Hammett: grab rare Barbarians chance
HIGHLANDERS assistant coach Mark Hammett is urging his side to seize their rare opportunity to test themselves against an international side when they clash with the French Barbarians.
The team has reassembled after its Super Rugby break and are preparing to take on the French side in Invercargill on Friday.
Though it will be the second time the Highlanders have faced an international side in two years — after they beat the British and Irish Lions in Dunedin last year — Friday’s match is a reasonably rare opportunity in a domestic rugby player’s career, Hammett said.
‘‘You can play Super Rugby for 20 years and not come up against an international team.’’
‘‘We have been so fortunate in terms of having the Lions and now the French BaaBaas.’’
‘‘Because the opportunities don’t come along often you have to grab them when you can — we are really determined to prep well, play well and are really excited to get to Invercargill.’’
The Highlanders will take a step into the unknown on Friday to face a team that has little exposure in an age of close video analysis and scrutiny.
The home side will be best placed by not changing their own style of play, Hammett said.
‘‘They will play their type of rugby, which we will need to be aware of, but we can’t change our style too much.
‘‘We get all of the Six Nations, so we have seen all of their games, as they do of us.
‘‘You have a rough idea, but rugby is rugby.
‘‘You have still got to scrummage within the laws, you have still got to lineout within the laws, there are offside lines, those things won’t change.’’
The Crusaders showed the French Barbarians were not too slick for a Super Rugby side in their 4226 win over the visitors in Christchurch last Friday.
The Highlanders have returned refreshed and refocused from the Super Rugby break, but soon hit a reality check on their first day of training.
‘‘There was nothing like throwing in a fitness test on the first day,’’ Hammett said.
‘‘They have all come back in great condition.
‘‘We gave the guys seven days off, not many of them stayed away, most of them were training.
‘‘We encouraged them to get off their feet, get some balance and spend time with family.’’
Though the Highlanders will be without their All Blacks for this weekend’s match, they are likely to welcome two players back from injury.
Thomas UmagaJensen will bolster the Highlanders’ midfield stocks after having a strong hitout for University in a club match on Saturday.
He has not taken the field for his franchise this season after having shoulder surgery before Christmas.
‘‘He played on the weekend and came through really well and is likely to be available for selection.’’
Prop Siate Tokolahi should also be available for selection after recovering from a leg injury sustained in May.