Joseph backing Fekitoa to fire against Lions
RUGBY: Having bounded to the defence of Malakai Fekitoa, Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph then flicked his strike midfielder a subtle message by saying it is time to ignite his A-game.
Fekitoa, named to start at second five-eighth for the Super Rugby semifinal against the Lions tomorrow morning (NZT), may not be in the most convincing form but Joseph remains optimistic he still has the ability to twist the attacking switch at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
Although listed as the competition’s leading offloader, Fekitoa has been less prominent with his running game since Super Rugby resumed after the June tests.
When the Lions’ beat the Crusaders 42-25 in the quarterfinal last weekend their midfield pairing of Janse van Rensburg and Lionel Mapoe tapped into their powerful ball carrying skills to dominate the confrontation against David Havili and Ryan Crotty. Searching for soft points in the Highlanders’ defensive line, starting with their midfield duo of Fekitoa and rookie centre Matt Faddes, is their next task.
All Black Fekitoa has proved he can turn a game by using his powerful legs to break tackles and get in behind the defence, and Joseph will be hoping the the dry ball in Jo’burg helps him rediscover that part of his game.
‘‘He is obviously playing in a new position and it is taking him a bit of time for him to get used to 12,’’ Joseph said. ‘‘I think he is ready for a big one.’’
So Joseph seems confident Fekitoa can produce a blinder and give the Highlanders an opportunity to defend their title in the grand final in Dunedin or Wellington next weekend.
However, Joseph knows this game is about much more than just a midfield battle.
Much will hinge on whether the Highlanders can claim enough possession against the beefy Lions pack and construct their usual
efficient game plan of using kicks from Lima Sopoaga, Ben Smith and Aaron Smith to plant the ball in their opponents’ half before flooding the ball carriers in an attempt to strike from turnovers.