Statistics point to Highlanders in crunch match

THE Highlanders will have history on their side when they go up against the Waratahs in a crunch game in Sydney tonight.

The Highlanders have not lost to the Waratahs in their past four games and have had convincing wins in the past two games.

The Waratahs appear to have the ability to score points — they are the leading Australian team for points scored by some margin and have crossed for four or more tries in five of their past six games against New Zealand teams. But statistics mean little

when sides come out to play.

A win for the Highlanders and the side could make a significant move up the table.

The Highlanders sit fifth on the ladder but are some distance away from the Hurricanes and the Crusaders, both of which have won two more games.

The Chiefs are one point behind the Highlanders but have a tough match against the Sharks in Durban tomorrow morning.

Just behind them are the Rebels who are not in action this weekend.

So if the Highlanders do pick up a win and the Chiefs falter, which is a distinct possibility, the Highlanders may get some breathing space and sit in fifth.

Incidently, there is a suggestion sixth is the place to finish on the competition ladder if a team cannot finish top of its conference.

From there, the sixthplaced side will face the thirdplaced team which in all likelihood is going to be an Australian team.

The Highlanders, though, will not be looking too far ahead. The side sticks to the mantra of taking one game at a time and will be looking to keep the winning feeling going against the Australian team.

The side swept the five Australian teams last year. Its most recent loss was in 2016 when it went down to the Reds. There is also of course the winning streak by New Zealand sides against Australian teams. At the start of the round it sat at 39.

Playing in Sydney is never easy and the Waratahs will be hurting after the loss against the Crusaders last week after they were 290 ahead.

They may feel they are due this week.

The Highlanders will look to attack through their backs. It is a big game for second fiveeighth Sio Tomkinson while Tevita Nabura will look to keep improving on the wing.

Jackson Hemopo will add some solidity in the middle row while hooker and cocaptain Ash Dixon will make a rare start.

Fine weather is forecast for Sydney today.