Why the Highlanders won't 'get too disheartened' after another big loss
The Highlanders have started their Super Rugby Pacific campaign with two emphatic losses, but they aren’t “going to get too disheartened” as they look to bounce back.
After losing by 40-points to a talented Blues outfit at Forsyth Barr Stadium last Saturday, the Highlanders prepared to face South Island rivals the Crusaders in Super Round.
While fullback Sam Gilbert was able to kick the ‘Landers’ into an early 3-nil lead, that’s about as good as it got for the team from the far south.
Defending Super Rugby champions the Crusaders, who were without coach Scott Robertson, ran riot with the ball-in-hand.
Playmaker Richie Mo’unga was back to his best on Friday evening, as the Crusaders avenged their own round one loss with a 52-15 win.
The Highlanders have started their season with two significant losses, which captain Billy Harmon said was “a bit of a bummer.”
“The score is a bit of a bummer but like in that Blues game, there’s a lot of awesome stuff to take out and I think this week will be the same,” Harmon told reporters.
“We just didn’t quite have the accuracy at the lineout and our exits.
“We did some awesome stuff within our phase defence and our phase attack that really challenge them."
The Highlanders are currently last on the Super Rugby Pacific standings, although they’re only one of four teams to have played their round two fixture.
But looking through their schedule, it doesn’t get much easier for the Dunedin-based team next Friday.
After a disappointing performance in Super Round, the Highlanders will play the Chiefs in round three – the team who not only defeated the Crusaders last weekend, but taught them a lesson.
But the Highlanders are just focusing on what they can do to get better and “keep growing.”
“It’s only round two, we’re not going to get too disheartened,” Harmon added.
“We just still want to keep growing, keep (getting) better. The funny thing is I felt like we did get better in our attack and our D.
“Obviously with that scoreline we weren’t quite accurate and a team like the Crusaders, they can pounce on any opportunity and turn that into points.”
In the second match of Super Round, the Hurricanes recorded their second win of the season but it didn’t come easy.
Captain Ardie Savea made unwanted headlines after a controversial gesture towards a Melbourne Rebels player, which somewhat soured the thrilling 33-39 win.
Up next in Super Round on Saturday, Moana Pasifika will look to upset the Chiefs, while Fijian Drua will be eager to make a statement against the Waratahs.
Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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