Whitelock is wary of Reds

Luke Whitelock never had to grind out a training session with Brad Thorn.

But Whitelock has no doubt heard the tales about his legendary work ethic in the gym, and how tenacious the former All Blacks lock and State of Origin rugby league star could be once he laced on a pair of footy boots.

Now that Thorn is coaching the Reds, Highlanders co-captain Whitelock and his mates should expect the visitors to honour their boss by burning up every last drop of energy during the Super Rugby match at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin tonight.

Thorn’s message to his men will be simple: Go hard, be as clinical as possible in everything you do and push the pedal to the floor if you make a line break.

Or as Whitelock put it: ‘‘They will be doing those little things really well – I would say they will be relentless.’’

The Highlanders can be relentless themselves, too. Their mental toughness and resilience was evident when they refused to drag their bottom lips after Sio Tomkinson was red carded for his tackle on Brodie Retallick during the pulsating 30-27 win over the Highlanders in the opening round game last weekend.

It could have been a nightmare visit to Hamilton; instead the Highlanders sealed the win with a late try to replacement halfback Aaron Smith and, in doing, so sent out a warning to the Reds.

Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger, a former midfielder who will have pleasant memories of watching Thorn using his big engine to hustle opposition forward packs during their days together at Crusaders, will expect more of the same from his men against the Reds.

There’s no point trying to avoid the obvious, either. The feeling in New Zealand is that the Highlanders, with nine All Blacks in their starting 15, should be far too good for the Reds.

The return of Smith, who made a significant impact when he came on as a replacement in Hamilton, and fellow All Black Waisake Naholo on the right wing has the potential to give the Reds’ defenders multiple anxiety attacks on a bone dry pitch inside the enclosed stadium.

Highlanders:

Ben Smith (cc), Waisake Naholo, Rob Thompson, Teihorangi Walden, Tevita Li, Josh Ioane, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock (cc), Dillon Hunt, Shannon Frizell, Josh Dickson, Jackson Hemopo, Tyrel Lomax, Liam Coltman, Ayden Johnstone. Reserves: Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Siate Tokolahi, Jack Whetton, Marino Mikaele Tu’u, Kayne Hammington, Marty Banks, Matt Faddes.

Reds: Bryce Hegarty, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Jordan Petaia, Samu Kerevi (capt), Sefa Naivalu, Hamish Stewart, Moses Sorovi, Caleb Timu, Liam Wright, Angus Scott-Young, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Izack Rodda, Taniela Tupou, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Feao Fotuaika. Reserves: Alex Mafi, Harry Hoopert, Ruan Smith, Harry Hockings, Fraser McReight, Tate McDermott, Duncan Paia’aua, Isaac Lucas.

Thorn has a good idea of how the Highlanders are wired, having represented the club for two seasons before joining English premiership club Leicester for a short stint in 2014-15.

Now in his second year as a head coach at the Reds, he has a young roster at his disposal.

Mauger, by comparison, has a deep pool of riches to draw from. And there will be more to come in coming weeks, with All Black Liam Squire unavailable due to a hip complaint and Tom Franklin and Richard Buckman yet to return to action after playing in Japan.