HIGH POINT
Meikle: A bit glib to say "the final whistle at Eden Park", I guess. The wins over the Force and Reds were excellent but my highlight was the game against the Fijian Drua in Suva. The Highlanders were awful early but showed real ticker and composure in difficult circumstances to come back and win 27-24.
Seconi: The 61-10 destruction of the Force at Forsyth Barr Stadium. It was the one time the Highlanders played like their fans expected them to play. Unfortunately they didn’t have the talent to play like that more often. Sam Gilbert at first five was a master stroke that backfired pretty quickly.
Cheshire: Of the season’s four wins, only one was genuinely good. The Reds in Brisbane, on the third week of a road trip no less, seemed a tough ask. But the team stood up and delivered a 27-19 victory at a point where the season seemed to be on an upward trajectory.
LOW POINT
Meikle: A bit glib to say "the opening whistle of the season", I guess. There was no single lowlight for me, though the loss to the Rebels in Melbourne was ghastly. Confusing selections, especially in the backs, and the fact the Highlanders ranked sixth for metres carried but 11th for defenders beaten are two things that sum up the season.
Seconi: It probably goes back to the offseason when they let slip of Josh Ioane. First five was a real weak point. They lacked direction, and their kicking game was poor all year. Recruitment overall wasn’t too flash.
Cheshire: The maskless flight back from Wellington. Rugby is just a game, as the saying goes — and the Highlanders had plenty of low moments on the field. But the lack of respect to all involved shown by the players who did not wear their masks properly on that flight just rankles. It was a major slap in the face to everyone who made sacrifices for this competition to go ahead, as well as the safety of all those on the flight.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON
Meikle: It was a season of two halves, really. Shannon Frizell was the best player in the opening rounds, and Marino Mikaele-Tu’u the star of the latter weeks. Two wonderful forwards in a very good pack.
Seconi: It’s a tough call. I will go with Josh Dickson, even though he blotted his copybook with a red card then a yellow card despite going to school to learn how to tackle properly. He was the reason the Highlanders’ lineout was so good, and he was a key part of an excellent tight five.
Cheshire: Ethan de Groot. A beast at loosehead prop and rarely bettered. The best prop this team has had since Carl Hayman and should make a good case to start in the All Blacks No 1 jersey in a few weeks.
HONOURABLE MENTION
Meikle: Ethan de Groot is a special talent, and his destruction of the Blues scrum in the quarterfinal will live long in the memory. Josh Dickson and Billy Harmon were generally very good.
Seconi: It was a real shame Shannon Frizell got injured when he did, because he was getting the team on the front foot. Thomas Umaga-Jensen had his moments but maybe needs to add some finesse to his game. Ethan De Groot was just a behemoth in the front row.
Cheshire: Marino Mikaele-Tu’u was a constant threat carrying, as was Shannon Frizell prior to his injury. Thomas Umaga-Jensen was useful, although perhaps a little overhyped, while Folau Fakatava always made an impact when he came on. The forward pack as a unit was generally solid. The backline lacked any flair — although was often hamstrung by a one-dimensional and mind-numbingly boring game plan.
QUESTIONS
Meikle: Who will be the new head coach? Can the Highlanders chase a fringe player like AJ Lam or even George Bridge to spark the backs? Who starts at first five if the season begins tomorrow? Why is Josh Moorby playing for the Hurricanes?
Seconi: Will there be a bit of a clean-out of the coaching staff? How hard will they be able to hit the market in terms of recruitment? How will they resolve the awkward question of whether Aaron Smith or Folau Fakatava should start?
Cheshire: Was Aaron Smith’s quiet season a one-off, or is this the start of his decline? What does Vilimoni Koroi have to do to get a chance? Can they attract some decent backs south? Will eighth place get them into the playoffs next year (surely not)?
