Highlanders versus Highlander
The Highlanders have precious little Super Rugby history with the Sunwolves but plenty of links.
Although the Japanese franchise has been in existence since 2016, the Highlanders have only played them once, a 40-15 victory in Invercargill in 2017.
However, Tony Brown coached the Highlanders to that win and two years later the former Otago No 10 is in charge of the Sunwolves in what could be a tricky fixture for Aaron Mauger’s side in Tokyo tonight.
The battle between the coaches is a nice subplot to the round 11 clash.
Mauger is getting used to going up against men he used to play with or against.
Prior to the Blues match in Dunedin last week there was time for a warm on-field embrace with Blues defence coach Tana Umaga, with whom he formed that brilliant midfield partnership for the All Blacks against the British and Irish Lions in 2005.
The week before it was a showdown against Scott Robertson and the Crusaders.
But there is an added piquancy to the Sunwolves fixture because Brown is so deeply associated with Otago and the Highlanders, where he preceded Mauger and cultivated a reputation for innovative coaching.
‘‘I think they’ve done an outstanding job over last couple of years . . . Tony Brown, Jamie Joseph, Cory Brown’s over there at the moment,’’ Mauger said. ‘‘They’ve got a pretty smart coaching team. ‘‘They’ve had their challenges as well but I think they’ve done an outstanding job in the amount of time they’ve had to work with the side and that’s been reflected in some really quality performances this year.’’ The Sunwolves have beaten the Chiefs and Waratahs this season, in no small part thanks to the efforts of former Highlanders first five-eighth Hayden Parker. Parker, one of six players in the Sunwolves 23 with Otago or Highlanders connections, had his progress curtailed in Dunedin due to a horror run of injuries that included two knee reconstructions, but has since revitalised his career in Japan.
‘‘He’s a quality player,’’ Mauger said.
‘‘He’s having a massive influence on the Sunwolves’ game at the moment.
‘‘He leads them around the park very well.’’
For his part, Mauger has handled the Highlanders’ rough patch between rounds three and nine with a fair amount of composure.
A series of close losses and the challenge presented by the cancelled Crusaders match could have sent some coaches ducking for cover but Mauger has remained accessible and positive.
There was also a real spring in his step after the win against the Blues on Saturday and if the Highlanders take the confidence from that game to Tokyo they may well give Mauger the improvements he is looking for, particularly in the closing stages.
‘‘I thought we could have been a lot better [against the Blues], to be fair,’’ Mauger said.
‘‘We were in a position where we were chasing the bonus point and we didn’t execute.
‘‘We gave the ball back to the Blues and they scored, they went the length and scored down the
other end, so that’s certainly an area we want to be better in this week.
‘‘We’ve got a strong bench, so we expect those guys to come on and raise the intensity again.’’
Loose forwards Dillon Hunt and Shannon Frizell are both included in a 6-2 split on the bench and Mauger confirmed that Frizell would sit out his second and final All Blacks rest week over the next three weeks.
With Ben Smith serving the last of his All Blacks stand-down weeks against the Sunwolves, the Highlanders look set for a strong finish to their campaign.
However, they first have to get past the Sunwolves – and the tricks Brown will have waiting for them.