Highlanders looking to play game at pace
THE excitement is building within the Highlanders for the match against the British and Irish Lions and the home side will be looking to run the opposition off its feet.
Highlanders assistant coach Jon Preston said there was a buzz throughout the team.
‘‘It is exciting and is a oneoff opportunity for most guys in our squad although some might be lucky enough to do it more than once,’’ he said.
‘‘Super Rugby is put to the side when this is on. We might have a few new players who perhaps have not had so much opportunity in Super Rugby but will get a chance now.’’
Preston said he was not reading too much into the first two games by the Lions, a close win over the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians and then a defeat by the Blues.
‘‘Against the Crusaders they are bringing back some big guns. All their players would have played now and we’ll be interested to see who they will roll out against us.
‘‘They are all internationalquality players who are going through a sortingout process among themselves. They have rolled out all the players and I think they are sorting out the best combinations themselves and working out their game. And they have come out against quality opposition.’’
Preston said in contrast to the start of the season the side was looking well injurywise. The only injury was to fullback Matt Faddes, who had broken a bone in his hand and would be out for a few weeks.
Ben Smith was making pro gress from his head knock but was still following protocols.
The fullback spot is likely to be filled by Richard Buckman with Tei Walden coming into the midfield.
Preston said getting All Blacks back — Liam Coltman, Waisake Naholo and Lima Sopoaga will all strip for the game — was a huge boost to the side.
‘‘They have been there and done that at that sort of intensity and speed. They are keen to put their best foot forward. It is great for us and a real boost.
‘‘They have 41 international players coming out and all used to playing at that intensity. You can only imagine what they will bring. But we had a pretty intense game last weekend, so the boys have been playing at that level.’’
Under the roof, the Highlanders were bound to look to move the ball around.
‘‘That is the style we like to play. They might look forward to that as well. Look at the first game and the conditions were tough and the Blues again.’’
As a player, Preston took on the Lions in the test series in 1993 but he said that was a long time ago.
‘‘What it did show was you had to be on your game. You have to be at the best of your game. Otherwise they will get into you.’’
Preston was more involved in team coaching this week with head coach Tony Brown off in Japan. He would do some of the attack with Mark Hammett while Scott McLeod would be the head coach while still looking after the defence.
There were a few hundred tickets left for the game as of about noon yesterday. Most tickets still available are in category D. Stadium capacity is 29,000.