WEAKNESSES: FINDING A NEW DIMENSION

As the All Blacks found out on their latest northern tour, having depth in the second row is essential and for the Highlanders, they could face the same dilemma if misfortune strikes.

Over and above their usual locking suspects from recent successes, the cupboards aren’t flush with Jackson Hemopo and Josh Dickson having a grand total of one Super game between them. Alex Ainley when fit is a reliable Trojan but sat out much of the Mitre 10 Cup with injury and at 35 could be enduring natural wear and tear. All Blacks fringe dweller Tom Franklin heads the tall timber and Brown has some insurance in Joe Wheeler returning from Japan and the hybrid qualities of Liam Squire if push comes to shove. Hard grafters all, they may find that dynamism in the second row is in short supply too.

On the fast tracks over the end of summer and throughout autumn, the Highlanders have thrived on their counter attacking and expansive back play. While this is still a cause for measured optimism, what is different in 2017?

How much evolution can Brown and the 33 of 38 returnees produce to stay ahead of the pack? And, how much can the man do in a single year before he jets off to Japan? Savvy coaches in the offseason will note the familiarity and that there is no clear injection of fresh class to push the team to the next level. Brown and co will no doubt have some fresh ideas but likely be loath to change too much and, like both Joseph and Hammett discovered, it takes more than a season to embed new theories and behaviours.