga 15 (1), Aaron Smith 17, Nasi Manu 17 (1), Shane Christie 17 (2), Lee Allan 2 (2), Gareth Evans 11 (6), John Hardie 5 (1), Jarrad Hoeata 13 (3), Joe Wheeler 16 (1), Tom Franklin 7 (5), Brad Thorn 4, Chris King 16 (3), Liam Coltman 14 (2), Kane Hames 16, Ged Robinson 15 (10), Brayden Mitchell 4 (2), Ma'afu Fia 12 (6), Matias Diaz 9 (9), Craig Millar 5 (5), Josh Bekhuis 11 (9), TJ Ioane 5 (5), Elliot Dixon 16 (4), Hayden Parker 11 (8), Phil Burleigh 12 (9), Trent Renata 8 (5), Fumiaki Tanaka 11 (11), Sam Anderson-Heather 1 (1), JP Koen 3 (3)
Best performances
v Sharks, Durban, won 34-18. It was true the Sharks were awful but the Highlanders used the ball well and scored some nice tries against the then competition leader.
v Hurricanes, Wellington, won 18-16. Credit must go to the coaching staff for this win. Not allowing the Hurricanes any room to move and playing the game in the opposition half set up a gutsy victory.
v Chiefs, Dunedin, won 29-25. In a must-win match, the Highlanders hung tough and were more urgent and stronger than the Chiefs.
Three areas to work on next year
Set piece - the game is still the same. You have to be strong up front. The Highlanders have to get better here - scrum better and win their own lineout ball - but high-quality tight forwards do not grow on trees.
Second-season blues - Many players had breakout years. But that second season is harder. Players need to continue to get better.
Finish the season well - With no mid-season break next year, the Highlanders need to build momentum and complete the whole season. They lost five of their last six games this year, although they played the best sides in that time.
Three questions for the Highlanders next year
1) Will the side's key players, who are also key All Blacks, play - or be allowed to play - every game?
2) Can any promising Otago player put his hand up for inclusion in the Highlanders next year?
3) Does anyone want to steal Steve Walsh's passport?
Player ratings
Ben Smith: As good as ever. Great vision, never played a bad game and was a constant threat on attack. One of the best players in the country ........ 8.5
Richard Buckman: The surprise packet of the season. Looked totally at home in this environment. A good all-round player who never played a bad game ........ 8
Malakai Fekitoa: Wandering down to the Highlanders' first training session in late November last year, there was this well-built, athletic guy who stood out. Was told he was one to watch. The big Tongan did not disappoint. Beat the most players in the competition. At home under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium ........ 8.5
Patrick Osborne: Took a while to get going and not the most durable of men but in open space and with the tryline in sight was hard to stop. Has the odd brain fade and surprising to see him in the All Black picture ........ 7
Shaun Treeby: A consistent player who rarely does anything wrong. Perhaps lacks a spark that would elevate him to the next level ........ 6.5
Phil Burleigh: Never played a bad game but, like Treeby, does not have that quality to make him a game-breaker ........ 6.5
Trent Renata: Played a part in half the games. Was ever reliable and a tidy footballer. A good pick-up for Otago ........ 6.5
Lima Sopoaga: Massive improvement from last season. Good in open play and stayed on the field, albeit for an ankle sprain. Kicking at better than 85% was absolutely crucial to the success of the side. Looked to move the ball at just the right time. Needs to improve his line kicking ........ 8
Hayden Parker: Did not get much of a chance but did nothing wrong when he was on the paddock. Kicked well and keeps improving ........ 7
Aaron Smith: A top year from the nation's best halfback. Passed well, kicked mostly well, and added a nifty running game to his weaponry. Has moved well clear of TJ Perenara and Tawera Kerr-Barlow........ 8.5
Fumiaki Tanaka: Never started a game but did all that was asked of him when he came on. Size an issue ........ 7
Nasi Manu: Showed how much he was missed last year with a quality effort this season. Never lost the ball going into contact and just kept trucking on. Hard to believe he is only 25 ........ 8
Shane Christie: Took the step up to Super rugby in his stride and got around the field. Perhaps ran out of petrol a couple of games before the finish but had a heavy workload ........ 7.5
Elliot Dixon: Involved in all but one game. A workhorse who battered away. Won plenty of lineout ball. Made a mistake or two and never totally convincing ........ 6.5
Gareth Evans: Started well but then slipped out of the picture for a while. Sometimes tries to do too much. Has ability to be a game-changer and has speed and strength ........ 7
John Hardie: Injury and Christie's form meant a limited season again for Hardie. Needs to get on and stay on the paddock ........ 6.5
TJ Ioane: Never got a look-in. Picked up a couple of niggly injuries and others were preferred ahead of him. Should go away and have a rest for six months ........ 6
Jarrad Hoeata: Not the force first seen in 2011 but still had the odd good game. Discipline much improved and put body on the line ........ 6
Joe Wheeler: The most improved player from last year. Got his body right and was a force in the lineouts and around the field ........ 8
Josh Bekhuis: Did not get much of a look-in but did well when given a chance. Picked up a nasty leg injury mid-season, which did not help ........ 6.5
Brad Thorn: Hurt his ribs and then badly damaged his bicep. Was as solid as ever when he did play. Unlikely to be seen in a Highlanders jersey again ........ 7
Tom Franklin: Was well down in the pecking order at season's start but, through injuries and form of others, got his chance. Took it with both hands and showed was comfortable at this level ........ 7.5
Ma'afu Fia: A slow start when there was too much food going in and not enough coming out on the training paddock. But, once he got his weight issues sorted, started to play well. But had a seizure at training and missed the last three games and his absence was felt. Unclear future ........ 7
Chris King: Final season for King, as he heads to France. You'll never get a nine from King but, then again, you'll never get a five. Solid, although off key in last few games ........ 7
Kane Hames: A top season from a complete unknown at the start of the season. Good work ethic and very strong around the field, making plenty of tackles ........ 7.5
Craig Millar: Impressed when he came on and looks to have future. Season ended in South Africa when he damaged shoulder ........ 7
Matias Diaz: A bit of an unknown and remained that way for the season. Big but still a lot to learn ........ 5
Liam Coltman: A mixed bag. A stinker against the Force. All energy but unfortunately these days a hooker is defined by his throw-ins. Came up short in that department ........ 6
Ged Robinson: A reliable player who was solid in everything he did ........ 7
Brayden Mitchell: When he played, the burly rake did well, but he gets injured too often and picked up a dumb three-week suspension ........ 6