Ben Smith boost as Joseph’s Highlanders head to SA
THE HIGHLANDERS are clearly not going away in this Super Rugby playoff race, and neither is Ben Smith, with the inspirational All Black fullback given the all-clear to play a full part in the upcoming South African tour.
Smith never returned after leaving the field for a concussion test in the second half of Friday’s night bonus point 48-15 victory over the Sharks in Dunedin – their fifth straight home win over South African opposition – but coach Jamie Joseph on Saturday eased concerns around his star No 15’s health.
‘‘He completed his tests and he’s fine,’’ Joseph said as he confirmed his All Black trio would all board the plane to South Africa on Sunday. ‘‘Everyone is being extra cautious around concussion and he’s obviously a key player for us, and for New Zealand rugby. It was just a precaution.’’
The impact of both Smiths, Ben and Aaron, and their national team- mate Malakai Fekitoa was writ large under the roof of Dunedin’s stadium as the Highlanders played at a pace and with a fluidity that eventually left the Sharks floundering. They scored seven tries in all, and made a clear statement that they are serious contenders for a second straight top-six finish.
The Highlanders still lie third in the top-heavy Kiwi conference but, with 33 points from 10 games, are fifth on the standings and as of Saturday had the third most points in the competition.
Just one of their remaining six games is at home, but they are well placed to secure a playoff spot. The looming tour takes in the Lions, Cheetahs and Force.
Joseph still has to slip in one more game’s rest for his test trio under national protocols, but says he won’t do it en masse as he did by effectively sacrificing last weekend’s visit to the Brumbies in Canberra.
‘‘I’ve got a plan but it changes every day,’’ he said. ‘‘For us it was about getting some momentum [ early], and we’ve got that, and then being really smart about it. Now it’s working out the best-case scenario over the remaining six games.’’
Aaron Smith wasn’t perfect, with a couple of wrong options the most obvious hiccups, but there was no doubting his freshness, energy and pace.
First five-eighth Lima Sopoaga clearly benefited from Smith’s service.
‘‘He’d have to be in the top three in terms of form.’’ Joseph said. ‘‘Whether that’s enough is another question, but I’d back him. He’s 23, but it’s his fifth year in this competition. He’s a young man but experience wise he’s maturing quite nicely.’’
Wings Pat Osborne and Waisake Naholo continued their brilliant seasons with a try apiece, Naholo’s taking him to a competition-best eight. Joseph loves the consistency of his right wing, if not his imminent departure to Clermont.
‘‘Waisake is still on contract with the Blues, but we did a deal to bring him down. He’s relished his time in Dunedin, but made that decision [to head offshore] before the competition started.
‘‘He’s had a lot of uncertainty over the last two or three years, and hasn’t played much Super Rugby, so you don’t blame him. But you never know, he’s only 23, so hopefully he’ll be back.’’
Joseph was also rapt with mostly unheralded pack.
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