Who Will Replace Colin Slade at the Highlanders?

The injury curse has struck Christchurch Old Boys' young first five-eighth, Colin Slade, yet again. After a wretched 2011 beset by two broken jaws and a groin injury, Colin Slade appears to have suffered the most cruel injury of them all - a serious fracture of the ankle during the Highlanders' loss in Canberra which will probably all but end the Cantabrian's rugby year.

A shame really as Slade finally looked calm and assured in the key no. 10 position for the Highlanders after initially starting the season on the bench while recovering from his injury.

It also leaves coach Jamie Joseph with several headaches in a position where the Highlanders have had major injury issues. Lima Sopoaga is out for 2 months after damaging his shoulder against the Waratahs 2 weeks ago, leaving Chris Noakes the only fit no. 10 in the squad.

Noakes was highly impressive against the Chiefs in game 1 and assured against the Brumbies when he came on so Highlanders fans aren't too worried about how the former Otago and current BOP first five will cope. The biggest worry obviously is who will fill his boots should he go down.

Fortunately for the Highlanders, New Zealand rugby is currently experiencing a bit of a boon when it comes to young first fives emerging on the scene. This is clear to see with the likes of Gareth Anscombe, Beauden Barrett, Tyler Blydenhaal, Tom Taylor all emerging this season but there are quite a few others who didn't quite make the final Super rugby squads which I'll mention below.

So here are the Highlanders' possible options to replace Colin Slade -

Trent Renata
Young Waikato first-five who was unlucky not to make the Chiefs squad this year after an impressive ITM Cup for Waikato as they made the Final. He is currently in the Chiefs developmental squad and would probably be first in line to get a call up to the Highlanders for the rest of the season. The former NZ Under-20 champion wouldn't be a bad replacement for Colin Slade and this could be his big chance to finally show what he can do on the Super rugby stage.

Baden Kerr
Kerr showed a lot of promise for Counties Manukau two seasons ago in the ITM Cup but wasn't as prolific last season. However, Kerr is still in the Chiefs developmental squad and has a lot of promise. But it would be a bit of a gamble for the Highlanders to take him on.

Scott Eade
The Highlanders are no longer obligated to contract players in the franchise's region but if they wanted to, young Scott Eade has emerged as Southland's first choice pivot and covered the loss of James Wilson to injury very well. However, like Kerr, he would be again a big gamble by Jamie Joseph.  

Glenn Dickson
Dickson has been easily one of Otago's best players and was so close to making the Highlanders final squad but for the initial depth at first five. But now that the Highlanders are struggling with injuries there, Glenn could in line for a call up if the Highlanders decide to go local. The only problem is that Dickson is reportedly still recovering from a hand injury.







Ben Smith

Ben Smith is the most under-rated player in New Zealand rugby at the moment. He is what Isaia Toeava could and should have been - a versatile utility back who can cover all double digit positions in the game with aplomb. Currently used at fullback, Ben Smith has played first-five for club and school but hasn't done it at this level, but he has the ability to be a good first-five for the Highlanders. Could Ben Smith be the new Nick Evans - both players started as fullbacks and Evans eventually emerged as one of the Highlanders' best ever first fives.

Phil Burleigh
Not really an option at first five although I'm sure he played a few games for BOP there, but rather as an additional player to the midfield to enable Ben Smith to cover first five. Burleigh has done really well for the Highlanders despite not being an original player in any of the final Super rugby squads. He deserves a spot in one of them though and the injury to Colin Slade may have sealed a spot in the Highlanders for him.

My thought on what the possible option will be:

Jamie Joseph could possibly consider Ben Smith a first-five, and draft in Trent Renata or Phil Burleigh to replace Colin Slade's spot; Renata just for like for like, Burleigh if he seriously wants to consider Smith as a first-five. The Renata substitution probably would be likely if Jamie Joseph doesn't want to upset the balance in the team.