Rugby: Highlanders not done and dusted yet

Jarrad Hoeata of the Highlanders tackles Nick Crosswell of the Chiefs during the round six Super...
Jarrad Hoeata of the Highlanders tackles Nick Crosswell of the Chiefs during the round six Super Rugby match between the Chiefs and the Highlanders at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton. Photo by Getty

I'll be honest - I didn't watch the full game on Friday night against the Chiefs. I opted for the 20min highlight package on Saturday.

I had every intention of taking the game in when I got home, but after following the score on my phone while at dinner it was a bit hard to go home and put myself through another hard fought loss.

I am sure I am not alone in saying that it is hard to sit down and watch a team play relatively well for four or five weeks now and still not register a win. Since Jamie Joseph took over the Highlanders we have almost become accustomed to seeing them bolt out of the gate and win seven or eight on the trot and then begin to fizzle out at the end of the season - not the other way around!

Perhaps the Highlanders unlucky run has something to do with all the freakish sports streaks that are alive and kicking at present.

The Miami Heat are currently sitting on 27 wins in a row, the Wellington Phoenix can't buy a win, the Breakers won 16 in a row, my softball team finished the season with six losses (which somehow included the final) and the Warriors in the NRL have just been hammered by the Sharks to record their 11th loss in a row dating back to July last year. That is a whole other kettle of fish which I could write about all day - but I won't!

With the Highlanders sitting on four losses in a row they are not done and dusted yet. Last year they lost seven times in total and finished 9th overall, only missing out on the top six by a game and a half.

I think this week's match up against the Reds is just what they need to kick-start their campaign. Although the Reds are sitting fourth overall and the 'Landers last, the Reds could be vulnerable. With three of their big name backs in doubt (Ioane, Harris and Tapuai) the Highlanders just need a few things to click and we will be away laughing.

As I have said numerous times in my pieces here, the Highlanders possess one of the most potent back-lines, and once they gel there should be no stopping them.

Aaron Smith showed how dangerous he can be if he backs himself with that solo try against the Chiefs. Colin Slade was an All Black but is still finding his feet after a long time out injured. We all know how good Ma'a Nonu is. And Ben Smith and Hosea Gear can be two of the most dangerous players in world rugby when they want to be.

Personally, I think Shaun Treeby should be partnering Nonu in the midfield. When he is fit he offers a lot of attacking ability with pace and power and he is a great defender too... but it seems keeping fit is a problem for him.

Let's hope Good Friday is a good day for the blue and golds and they can register their first win. They still have another five games in New Zealand and a bye before they head to the republic, which means there is still plenty of time to gather some much needed momentum and competition points.

- by Karl Tily

Add a Comment