Henderson horns in at No 8
this job a breeze because I have worked all my life out of school. I enjoy the outdoors.’’
Ironically it has been a personally positive season for the 25-year-old Henderson who has had to wait his turn.
‘‘In this union it has been hard to crack into the loosies,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, if the tight men can’t catch basic kickoffs and in lineouts, then youngster Tom Hughes might as well be whisked on. Lock Fraser Stone got a reprieve only after Valentino Mapapalangi injured a knee on Thursday.
With the team leaking so much oil to the enemy, no wonder the defence has been worked over from minute No 1.
A player like Henderson is focused on securing a Turbos contract for next year. Most of the others are in the same boat without thinking Super Rugby. Losing fullback Semisi Masirewa at Invercargill was heart-breaking for him after receiving Super offers; he had his broken ankle pinned in an operation on Thursday.
The only players certain of Super contracts already have them — Jason Emery, Otere Black, the injured Chris Eves and Callum Gibbins while Heiden Bedwell-Curtis and Michael Alaalatoa should arouse interest. Everyone else must first inspire 2016 coach Cotter in the last three outings.
‘‘The next three games are critical for every member in the squad,’’ said coach Jason O’Halloran.
Prop Adrian Barone’s wife has had a baby girl so he will be on the bench while halfback Kayne Hammington still has a sore ankle from the Canterbury game.
O’Halloran is sick of the team’s stage fright week after week so they carted the players off to the bowling alley on Tuesday to change things.
‘‘There’s no hiding from the fact, we’ve put ourselves in this predicament and we have to get ourselves out of it,’’ he said.
Harbour will be formidable after beating Southland away and holding Canterbury to 17-10. They are also chasing a semifinal berth.
Former Turbo Hayden Triggs is back, but their threats are in the backs with Pita Ahki, Nafi Tuitavake, Michael Little and Tevita Li.