Going into this weekend, I had been fighting a sore throat and hoarse voice, and had a stash of throat lozenges to see me through the game. They didn't. In tension, I was popping them in and crunching them to bits before they had the chance to do any good (today I can't talk above a breathy whisper, seductive I know). Oh well, better than pulling my hair out or biting my nails to the quick (they took enough of a beating during the RWC final).
Last week it was the timekeeping that almost cost us the game, this week it was Jimmy Cowan... Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy, what were you thinking? Why not just pass the ball back to one of the other players who had the time and space to kick? Or why not just kick it out the back? Regardless, thank goodness Buxton Popoali'i was able to gather it up and coolly pass it under pressure to Tamati Ellison who smartly ran into touch. We won 18-17 but that was too close for comfort, way too close for comfort.
For the first 40 minutes, it was the Highlanders who were threatening on attack and defense, laying the pressure on the Waratahs creating turnovers and finding space to run. It was no surprise when Aaron Smith got over the line for the first Highlanders try after just 15 minutes. The speed and intensity with which they played and the number of times they penetrated the Waratahs defens, one would have expected to see many more tries scored by the Highlanders.
Like last weekend, it was not the Highlanders that came out firing after half time, but the visitors who wanted it more. Pat McCutcheon's block and subsequent try was stellar (even if it was for the other team) and the replays of his sideways facing foot after the dislocation were enough to make anyone squeamish while bringing back memories of fellow teammate Drew Mitchell's ankle dislocation last year.
Well, he and Mitchell can compare injuries and debate whose was the most grotesque while they commiserate from the Waratahs' sidelines. I think I'd have to vote McCutcheon's for the grotesque award. We've already seen several blocked kicks resulting in tries, I wonder how many more we will see before the season is out?
Thankfully, the Highlanders came back with that brilliant team try (go figure it started with a pick off the ruck by Hore...) that found Hardie in space to slide over and score, putting the Highlanders where they deserved to be from the beginning: ahead on the scoreboard. Of course, in a second half marked by momentum changes, the Waratahs weren't to be left behind for long.
Fitness issues began to rear their ugly faces as some players struggled to keep up the pace, made all the more poignant when some kick and chases failed to have any chasers as they were just too obviously knackered to be bothered. Rather defeats the purpose of the kick and chase doesn't it?
Ball in hand boys, keep it in hand, kicking away possession is the wrong answer when your team is tuckered out. And also way too stressful on us fans when we're 2 points behind and we see the ball sailing into the hands of the opposition with no Highlanders in sight to either contest the ball or lay the smack down. So have pity on our nerves and don't do that!
In his defense, Jimmy did provide a moment of comic relief when he piggy backed Benn Robinson in order to get the ball out of the ruck. Happily, it also got the Highlanders the penalty that gave them the final lead and eventual win. A just reward for a hard fought battle, but I'm afraid the price paid physically and emotionally will begin to take its toll.
So here's a tip easier said than done, don't give up halftime leads and rather than being the team that claws back in the final minutes to win, be the team that gets ahead to stay ahead. In the end, the Highlanders have tenacity like an itch that won't go away no matter how much you scratch, coupled with strong players, coaching staff, supportive fans, and a 3-0 start, this is a team that will "get ‘er done."
Shout-out to Jamie
Shout out to Jamie Mackintosh for his 50th appearance as a Highlander, that's an impressive feat in the professional era where team loyalty can easily be bought and sold and some players are more interested in chasing personal glory rather than building lasting team foundations (not to name names, cough, SBW, cough).
To each their own I suppose. Keep it up Jamie, your home loyalty is inspiring, especially to those kids dreaming of wearing the Highlanders kit. Cheers on a good game as well and captaining the team to an undefeated start, I expect you to keep it up for the rest of the season. No pressure.
I am not a stalker - honestly
On a complete side note, will you rugby boys please stop going to the grocery store when I am not there?
I am tired of my boyfriend texting me to say he just saw Jamie Mackintosh, Adam Thomson, Richie McCaw (so gutted I missed him), and others on the few times when I haven't gone with him.
I promise I won't stalk you, well, ok, maybe I will, but I'll keep a respectful distance so you won't even know I am following you. However, if you see massive amounts of red curly hair out of the corner of your eye, that'll be me and you are more than welcome to say hi. I'll try not to faint, but I'm still getting used to the idea of my long time idols being real people living in the same city as me, it's just too cool.
