New era of success beckons for Highlanders
When former head coach Jamie Joseph took charge of the Highlanders towards the end of 2010, he revolutionised the way in which the Dunedin-based franchise operated.
He was joining a battling side that were fielding calls from some quarters for their culling from the competition as a result of not reaching the playoffs since 2002, posting a win average of just three matches per season in the three years preceding his arrival, and generally being one of the more dull, incapable teams in the competition.
However, during his six-year tenure, Joseph – with the help of assistant Tony Brown – transformed them into a team that claimed their maiden Super Rugby title in 2015, took them to the playoffs in three consecutive seasons for the first time since 2000, and made them one of the most skilled and exciting clubs to watch in the southern hemisphere.
He did so by vastly improving the chemistry within the squad and instilling his troops with an unquantifiable amount of self-belief.
Those attributes, combined with an insatiable hunger for gritty defence and an encouragement to play instinctive rugby with ball in hand, made the Highlanders a lethal prospect under the tutelage of Joseph.
Those qualities he introduced has laid the foundation for a golden era of Highlanders rugby that the southern men are still basking in since his departure for Japan in 2016.
Even with Brown and now Aaron Mauger coming on board as head coaches, the Highlanders have set a club record for most consecutive yearly playoff appearances and have built on their reputation as a side that thrives off their underdog status through rock-solid defence and innovative, off-the-cuff style of offence.
However, every golden era must come to an end, and one of the challenges facing second-year coach Mauger is that the Highlanders look to be nearing that point heading into 2019.
No doubt they’ll once again prove to be one of the title frontrunners this year, as anything less than a quarter-final appearance will be deemed to be a significant failure.
What Mauger needs to be wary of, though, is the expected post-World Cup exodus of the long-time playing personnel that has formed the core of the Highlanders squad since 2011.
Malakai Fekitoa and Lima Sopoaga were two of the side’s title-winning All Blacks who have already left for Europe, while club legend Ben Smith has signed a seven-month deal with French club Pau.
Rumours persist of World Cup-winning halfback Aaron Smith moving overseas after 2019, while Liam Squire and Waisake Naholo have confirmed they will. Other key players whose contracts expire at the end of this year include Luke Whitelock, Liam Coltman, co-captain Ash Dixon, Richard Buckman and Tom Franklin.
While the loss of that much talent and experience from Mauger’s squad could make life from 2020 daunting for him, there remains a silver lining.
A clear out of established names and familiar faces paves the way for Mauger, whose coaching career is still in its infancy, to produce his own golden era at the helm of the Highlanders.
2019 could be the year of transition from one era to another.
His transfer activity during the off-season indicates that he’s preparing for the future by bringing in a raft of fresh, new faces both on and off the field.
Headlining the new recruits is returning cult hero Marty Banks.
The 29-year-old is back in Dunedin after spells in Italy and Japan to fill the void left by Sopoaga and new Hurricanes playmaker Fletcher Smith, and is widely expected to follow on from his outstanding campaign with the side in 2017.
North Harbour pivot Bryn Gatland will contest with Banks and Josh Ioane for the vacant starting first-five spot, as he moves south from the Blues in search of more game time and better results.
Waikato props Josh Iosefa-Scott and Ayden Johnstone impressed for the Mooloos in their Mitre 10 Cup Championship-winning campaign last year.
At the age of 22, both men are babies by front row standards, and have long professional careers ahead of them.
Joining them in the front row is former Reds prop Sef Fa’agase and Tasman hooker Ray Niuia, while promising loose forward Marino Mikaele-Tu’u returns to the side after debuting as an injury replacement in 2018.
Lock Jack Whetton, son of 58-test All Black Gary, returns to Super Rugby after making his debut with the Brumbies five years ago.
He brings with him lots of experience from England and France, which should offset the loss of 37-year-old Alex Ainley.
19-year-old halfback Folau Fakatava is relatively unknown outside of Hawke’s Bay, but Mauger has described the former schoolboy star as someone who has “just got game”, and certainly looks to be one for the future.
Off the field, former England and British and Irish Lions midfielder Riki Flutey has joined the club as a skills coach, adding to the depth of experience within the Highlanders’ coaching staff.
Expect these new signings to improve the quality already evident in the squad.
Whether it be seasoned veterans such as the Smith’s, Naholo, and Squire, the exciting young talent of Josh McKay, Thomas Umaga-Jensen and Tyrel Lomax, or players looking to build on ground-breaking campaigns in 2018 like Rob Thompson, Jackson Hemopo and Shannon Frizell, there’s plenty of talent to go around.
All things considered, there’s no reason why the host of departing veterans can’t expect a deserved send-off in what’s likely to be their swansong season.
It will be a tough ask in a demanding New Zealand conference, but the next generation of Highlanders should be determined to kick-start their own era of success under the guidance of Mauger.
2019 Predictions:
New Zealand Conference Placing: 4th
Player of the Year: Waisake Naholo
Rookie of the Year: Marino Mikaele-Tu’u
Best Signing: Marty Banks
Breakout Player: Josh McKay
Squad Movements:
Ins: Sef Fa’agase (Reds), Josh Iosefa-Scott (Waikato), Ayden Johstone (Waikato), Ray Niuia (Tasman), Jack Whetton (Auckland), Marino Mikaele-Tu’u (Hawke’s Bay), Folau Fakatava (Hawke’s Bay), Marty Banks (NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes), Bryn Gatland (Blues)
Outs: Guy Millar (Biarritz), Aki Seiuli (injured), Kalolo Tuiloma (injured), Greg Pleasants-Tate (released), Alex Ainley (released), Dan Pryor (Sunwolves), Josh Renton (Zebre), Fletcher Smith (Hurricanes), Lima Sopoaga (Wasps)
Squad:
Forwards: Liam Coltman, Ash Dixon, Ray Niuia, Sef Fa’agase, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Ayden Johnstone, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Tyrel Lomax, Siate Tokolahi, Josh Dickson, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Pari Pari Parkinson, Jack Whetton, Elliot Dixon, Shannon Frizell, Dillon Hunt, James Lentjes, Liam Squire, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u Luke Whitelock
Backs: Folau Fakatava, Kayne Hammington, Aaron Smith, Marty Banks, Bryn Gatland, Josh Ioane, Richard Buckman, Matt Faddes, Rob Thompson, Sio Tomkinson, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Teihorangi Walden, Tevita Li, Josh McKay, Tevita Nabura, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith
Mitch Drummond ahead of Crusaders’ clash with the Blues:
Comments on RugbyPass
Most exciting player on the planet right now, worth the price of a ticket.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith and Ireland live rent free in Safa’s heads. Their comments only triggers because its true. If the Boks had dismantled a 14 man AB’s, then there would be more respect. But they didnt, in fact quite the opposite, the 14 man NZ were clearly better. And the Bok have always been ordinary between RWC’s, thats why their supporters are now ‘only RWC’s matter’. They know thats BS. Its BS to both AB’s and Bok’s due to their history. But now its all the Safas have. Now we’ll hear excuses when they lose “oh we didnt have all our players available, the ABs/France/Eng/Irel were at full strength”, forgetting for a minute that its because of their own dumb policy. Oh well, makes a change from blaming ‘cheating refs’.
23 Go to commentsNo Nick, they did not, in fact, justify any ‘probables’ label. At no time did they seriously compete for the championship. Ireland led from start to finish and in the end, as a result of glaring referee errors, were never under serious pressure to lose their crown.
33 Go to commentsMoney for him, and his family, has been the sole motivator since he signed for Queensland aged 17. Why else sign for Melbourne. Tupou is poorly advised. If he’d stayed and developed in NZ he would have had a long Test career. If Leinster offer him a few more coins than he’s currently earning, he’s goneburger.
4 Go to commentsFinn. No one would say Ford had played well up until the last game. One standout performance in 5 is hardly in form . It should be a given that a 10 will control play . Not in Fords case be praised for suddenly doing so. Where was he against Scotland ,Italy. The pundits were saying how far away from play he was standing and one even said that the Ireland game was his last chance saloon to perform . Not exactly top form catching anyones eye. If he can play like this game after game then great. Keep him in . But after 90 odd caps we all know he just doesnt keep it going . By all means keep him there but the issue is that Borthwick will persist even when he plays poorly. Which is more often than not. Thats why i am concerned that Smith ,despite fab form , cannot get a game at his preferred spot. Can you imagine Ford at full back .
5 Go to commentsI do not really get why put Ollivon at 6 when he’s a 7, while Cros was the best Frenchman of the tournament, playing at…6. His only game replacing Aldritt at 8 doesn’t change much in terms of his impact. Lamaro was also outstanding in that brilliant Italian side, probably better than Reffell. So putting 2 Welsh players from the wooden spoon holders, and none of the 4th nation (Scotland) is also strange. Is it about showing that in this harsh transition Wales is, there were some standouts…?
6 Go to commentsThe events at this year’s six nations should undermine many of the arguments made against promotion and relegation between the six nations and the REC. If Italy had been allowed to yo-yo between divisions it conceivably could have really hurt their development, but if Italy, Wales, and Scotland are all at risk of relegation, with none of them being relegated more often than once every 3 or 4 years, you’d have to back all of them to muddle on through it, especially when you factor in the likelihood they’ll still be guaranteed world league matches against tier 1 opponents. Another way of looking at italys resurgence would be to say that the development model of adding an extra team to the six nations has worked, and now must be done again. Georgia could join to make it a 7 team round robin, and if and when Georgia demonstrate an ability to consistently win games, Portugal can also be added to make it an 8 team 2 conference competition. Frankly at this point I think it falls to world rugby to demand that the 6N act in the interests of the game. If the 6N won’t commit to expansion then the 6N teams should be handicapped in world cup draws (i.e. world cup seedings would not be based on their ranking points, but on their ranking points minus a 5 point penalty).
6 Go to commentsSteve Borthwick deserves credit for releasing the shackles on his England side and letting them play in a manner that somewhat resembles the top sides in the Gallagher Premiership. Will they revert to type in New Zealand in July.?
33 Go to commentsJames Lowe wouldn't get in any other 6N team. He's a great example of Farrell’s brilliance, and the Irish system. He is slow. His footwork is poor. But he fits perfectly in that Irish system, and has a superb impact. But put him in another team, and he'll look bang average.
6 Go to commentsCrusaders reached their heights through recruitment of North Island players, often leaving those NI teams bereft of key players. Example: Scott Barrett and Sam Whitelock robbed the Canes of their lineout and AB locks. For years the Canes have struggled at lock. This rabid recruitment was iniated by rule changes by a Crusader dominated NZR Head Office. Now this aggressive recruitment has back-fired, going after young inside back Hamilton Boys stars. They now have 4 Chiefs region 10s and not one with the requisite experience at Super level. Problems of their own making!
2 Go to commentsOver rated for a long time…exposed at scrum time too.
4 Go to comments“Firing me” should have been Gatland’s answer.
2 Go to commentsFinn Russell logic: “World” = 4 countries. Ireland may be at or near the top. FR’s bigger concern should be he and his fellow Scots (incl. the Bloemfontein ones) sliding back down to below top 10
42 Go to commentsMind games have begun. Ireland learned their lesson after saying they could beat England with 13 players or whatever. Still, if they win at Loftus, that would be impressive - final frontier etc.
58 Go to comments$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
4 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
6 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
33 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
24 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to comments