Aaron Mauger impressed by Josh Ioane midfield experiment despite Highlanders defeat to Sharks
A new era of Highlanders rugby kicked off in forgettable fashion at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday night as the hosts were blitzed 42-20 by an impressive Sharks side in their season-opening Super Rugby clash.
Void of a multitude of key names who have left for clubs in New Zealand and overseas, the new-look hosts were romped by the South African visitors, who flexed their comparative experience through the likes of World Cup-winning Springboks Makazole Mapimpi and captain Lukanyo Am.
Mapimpi bagged a brace of tries on the left wing, a feat of which was emulated by rapid fullback Aphelele Fassi, whose pace on the dry, roof-protected track in Dunedin was at times too much to deal with.
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Building on his eye-catching World Cup form, Mapimpi’s double came in a rapid fire seven-minute period at the end of the first half, where the Sharks ran in three tries to head into the half-time break with a compelling 27-3 lead.
While the Highlanders matched and even outplayed the Sharks for the remaining 73 minutes of the contest, it was that short period of inefficiency and early season rustiness that cost Aaron Mauger’s side dearly come full-time.
“We didn’t necessarily do anything wrong defensively, it was more around just a couple of errors and they were pretty sharp,” head coach Mauger said post-match.
“They’ve got good backs and took their opportunities, and on the other side we didn’t really take our opportunities.
“There were guys with the line wide open and didn’t quite take them, whereas they took all their opportunities.”
@Springboks are set to leave the Rugby Championship and form a seven-team @SixNationsRugby after the next World Cup, according to reports.https://t.co/XFOW3FQiC6
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 8, 2020
While a couple of try-scoring chances that could have swung the momentum of the game went begging, the fact that those opportunities arose was a positive aspect of an otherwise disappointing result for Mauger.
“First game, a little bit of rust there, but they certainly created opportunities, so we’ll keep trusting our plans, just the execution on those plans needs to be better,” he said.
Part of the Highlanders’ plan leading into last night’s match was the deployment of a dual-playmaking axis between five-eighth partners Mitch Hunt and Josh Ioane.
Plenty had been made earlier in the week of Mauger’s decision to pick new recruit Hunt ahead of Ioane at first-five, with the one-test All Black instead shifted to the midfield.
The positional switch came as a surprise to many given Ioane’s exploits in the Highlanders’ No. 10 jersey in 2019, which earned him an international debut last season.
However, Mauger cited on Wednesday that Ioane’s defensive solidity was the key reason behind his selection at No. 12.
The @Highlanders have tinkered with their new-look squad for their opening match of the 2020 campaign. #SuperRugby https://t.co/2ilBvWSpe4
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 4, 2020
Despite the defeat, which saw the Highlanders struggle to punch through the middle of the park with two playmakers on the field, Mauger was full of praise of the Hunt-Ioane partnership.
“I think two of those guys went really well,” he said. “I thought Josh Ioane was outstanding at No. 12.
“I thought he was a real threat with ball in hand and his physicality on defence was exactly what we expected, so I thought he met all the challenges but also sparked the attack when he had ball in hand.”
Hunt’s influence was particularly evident on attack, with the former Crusaders pivot frequently lofting flat, cross-field chip kicks in behind the Sharks’ defensive line for rookie wings Jona Nareki and Tima Fainga’anuku to latch onto.
Ioane added to the Highlanders’ ambitious game plan by attempting many long cut-out passes, plenty of which were nearly picked off through the Sharks’ tenacious rush defence.
Playing with such width stemmed from Mauger’s wariness of carrying into contact against an opposition side filled with large defenders, and he was pleased by his squad’s attacking intent, which eventually paid dividends when two of the Highlanders’ three second half tries were set up by nudges from Hunt and Ioane.
The man who consigned the @Highlanders to one of the most painful losses in recent franchise history is now looking to cement himself as the club’s premier playmaker. #SuperRugby #Highlandershttps://t.co/e5nq4Eh5ta
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 4, 2020
“I thought we attacked pretty well, to be fair,” he said. “In terms of the plans of moving them around.
“Our attacking kicking game was good. When we executed them we had them under pressure.
“It’s just getting the balance right. Teams like that want to win the collisions, that’s why they bring the line speed.
“It’s important that, especially the way we want to play, that we don’t get sucked into trying to carry against bigger men like that through the middle.”
The Highlanders will look to overturn their shaky start to the new season next week, when they travel to Canberra to take on the high-flying Brumbies, who are yet to taste defeat this year after overcoming the Melbourne Rebels 39-26 in the Australian capital last night.
The Sharks, meanwhile, will now travel to Wellington to face the winless Hurricanes in a bid to maintain their unbeaten start to 2020 following their 23-15 win against the Stormers in Durban last week.
Sharks 42 (Tries to Makazole Mapimpi (2), Aphelele Fassi (2), James Venter; 4 conversions and 3 penalties to Curwin Bosch)
Highlanders 20 (Tries to Dillon Hunt, Jona Nareki, Michael Collins; conversion and penalty to Mitch Hunt)
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Comments on RugbyPass
I don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
2 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
2 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to comments