Players left at home keep finger on the pulse
Jack Wilson is sort of in no-man’s land.
He is one of 12 Highlanders left behind as their teammates go about their business in South Africa, preparing to take on the Lions in Johannesburg on Sunday morning.
Wilson said the players in Dunedin have been working hard.
“We had a session with Buxton [Popoali’i] earlier and he kept us working on our fitness. Getting a bit of a top-up,” he said.
“We’ve done a lot of hard work this season but you’ve got to keep your body fit after all the hard work. And he makes it fun. It is not too serious.”
Sanzaar limited the the team to 25 players travelling to South Africa for the semifinals.
Wilson said naturally everyone wanted to be in the squad.
“There are so many guys who want to get in the team but only so many people can be on tour. Every team is the same. So you just keep an eye on what is going. Have your finger on the pulse.”
Wilson said the players who were left behind helped the team when they returned from overseas.
“When they come back you want to get in behind them and help them out. They can be pretty knackered after such a long trip. So we can lift them up with what we are doing.”
Wilson, a winger, has some hot competition in his position with All Black Waisake Naholo and Fijian international Patrick Osborne starting most games. Matt Faddes and Ryan Tongia have also played on the wing.
“It is hard. You’re up against some of the best players in their position in the world. But all it can take is one injury. Wise [Naholo] went down at
You’re up against some of the best players in their position in the world.
the start of the season and everyone knows how Faddes has gone.
“Look at James Lentjes last year. He was outside the squad at the start of the year and he got to play in all the finals series.
“Everyone has got their finger on the pulse and ready to go. I look at the forwards and they have such depth there. Guys seem to be playing well, doing the job and then they have a rest.”
Highlanders high performance development coach Jon Preston also stayed behind when the team went overseas and guided training.
Most players who did not play for the side in the weekends pitch in for club rugby.
Wilson turned out for Green Island and played for a shadow Otago team last Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Lions are sweating on the fitness of captain Warren Whiteley who suffered a calf injury against the Crusaders last week.
“It’s touch and go, but I believe I will be ready,” he told Netwerk24. “I did light running today and I have to say that it doesn’t feel too bad. With treatment, I hope that it will improve to such an extent over the next few days in order for me to be ready.”
Whitely has insisted that he will not play if he is not fully fit. “It’s not a match that you’d like to miss, but I realise I’ll have to be 100 per cent to be able to play.”
Jack Wilson