Highlanders fine-tune mental game
attack. It comes down to patience.
‘‘It’s an area where we need to be better because we didn’t put the Crusaders under enough pressure [last weekend] after creating those opportunities.
‘‘We’re well aware of those things and have worked hard on them this week.’’
King does the rounds of the Super Rugby franchises with his message about the practical steps everyone can take to maintain their mental health.
The importance of King’s work goes far beyond sport but his presentation hit home for the Highlanders because players also see the mental side of the game as a skillset than can be learned.
Mauger confirmed the focus has been on getting that side of their game in order before taking on a dangerous Blues side.
‘‘We’ve been guilty of hurting ourselves at times with poor decisions, making a lot of linebreaks and not quite capitalising,’’ Mauger said.
‘‘You reflect back on Crusaders game last week . . . the
‘‘We broke the line twice as many times but didn’t quite convert.
‘‘We need to be better there but it’s all within our control, we believe.’’
Mauger also said attitudes towards mental health had moved on since his playing days.
‘‘When I played the game you just got told to harden up,’’ Mauger said.
‘‘There wasn’t as much awareness.
‘‘We were lucky because we had good coaches with pretty good EQ.
‘‘I was coached by guys like [Steve] Hansen, [Wayne] Smith and [Robbie] Deans.
‘‘Those guys were pretty supportive not just as coaches but mentors as well.’’
To snap their losing run the Highlanders will have to make life uncomfortable for No 8 Akira Ioane at the base of the scrum while starving his younger brother Rieko of opportunities on the wing. What: Super Rugby, round 10, Highlanders v Blues
When: Tonight, 7.35pm
Where: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Highlanders: Ben Smith (cc), Matt Faddes, Sio Tomkinson, Teihorangi Walden, Tevita Li, Josh Ioane, Kayne Hammington; Elliot Dixon, James Lentjes, Shannon Frizell, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Tyrel Lomax, Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown. Reserves: Ash Dixon, Ayden Johnstone, Siate Tokolahi, Josh Dickson, Luke Whitelock (cc), Aaron Smith, Bryn Gatland, Thomas Umaga-Jensen.
Blues: Melani Nanai, Caleb Clarke, TJ Faiane, Ma’a Nonu, Rieko Ioane, Otere Black, Jonathan Ruru; Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Tom Robinson, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Sione Mafileo, James Parsons, Karl Tu’inukuafe. Reserves: Leni Apisai, Alex Hodgman, Ofa Tuungafasi, Josh Goodhue, Jed Brown, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Matt Duffie.
In the midfield Ma’a Nonu looked unstoppable at times against the Chiefs last week although it was noticeable that the Blues, who have a big pack, struggled when the Chiefs lifted the pace of the game.
A high-intensity approach from the Highlanders is guaranteed under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium but regardless of the pressure they are under Mauger had a message that was apt in a week when the game has been wrestling with the Israel Folau issue.
‘‘Every action is scrutinised now and it’s on repeat around the world,’’ Mauger said.
‘‘If something gets put on TV it’s replicated through social media and our boys are on those platforms.
‘‘We try to encourage or boys to use them in a positive way and spread good messages around who we are, what we stand for and what we represent.
‘‘We’re a very proud club so the majority of our focus is on spreading those positive messages.’’