Rugby: One last hurdle for Highlanders

Waisake Naholo dots down despite the attentions of Waratahs halfback Nick Phipps. Photos Reuters
Waisake Naholo dots down despite the attentions of Waratahs halfback Nick Phipps. Photos Reuters
Highlanders winger Patrick Osborne flies through the air on his way to scoring the final try.
Highlanders winger Patrick Osborne flies through the air on his way to scoring the final try.
Highlanders players celebrate after Patrick Osborne (third from left) scored the final try.
Highlanders players celebrate after Patrick Osborne (third from left) scored the final try.

The Highlanders will have a day off today, knowing they have the ability, firepower and, most importantly, the brains, to win their first Super rugby title.

The side returned to Dunedin last night after a thrilling 35-17 win over the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday night sealed a place in next Saturday night's final against the Hurricanes in Wellington.

It will be just the second appearance in the final for the side, which hosted it in 1999 when it lost 24-19 to the Crusaders.

The Highlanders should go into the game with some confidence after a resounding win over the Waratahs. And any injury concerns over Nasi Manu and Lima Sopoaga have eased.

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said yesterday from Australia he was very proud of his side and the way they had performed.

''Just with the way they played the game ... There was some outstanding footy played. The forwards had to take on a very physical and bigger pack,'' he said.

''Tactically, we had to take them on and put them away in the second half. We had a game plan, but the thing about it, as the game went on the guys on the field stepped up and played the game.

''You look at the captains and guys like Aaron [Smith] and Lima [Sopoaga] and they were the ones making the decisions out on the field.''

The Highlanders kept the Waratahs pinned in their own half as the game went on and its often unheralded forward pack took on and beat the much vaunted Waratahs forwards.

''They just fronted and, taking on a much bigger pack, came out on top. In the lineout, guys like [Mark] Reddish, Gareth [Evans], [Alex] Ainley, all got their ball. You've got to give them a lot of credit. We've been working hard right from the pre season.

''The team culture has really helped us through.

''We've had plenty of injuries but that has given other guys a chance and they have all really stood up and taken their chance.''

Joseph planned to treat this week like any other, meaning the team will have a relatively light training week.

The players would have today off to rest sore bodies and also have Wednesday off. Having started training in late November, the team should not need too much time out on the practice pitch.

The challenge this week will be all mental, and developing a game plan to defeat the Hurricanes.

The Wellington based side has beaten the Highlanders twice this year, although the second time the southern franchise was without its three All Blacks.

The Hurricanes have injury concerns over loose forward Ardie Savea (knee) and fullback wing Nehe Milner Skudder (hamstring).

Joseph said the game would undoubtedly be tough.

''It is going to be hard, especially at their home. But that is the challenge we are faced with and have been faced with this year. We have to get our preparation right and give ourselves the best chance to succeed.''

The intensity of the games of the past two weeks - when the side has beaten the past two champions - had been high, and players had responded.

''As the pressure goes up the boys are playing better. That is a good sign for next Saturday.''


Best of the best

The triumph over the Waratahs on Saturday night was one of the greatest wins in Highlanders history. Perhaps the greatest.

Steve Hepburn rates his five best Highlanders wins over the years.

35 - 17 v Waratahs 2015
Sydney

All on the line and the Highlanders just ran away with the match. They ruled the lineout, won the gain line and scored some fine individual tries.

With what was up for grabs, and against a defending champion, you would be hard pressed to beat this match as the best. Perhaps it could be topped only by you know what next Saturday night in Wellington.

33 -18 v Stormers 1999
Cape Town

The side had to travel all the way to Cape Town in 1999 for a semifinal after losing in somewhat controversial fashion to the Hurricanes in Wellington.

It made the long trek to South Africa and somehow came away with a 33-18 victory.

The sides counterpunched each other all night but, surprisingly given the distance they had travelled, the Highlanders came home the stronger.

29 -28 v Waratahs 2004
Sydney

It looked like another painful trip to Sydney.

The side was down 28-7 early in the second half and a man short with lock Filipo Levi sent from the field.

But the Highlanders picked themselves up off the canvas and came storming back. Matt Saunders bagged two tries and when Tony Brown converted Anton Oliver's try from out wide it looked like it could be a great victory.

Wallabies ace Matt Burke put the icing on the cake for the Highlanders by somehow missing a simple kick in front at the death.

36 -12 v Bulls 2009
Palmerston North

The Highlanders took this game away from the South to try to drum up some interest, and make some money.

The Bulls were an impressive side, stacked with internationals. But they were a distant second all afternoon.

The Highlanders were all fire and brimstone and halfback Jimmy Cowan ran the show.

The side ended up with five tries and swept the Bulls. Unfortunately, it then had a bye, lost all momentum and won only one more game all season.

29 - 8 v Hurricanes 1998
Dunedin

The Highlanders were making a surprising run at the playoffs after finishing dead last the previous year.

A Hurricanes team came to a packed Carisbrook on a Sunday afternoon and was simply taken apart by the Highlanders. Byron Kelleher and Lio Falaniko scored the tries, Tony Brown knocked over the points and Brendan Laney scored a drop goal.

 

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