Highlanders not letting record distract them
EVERYONE this side of the Tasman is talking about it.
Everyone on the other side of the Tasman is talking about it.
But the Highlanders are not giving it a moment of thought.
The Highlanders take on the Waratahs in Sydney this Saturday night and will look to further extend the New Zealand win record against Australian teams.
It may already be sitting at 40 by the time the Highlanders take the field, as the Hurricanes are likely to beat the Reds in Wellington on Friday night.
But suggestions keeping that record intact will act as motivation does not sit well with the Highlanders.
Assistant coach Glenn Delaney said the side was simply concentrating on its game and was not interested in the record.
‘‘We actually in all honesty are not interested in speaking about it. That is their record, not ours,’’ he said.
‘‘The biggest challenge we have is playing the next one, against the Waratahs. We look at what they are and that is a very good team. You look at how they played in the first half [against the Crusaders] last week. They were very good.
‘‘We are going to go over there and they’ll be scrapping. They will start as favourites in my book. They’re on their home ground and have got good form and will want to continue. It is a big ask for us.’’
Delaney said Highlanders No 8 Luke Whitelock was racking up the numbers and had put himself into contention for the All Black jersey.
‘‘We know he is probably the most
dominant defender in New Zealand rugby and we can prove that with all sort of numbers.
‘‘But when you see what he has done on attack, with his offloading, the skills he used with the line break, the try he scored. But in the weekend it was one of the best attacking games we have seen from him.’’
Delaney said the side had come through the physical encounter
against the Lions well and the personnel to take the field was hard to pick.
‘‘So many guys are putting their hand up to want to play. It is a very competitive environment provided by the players and that is why we have very lengthy selection debates.’’
The team would leave for Sydney tomorrow and would stay in Australia next week, as it plays the Reds in Brisbane on May 26.