Highlanders have their work cut out
The bookies might have all but written off the Reds, but Highlanders fans have reason to be anxious ahead of tonight’s match in Brisbane.
It’s not just that last week’s trouncing by the Waratahs might still be ringing between their ears, or the fact the Highlanders haven’t walked off Suncorp Stadium with a win in 13 years.
What is most likely to keep those who like to mouth off on social media from talking up their mob is the absence of head coach Aaron Mauger and four of the team’s All Blacks.
There’s no doubt the loss of Mauger, who flew to Christchurch for ‘‘family reasons’’ on Sunday, and the fact the side was stripped of all seven of their All Blacks until the middle of the week was disruptive – interim head coach Mark Hammett said as much when he addressed media on Thursday.
However, despite all that, and the Brad Thorn-coached Reds giving the Hurricanes a scare in Wellington last weekend, the bookies don’t fancy their chances of beating the Highlanders for the sixth time in eight matches.
Hammett isn’t so silly. He watched centre Samu Kerevi repeatedly bust the Hurricanes open, and wings Izaia Perese and Jordan Petaia slashing through would-be tacklers enough times to raise alarm bells.
Loose forwards Scott Higginbotham, specialist pilferer George Smith and rampaging prop Taniela Tupou, who made fools of Nehe Milner-Skudder and TJ Perenara to set up a try, were also on song.
Forget their loss to the Sunwolves the previous week, Hammett would rather talk about their 27-22 win against the Lions last month.
‘‘The Reds have shown right throughout this year, I think the game against the Lions they were just passionate and hungry, the Hurricanes last week, once again, exactly the same,’’ he said.
‘‘We’re under no illusions. Obviously, for us, we know it’s a really hard place to win, and one of the big challenges for us this week is acknowledging that and knowing we have to be at our very best.’’
In other words, the 4-7 Reds have former All Blacks, Crusaders and Highlanders enforcer Thorn’s imprint stamped all over them, Hammett said.
All Blacks rest means no Ben Smith, Luke Whitelock, Shannon Frizell or Liam Coltman, and an elbow injury to Elliot Dixon is far from ideal.
But at least All Blacks loose forward Liam Squire is back from his broken thumb, as is utility back Richard Buckman (neck) for the first time this season.
Back to Highlanders fans and their anxiety levels.
Perhaps the thought of uncapped 20-year-old Josh McKay starting in place of Smith at fullback will lift them some more, especially when someone like Matt Faddes continues to be left out of the match day 23.
‘‘He’s working really hard,’’ Hammett said of Faddes, who prefers the midfield but can also play both wing or fullback.
‘‘It’s just a challenging position when you’ve got midfielders who are in really, really good form.
‘‘He’s had a few opportunities and we love having him around. Just in terms of trying to make our mix at the moment, it hasn’t fallen for him.’’
The Highlanders, minus their seven All Blacks who have a threeday training camp to attend in Christchurch, will return to Dunedin tomorrow to begin preparing for next Friday night’s home match against the Hurricanes.