I know my last post about the Highlanders was fairly recent but after tonight's game I thought it was time to share some thoughts on the Highlanders in what looks set to be a disappointing campaign after a third loss in the row.
The Friday night game against the Hurricanes was a superb one - yet another high paced, thrilling encounter between two New Zealand sides desperate to get their seasons back on track. Unfortunately, one team was always going to suffer and unfortunately for the home fans, it was the Highlanders who were on the wrong end of the scoreline.
However, the Hurricanes got a much-deserved win and now sit with a record of played 4 and won 2 and lost 2. To be honest, the Canes would have been disappointed if they had lost tonight's game as they had utterly dominated territory and the breakdowns and were far superior to the Highlanders in the scrums. Julian Savea and TJ Perenara were the standouts in a backline that looks very dangerous and could be a worthy playoff contender should they keep up this form.
The Highlanders clung on bravely but you felt they were always on the back foot and did well to stay with the physically superior Hurricanes. Their ball was slow - the result of their forwards being on the backfoot throughout the game and the backs really could not get it going. The Highlanders had opportunities to score in the clear but appear to miss Tamati Ellison's ability to put away a free support runner - Ben Smith has had to fill the void left by Ellison.
One wonders about the recruitment policy of the Highlanders going for experienced All Blacks. It is almost as if they picked out the 1998 Nissan Primera out of a car yard full of 2013 Ferraris. While Woodcock and Thorn are all great players, they can't really be expected to last for the full 80 minutes.
Whatever the policy, one thing that can easily be fixed is the tackling - the tries to Ben Franks and TJ Perenara were down to poor technique and positioning. Surely Jamie Joseph will be working with his team to sort this out during the week or plenty of teams will fancy putting points on what has been a porous Highlanders defence.
Finally, give TJ Ioane a chance to claim the blindside position left vacant by Adam Thomson. Joe Wheeler has been average so far and needs some time away to work on his game.
Is the season over for the Highlanders? Not yet but it looks like it'll be nigh on impossible to get into the playoffs with this start.
Simple link. Anywhere Ma'a Nonu goes the team turns to shit. Hurricanes sucked. Then goes to the Blues & they sucked last year & now he's moved to the Highlanders who all of a sudden suck. He's curse at provincial level
ReplyDeleteThe Highlanders actually had the better of the second half, but a couple of fundamental errors lead to tries by the Hurricanes. The injury toll has mounted again and while some of the backs looked dangerous, they just couldn't finish it off. I thought Dixon did alright and agree that the Highlanders need a different Number Six to these lock utilities. The lineouts and scrums which are areas the Highlanders should be able to dominate were average and ended up costing them possession. There was one overthrown which ended in the Hurricanes making about 30 metres up the field. Yeah, the Highlanders just don't have the finishing power.
ReplyDeleteWoah woah woah, David. I love your articles and often agree with your thoughts, but something deep within me is offended at your proposal of Brad Thorn not being able to last 80. He was just as immense this game as he was against the Cheetahs. Great signing.
ReplyDeleteHaha but apart from that pretty bang on. Emery looked the goods though, definitely cut from the same cloth as Ellison. Parangatai was easily the worst player on the pitch, they might've won if Dixon had stayed on.
I think first-five is still the key issue for the Highlanders though, neither Slade nor Sopoanga can conduct the backline at a first-class New Zealand level. Apart from that, it's only been three games, two of which they were there or thereabouts for. Give it another 5 or 6 games before you start counting the points I reckon.
Keep em coming mate, love reading your stuff.
(Also from what I've seen I think it's not the tackling which is the main symptom for the poor D, it's that every player on the field seems to be lacking last year's fitness around the pitch)
Yeah it is still early in the season though - still not sure Brad Thorn can play 80 minutes of every single game of this season at this pace even if he has proven time after time to age as well as a Central Otago Pinot Noir. The Highlanders surely cannot keep relying on Thorn for the whole season and it sends the wrong message I think if we're relying on a player who can't be far off from retiring.
Delete