Brown goes all in on Ioane
The Highlanders aren’t backing down from Josh Ioane’s shift from No 10 to No 12: in fact, attack coach Tony Brown is embracing his ‘‘unique’’ skillset in the No 12 jersey as a welcome shift away from New Zealand rugby orthodoxy of having a big man to crash his way over the gainline.
Ioane has played at No 12 in the Highlanders’ first three games to accommodate new No 10 Mitch Hunt and has mixed the good with the not-so-good in a project that is still in its development phase.
However, Brown reaffirmed his support for the ploy yesterday, going as far to suggest the switch could help New Zealand rugby in the longer term.
‘‘They were very good [against the Crusaders],’’ Brown said. ‘‘They’re both quality rugby players and we’ve always stated that both need to be on the field at the same time.
‘‘I think Josh is turning into a quality No 12 and probably something unique for New Zealand, where we’ve always had bigger more powerful ball carriers like [Ma’a] Nonu and Sonny Bill Williams.
‘‘Having a skillset guy, a guy who can play 10 in that spot, could benefit New Zealand in the future.’’
Ioane’s wide passing helped to set up the Highlanders’ two tries against the Crusaders last Friday, although he also slipped off a few tackles as he gets used to the role’s defensive requirements.
Nonetheless, he looks set for a permanent switch to the midfield with Brown explaining that they saw him better suited to No 12 than No 15, where Michael Collins is in solid form
‘‘We just feel his skillset is a bit more suited in the front line, on attack’’ Brown said.
‘‘Just being able to move the ball. I think you saw at the weekend he moved the ball to space to score both our tries and that’s the skillset we need in that front line, so that’s where we’ve got him.’’
Having playmakers at No 10 and No 12 has become a rarity in New Zealand since Nonu’s development as one of the great All Blacks midfielders.
However, before Nonu redefined the role players such as Aaron Mauger and Luke McAlister could alternate between No 10 and No 12 and the Highlanders are clearly prepared to be patient with the system in a bid to play the game with pace and width.
‘‘We’re not far away,’’ Brown said. ‘‘We’ve been trying to develop and build our game over the first three weeks. I think it’s coming together.
‘‘We’ve just got to cut out those soft moments.’’
While Ioane looks set to retain the No 12 jersey for the home game against the Rebels on Friday, Brown conceded the No 14 jersey was ‘‘up for grabs’’.
Connor Garden-Bachop had been pencilled in for that jersey before season-ending surgery, and Tima Faingaanuku, Sio Tomkinson and Kirisi Kurdirani have all had starts on the right wing this season.
Josh McKay delivered a strong cameo on the right wing off the bench against the Crusaders and Brown said: ‘‘We’re waiting for someone to put their hand up.’’
Brown also confirmed that lock Pari Pari Parkinson is still being troubled by a niggly ankle injury that is taking a while to settle down.
The news was better on tighthead prop Jeff Thwaites, who got through 40 minutes for the Highlanders Bravehearts side last weekend and is ‘‘available for selection’’ against the Rebels.
The Highlanders name their team tomorrow morning.