What a heart stopper the game was on Saturday night; it had me leaping out of my seat, closing my eyes, abusing the referee and yelling at the boys but ... nek minit they delivered and put 4 valuable points on the table.
The Highlanders, on paper, were always going to have their work cut out for them against a star-studded Chiefs backline with the likes of SBW, Kahui and ‘Flash' Masaga. But the Landers managed to guts it out, showing real promise, and the new boys hot off the plane really made an impact with Tamati Ellison setting up the first try whilst Andrew Hore showed what an asset he is going to be this year along with the other front row club members.
This week sees the lads return to Dunedin for their first home game and what will surely be a pivotal game in the season. Tickets to this game versus the Crusaders are likely to sell out and will be as rare as hens teeth.
The Crusaders will bring with them a fired up ‘Sas' Donelly to take on his former team mates at the new Forsyth Barr Stadium; no doubt our boys in blue will be lining up to get their hands on him at the bottom of a ruck and have a crack at the big guy.
A key match up this week will be in the loose forward trio's where Todd, Whitelock, Read & Co will battle it out with Haskell, Thompson, Manu and Hardie our boys will have to be on their game and be up in the grill of the lads from over the Waitaki.
This weeks game is sure going to be an absolute cracker so whether you're a loyal scarfie, rugby purist or a parent taking your up and coming Highlanders clan members with a ‘Take a Kid to Footy' pack. The stadium caters to all. Get in ‘The Zoo' if you are a scarfie on the back of O-Week celebrations; lube yourself up at The Bog before the main event kicks off. Whats more it has the best view of any rugby park in the country hands down. So just be there!
By the way, word on the street is that the green kit is out extremely well and there are only limited numbers available.
- Nathan Winter: I am a local Dunedin lad born and bred. I have been a fan of the Highlanders since day 1, when the team included the likes of Josh Kronfeld, John Leslie and Jeff Wilson. owadays, since I have retired from my playing days, I coach a colt's team at Taieri, trying to create the next generation of potential Highlanders. Finally, I am a fan of the green kit. Bring on the year of the Highlanders!
