Heat goes on Highlanders’ scrum
You would hope the Highlanders’ front rowers are rooming together as they prepare to play the Sharks in Durban tomorrow morning (NZT).
That’s because the unpleasant memories of the shellacking the Bulls’ scrum dished out in Pretoria last week no doubt resulted in some dented egos, and may have even caused some sleepless nights.
Highlanders co-captain and hooker Ash Dixon, who was on the bench when most of the damage was done (first half), earlier in the week certainly came across as grumpy when discussing the problem, which was more evident than the team’s scrum struggles against the Brumbies a fortnight earlier.
Head coach Aaron Mauger admitted some of his players were ‘‘wounded’’ by the scrum experience in Pretoria, but said the front row was not entirely to blame.
‘‘Probably some technical things that the Bulls did well and how they approached it,’’ Mauger said when asked where it went wrong during the 29-28 win.
‘‘A couple of little things for us. We didn’t quite get a hook on one of them, and a flanker has come off a little bit early.
‘‘It’s not just the front row, it’s the whole eight approach for us. So making sure our second rowers and back rowers are supporting the front row so we can get some ball to play with.’’
For young tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax, who had a particularly rough time dealing with Lizo Gqoboka, it doesn’t get any easier this week.
He’s up against veteran Springboks prop Tendai Mtawarira, who is otherwise known as ‘‘The Beast’’ and has 98 tests and 142 Super Rugby games behind him.
Mauger said Lomax, who will again start for injured tighthead Siate Tokolahi (knee), would be better for the experience last week, and scrum coach Clarke Dermody had made improvement a focus this week.
‘‘I thought we came back towards the end of the game well, but it’s an area we’ve looked at this week . . . it’s an area that our boys take a lot of pride in.
‘‘They were a little bit wounded at the end of the game, so they’ve had a good week this week. It’s been a good focus for them.’’
The Highlanders, pipped by the Sharks at home in their last meeting (2016), can keep the heat on the Crusaders, Hurricanes and Chiefs at the top of the NZ conference with a fourth consecutive win.
Third in the standings with 28 points through six wins and two losses, Mauger has made a handful of changes to his side to play a team he called ‘‘a dangerous beast’’.
‘‘We thought their form in New Zealand was outstanding. They really pushed the Hurricanes, and they performed really well against the Blues and scored some good tries.
‘‘They’ve got a pretty similar profile to the Bulls, really. Big, physical, they kick well, they’ve got counter-attacking backs across the park. And they’re fresh, they’re coming off a bye.’’
Among other changes, the return of rested wing Waisake Naholo means co-captain Ben Smith returns to his familiar fullback position, while utility Sio Tomkinson starts on the left-wing for the injured Tevita Li (foot).
Mauger has also rotated Tasman loose forward Shannon Frizell back into the No 6 jersey at the expense of Elliot Dixon, handed veteran lock Alex Ainley his first start of the season, and switched looseheads Aki Seiuli and regular starter Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Utility Matt Faddes, having rolled an ankle at training earlier in the week, has been bracketed on the bench with rookie wing Josh McKay but is expected to play, Mauger said.