Preview: Highlanders v Lions

It is now or never for the Highlanders. Up against a winless, hapless Lions side – a win should be a given. But the House-of-Pain is not as formidable as it once was and the Lions like to attack.

Pass It On Tweet 0

VENUE & TIME: Carisbrook, Dunedin, Friday March 26, 19.35 NZT.

HEAD TO HEAD: Played 14 – Highlanders 9, Transvaal/Gauteng/Cats/Lions 5.

LAST TIME: April 28, 2009 (Johannesburg) – Lions 27-22 Highlanders.

LAST TIME AT VENUE: April 28, 2008 – Highlanders 29-20 Lions.

MATCH ODDS: LUXBET(Thursday): Highlanders $1.08, Lions $8.00

WALKING WOUNDED: No Highlanders were knocked out of the selection reckoning by injury last week and Glenn Moore made only one change, replacing Alando Soakai with Steven Setephano in a revamped loose trio. The Lions, who lost Burton Francis to injury last week, have made four changes to the run-on XV, mainly in the backs with the only new face in the matchday 22 being lock Nico Luus. Carlos Spencer has returned to first-five amid growing concern in South Africa that he may not be the answer they had hoped for; this match could well be a crucial one for the veteran No 10.

FORM:

PAST FIVE Highlanders:
Round 2: Lost to Blues 15-19
Round 3: Beat Cheetahs 31-24
Round 4: Lost to Stormers 0-33
Round 5: Lost to Bulls 35-50
Round 6: Lost to Sharks 16-30

PAST FIVE Lions:
Round 2: Lost to Chiefs 65-72
Round 3: Lost to Hurricanes 18-33
Round 4: Lost to Brumbies 14-23
Round 5: Lost to Waratahs 12-73
Round 6: Lost to Crusaders 19-46

When you realise both teams also lost their openers and therefore can claim one win in 12 matches between them, it doesn’t take much to work out that neither is travelling well. The Highlanders were in the match against the Sharks beyond the hour mark last week but two quick incidents – the TMO correctly ruling out a ‘try’ by Fetu’u Vainikolo and then an intercept down the other end that allowed Adrian Jacobs to score the clincher – blew the margin out. That defeat comes on the back of two heavy losses in South Africa, so the Highlanders will be looking to complete their matches against sides from the Republic with a much stronger showing. The Lions were also in their match against the Crusaders a lot longer than the score would indicate but a scoring flurry towards the end, when the Crusaders pounced on a number of errors, made the result look a lot more clear-cut than the run of play did. The Lions tried to play attacking rugby but their own failings hurt and that porous defence continues to yack up far too many points.

WHO'S HOT: The Highlanders tight five was impressive last week, particularly at scrum time, and this must worry Dick Muir as the Lions have proven surprisingly frail in this area. Clint Newland can be relied upon to provide a solid anchor and Josh Bekhuis will both compete in the lineout and add drive around the park. Adam Thomson, restored to his proper position, is another who should have a major influence. At first-five Robbie Robinson, who has not yet hit his straps at the higher level, only needs to play to his Air NZ Cup form and the backs could be in for a good night. The Lions have a real trooper in skipper Cobus Grobbelaar, who never stops trying, while hooker Hannes Franklin is showing out as a promising all-round forward. Two key backs are halfback Jano Vermaak, a good Super 14 player for some time now, and midfield tough guy Doppies la Grange, who is the team’s best defender as well as one of the most dangerous attacking players.

WE THINK: The Highlanders should be good enough to get the job done this week, as the home side has the forwards to control this match. Both backlines will have a go but we believe the Highlanders will have better territory and more ball to work with, so we’re calling a Highlanders win by 10-15 points.

TEAMS:

Highlanders: 1.Jamie Mackintosh, 2.Jason Rutledge, 3.Clint Newland, 4.Josh Bekhuis, 5.Hayden Triggs, 6. Adam Thomson, 7. John Hardie, 8. Steven Setephano, 9.Jimmy Cowan (captain), 10.Robbie Robinson or Matt Berquist, 11. James Paterson, 12. Michael Hobbs, 13.Kendrick Lynn, 14.Ben Smith, 15.Israel Dagg.

Reserves: 16.Jason MacDonald, 17.Bronson Murray, 18.Joe Tuineau, 19.Tim Boys, 20.Sean Romans, 21.Jason Shoemark, 22. Fetu’u Vainikolo.

Lions: 1. Janse van Rensburg, 2.Hannes Franklin, 3.Ross Geldenhuys, 4.Nico Luus, 5. Franco van der Merwe, 6.Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 7.Derick Minnie, 8.Todd Clever, 9.Jano Vermaak, 10. Carlos Spencer, 11.Tonderai Chavhanga, 12.Doppies la Grange, 13.Walter Venter, 14.Wigan Pekeur, 15. Michael Killian.

Reserves: 16.Charles Emslie, 17.Heinke van der Merwe, 18. Willem Stoltz, 19.Robert Kruger, 20.JP Joubert, 21. Wandile Mjekevu, 22. Earl Rose.

REFEREE: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)