Highlanders hold on to hope against Force
Highlanders hold on to hope against Force
19th March 2008, 12:30 WST Highlanders hold on to hope against Force : thewest.com.au
The Highlanders face a daunting task hosting the Western Force in their Super 14 rugby match on Saturday but coach Glenn Moore feels the spirit bonding his young side could help tip the game in their favour.
The Highlanders have lost their first four matches, scoring just five tries, and their recent home results have given Carisbrook’s nickname, the House of Pain, an ironic twist.
The Highlanders’ chances aren’t helped by the Force playing their two best games in a row - in losing gamely to the Crusaders and backing that up with victory last weekend against the Blues for their maiden win on New Zealand soil since their formation in 2006.
However, the Highlanders, gutted of the experience of Anton Oliver, Carl Hayman, Clarke Dermody, Josh Blackie, Nick Evans, Seilala Mapusua and Callum Bruce among others, have not been pushovers.
There’s only a difference of 15 points between the points scored (54) and conceded (69) columns - clear evidence they have run closely with every team they have played. That closeness has earned them four bonus points.
“I am proud of them - the squad are young but fight right to the end,” Moore said.
“We have been tracking pretty well in our set pieces and last time out (against the Hurricanes) we won quite a bit of ball and created some opportunities so it’s just a matter of focusing on converting some of those opportunities into points.
“We have a number of wins in us - it is a rebuilding phase for us but I still believe these guys are good enough to win a number of games.
“We are not far off a win and if we can do that it’ll help gather some confidence and build up some momentum.”
Moore said last week’s bye had given some members of the team to chance to get over some niggles and to work on a few things which will “simplify what we are doing”.
Moore said against the Blues, the Force had shown the ability to bide their time and build up pressure.
“But having said that, the Blues also probably lost their way when Nick Evans came off and the fatigue from the travel home from South Africa kicked in”.
The Force were a good all round side with key players in skipper and lock Nathan Sharpe, world class first five-eighth Matt Giteau, No 8 Richard Brown and blindside flanker Scott Fava.
“The spirit in the Highlanders is high and I like to think we have made some progress and that if we create some opportunities this week, we’ll convert them into points.”
WELLINGTON
