Highlanders praise scrum coach
Former All Black prop Clarke Dermody has been lauded by Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph for turning around the southern franchise’s scrum in 2015.
One of Joseph’s off-season headaches was improving the set piece. The Highlanders made it to the 2014 Super Rugby playoffs but were demolished at scrum time by the Bulls on the way to being knocked out. It was obvious work was needed, and Joseph felt Saturday night’s 36-9 win over the Chiefs in Invercargill highlighted just how far the pack had come.
‘‘We have had our wobbles, there is no doubt about that, but all scrums do. But the scrum [on Saturday night] was a highlight for me as a forwards coach. Clarke Dermody has done a wonderful job there, so we hope we can continue that.’’
Joseph said he had seen Highlanders scrum coach Dermody grow into his role over the past year, and become an asset to the organisation. Dermody played for the Highlanders from 2004 to 2007 before heading overseas. He returned to New Zealand in 2013 and indicated he was keen to step into the coaching game.
‘‘Derms come into coaching new last year and he had a season with us where he was quite green,’’ Joseph said.
‘‘So he went and got some experience with the Stags and this year he is a lot more confident, and a lot more experienced. He is the main reason really why the scrum has turned around in the short space of a year.
‘‘Last year he was part-time, this year he is full-time, so he is able to spend more time with the group, in particular the frontrowers. He has got a great future in the game as a coach.’’
The improved scrum has come with the addition of some relatively unknown props. Joseph plucked Josh Hohneck and Brendon Edmonds out of last year’s NPC and they have fitted in well.
The Highlanders’ next challenge is the Hurricanes in Napier on Friday night. A win could provide them with a shot at winning the New Zealand conference at the end of the regular season. However, with the All Black trio of Ben Smith, Aaron Smith and Malakai Fekitoa all being rested, the Highlanders will be up against it.
The last time Joseph rested his All Blacks, the Highlanders struggled in a 31-18 loss to the Brumbies.
‘‘Good teams learn from their lesson and that was a lesson we learned [against the Brumbies]. Following the Brumbies game I think we won by 30 or 40 points against the Sharks,’’ Joseph said.
‘‘But no doubt that is what we are going to come up against this weekend against the Hurricanes. They were well beaten by the Crusaders so there could be a backlash against us, so we need to prepare properly. We’ve done that as best we can and we are going to Napier knowing we are up against the best team in the competition.’’
Nasi Manu will also remain on the injured list for the game against the Hurricanes.
We have had our wobbles, there is no doubt about that, but all scrums do. But the scrum [on Saturday night] was a highlight for me as a forwards coach. Clarke Dermody has done a wonderful job there, so we hope we can continue that.
Jamie Joseph