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New Zealand teams:
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Highlanders: Between 1998 and 2002 the Otago based franchise finished at least fifth and featured in four semi-finals. After a fourth consecutive ninth place or lower finish, there is something about this year's current squad that suggests there could be a change of fortunes. It might be too optimistic considering their recent record to say that they will challenge for the title. But with a handful of All Blacks in key positions and a healthy number of the Ranfurly Shield winning Southland team, the Highlanders could be a far more intimidating proposition this year.
After all, the fact that by pure results the Highlanders were the worst New Zealand franchise in 2009 is a little bit misleading.
The team, with fewer All Blacks than any other New Zealand franchise by at least half, and with the second fewest test representatives of any side in the competition, actually had a very good season despite their 11th place finish.
They beat the defending champions, the Crusaders, in a 6-0 shutout.
They smashed the champions elect Bulls 36-12 in one of the most impressive wins of the competition.
Despite suffering nine losses, they only twice lost by more than eight points. Only the Blues and Waratahs inflicted strong winning margins on them, and their close but no cigar results was an illustrious group. The second (Chiefs), third (Hurricanes), sixth (Sharks), seventh (Brumbies) and eighth (Force) placed teams only barely managed to beat the Highlanders.
They finished with a points difference of only -14, well over a 100 points better than the three teams that ended the season below them.
However many coaches would constantly preach a statement that is a well used cliché “rugby is a game of inches.”
Close losses (by inches!) are better than crushing defeats. But a loss is still a loss.
The classic Highlanders game was evident as always, a committed and tenacious side with an honest defensive system and a lot of grit and power up front.
But they do not wield the fantastic squad they had nearly a decade ago.
The famous Otago years where they had the All Black starting front row, and numerous internationals in the loose such as Josh Kronfeld, Taine Randall and Isitolo Maka.
The key difference from then and recent years is that they had as much talent in the backline. Any team that could call on the services of Byron Kelleher, Tony Brown, Jeff Wilson, Pita Alatini and even Brian Lima was always going to be a title threat.
And it is here where one could identify where the Highlanders have struggled slightly. They have lacked x-factor players, test capped footballers or world class players in the backs to give that killer edge.
The men who can often be the difference between an extra five to seven points, an extra points buffer that if the Highlanders had had last year in five matches, they would have finished in the top four.
That is why there is much to enthuse about the Highlanders this year, as there are some key differences this year in personal, both up front and in the backs.
Their squad is a heady blend of Otago based players, and a balanced collection of men from two of the 2009 Air New Zealand Cup semi finalists, both Southland (the current Ranfurly Shield holders and best defensive team in the ANZC) and Hawke’s Bay (the best offensive team in the ANZC).
Up front, the Highlanders will field their typically powerful front row, with Chris King, Clint Newland and Jamie Mackintosh all continuing the tradition of immense Southern props. They will be supported by an outstanding hooking combination of Jason Macdonald and Jason Rutledge.
In the locks, new All Black Tom Donnelly will be supported by a good collection of tall timber, including Southland second rower Joe Tuineau, who joins the Highlanders for the first time. He will be backed by his provincial partner Josh Bekhuis and experienced local lad Hayden Triggs.
In the loose, Adam Thomson, who appears to have finished the year as the starting All Black blindside, will lead a solid back row. Nasi Manu and John Hardie come into the side, while former Sevens star Alando Soakai remains with the team.
Starting All Black Jimmy Cowan remains with the Southerners, with young Sean Romans his understudy.
But the big gain is reliable Hawke’s Bay first five Matt Berquist, one of four magpies within the squad.
In the backs Jason Shoemark will lead a solid midfield, but it is in the three quarters where again the Highlanders look stronger than they have been in some time.
New All Black Ben Smith will be joined by two mercurial and potential future test stars in Robbie Robinson and Israel Dagg, as well as the always exciting Fetu’u Vainikolo. They may form what is overall a young backline, but one that could be the impetus for the Highlanders to make progress up the Super rugby table.
The Highlanders begin their 2010 campaign with a big clash against Southern rivals the Crusaders in Christchurch, before heading back home to play the Blues in Dunedin.
They then travel off shore to play the Cheetahs, Stormers and Bulls in the Republic.
They will return to home comforts to host the Sharks and Lions, before travelling to Mt Maunganui to play the Chiefs. They will play the Western Force in Queenstown before taking their bye.
They then host the Hurricanes, before playing the Waratahs in Invercargill. They finish the season with the Brumbies and Reds in Canberra and Brisbane respectively.
HIGHLANDERS 2010 REBEL SPORT SUPER 14 SQUAD
Jamie Mackintosh, Clint Newland, Chris King, Bronson Murray (D)*, 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 (D), Michael Hobbs*, Jayden Hayward, Jason Shoemark (D), Kendrick Lynn, James Paterson**, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Ben Smith, Robbie Robinson**, Israel Dagg.
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2010 Rebel Sport Super 14 preview: Highlanders | allblacks.com - official site of the All Blacks |