Highlanders seek attacking mojo against Rebels

Where have all the points gone? That’s a fair question if you’re talking about the Highlanders and their mixed bag of a start to this year’s Super Rugby competition.

They’ve managed just 91 points during their 2-3 start and, with just eight tries in the bag, are lacking their attacking mojo from recent years.

Only the Rebels, their opponent in Dunedin on Friday night, have scored fewer tries, but they can stick their hands up and claim that’s because they’ve only played four games.

Regardless, Highlanders captain Ben Smith admitted the lack of points had been a frustrating aspect of their slow start.

‘‘I think we haven’t put a performance out on the field we can be really proud of for 80 minutes,’’ Smith said.

‘‘You probably do get a wee bit frustrated when you come off the field and you know you haven’t quite nailed your performance. There’s been a lot of patches in our games where we’ve done things well, but you do want to get better.’’

Two years after scoring the third most points (450) and a year after notching the seventh most (422), they’re on pace to finish with 273.

They weren’t helped by the 24-15 loss to the Chiefs in round one, the 20th match in franchise history they didn’t dot down at least once.

There’s no doubt hamstring injuries to first-five eighth Lima Sopoaga and winger Waisake Naholo have also hindered them, while Smith himself missed games against the Crusaders and Blues with concussion.

A raft of forwards are also on the casualty list but, on the back of last week’s crucial 18-13 win against the Brumbies in Canberra, Smith is optimistic the tide is turning.

‘‘We managed, when it counted, to really front up in that game. We got a lot of confidence out of that,’’ Smith said.

‘‘I think we probably took a wee bit of a step up with our defence against the Brumbies, but I think it needs to be a bit of a balance about doing that again and doing that better. And getting our attack flowing so we can really put these teams under pressure.’’

Friday night’s game against the winless Rebels is the first of four consecutive home games, ensuring six of the Dunedin-based team’s first eight games are at home.

Following the Rebels, they will host the Blues in Dunedin, before heading to Invercargill to take on the Sunwolves after their bye week. They will host the Stormers in Dunedin on April 28.

Dead last in the New Zealand conference with nine points – 12 behind the competition leading Crusaders – Smith knows full well it’s time to start stringing some wins together.

‘‘We’re trying really hard at training and making sure we try and get better each week. It will be crucial for us tomorrow night,’’ he said.

Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith will clock up his 100th Super Rugby match against the Rebels, a feat Smith is keen to mark with a second consecutive win.

‘‘He’s been awesome for us since he’s been down at the Highlanders and he’s someone the team wants to make sure we put a good night in for him.

‘‘He’s obviously been through a bit. I know what he’s like now, he’s excited about his rugby and he’s happy with the way things are going off the field.’’