The Highlanders

2006 Preview

The Highlanders could do well. They have an amount of skill and a history of wanting to do well. But it may just be that there is not quite muscle enough anywhere to stay with the power-based teams of greater depth.

They are likely to be exciting and constructive and as a result score some of the best tries of the tournament  - but they are also likely to leak tries and points.

Strengths: Their location is one of their strengths. It's a long way to travel to the bottom of New Zealand where life can be cold and where Carisbrook, with its magnificent playing surface, has a frightening reputation. Loyalty is one of their strengths if Anton Oliver is anything to go by. Loyalty also is an attribute of the fans - those cheerful scarfies standing crowded with their feet in trampled mud. Their young backs could be a real strike force, especially if Nick Evans is allowed to move freely.

Weakness: They have experienced Nick White drafted into their front row for the even more experienced Carl Hoeft who has gone to France, they have Oliver and the mighty Carl Hayman and they have promising James Ryan to lock their scrum with tall Tom Donnelly and bulky Filipo Levy, but one wonders if there really is enough up front to dominate.

Noteworthy signings: Andrew Blowers (Japan), Tim Boys  (new), Jason MacDonald (new), Nick White (Auckland), Ryan Bambry (new). Callum Bruce (new), Vilimoni Delasau (Crusaders), Roy Kinikinilau (Hurricanes),  Ben Smith (new), Chris Smylie (new), Paul Williams (Auckland)

Noteworthy losses: Colin Bourke, Ryan Glover, Carl Hoeft (Castres, France), Glen Horton, Danny Lee, Cameron McIntyre (Crusaders), Paul Miller, Hayden Pederson, Mahonri Schwalger, Jason Shoemark, Anthony Tuitavake (Blues), Grant Webb

Coach: Greg Cooper is settled in as coach and obviously respected. He is a proper coach and loyal to his area. He played for Otago for years, then worked his way up from Otago's assistant coach to the coach and from the Highlanders' assistant coach to the coach, now going into his third year along with Phil Young as his assistant, and young, too, has paid his dues to coaching over a decade.

Captain: Anton Oliver, more intelligent than most captains, is a player others will rally to, especially a side with six players coming into the Super 14 without ever being in the Super 12. It must be great for young players to have such a leader.

Player(s) to watch: Amongst the backs, Nick Evans, of course. Then strong Seilala Mapusua, Tongan flyer Roy Kinikinilau and Fijian speedster Vilimoni Delasau who may want to get his rugby career back on track after being banned by Fiji for using cannabis. And watch young Paul Williams, the draftee son of legendary Bryan Williams. He showed so much class in his first year of first-class rugby before a broken leg shattered immediate dreams. He is 22 now and could become a great player. Andrew Blowers will be of interest. An All Black in 11 Tests from 1996 to 1999, he then played for Northampton and then in Japan and now he is back in New Zealand and he is still only 30, a great ball-carrier. He has settled in Auckland and has been drafted to the Highlanders.

2005 Position: 8th in Super 12
Best finish: Beaten finalists in 1999
Worst finish:  12th in Super 12 in 1997
Home Venue: Carisbrook, Dunedin, and Rugby Park, Invercargill

2006 Prediction: They will end in mid-table

Highlanders squad: 

Forwards:  Josh Blackie, Tim Boys,   Andrew Blowers,   Clarke Dermody, Tom Donnelly,   Carl Hayman,  Chris King,    Filipo Levi,  Hoani MacDonald, Jason MacDonald, Craig Newby, Anton Oliver,  James Ryan,  Hale T-Pole, Nick White

Backs:  Ryan Bambry,  Ben Blair,  Callum Bruce, Neil Brew,  Jimmy Cowan,   Vilimoni Delasau,   Nick Evans,   Matt Saunders,  Roy Kinikinilau,   Seilala Mapusua,   Ben Smith,  Chris Smylie,  Paul Williams,

Schedule:

Saturday 11 February: v Crusaders, Christchurch
Friday 17 February: v Blues, Dunedin
Saturday 25 February: v Cheetahs, Bloemfontein
Saturday 4 March: v Stormers, Cape Town
Saturday 11 March: v Bulls, Pretoria
Saturday 18 March: v Sharks, Dunedin
Saturday 25 March: v Cats, Invercargill
Saturday 1 April: v Chiefs, Hamilton
Saturday 8 April: v Western Force, Dunedin
Sunday 16 April: v Hurricanes, Dunedin
Saturday April 22: Bye
Friday 28 April: v Waratahs, Dunedin
Saturday 6 May: v Brumbies, Canberra
Friday 12 May: v Reds, Townsville