It was an exceptional achievement. The predominant under-achievers going all the way to the Championship final. That was one step, but to defeat the more fancied home side was a colossal task. A monumental season, the first title for the Southern franchise. Naturally, Super Rugby fans might ask “can the 2016 Highlanders make good on their 2015 Success?”
Coach Jamie Joseph is not one to sit on those successes. He has been with both winning sides; Otago and the All Blacks, while serving in sides that had failed to reach their peak. His determination is obvious for all to see, even he is a man of few words. When asked to evaluate his sides accomplishments, he simply said “I don’t know how to describe it, really. We created something special this year [2015] and I just really enjoyed being a part of it.”
News came through in January that after this Super Rugby season, Joseph will be released to begin a role as Head Coach for the Brave Blossums, Japan. This opportunity was too good to turn down, and Joseph praised his franchise for their investment in him–appointed Coach in 2010, he has gained praise for his work ethic and in learning from mistakes made by the Highlanders of the past, in player selection, signings and in recognizing what makes a good Landers player. By the time of his final match, he will have ingrained his ideals onto the club for a successor to inherit a well-oiled machine.
His psychology is basic: winning through hard work and toil. That ha tos now be reinforced with a desire to ‘make good’ on the performance of last year and to show that it was not a single event. Several Super Rugby sides have risen to great heights, only to fall suddenly. Think of the Queensland Reds in recent memory as one, with no disrespect to their reign of 2011. After emerging as Champions, the following season saw them just qualify for the finals series, only to fall to The Crusaders. Not harnessing that position of power has seen them slide back into the mid-table, or less.
The 2016 Highlanders cannot let that happen, and star players such as Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo (pictured) and Aaron Smith will each work hard to retain their own personal form and solidify the franchises standing within the new conference system, because it is not just a case of repeating 2015 strategies. This Dunedin based side must plan well to combat the ‘second year syndrone’. Joseph and his assistants Tony Brown, Jon Preston and Scott McLeod must build in a confidence that they will be a leading side (by winning consistently) Each have good rugby minds and would love nothing more than repeating the incredible achievements of last season in combination with their team.
That includes a core group of All Blacks: Lima Sopoaga, Malakai Fekitoa, the Smith men and try scoring wizard Naholo. Then you have quality in Richard Buckman, Patrick Osbourne and Marty Banks, Elliot Dixon, Dan Pryor and Gareth Evans. Tight forwards Liam Coltman, Kane Hames and Ash Dixon to name only a few. All have tasted gold and will each bring quality into to the organisation once again.
They have lost one of their key players in 2016 though, in Nasi Manu. The fearless leader, who by the Super Rugby final looked war torn and exhausted. That was due to Manu continually leaving it all on the field. A 10% player. Hard to replace; if not impossible, but fortunately the culture he was a big part of will still be there. And the fans will still be there too. The families, new fans born from last years success beside the the traditionalists and don’t forget The Zoo (students and funlovers).
So how can the Champions stay on a winning formula?
2016 Highlanders new signings –
- Matt Faddes (Otago)
- Siosiua Halanukonuka (Tasman)
- Jackson Hemopo (Otago)
- Craig Millar (Otago)
- Greg Pleasants-Tate (Auckland)
- Liam Squire (Chiefs)
- Rob Thompson (Canterbury)
- Patelesio Tomkinson (Otago)
- Luke Whitelock (Crusaders)
Not every name on this list will attract the attention of every Super Rugby fan, but to be fair to men like Luke Whitelock, Craig Millar, Greg Pleasants-Tate and Liam Squire, they all have much to offer this franchise. Squire has been injected to replace Manu, and while a huge task the man from Palmerston North has a good pedigree; Maori All Blacks and The Chiefs, so expect instant reward from that Number 8.
The entire squad needs to be driven towards a new collective goal of reaching the Qualifying Finals–the new format will see five sides from the Australian Group challenge for a semifinal position.
That new goal will also bring added pressure. A new conference draw sees all five NZ franchises play each other once, plus they play The Hurricanes in a home-and-away series. This side will also face every Australian team and four South African group teams. The theory is 6|5|4 and the new format means every side must create strategies to manage all 17 weeks of this competition [includes two bye weeks] but don’t be surprised though, any side can be beaten once- if not twice. Without a doubt this new structure will test every side, including this title winning side.
It will be a huge task for the defending champions absolutely. A big-ask too for any of the new teams: Los Jaguares, Sunwolves and Kings. Every side faces new challenges, but none so more than the Premiers. In 2016, the heat is squarely on The Highlanders to overcome all those elements which will be a testament of a true team spirit. And that is what the Southern side has. They are a team first, and foremost.
2016 will be the year rugby fans look forward to seeing if The Highlanders make good on years of promise. 2015 was just the first step up.
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The Investec Super Rugby season begins Friday 26th February: The Blues host The Highlanders at Eden Park, Auckland.
“Main photo”
