The Highlanders want their old turnover skills back if they are to avoid being swamped by the Waratahs in their Super Rugby quarter-final.
A classic attack versus counter-attack battle looms in Sydney on Saturday, with the visitors acknowledging they could face a long night at the office if they don’t tidy up their defence.
The Kiwi side has conceded 127 points in their last three games.
Heavy losses to the Chiefs and Crusaders after the June international break were followed by last week’s thrilling 43-37 defeat of the Melbourne Rebels.
The same leaks will be pounced on by a Waratahs side whose 557 points scored leads Super Rugby in 2018.
Outside backs Israel Folau, Taqele Naiyaravoro and Curis Rona are all among the top 10 players for clean breaks.
On the flip side, the Highlanders have made – and missed – considerably more tackles than any team, often happy to kick away possession and rely on counter-attacking strike off turnovers.
Highlanders assistant coach Clarke Dermody noted the turnovers have dried up in recent weeks.
“Teams have been able to hold that ball and we haven’t been able to get it back as fast as we would like,” he told AAP.
“Potentially later in games, tiredness can then have an effect especially against the calibre of teams we’ve come up against. They’re either teams in the play-offs or trying to get there and attacks have sharpened right up.”
Highlanders forwards Luke Whitelock, Dillon Hunt and Tom Franklin are the three most prolific tacklers in Super Rugby this season.
All three were rested from the starting side against the Rebels and will be refreshed for Sydney, along with key All Blacks backs Ben and Aaron Smith.
Dermody says a vast improvement is needed against a Waratahs team who overwhelmed them 41-12 two months ago in the match which broke Australia’s long winless drought in trans-Tasman matches.
“The Waratahs are by far the best team in Australia,” Dermody said.
“They’ve got attacking threats all over. The good thing is we understand what we’re coming up against.”
Stu
Guest
Nah. Tahs by a mile with home ground advantage and finally something to play for.
piru
Roar Rookie
Thank you for having a sense of humour Boom!
Boomeranga
Roar Rookie
True. You got me there.
piru
Roar Rookie
What's a Bungalow Rebel?
Cynical Play
Guest
That's probably about right based on last weeks loss, and with Hooper out and Ben Smith back in.
Cynical Play
Guest
and they didn't play the Bangalow Rebels. So what?
piru
Roar Rookie
And despite all those faults they are the best team in Australia. Unbelievable isn’t it. Unproven - they didn't play the Force this year
Boomeranga
Roar Rookie
And despite all those faults they are the best team in Australia. Unbelievable isn't it.
jimbo81
Guest
I don't think it's a blip - we see the same thing at Wallaby level. The series loss to England in 2016, the 2018 series loss to Ireland. Key ingredients are: Foley missing kicks and being pedestrian in attack and missing in defence. Phipps burning Richard Simmons levels of energy but unable to deliver speedy and accurate service. It's accurate and slow or speedy and behind the man or over their heads. Not sniping enough. Some powder-puff Tahs forward/s dogging it or simply being utterly outclassed (Hannigan, Kepu, Simmons) Dumb option taking (we need to stick to the plan assuming Cheika has one). Quick taps with a full arm penalty on halfway = grounds for immediate dismissal. Kicking the ball away for no reason = pack your bags. Box kicking and being charged down = sniper team 1, eliminate the target.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Highlanders are $1.60 to the Tahs $2.35 at one online betting portal. I doubt they'd be doing much different to the rest.
Boomeranga
Roar Rookie
4/5 of our experts have tipped the Highlanders which seems to fit with most of the punters in the comments section as well. Waratahs were terrible last week. I think the Highlanders are favourites but could be a pretty good contest if last week was a blip.
Buddyboy
Guest
Hmmm...last time they met in the finals in Sydney the Tahs were favorites, deja vu anyone?
Stu B.
Guest
Looking forward to this game, should tell us many things, the Warratahs probably have more defensive liabilities in the backs (stats tell lies when you haven't played 8 NZ teams) also it will be interesting if Izzie can show more enthusiasm for defence in this one, should be some cracker matchups this weekend. Go the rugby!
taylorman
Roar Guru
Highlanders are having a distinct low at the moment but then so are the Tahs, their best was two or three matches ago. Really just a matter of who can get up more this time. Landers just have to do more with that attack.
Dontcallmeshirley
Guest
I think the Waratahs should be concerned about the Highlanders attack to be honest.