Halfback Nick Phipps has the toughest marking assignment in the NSW Waratahs’ Super Rugby semi-final against the Highlanders and that’s saying something considering their strikepower.
The Highlanders set up a semi-final with the defending champion Waratahs by downing fellow New Zealanders the Chiefs 24-14 in their qualifying final in Dunedin on Saturday.
The hosts had stars all over the park, including All Blacks fullback Ben Smith and electrifying winger Waisake Naholo, who scored both of the Highlanders’ tries.
But for Phipps, the player he will mark at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, slick and slippery All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith, was the man for the Highlanders.
“I thought it was a great game … both teams were having a real crack and it was on a knife’s edge for a lot of the game,” Phipps said.
“I thought Aaron Smith seemed to be the deciding factor in the end there.
“They just took their opportunities better than the Chiefs did.”
Smith was in everything for the Highlanders, who were hosting their first post-season game since 1999.
He created both of Naholo’s tries with terrific runs from scrums and will need to be watched closely.
Meanwhile, Phipps said the Waratahs enjoyed a typically tough “week off” under coach Michael Cheika, after topping the Australian conference.
“We had the Monday off and that was it, he got stuck into us in the back half of the week,” Phipps told Fox Sports.
“He did the same thing last year. He flogged us on Centennial Park again in that semi-final break, and it’s worked really well for us and I think it’s great.”
The Highlanders beat the Waratahs 26-16 in their regular season meeting in Dunedin in March, with Naholo among the tryscorers.
“It’s going to be a great game, it’s finals footy, they are going to be up for it,” said Phipps.
“They haven’t seen a finals series for a while and they’ll be looking forward to the opportunity over here.”
Justin
Guest
Ahem, Phipps and Foley shown to be fragile under pressure and Cheika had no plan B - where to now for us Wallabies? A Smith, Carter/Barret and McCaw to harass them?
Mike Julz
Guest
Will the ZOO makes the trip to Sydney? All of them should go there and support the boys.lol.
Taylorman
Guest
Palu and Nasi Manu are quite similar players though I still rate Manu as the stronger, just short of what the ABs need in the position. That should be a good battle on itself as well.
Marty
Guest
Kepu, Palu, and Skelton to retire by 50 mins with asphyxiation,
flying hori
Guest
Highlanders by 10
Morsie
Guest
Do you think so? That's a pretty handy Waratah back line with an awful lot of test and big game experience.
Mike Julz
Guest
Its gonna be a cracker. The Tahs have better forwards, while the Highlanders have better backs. Both teams should use this as an advantage.
Machooka
Roar Guru
@ jeznez :) Jameswm somewhat stole my thunder... as I was going to say very similiar. Hence, the only edge I really see the Tahs having, apart from playing on their home ground, is our forwards initially getting on top of the H'landers. They did this early in the season when both teams meet in Dunedin, but then the Tahs took the foot off, and ended up losing 4 tries to 3. The turning point in the game IMO was Kepu being given a yellow about 1/2 hour into the game. We didn't recover after that point, and to their credit the H'landers took advantage and went on with it for a deserved win. I'm absolutely sure that Cheika will have made the Tahs very aware of this... and put in place a game plan to slow the H'landers ability to recycle the ball quickly... let alone aimless kicks into H'landers territory. The word 'cracker' is so apt when thinking of what this game may have in store for all... supporters and players alike !
Jameswm
Guest
Should be an absolute cracker. The Highlanders play some sensational rugby. Earlier in the season I recall our forwards getting on top early, but we fell asleep and didn't respect their game. Won't happen this weekend. I certainly hope our big boys dominate the collisions and get us the go forward.
Jameswm
Guest
Phipps is ready? Woo-hoo, ASmith has no chance.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Yep - agree, just happy the Tahs are there - and that the draw has fallen our way to give us the home match is brilliant for us but won't win us the game. Will be ecstatic if they are able to take that next step and make the final. The Highlanders have the speedier backline and with the service from Aaron Smith have a great ability to play with width where Smith, Naholo, Fekitoa, Osborne etc can shred us if they get some space. The return of Horne should help with controlling them in defence but as always I think it is going to be key that the big boys up front win their collisions in order to generate the quick ball that the Tahs backs thrive on. Can't wait for this one.
IronAwe
Roar Rookie
After watching the Highlanders on the weekend I started to get really worried about our finals chances. It is going to be an absolute cracker of a game. A little worried that in their enthusiasm to lift for the occasion the Tahs might get a little too excited and see some yellow cards being thrown around. Will have to be careful.
Machooka
Roar Guru
@ Soap Geez... them some pretty fine stats you've thrown-up there. Very interesting indeed. I think this current bunch of H'landers is a very competitive beast... and they're feeding off their successes, thus growing in confidence with every game. That being said I feel that the Tahs are willing and able to match them pound for pound. If both teams play to type... it's going to be one hell of a game. It may seem a bit weird, as a Tahs' supporter, but I'm just thrilled to be in the conversation... I really, at the beginning of the season, felt we wouldn't be where we are at the present. So, for me, this is a real bonus... and to make the final would be even sweeter. C'arn da Tahs... 2015 is for R E S P E C T !
Soap
Guest
Tahs have beaten the Landers 20+ at home since 2009 and kept them from scoring more than 16. Also, Sydney is a graveyard for Kiwi teams, with a 100% win record for Cheika's Tahs since his arrival. History may be against the Landers but it'll be interesting to see if they can whip out a win despite despite the statistics.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Firstly... what a cracker of a game between these two Kiwi sides. A classic derby ! Really happy to see that the H'landers got through... most deserved. This result has been building for some time, and this 'team' is definitely the goods. Now... about those Smiths... simply superb. The Tahs have their work cut-out with these guys. And add to that Naholo swinging the gate shut, and a bunch of no-names running around as a collective 8...well, we could be in for a smacking in Sydney. But the Tahs can do it, have done it, and with this game at home it's definitely doable. Who knows... the H'landers may have played their final before the final ? It's happened before... infact more than a few times. Tahs to win... just !?