'He just looked like he was the connector of everything': Exiting Highlander might be the glue keeping their title hopes alive
After a Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign that proved to be a mixed bag, the Highlanders have flown under the radar somewhat in the Trans-Tasman edition in 2021. Indeed, with the departure of head coach Tony Brown to Japan for international duties, several injury issues and periods of controversy in the New Zealand competition many perhaps didn’t know what to expect come the competition featuring the Australian franchises.
Yet it quickly became apparent that the men from Dunedin had no intentions of being uncompetitive and the Highlanders haven’t looked back since a confident round one victory against the Super Rugby AU champions the Reds.
In fact, with each passing week, the southerners have been consistently going about their business, posting impressive score lines and showing great effectiveness in their set-piece thanks to a vastly experienced forward pack. The quality of their defence in the competition has also been outstanding, defence coach Shane Christie ensuring his team remain the best in the competition for tackle success heading into the final round of games.
Certainly their round four victory over the Waratahs proved the great cohesiveness and consistency the Highlanders have been able to build in these particular areas in such a short space of time. Their Saturday night outing saw them score forty-plus points in the competition for the third time.
Consistency seems to definitively define what the Highlanders are about this season. Much like the Blues, who currently sit just one point above them in first, consistency in team selection has proved an undoubted key to success in what is such a short, fast format of competition. With just five games lying between a team and the grand final, every game has been targeted with intensity and the Highlanders in this regard may just have set the formula to achieve their first Super Rugby success since 2015.
The backline that played against the Waratahs, for example, was the fourth time in a row that numbers 10-14 have all been occupied by the same players: Mitch Hunt, Jona Nareki, Scott Gregory, Michael Collins and Patelesio Tomkinson. Add in Josh Ioane, Sam Gilbert and Ngatungane Punivai and the Highlanders backline is certainly shaping up nicely. Not forgetting of course, the class and tempo that 97-test All Black Aaron Smith brings in buckets.
Whilst against the Waratahs, the Highlanders pack proved just as brutally effective as ever, it was one of the figures in their ever-consistent backline that caught former Blues hooker James Parsons’ attention. Speaking on this week’s episode of the Aotearoa Rugby Pod, Parsons identified the often unnoticed but crucial contributions of his former teammate Collins at centre, in bringing about the Highlanders’ fourth win in a row of the season.
“He’s found his home at 13,” commented Parsons of the 28-year-old. “His game’s gone from strength to strength…On the weekend he got an early turnover, he got a try, he got a couple of try assists but it was what I saw off the ball, defensively, like his ability to read when to rush as the second-to-last defender…and shut things down even when there were overlaps, [that really impressed me].”
Other elements of Collins’ performance also impressed Parsons. “Whenever someone was subbed on he was always communicating, connecting with them, letting them know what the flow of game was. James Arscott on debut came on and he [Collins] was straight up to him organizing, he just looked like he was the connector of everything. He was a real solid leader for the group…and a big influencer in terms of all the action. ”
Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall was equally as complimentary of the Highlanders player, who will link up with Ospreys at the end of this season. “The biggest asset he has is that he’s a great communicator and has a pretty good understanding game management-wise.” said Hall. “Having that ability to be able to communicate inside what the space is in front of you or outside you is really important…and Michael’s doing that really well. You see on the field he’s pointing defensively, who’s got who and he gives a real confidence in that defence….I’ve loved that and his ability on attack as well.”
Nothing better than seeing how much the jersey means to the men behind the scenes ? @ChiefsRugby #WARvCHI #SuperRugbyTThttps://t.co/lVYREnHxiZ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 8, 2021
Hall also noted the positive effect Collins seemed to be having on a backline made up largely of youthful exuberance, particularly his influence in forming a strong partnership with 22-year-old Scott Gregory in the centres. In much the same way as Collins and the No 13 jersey Gregory since returning to the Highlanders fold has laid claim to the 12 jersey, the position he featured in prominently at U20 level in 2018.
“I’ve really enjoyed seeing Gregory and Collins together,” noted Hall. “It’s been great for the continuity of that side and you’ve probably seen the best performance out of Scott Gregory due to Michael Collins and his ability to make him feel comfortable. It’s helped Mitch Hunt and their forward pack as well, when you’ve got a great communicator like Mike. From the outside, he looks like he’s doing a lot of good for that team.”
Certainly, given his Welsh connections, Collins may potentially be eyeing up a shot at higher honours when he lands in Swansea, following in the footsteps of fellow Kiwi-born Welshmen Gareth Anscombe, Hadleigh Parkes, Johnny McNicholl and Willis Halaholo.
Comments on RugbyPass
Beautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to comments