How are the Highlanders going to repeat last year’s memorable win against the Crusaders and boost their teetering playoff prospects?
Highlanders halfback Folau Fakatava got hit with that right off the bat.
Some context first.
The Crusaders are a much different team this season.
They are not battling at the bottom of the table any more.
They are back near the top of the standings and playing an attractive brand of rugby which involves scoring a lot of tries — more than any other team in the competition.
They have an international quality tight-five and an awfully impressive record against the Highlanders.
They have won 10 of the last dozen encounters between the two sides.
They have Will Jordan, who so often conjures opportunity out of nothing more solid than sheer audacity.
And they are strongly favoured to beat the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight.
The Highlanders' playoff prospects were further bruised by a heavy 46-10 defeat to the Chiefs in Hamilton last Saturday.
They are a team struggling to execute and play a consistent brand of rugby.
They always appear just one or two mistakes away from the game completely slipping away.
They get slapped with the gutsy label, but gutsy does not get you into the playoffs.
It takes actual wins to do that and the Highlanders are running out of runway.
They need a victory. But how?
"I think for us [it’s] just being focused on [our game], securing our role and getting our head right," Fakatava responded.
"Like you've said, it's (the Crusaders) a good team, it's a different team from last year and we just need to focus on ourselves and do our job.
"We just need to get back to being brave or come together and connect."
The halfback has had a difficult season with injury but has made the starting XV for the third consecutive week.
He sees his game as a work in progress and is looking forward to going up against fellow No9 Noah Hotham, who spent a good chunk of time in Dunedin learning from Fakatava.
"It is exciting because Noah started off here with us and I started training with him.
"We were learning off each other ... and I’m proud of ...how he proved himself last year."
That admiration dies on the field. That is reserved for competition and Fakatava would love to get one up on his old sparring partner.
"I always get motivated for those games, and just to be playing at home in front of our family and our fans."
The Highlanders won this fixture 32-29 last season. First five Cameron Millar posted 27 points — the second highest individual tally in Highlanders history.
"He's a really good 10 ... and his game is moving to another level now.
"The connection with Cam, I feel really confident [in]. So yeah, we'll just need to keep building it up every week."
Highlanders v Crusaders
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
7.05pm
Highlanders: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Timoci Tavatavanawai (captain), Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Jake Te Hiwi, Jonah Lowe, Cameron Millar, Folau Fakatava, Will Stodart, Sean Withy, TK Howden, Fabian Holland, Mitch Dunshea, Saula Ma’u, Soane Vikena, Ethan de Groot.
Reserves: Jack Taylor, Josh Bartlett, Sefo Kautai, Oliver Haig, Veveni Lasaqa, Nathan Hastie, Sam Gilbert, Josh Whaanga.
Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Dallas McLeod, David Havili (captain), Macca Springer, Taha Kemara, Noah Hotham, Christian Lio-Willie, Tom Christie, Xavier Saifoloi, Jamie Hannah, Scott Barrett, Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, George Bower.
Reserves: Ioane Moananu, Tamaiti Williams, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, Rivez Reihana, Chay Fihaki.
