The explosive return of Highlanders flyer Waisake Naholo has new Super Rugby leaders the Crusaders on edge ahead of Friday’s southern derby.
Last week’s 38-5 thrashing of Queensland lifted the Crusaders past the Chiefs on points differential atop an overall table dominated by Kiwi sides.
The defending champion Highlanders are third and the Hurricanes fourth on points accrued although none can match the form of the Crusaders, who have won eight games on the trot.
Assistant coach Tabai Matson can’t deny his team are playing well but he believes they will be taken into deep waters by a Highlanders side who produced arguably their best rugby of the season in Saturday’s 26-13 drubbing of the Chiefs in Hamilton.
Three-Test All Blacks winger Naholo scored two tries in a scintillating return from injury, having fractured his leg in the opening round.
Last year’s competition-leading tryscorer with 13, Naholo showed he is more than just a finisher, Matson noted.
“At the breakdown he was a beast. He’s thrown the gauntlet down for our two wingers,” Matson said.
“It’s going to be a massive challenge to contain parts of their game that are really hard to contain. One of those is the one-on-one match-ups on the edge.”
Another area to focus on will be fielding high kicks, with Matson describing the Highlanders as the “kicking-est” team in the competition.
The Crusaders will travel to Dunedin without hooker Ben Funnell, who suffered his second hamstring problem in two games and won’t play for at least the next fortnight.
Matson says his team isn’t getting carried away with their ladder position, believing it is tenuous given their taxing schedule remaining in the regular season.
He revealed seven different players have been awarded their internal man-of-the-match honours over the last two months, reflecting the all-round approach they have tried to adopt.
“The Highlanders are back to their abrasive best so we’re back at the grindstone,” he said.
“There’s an arm-wrestle that has to take hold beforehand and that’ll be the key, winning that first.”
Kiwihaydn
Guest
Naholo standing on the flanks not doing anything OB? After three turnovers last week - the same as Hooper - I'm sure he'll find some way to get involved!
CUW
Guest
and ur living in the past. usually past is not a reflection of the future :P
Samvandamn
Guest
You guys did watch the 2015 Rugby season didn't you? The Highlanders won the whole thing last year with that 'no name' pack you are referring to. They should not be taken lightly, they didn't take a backwards step against any team last year and haven't this year either. The Crusaders had the same All Black forward pack and didn't even make the playoffs. I wouldn't read too much into the 'names'.
Sylvester
Guest
The Highlanders set piece, mainly the lineout, was not great against the Chiefs. I wouldn't expect the Crusaders to be too forgiving. In saying that, they aren't short of game breakers in the backs and may not need the front foot ball to score that others do.
CUW
Guest
i just hope they wont kill eachother - just before a test tour starts. READ is just one bad headknock away from retirement !!!!!
Old Bugger
Guest
Absolutely agree. I think this is just a ruse and the Saders, will be playing to starve the Landers backs of clean ball, from their pack. Do that and most of the Naholo issue will be spent standing on the flank, doing nothing. This could be a battle of attrition for both packs but gees, its hard to go past that Saders pack chock full, of current and former ABs and playing themselves, into some decent form. Anyways, it will certainly be a cracker.
CUW
Guest
while Naholo is the main attraction , the match will be won or lost among the forwards. Crusaders have the names - HIghlanders dont . that is the only difference as both sets are equally efficient. Dagg can show his wares by defending well, especially the kicks.