Strong all-round effort, fine defence pleases Mauger

Aaron Mauger
Aaron Mauger
Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger credited his side’s physicality on defence as the key to his side’s 42-26 win over the Crusaders at Fred Booth Park at Waimumu, Southland, yesterday.

The score sheet said that  centre Matt Faddes, scorer of three tries, was the star of the game but Mauger credited his the rest of his side for allowing him to shine.

"Matt had a good game. That was off the back of good pressure inside him.

"On the whole, I thought it was a good team performance, really.

"With our team we talk about everyone playing their part and I think everyone did that today."

Mauger was particularly impressed with his side’s physicality and they way his  players confronted their opponents.

"I thought our physicality was very good and our intensity was very good. We probably edged them in that area which allowed us to get a bit of momentum.

"It was not for the whole 80 minutes, though  —  there were patches where we got a little bit sloppy at times.

"We will have to tidy those things up for next week, but overall, [it was] not too bad."

Apart from a few lapses, especially during the frantic start, strong defence turned the game for the Highlanders, Mauger said.

"We let them break us open too easy at times, but at other times I thought our defence was outstanding.

"We got some good shoulders on and managed to put a bit of pressure on their ball.

"That is how the Crusaders like to play —  they like to play fast — and I thought we managed to negate their game through some good shots."

The  Highlanders  led 28-19  at halftime and were determined to capitalise on that  advantage when they returned to the field, Mauger said.

The Highlanders not only defended their halftime lead, but pulled away to run out 42-26 winners.

Mauger feels comfortable about his side’s form going into his first regular-season game as coach.

"On the whole we are pretty comfortable. There are a couple of things we need to tidy up."

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson drew positives from his side’s defeat.

"That was a quality, quality pre-season game. It was just what we needed with the physicality side of it.

"We just made a couple of errors and some  discipline  [lapses], but it was great learning."

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