Something horrible is happening at Highlanders
An observation . . .
The Crusaders have grabbed the headlines for their poor performances. It makes sense.
While many expected they would go back to the peloton of Super Rugby, they’ve been spat out the back and are struggling to keep up in the grupetto.
But enough has been written about the Crusaders. We need to talk about the Highlanders. Because although they are just two points off the top eight, they’re way off the frontrunners. And it’s not a new issue.
An explanation . . .
The Highlanders have been going backwards since their title win in 2015, slowly at first and then rapidly.
The blanking at the Reds in Brisbane last week was the nadir. There have been wins this season but it’s hard to see anything coming to a title run in the next few years, with just one All Black on their books.
That’s a major challenge to fall at the feet of Jamie Joseph, back this season at the Highlanders as head of rugby.
He’s not the one coaching but Joseph must find a way to reshape the franchise back into the side he led to the title nearly a decade ago.
A suggestion . . .
The Highlanders built the bricks of their 2015 triumph with some smart recruitment. That eye seems to have been lost.
A knack to pick up the right player not getting a look in elsewhere (Malakai Fekitoa and Waisake Naholo anyone?) or workhorses that were behind All Blacks in other centres (Nasi Manu and Ash Dixon), sprinkle that with the odd cult hero (Marty Banks and Richard Buckman) and anchor it with a sharp pick-ups (Aaron Smith and Lima Sopoaga), then homegrown talent such as Ben Smith and you have a competitive rugby team.
Whether that variety of players don’t exist on the NPC tree anymore or if their vision has changed, it doesn’t seem to be working.
With Aaron Smith not there for the first time in more than a decade, it feels like the thread back to 2015 and
Super Rugby glory has been lost.
A question . . .
When was the last time the Highlanders looked like contenders?
This season always felt like a rebuilding year but has been marred by an unclear game plan and inconsistent selections, along with questionable recruitment. After a couple of weeks where they left him in club rugby, Welshman Rhys Patchell has the 10 jersey again tomorrow against the Force.
Ex-England playmaker Freddie Burns also came and went last year. Surely the Highlanders should have better options than offering the starting 10 jersey to washed up Six Nations players?
Dunedin has always been a trickier sell than the other four centres to prospective recruits but it seems like it’s becoming harder to sell the vision.
The strength of Super Rugby relies on a consistent Highlanders side.
A prediction . . .
There is a bright spot, with a swag of young promising players coming through that could become a force over coming years if matched with sharp recruitment.
Cam Millar, Ajay Faleafaga, Jack Taylor, Sean Withy and Fabian Holland could all become top talent. The Highlanders could be on the precipice of a bright future if the rising stars are converted to influential players. But that’s a big if.