Highlanders ready for scrum test against Reds
Prop Josh Hohneck is primed for the set-piece game within the game against the Reds on Friday, a contest that will go a long way in deciding the result of a game where the Highlanders start as underdogs with the bookies.
The Reds were towelled up at the scrum against the Chiefs last weekend and have lost powerhouse Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou to injury, but their modus operandi under coach Brad Thorn won’t change.
They’ll try to dominate the set-piece, and Hohneck said the Highlanders had to be prepared for a repeat of the epic scrum contest that unfolded against the Drua in Suva last weekend.
‘‘Scrums change within games as well,’’ Hohneck said. ‘‘You go in with a plan, and it doesn’t always work out.
‘‘On the weekend we scrummed for long periods, but two big packs were sort of locked out and the crowd got into it.
‘‘We’re pretty happy with the way the scrum came through. I think we pulled a penalty out at one stage that led to a try [to Marino Mikaele-Tu’u], and the rest of the scrums were pretty solid.
‘‘The Reds probably try to be a little bit disruptive early in the scrum. We’ve just got to weather that storm and stay in it.’’
Hohneck, 36, is the most experienced of that group, and has been praised by assistant coach Clarke Dermody for helping the development of youngster Ma’u.
However, he made it clear that his competitive the fire still burned brightly, and Ma’u wouldn’t be getting any free starts at his expense.
‘‘I enjoy that part of it [helping younger props],’’ Hohneck said. ‘‘Obviously, it’s a balance. You’ve got to compete with them.
‘‘While I want Saula to get better, I also want to challenge him every week. I’m still playing for a jersey every week. I’m training for a jersey. I think we’ve got that balance well.’’
Hohneck could be in for a busy evening on Friday, whether he gets the No 3 jersey or starts on the bench. Ainsley played for 63 minutes in the draining Suva heat, and the Highlanders are going to need a 23-man, 80-minute performance to beat the Reds.
Hohneck, who made more than 100 appearances for Gloucester between 2016-2020, can also tap into his vast experience.
He is one of three players in the Highlanders pack (Bryn Evans and Rhys Marshall being the others) with knowledge of the northern hemisphere mentality towards the set-piece, and has brought some of that back with him to Aotearoa.
The Highlanders will name their team for the Reds game today.