Today we analyse the best ever team from the Highlanders, who are based in Dunedin at the bottom end of the South Island of New Zealand.
But first, here’s the Reds’ best ever XV:
Fullback – Chris Latham
Wings – Ben Tune and Digby Ioane
Centres – Tim Horan and Dan Herbert (Jason Little out)
First five – Quade Cooper
Halfback – Will Genia
Number 8 – Totai Kefu
Flankers – David Wilson and Matt Cockbain (Scott Higgenbotham out)
Locks – John Eales (c) and James Horwill (Nathan Sharpe out)
Props – Dan Crowley and James Slipper
Hooker – Michael Foley
The Highlanders were originally known as the Otago Highlanders and were one of five franchise formed in New Zealand at the formation of the first professional Super Rugby competition, Super 12.
The Highlanders were formed to represent the southern-most regions of New Zealand and includes three rugby provincial unions – Otago, North Otago and Southland.
In 2000, along with the four other New Zealand franchises, the regional identifier was dropped and they have since been simply known as ‘Highlanders’.
The Highlanders did not have a good start to Super Rugby, failing to feature in the playoffs in the first two years and picked up the dreaded wooden spoon in 1997.
However in true southern style they bounced back strongly, making the playoffs for the first time in 1998 bowing out in the semi-final to the Auckland Blues and in 1999 reaching and hosting the final, which was affectionately referred to as ‘the party at Tony Brown’s house’ however the Crusaders crashed the party and took out the title.
The following three years would prove to be successful, with the Highlanders reaching the semi-finals in 2000 and 2002 along with a fifth placing in 2001.
Unfortunately from 2003 onwards pickings have been slim for the Highlanders and they have regularly finished in the bottom half of the table through the Super 12, 14 and Super Rugby formats with only a sixth place in 2006 bucking the trend.
Before the start of the 2014 competition the Highlanders were favoured to finish in last place in the New Zealand conference, however they obviously have other plans and have put away a highly-fancied Blues team at home and scrapped to a narrow loss against the defending champion Chiefs in Hamilton.
They will prove to be no easy-beats this year and while I cannot see them featuring in the play offs I am picking they will upset some teams along the way.
To recap on the rules of ‘best ever’ teams from each franchise:
• Players that have played for two or more teams will be eligible for the team they have earned the most caps for.
• I will change my selections based on receiving three or more votes received for an alternative – any potential stalemates will be decided by the player with the most international caps.
Just quickly, can I ask you post your own preferences where they differ from my own, just makes it a bit easier to count up.
Here are my selections for the all-time Highlanders Super Rugby –
Highlanders all time Super Rugby XV
Fullback – Ben Smith
Wings – Jeffrey Wilson and Brendan Laney
Centres – John Leslie and Seilala Mapusua
First five – Tony Brown
Halfback – Byron Kelleher
Number 8 – Isitolo Maka
Flankers – Taine Randell (c) and Josh Kronfeld
Locks – Felipo Levi and Tom Donnelly
Props – Carl Hoeft and Carl Hayman
Hooker – Anton Oliver
What do you think Roarers? Agree or disagree? Please post your preferred selections below.
The next team we will be looking at are the Lions from South Africa.
atlas
Guest
oh no not the 'born' one again (and again and again) Thread is on the Highlanders super franchise, not to prompt yet another tedious QC debate. zzzzzzzzzzzz
Johnno
Guest
Plus all the NZ born players in al the other teams in World rugby espeically Samoa and the wallabies,Japan. -Khan Foutali,Paul Williams, Census Johnson,Kane Thomspson, Quade Cooper,Digby Ioane,Peter Betham,Dylan Hartley,Tom Wauldron,Sean Maitland,
Johnno
Guest
On a side note, just gonna give a run down of NZ AB players, since 1995-2014, to show how much depth there is in NZ rugby, such a production line of talent. Will have left out many names, im sure. 15) Glen Osborne, Marc Ellis, Cullen,Mills Muliana,Toeiava,Dagg, Ben Smith 14,11,wings) Lomu,Jeff WIlson,Vidiri,Howlett,Joe Rocokoko,Sivivatu,Hosea Gear,Corey Jane,Julian Savea I/C O/C) Tana Umaga,Ma Nonu,Ieremia,Bunce,Walter Little, Richard Kahui,SBW,Conrad Smith,Pia Alitini,Norm Berryman 5/8 Mertherns,Carlos Spencer,Dan Carter,Nick Evans,Tony Brown,Aaron Cruden, 9)Justin Marshall,Kellaher,Steve Devine,Piri Weepu,Aaron Smith,Jimmy Cowan,Andy Ellis 8)Zinzan Brooke,Isitolo Maka,Rodney So'oialo,Kieren Reid,Ron Cribb 7)Kronfeld,Mccaw,Daniel Braid, Artie Savea, Matt Todd 6)Micheal Jones,Kaino,Adam Thompson,Jerry Collins, Victor Vito,Brad Sheilds 5)Brad Thorn,Robin Brooke,Luke Romano,Brodie Rettalick 4)Ian Jones,Ali Williams,Norm Maxwell,Sam Whitelock 3)Carl Hayman,Hoeft,Kees Meeuws,Neema Tailata,John A'foa 2)Fitzpatrick,Anton Oliver,Mealamu,Andrew Hore,,Tom Willis,Mark Hammett 1)Olo Brown,Ben and Owain Franks,Tony Woodock And so many more
ohtani's jacket
Guest
What a great team. Shame on you, Crusaders.
Johnno
Guest
I let Kuruki have Nonu as Nonu can't be on both teams, both the same standard if you ask me.
Johnno
Guest
Well either way, both good backrowers. Nonu and Alama is very close. Alama was very underrated, he was awsome in defence, read the game well, and was silky in attack, Frank Bunce kinda player.
Jerry
Guest
Jason Eaton, not Jacob. Also you've got Jerry and Rodney's positions reversed. I don't have a problem with most of your side but would have Nonu over Alama. I agree with Vanisi, though not by much over Chris Masoe.
Johnno
Guest
Canes best ever 15)Cullen 14)Corey Jane 13)Umaga 12)Alama Ieremia (You can have Ma Nonu) I'd pick Nonu but he was Cane,but Ieremia is just as good if not better, better defender. 11)Lomu 10)Aaron Cruden, just shades steve Bachop 9) Piri Weepu 8)Jerry Collins 7) Kupu Vanisi (Artie Savea potential wise could be better than Mccaw when he is done so much talent) but can’t pick hem yet 6) rodney so’oialo 5)Jacob Eaton 4)Paul Tito 3) Neemia Tialata 2)Andrew Hore 1)Mark “Bull” Allen Cracking game. Highlanders by 5, Brad Thorn the difference,
Kuruki
Roar Guru
15. Izzy Dagg 14. Jeff Wilson 13. Richard Kahui 12. Ma'a Nonu 11. Doug Howlett 10. Nick Evans 9. Jimmy Cowan 8. Taine Randall 7. Josh Kronfield 6. Adam Thomson 5. Simon Mailing 4. Brad Thorn 3. Carl Hayman 2. Anton Oliver 1. Carl Hoeft I'm not picking on what they done at the Highlanders just how good a player they were.
Digby
Roar Guru
Yip. Sona, smith and Manu for the front row I think
jeznez
Roar Guru
think that answers my eligibility question below - I'm sticking with Manu until some one throws up another name.
Johnno
Guest
Im gonna have a little sticky beak, into the best ever Blues side (super rugby era), not my final team by no means Well I'll simplify it and say, Videri, Rupeni Thau, Lomu, man so hard to leave one of those out. I hate to say it but lomu goes, as Vidiri and , Thau Thau were outstanding, but Lomu was good in 1996-97 there to. For me 15) Isaia Toeava 14)Vidiri 13)Brian Lima or Eroni Clarke 12) ? Ma Nonu hasn't done enough there to get a spot yet, there have been better, don't know any good blues I/C. 11)Rupeni Thau Thau 10)Spencer 9) Ofisa Tonu'u 8)Zinzan Brooke 7) Daniel Braid 6)Micheal Jones 5)Robin Brooke 4)Ali Williams 3)Tony Woodcock 2) Fitzpatrick , very unlucky Kev Mealamu 1)Olo Brown
Johnno
Guest
When you put it all together the Highlanders best ever (super rugby era) have a bloody good team.
Johnno
Guest
As would Nonu lol.
atlas
Guest
Richard Loe, barely a Chief (or Super player if games played count) - when Super rugby began in 96 he played 9 matches for Crusaders (captain) in a season where they only won two matches and finished 12th in Super 12 Chiefs '97 and he played in just four matches (at age 37!) and retired due to neck injury
jeznez
Roar Guru
If Loe meets the criteria then he would be hard to go past.
Johnno
Guest
Only I have supported Aaron Smith being the no 1 half, ahead of Kellehar and Jimmy Cowan.
atlas
Guest
Andrew Hore would rate as a Hurricanes man, apart from last seasons 2012-13 He began Super rugby with Crusaders few way back 2001 when Anton Oliver/Tom Willis had Highlanders #2 sewn up Hurricanes 2002-11
Johnno
Guest
Steve Bachop was also handy, he played at 5/8 for the highlanders, he'd be pushing for a starting spot. James Haskell and Andrew Hore and Brad Thorn too. Ma Nonu didn't do much when at the highlander's so won't get picked, unlikely. Colin Slade maybe as back up.
Digby
Roar Guru
:)