Accuracy missing at wrong times
THEY call them coach killers and the Highlanders coaches had to watch one last night as the Highlanders let themselves down in losing 3326 to the Blues at Eden Park.
The side lacked accuracy at just the wrong time and there were many times — both on attack and defence — when it had the chance but just did not seize the opportunity.
Teams can do the miracle balls, throw the sublime passes and look a million dollars. But tries and points by and large come down to being accurate in the basics and players using their brains. Look at the Crusaders.
Highlanders assistant coach Glenn Delaney said last night after the game it was a very frustrating game and the side was extremely disappointed to lose.
‘‘There were a couple of moments there when the game was in the balance when we just did not do things well and we were not good at relieving pressure on ourselves,’’ Delaney said.
‘‘When we were looking to get the ball into good field position we just could not quite manage to do it. There were a couple of little things which affected us and we just could not clear the pressure on us.’’
He said the nature of the competition was that all games were very close so there would be pressure in every game. The side trained for pressure situations at practice and would continue to do so as the season went on.
The team had forced some penalties through pressure on the Blues and Marty Banks did not miss a kick all night.
The team needs to start to learn how to execute better in key moments in the game.
No new injuries were picked up.
The Highlanders will now take a whole week off as they have the bye in the next round.