Buckman return a coach conundrum
Christopher Reive
When Richard Buckman returns from injury, he could find himself become a victim of his versatility.
Expected to fill the void in the centres left by Malakai Fekitoa, a neck injury has kept him on the sidelines all season. With Buckman unavailable, Teihorangi Walden was given the start job and has stamped his claim on it.
The midfield pairing of Walden and Rob Thompson had become one of the more consistent and reliable combinations in the competition. The two were among the team leaders in tackles made and tries scored, and had both shown their capability and willingness to put boot to ball.
While a selection headache was on the horizon for Mauger, a healthy Buckman would be welcomed ahead of next week’s match against the Lions. Thompson is questionable for next week after failing a head injury assessment during his side’s 38-12 loss to the Sharks yesterday.
Thompson left the pitch in the 64th minute, when the Highlanders were trailing 31-7, and did not return. The damage had already been done by the Sharks by then, the hosts dominating the match from the start.
Sharks hooker Armand van der Merwe set the tone with a try in the opening minute and the home side didn’t look back.
They ran in five tries to two to claim the maximum five points. The loss in Durban saw the Highlanders (28 points) begin to lose touch with the Crusaders (38), the New Zealand conference leaders, and the Hurricanes (36), who both won over the weekend. With co-captain Ben Smith manning the fullback role, and fellow All Black Waisake Naholo on the right wing, Buckman would likely battle Tevita Li for the spot on the left wing or take on a bench role when back to full health. Buckman spent time across the backline in 2017, with his versatility proving an important asset to the team. Now, with Buckman’s return looming, coach Aaron Mauger faces some tough decisions. Ahead of the loss to the Sharks, Mauger confirmed Buckman was likely to be ready to make his season debut before the June break. “We want to make sure he is 100 per cent at his best, strength-wise, and also mentally around being able to approach the game with full confidence around his neck and shoulder,” Mauger said. “We probably could test him about now, but it’s not going to do him any good in the long run.” Li is having his own injury issues, flying home from South Africa before the Sharks clash due to an injured foot. He could be back with the squad before long, though, as he was fit to resume running this week. Jesse Parete try; Damien McKenzie 4 pen, con
10-12. Hamilton. Andrew Makalio 2, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Pete Samu, Bryn Hall, Wyatt Crockett, Manasa Mataele tries; Richie Mo’unga 2 con, pen, Mitchell Hunt 4 con. Reece Hodge try; Jack Debreczeni pen, con
13-10. Melbourne. Ben Lam 3, Ardie Savea tries; Beauden Barrett 4 con Nic Groom, Marnus Schoeman, Sylvian Mahuza tries; Elton Jantjes 2 con
14-7. Wellington. Reiko Ioane, Tumua Manu; Stephen Perofeta 4 pen, con Damian Fitzpatrick, Sekope Kepu, Michael Hooper tries; Bernard Foley 3 con.
18-14. Sydney. Sarel Marais, Damian Willemse, Wilco Loux, Ramone Samuels tries; Marais pen, Willemse 3 con Lode de Jager, Jason Jenkins tries; Handre Pollard pen, 2 con
12-10. Cape Town. Armand van der Merwe, Makazole Mapimpi, Sibusiso Nkosi, Robert du Preez, Daniel du Preez tries; Robert du Preez 5 con, pen