Highlanders scrum a cause of concern
First, the good Highlanders.
They picked up no new injuries in their 40-21 loss to a young Waratahs side in their opening Super Rugby trial in Sydney on Friday night, apart from a slight ankle knock to back-up first-five Bryn Gatland.
However, head coach Aaron Mauger admitted the scrum had to get better, and quickly, after the Highlanders conceded penalty after penalty against the Australians.
Admittedly, the Highlanders were down on troops in the front row but Mauger wasn’t looking for any excuses as they begin life without powerful tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax.
‘‘We had a couple of changes but we’ve got to be better,’’ Mauger said yesterday.
‘‘For the Waratahs it [the scrum penalties] gave them good field position and meant they could attack us close to our line.
‘‘They spent six minutes inside our 22 over the 80 minutes, which is a long time, so we’ve got to make sure we’re better there and there’ll be some good learnings for our scrum.
‘‘Derms [coach Clark Dermody] will no doubt get into it this week and have them ready for Friday against the Crusaders.’’
The Highlanders started with Josh Iosefa-Scott at tighthead, Nathan Vella at hooker and Ayden Johnstone at loosehead and the heat on their set-piece only increased when replacements Sebastian Siataga and Isaac Salmon, neither of whom are in the Highlanders’ full squad, came on.
However, the cavalry are on the way.
Experienced tighthead prop Siate Tokolahi, who missed the Waratahs game, will be available for the pre-season fixture against the Crusaders in Wanaka on Friday. news for the
Mauger also said that hooker Ash Dixon, whose back flared up during a scrummaging session and wasn’t taken to Sydney, was hopeful of being ready for the start of Super Rugby.
New recruit Jeff Thwaites, of whom the Highlanders have high hopes, is a longer-term proposition but should return in round four or five.
‘‘He’ll start his running next week to get his fitness back up and hopefully he’ll be ready to go in the Crusaders game away or the Rebels game at home,’’ Mauger said.
Powerful All Blacks hooker Liam Coltman should also be available for round one against the Sharks, although his minutes will be restricted.
Aside from the scrum, the Highlanders forwards were also beaten in the collisions, with Mauger noting that their body height on both sides of the ball needed to be better.
Two bright spots were locks Pari Pari Parkinson and Jesse Parete, who were physical all night in a well-beaten team
Mauger also indicated that All Blacks No 10 Josh Ioane is a genuine option at No 12 or No 15 when Super Rugby starts, with Mitch Hunt already impressing at No 10.
‘‘Josh played very well at No 12, very good defensively, very strong there,’’ Mauger said.
‘‘It’s good to see Josh out there backing himself.
‘‘He hasn’t spent a lot of time at No 12 in the past few years but he his slotted in well and his combination with Mitch [Hunt] worked really well in that first half.
‘‘Josh is certainly putting his hand up for No 10, No 12 or No 15 and he’ll be in the mix somewhere when we get started.’’
As for Hunt, the former Crusader has impressed Mauger with his all-round game.
‘‘Mitch is very calm,’’ he said. ‘‘He understands the game very well and brings a lot of composure to the team with how he gets his messages across and that’s related to how we want to play the game.
‘‘And he walks the talk. He’s a tough guy. He’s got the skills and direction but he’s tough and whatever he’s asking his teammates to do he’s putting his body on the line himself to to the same thing.
‘‘He’s been impressive in the pre-season and performed well in his 40 minutes last night.’’
‘‘Josh [Ioane] played very well at No 12, very good defensively, very strong there.’’ Highlanders head coach Aaron Mauger