It was Thommo's big night in which he scored himself a hat trick of five pointers and played a significant part in the 43-12 thumping.
However, it was not all plain sailing for the Highlanders who found themselves down by 12 points early. Two late tries in the first spell saw the 'Landers claw back the early deficit and go into the break all square at twelve all.
What did ‘Big Dog' Joseph say at halftime? One can suspect that our lads were given a spray and told to play at the right end of the field. It is an old cliché but it was most definitely a game of two halves, one which was average loaded with errors and the next was absolute gold.
With the bulk of the Highlanders engine room made up of Stags including the ‘Mule' King, Cabbage, and Josh Bekhuis, these lads really stood up and laid a solid foundation. Then the glamour boys cut loose out wide and this is where ‘Thommo' is key. He is a great link between forwards and backs which leads to his uncanny knack of finding the line.
This week our boys will need to have a solid start to avoid being under the pump again, the Stormers will not allow them back into the game with the same ease as the Rebels did. When flying Bryan Habana, Jean De Villiers, and the monster forward pack step on to the pitch at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday night the 'Landers must bring their A game or else. A couple of factors that aid them getting over the Stormers is the long travel and the fact that they have just come off a ferocious battle with the Bulls in SA.
A bye in two weeks will be very timely as it will enable the squad to rest and consolidate their position before heading to Africa where the Cheetahs and Sharks will be circling.
This week will take a huge effort from our boys to overcome the Stormers. They are a class outfit right across the pitch and we must play with minimal errors and match the intensity of the Stormers by getting up in their grill and sitting them on their backside early. They have a big pack and we must run them around the pitch with a fast and expansive game. Look for massive games again from Bender and Hosea Gear with Mike Delany providing much-needed cover off the bench.
The enormity of this game cannot be underestimated Dunedin folk, so get amongst the action at Forsyth Barr Stadium this Saturday and support the mighty 'Landers. By the way, the Zoo is closed this week as the animals are away on holiday.