1
Super Rugby Teams of the Decade: The Highlanders XV that created a legacy over the last 10 years
Over the past week, we’ve tried to identify the best players from the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes and Crusaders from over the last 10 years in an attempt to name each franchise’s respective teams of the decade.
ADVERTISEMENT
That leaves the Highlanders as the only remaining Kiwi team to be profiled in our Super Rugby Teams of the Decade series.
In similar fashion to the Chiefs and Hurricanes, the 2010s was a breakthrough period for the Dunedin-based club, as under the tutelage of Jamie Joseph and Tony Brown, the Highlanders claimed what remains their only Super Rugby title to date in 2015.
Continue reading below…
The year before that, the side made the competition play-offs for the first time in over a decade, and they have now featured in the Super Rugby knockout stage every year since 2014 – a record feat for the men from Forsyth Barr Stadium.
In what can only be described as the most successful 10-year period in the side’s history, plenty of legends have been born both on and off the field, and it’s no surprise that many of them will feature the Highlanders’ team of the decade.
Highlanders Team of the Decade
1 – Daniel Lienert-Brown
After just two Super Rugby outings for the Crusaders in 2014, Daniel Lienert-Brown was drafted into the Highlanders set-up by Jamie Joseph a year later as an injury replacement
That shift south proved to be the best move of the 26-year-old’s career, as the older brother of All Blacks midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown went on to play a significant role in the Highlanders’ title-winning 2015 campaign, and has remained with the squad ever since.
ADVERTISEMENT
A strong scrummager and energetic presence around the park, the 72-cap Highlander breaks into this team of the decade ahead of club stalwarts Chris King and Jamie Mackintosh.
2 – Liam Coltman
Originally from Taranaki, Liam Coltman jetted southwards as a teenager in 2008 with ambitions of completing a physical education degree at the University of Otago after having represented New Zealand at an U17 level.
More than a decade on, the former New Zealand U20 representative will head into the 2020 Super Rugby campaign as one of the Highlanders’ most experienced individuals after attending this year’s World Cup in Japan.
It’s been a gradual but hard-earned rise for Coltman, whose eight test matches in the black jersey have come largely through his industrious performances for the Highlanders, of whom he’s accumulated 102 appearances for since 2013.
ADVERTISEMENT
While issues remain over his throwing ability at the lineout, his gritty attitude with ball in hand and impressive breakdown work earns him selection ahead of former All Blacks star Andrew Hore and Maori All Blacks skipper Ash Dixon.
3 – Tyrel Lomax
It would be fair to say that the Highlanders haven’t been graced with a plethora of international quality tighthead props over the last 10 years, so it’s only taken Tyrel Lomax two seasons to earn his spot in this side’s No. 3 jersey.
A highly-touted prospect who represented Australia at U20 level, Canberra-born Lomax moved from the Melbourne Rebels in 2017 to link up with the Tasman Mako and Highlanders in a transfer that had much anticipation surrounding it.
The son of former New Zealand rugby league prop John Lomax, it took the 23-year-old just one campaign under the roof of Forsyth Barr Stadium to warrant a test call-up, with his set piece work and ball-running ability enough to grant him an All Blacks debut against Japan in Tokyo last year.
Those attributes have not only won Lomax selection in this team over the likes of South African journeyman Ross Geldenhuys, and Tongan internationals Siua Halanukonuka and Ma’afu Fia, but they will also be sorely missed in Dunedin as he joins the Hurricanes on a four-year deal next season.
4 – Jackson Hemopo
Like Lienert-Brown, Jackson Hemopo was called into the Highlanders squad as an injury replacement during their successful 2015 season, making a eye-catching debut in a 44-7 dismantling of the Blues at Eden Park.
In the ensuing four years, the 26-year-old’s stocks rose steadily, with an enormous performance in the Highlanders’ famous win over the British and Irish Lions two years ago showcasing the ability and potential he possessed as a defensive and set piece behemoth.
Hemopo was eventually rewarded for his workman-like efforts in Dunedin with an All Blacks debut against France at Forsyth Barr Stadium last year, and the lock – who can cover blindside flanker – has since gone on to accrue five test caps.
A one-club man at Super Rugby level, Hemopo’s place in this team is reward for his development from a fringe player to an international prospect during his time at the franchise, which came to an end this year as he heads to Japan to link up with the Mitsubishi DynaBoars in the Top League.
Hometown hero Brad Thorn is unlucky to miss out after returning to Dunedin for a two-season spell between 2013 and 2014.
5 – Tom Franklin
Similarly to Coltman, regional schoolboy star Tom Franklin moved to Dunedin from the Bay of Plenty in 2009 to study commerce at the University of Otago.
It’s a shift that has paid dividends for the 1.99m, 110kg second-rower, who has gone on to shine at both provincial and Super Rugby level since his first-class debut in 2011.
A maiden appearance for the Highlanders followed three years later, and Franklin went on to play 85 times for the southerners, with his high work rate and solidity at the lineout a valued asset.
However, the Highlanders will be without their key man’s services from next year onwards, as the nine-cap Maori All Black will join fellow Kiwis Dan Carter, Brodie Retallick, Andy Ellis, Richard Buckman and Hayden Parker at the Kobe Steelers in Japan on a permanent deal.
6 – Liam Squire
Injuries and personal issues restricted Liam Squire to making just three outings in a Highlanders jersey in his final season with the club, but the impact he made in the preceding years makes him one of the franchise’s all-time greats.
A move down from the Chiefs ahead of the 2016 season helped him unlock his devastating potential as a damaging ball-runner and staunch defender.
An All Blacks call-up followed the Highlanders’ semi-final exit that year, and the 28-year-old’s explosive exploits on either side of the ball won him 23 tests internationally and 30 Super Rugby caps for the Dunedin club between 2016 and 2019.
Has signed a two-year deal in Japan alongside long-time teammate Marty Banks at NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes in Japan, and leaves the Highlanders as their best blindside flanker of the decade ahead of former All Blacks Adam Thomson and Elliot Dixon.
7 – James Lentjes
James Lentjes was named captain of the Highlanders for the 2020 campaign earlier this week, which is indicative of how valuable he’s become for the franchise since first coming onto the scene four years ago.
As was the case with Lienert-Brown and Hemopo, Lentjes was drafted into the 2015 side midway through their campaign as injury cover.
The 28-year-old would go on to play a starring role that year, and was named as the team’s starting openside flanker in their victorious final win over the Hurricanes.
Born-and-bred in Christchurch, Lentjes has struggled at time to lock down a starting role as others – including one-test All Blacks Dillon Hunt and Gareth Evans and Scotland international John Hardie – were handed opportunities, but a sustained starting run this year has established the veteran of 35 matches as the Highlanders’ premier No. 7.
8 – Nasi Manu
After co-captaining the Highlanders to their maiden Super Rugby crown four years ago, Tongan international Nasi Manu has gone down in franchise folklore as one of the greats.
A two-year stint at the Crusaders ended in 2009 as he moved south for more starting opportunities away from future All Blacks captain Kieran Read, and once he got those chances in Dunedin, there was no looking back for the 31-year-old.
Between 2010 and 2015, Manu racked up 65 appearances for the men in blue, gold and maroon, impressing with his leadership qualities and abrasive style of play on both attack and defence.
Has since become something of a cult hero while at Italian PRO14 club Benetton, where he beat testicular cancer to make an unlikely comeback to play for Tonga at this year’s World Cup.
Seven-test All Blacks loose forward Luke Whitelock is unlucky to miss out, as the former Highlanders co-captain was a defensive workhorse during his four-season stay with the team.
9 – Aaron Smith
Since coming on board with the Highlanders for the 2011 Super Rugby season, Aaron Smith has evolved as an understudy to club great Jimmy Cowan to one of the best halfbacks the world has ever seen.
In a somewhat risky move to take a punt on the man that the Blues rejected in 2010, the Highlanders were rewarded for the capture of the 31-year-old, who superseded Cowan as the franchise’s premier No. 9 in 2012, and was handed an All Blacks debut against Ireland that year.
Smith’s high levels of energy and wickedly crisp passing has made him an integral part of both the Highlanders’ and All Blacks’ set-ups, with the Manawatu native having played 137 times at Super Rugby level and 92 times internationally en route to claiming Super Rugby and World Cup titles in 2015.
Now a vice-captain of the Highlanders, Smith beats out the challenges of Cowan and Japanese star Fumiaki Tanaka to be crowned the club’s halfback of the decade.
10 – Lima Sopoaga
Part of what has made Smith so good for the Highlanders was the partnership that he formed with first-five Lima Sopoaga in the middle of the decade.
It took Sopoaga a while to find his feet at Super Rugby level after first playing as a 20-year-old in 2011, but his rise in form coincided with the Highlanders’ golden run to the title in 2015, and he was recognised for his efforts by being named New Zealand Super Rugby player of the year to add to the All Blacks debut he made against South Africa that season.
His array of silky ball-handling skills and astute kicking both from hand and off the tee made him vital to the team’s chances of success right through until his departure to Premiership club Wasps last year.
With 853 points from 88 Super Rugby outings to accompany his 55 test points from 16 matches, Sopoaga wins the No. 10 jersey ahead of ex-All Black Colin Slade, incumbent Highlanders playmaker Josh Ioane and cult hero Marty Banks.
11 – Patrick Osborne
Two brief spells at the Crusaders and Chiefs between 2012 and 2013 didn’t bring out the best of Fijian wing Patrick Osborne, but that changed when he shifted to the Highlanders in 2014.
Initially forming a wing partnership with Richard Buckman and then Waisake Naholo, the 32-year-old’s rangy athleticism was on full show in four seasons at Forsyth Barr Stadium, as he crossed for 16 tries in 51 appearances.
His departure for the Kubota Spears in 2017 left a hole in the No. 11 jersey that no player has properly filled, but Osborne has continued to shine, to the point where he has made nine test appearances for Fiji over the past three years.
Former All Blacks speedster Hosea Gear also makes a compelling case for selection after scoring 13 tries in 32 matches following his move south from the Hurricanes in 2011.
12 – Richard Buckman
Affectionately known by the Highlanders’ faithful as ‘The Barracuda’, Richard Buckman ingrained himself as a fan favourite during his six seasons with the club.
The 30-year-old utility back came on board as a wider training squad member in 2014, but featured prominently on the right wing all season long as the Highlanders made the Super Rugby play-offs for the first time in 12 years.
Injury saw him miss a large chunk of their spellbinding 2015 campaign, but a return during the finals series as midfield partner to Malakai Fekitoa resulted in Buckman playing arguably his best football for the Highlanders.
His never-say-die defensive attitude, aerial safety and elusiveness with ball in hand made him one of the club’s most revered figures, and that is enough to earn him the second-five spot ahead of four-test All Black Tamati Ellison.
13 – Malakai Fekitoa
When Malakai Fekitoa first burst into the spotlight in 2014, he was one of the hottest properties in New Zealand rugby.
The 27-year-old’s raw power and immense athleticism made him the breakout star of that year’s Super Rugby campaign after he shifted from the Blues to the Highlanders in search of more playing time.
Fekitoa’s barnstorming season earned him selection into the All Blacks, who he earned 24 test caps for until his departure from New Zealand for French club Toulon in 2017.
Now with Sopoaga at Wasps, the 2015 Super Rugby and World Cup champion, who played 65 times and scored 20 tries for the Highlanders, takes the centre spot ahead of Ulster’s Matt Faddes.
14 – Waisake Naholo
As one of the best finishers in Super Rugby, it’s no surprise to see Waisake Naholo included in this team.
Another to escape the clutches of the Blues, Naholo moved to Dunedin in 2015, and became an instant hit at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
He scored 13 tries that year, including one in his side’s grand final win, to top the competition’s try-scoring charts, and subsequently won an All Blacks debut against Argentina, before going on to play a part in New Zealand’s World Cup success in England.
After five seasons of terrorising opposition players with his pace and power on the right wing, Naholo surpassed Jeff Wilson’s record for most tries this year, finishing his Highlanders career with 45 tries from 62 matches.
The 28-year-old, who is now playing in the Premiership for the newly-promoted London Irish, also managed 16 tries in 27 tests for the All Blacks, and is picked ahead of Kade Poki, who excited crowds with his electric showings between 2011 and 2013.
15 – Ben Smith
As the most-capped Highlanders player in the history of Super Rugby, there is no denying the legendary Ben Smith of a place in this team.
After debuting for both the Highlanders and All Blacks in 2009, it wasn’t until the next decade where the 33-year-old really began to impress, as a scintillating campaign for both club and country in 2013 established him as one of the most important players nationwide.
Smith’s fleet-footedness, immaculate composure, leadership and supreme elusiveness all contributed to him becoming Highlanders co-captain with Manu the following year, and without his guidance, it remains to be seen if the franchise would ever have lifted the Super Rugby trophy four years ago.
Smith was also in the thick of the All Blacks’ 2015 World Cup success, and he continued to play a key role for both teams right up until his departure from New Zealand for French side Pau over the past few weeks.
He leaves Dunedin with 153 appearances and 40 tries for the Highlanders, while he also scored 39 tries in 84 tests for the All Blacks, making him a modern-day great of New Zealand rugby.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
20 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
7 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
72 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
20 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
7 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
2 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
15 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
20 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
20 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
3 Go to comments1. True, if that “free” ticket means access to all but the prized exhibit - EVIP only. SA cannot host semis, even if they’ve earned it (see Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne at… Twickenham Stoop). 2. Why no selective outrage over Lyon doing the exact same thing a week earlier? Out of all the countries France send the most “B teams”, why nobody talking about “disrespect” and “prioritising domestic leagues” and “kicking them out”? 3. Why no mention of the Sharks fielding all of their Springboks for the second rate Challenge cup QF? No commitment? 4. Why no mention of all the SA teams qualifying for respective euro knock out comps in the two seasons they’ve been in it? How many euro teams have qualified for KO’s in their history? Can’t compete? 5. Why no mention of SA teams beating French and English giants La Rochelle and Saracens? How many euro teams have done that in their history? Add no quality? The fact is that SA teams are only in their second season in europe, with no status and a fraction of the resources. Since joining the URC, SA has seen a repatriation of a number of players, and this will only grow once SA start sharing in the profits of competing in these comps, meaning bigger squads with greater depth and quality, meaning they don’t have to prioritise comps as they have to now - they don’t have imports from Pacifica and South America and everywhere else in between like “European” teams have - also less “Saffas” in Prem and T14, that’s what we want right? 'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in' True, and we have to ensure we give them the same status and resources as we give everyone else to do just that. A small compromise on scheduling will go a long way in avoiding these situations, but guess what, France and England wont compromise on scheduling because they ironically… prioritise their domestic comps, go figure!
20 Go to commentsthe success of the premiership can be summarized by : only 10 teams. It makes a huge difference with the overcrowded top 14 (let us not talk about Leinster and URC…)
2 Go to comments