HIGHLANDERS 2010
Tue, 30 Jan 2007 10:01
HIGHLANDERS 2010
Since the Super 12 grew into the Super 14 in 2006, the Highlanders have achieved ninth position on the log twice and eleventh place twice. In 2008 they won only three games and in 2009 only four.
Can they perform at a substantially higher level in 2010? Do they have the personnel to challenge for a semi-final spot?
With no heavyweight acquisitions, this would seem unlikely, but they do have a few young players of real potential to complement stand-out performers Jimmy Cowan, Jamie Mackintosh and Adam Thomson, and new All Blacks Tom Donnelly and Ben Smith.
Something resembling disaster was averted for the Highlanders when Cowan's speculated move to Auckland and the Blues, and Mackintosh's possible transfer to Wellington and availability for the Hurricanes, did not come to fruition. The loss of Cowan in particular would have been devastating.
The Highlanders do not have the player pool of the other New Zealand Super 14 franchises, and appear again not to have similar depth in quality. Much of their success will depend on whether they can remain relatively free of injury and keep their first-choice selection together.
Strengths: Their location is an asset. It's a long way for visiting teams to travel to the southern end of South Island, and match conditions can be cold and uncomfortable for the visiting players. Cowan is an accomplished international scrum half, much respected by opponents. Their pack could surprise a few teams. A few of the talented youngsters new to Super 14 may just enhance their reputations in a big way in the next few months.
Weakness: The core of stand-out performers at top level is not extensive. They do not have an abundance of top-of-the-range quality players and lack depth in reserve too.
Noteworthy signings: Michael Hobbs (from the Blues, comfortable at 10 or 12); wing James Paterson (Canterbury); prop Bronson Murray (Blues 2008, Crusaders 2009); Jason Macdonald (hooker, back after a 2009 draft to the Crusaders); No.8 Nasi Manu (Crusaders); Robbie Robinson (fly half or full back, only 20 years old but with 22 caps for Southland already ); and two of Southland's 2009 stand-out players, John Hardie (flank) and Joe Tuineau (lock).
Noteworthy losses: Anthony Perenise, who has returned to the Hurricanes after a 2009 draft to the Highlanders; Daniel Bowden (on draft to the Crusaders); David Hall (injured). Not contracted: fly-half Johnny Leota, No.8 George Naoupu, lock Ross Kennedy, and wing Lucky Mulipola.
Coaches: Glenn Moore goes into his third season in charge of the Highlanders and will have Peter Russell and Barry Matthews as his assistants. Having now earned his spurs, as it were, at club, provincial and Super 14 level, and having served over the years as specialist defence coach, assistant coach and then head coach, Moore has the experience and acumen to get the best out of whatever talent he has at his disposal.
Captain: Jimmy Cowan is pivotal to team performance, both as player and leader. An All Black since 2004, he now has 67 Super caps and has played 31 Tests. Jamie Mackintosh is the likely stand-in skipper if Cowan were to be injured or rested.
Potential bolters: Loose forward Nasi Manu was surplus to requirements at the Crusaders, but with greater consistency of performance could make a major impact. A former schoolboy and U19 and U20 star, now 21 years old, he has played 17 Super games. Since the Highlanders may well not start 20-year old rookie Robbie Robinson at 10, this may be the year for Michael Hobbs to stake his claim as a future stellar performer. Hobbs, a superb schoolboy and U19 fly half and inside centre, is now 22 years old, and many feel is overdue for delivery on his promise.
2009 Position: 11th
Best
finish: Beaten finalists in 1999
Worst finish: 12th in Super 12 in 1997
Home Venues: Carisbrook, Dunedin (capacity 29,000), Rugby Park, Invercargill (capacity 17,000) and Queenstown (capacity 12,000)
2010 Prospects: The Highlanders look likely to be New Zealand's weakest Super 14 side again, but they can be expected to produce a few upsets.
Highlanders squad: Jamie Mackintosh, Clint Newland, Chris King, Bronson Murray, Jason Macdonald, Jason Rutledge, Josh Bekhuis, Tom Donnelly, Hayden Triggs, Joe Tuineau, Adam Thomson, Alando Soakai, John Hardie, Tim Boys, Nasi Manu, Stephen Setephano, Jimmy Cowan, Sean Romans, Matt Berquist, Michael Hobbs, Jayden Hayward, Jason Shoemark, Kendrick Lynn, James Paterson, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Ben Smith, Robbie Robinson, Israel Dagg
Schedule:
Saturday 13 February: v Crusaders, away
Friday 19 February: v Blues, home
Saturday 27 February: v Cheetahs, away
Saturday 6 March: v Stormers, away
Saturday 13 March: v Bulls, away
Saturday 20 March: v Sharks, home
Friday 26 March: v Lions, home
Saturday 3 April: v Chiefs, away
Saturday 10 April: v Western Force, home
Saturday 24 April: v Hurricanes, home
Friday 30 April: v Waratahs, home
Saturday 8 May: v Brumbies, away
Saturday 15 May: v Reds, away
By Len Kaplan
