Will backing up be hard to do for the Highlanders?
What have the Highlanders got for their next trick?
In many ways it’s the most intriguing aspect to this weekend’s seventh round of Super Rugby Aotearoa.
Having produced both the performance and upset of the season last weekend in Christchurch when they sat the Crusaders on their backsides – literally and figuratively – it is going to be interesting to see whether they can back it up when they host the Chiefs in Dunedin tonight.
That performance in Christchurch had the whole country sitting up and taking notice, not only because in so many ways they showed the blueprint in how to beat the Crusaders – fierce defence, dominate the collisions and be relentless for 80 minutes – but also because it lit the fuse on a competition that was in danger of becoming too predictable.
Not now. Those mighty Crusaders can be beaten, and at home, if your attention to detail and commitment to the cause is as dialled-in as the Highlanders’ was last Friday night in Addington.
The race for both top spot and indeed second is now well and truly back on. Folks, we have ourselves a competition again, all thanks to Tony Brown and his men who had every reason in the world not to win that game (form, history, the suspension of the six party boys) but went out there and showed that in sport anything really is possible.
But, now, can they back it up? Can they find the lightning in a bottle for a second straight week?
It should be a good indication of whether Brown is the special coach that many believe him to be.
You wouldn’t put it past Brown, who seems to have that special connection to his players that has always been a mark of Scott Robertson’s tenure with the Crusaders. Remember when he declared after the defeat to the Hurricanes that he had a team ‘‘as good as anyone’’.
People scoffed at the time. Then, with controversy and suspensions swirling, they went out and lived up to that tag and rolled the mighty Crusaders.
Now let’s see what Highlanders team we get this week. Once could be considered a fluke. Twice on the bounce will tell us the southerners, and their coach, are indeed the real deal.
Will the real Crusaders please stand up?
On the other side of the coin, it’s a big week, too, for the champs to respond to that shock defeat and reassert themselves when they visit the Hurricanes tomorrow.
Robertson’s men were beaten to the punch in all departments against the Highlanders, and you know they will be desperate to get things back on track. To resume normal service, if you like.
The Canes, though, should have been watching that Highlanders match footage over and over. If you take that front-foot football away from Richie Mo’unga, you can stymie the Crusaders.
As much as last Friday night was a massive surprise, it would be an even bigger shock should the Crusaders drop two on the bounce. Moments like this are when that championship pedigree kicks in.
Is Ardie now the man at 7?
It was interesting to see Ardie Savea back at openside flanker for the Hurricanes’ clash against the Crusaders.
Maybe it’s just coincidence, maybe it’s just part of a planned rotation of the loose forwards mix, but it’s hard not to think that Ian Foster will be rapt to see the fabulous Savea getting some time in the No 7 jersey under his belt.
With Sam Cane out long term with that pec injury, the All Blacks are going to need a new openside for much, if not all, of this year’s campaign.
Savea, who has been playing most of his international rugby at No 8 of late, is the logical solution in a position that’s always been his preferred one. Some runs on the board should help firm up that prospect.
Who’s our best fullback?
The other sidelight worth keeping an eye on this weekend, and beyond, is the battle to be anointed New
Zealand’s premier fullback.
Jordie Barrett,
Damian McKenzie and Will Jordan all run out in the No 15 jerseys for their sides again, and it will be fascinating to see who makes the big move this week.
Right now
Barrett probably has his nose in front, with his booming boot and sharp finishing proving vital for the Canes. But
McKenzie has been consistently dynamic and one more gamechanging turn could tilt that balance.
And though Jordan has yet to really fire this season, we all know the class of that young man when his game is flowing.