Thompson shines in bonuspoint win
HIGHLANDERS midfielder Rob Thompson is a team man.
So when one thinks his form is worthy of putting him into consideration for a black jersey, he swats away any suggestion.
Thompson again impressed in a Highlanders 4317 win over the Brumbies as the side came home strong in the final 20 minutes to grab a bonuspoint win.
It was ahead just 1210 at the break and the game was in the balance well into the second half.
Thompson said the side’s energy levels came to the fore in the second half.
‘‘It was tough coming after the back of the bye week. But the week off was refreshing and we had a good mental break. There is a lot of good energy in the team,’’ he said.
‘‘We got a lot more pill and we had the ball a lot more. I think that comes from demanding it. We got a lot more opportunities this week.’’
He said he was happy with his own game and looking forward to just building week in, week out. He batted away the talk of taking the next step to All Black honours.
‘‘I just come in every Monday and have a look at your workons and what went well, what didn’t . . . it is what I always say, you do the first thing first. So you just have to do the work here.’’
He said the win was based on when the chances came along, the Highlanders took them, which they had not been doing in the past couple of games.
The Highlanders took a while to get into the game and their scrum was in reverse gear for most of the match.
A nice try to captain Ben Smith from a nice set move was the highlight of the first half.
But the Brumbies hung tough and refused to go away.
When Lima Sopoaga was yellow carded for an ugly tip tackle after 50 minutes, the Brumbies had a chance.
But a wide pass was intercepted by Waisake Naholo and he ran 80m to dot down.
Smith dropkicked the conversion and then scored shortly afterwards to get his side home. Further tries from loose forward Shannon Frizell and replacement fullback Fletcher Smith sealed the bonuspoint victory.
Best for the Highlanders were Naholo and halfback Aaron Smith, while up front, Frizell and prop Siate Tokolahi got through plenty of work.