Focus on how Landers play rather than rival

FIRST Alexandra, now Southbridge. The Highlanders are travelling around the country in their preseason and getting among the rural folk.

But these games do serve a purpose although with All Blacks not playing in them and plenty of comings and going on the reserve bench it is a level down from the intensity which will be brought in a week’s time when the season proper starts.

The Highlanders are coming off a comfortable 5938 win over the Waratahs in Alexandra but it will be a different test against the Crusaders tonight.

The Waratahs team went to sleep somewhat in the second

half last week but there will not be much of that against the Super Rugby champions.

The Highlanders have named just 24 for the match so will give some players more time than

they got last week in Alexandra where more than two teams were stripped to take the field.

Josh Ioane gets the start at first fiveeighth with Bryn Gatland in the reserves. After look

ing sharp on attack last week, Sio Tomkinson will get his chance to make an impact, starting at his preferred second fiveeighth position.

Tomkinson scored a try and made a couple of nice breaks last week although he will want to get involved and faces a quality Crusaders midfield in Braydon Ennor and Tim Bateman.

Matt Faddes swaps places with Josh McKay, the Balclutha man starting at fullback and McKay on the wing.

Up front, Tyrel Lomax starts at tighthead prop while Ayden Johnston gets his chance to get some minutes on the field.

Regular loosehead prop Daniel LienertBrown has missed the preseason as he serves a suspension from last year.

Highlanders assistant coach Glenn Delaney said earlier this week the match was about focusing on how well the Highlanders played rather than what the Crusaders were bringing to the game.

‘‘We want a good level of performance in the terms of the things we are learning. We know it is not going to be perfect and we know they are going to be a good team,’’ he said.

‘‘But what we are focusing on is all about us. There is no preview; we don’t know what they are doing. They might be doing completely different things. So what we have focused on is the things we are trying to enhance and improve.

‘‘We know we have got a lot more growth in us. We just want to make sure we are in a better position going into the Chiefs game than we were before the game.’’

The Highlanders take on the Chiefs in the first game of the competition next Friday night.

Delaney said the side was looking forward to the competition getting under way.

‘‘You come to a point at preseason where you sort of say ‘can we get on with this?’ So next week we are going to get on with it. We are just taking every training step as a step forward.’’

The side will fly to Christchurch this morning and bus down to Southbridge.