Highlanders Super 14 season preview: look out for fly half Robbie Robinson

By Greg Clark
Fox Sports rugby commentator
February 04, 2010.

The Highlanders are the poor cousins of the Kiwi franchises, and that's why they haven't finished in the top half of the table since they made the semi-finals in 2002.

They usually have to rely on the crumbs from the draft system; in other words, players who have been released from other teams.

Having said that, the Highlanders have caused a few upsets over recent years. And while their home ground, Carisbrook, is no longer a "House of Pain", visiting teams have to be at their best when they journey south to Dunedin.

Once again, there is a good contribution from Air New Zealand Cup semi-finalists Hawkes Bay.

Feeder union Southland won the Ranfurly Shield off Canterbury last year, and they have some promising players. And Otago still contributes healthy numbers to the playing roster.

They have a big mobile pack led by All Blacks Jamie Mackintosh and Adam Thomson.

I witnessed Southland playing in Invercargill last year, and I was very impressed by young fly half Robbie Robinson. I expect him to have a good year playing outside All Blacks scrum half Jimmy Cowan.

They have a tough draw, with five of their first six games on the road - including a three-match stint in South Africa. They might be giving the leaders too much start by the time they return home.

Fox Facts: Highlanders

Home ground: Carisbrook, Rugby Park Stadium, Queenstown Events Centre
Coach: Glenn Moore
Best Super 12/14 finish: Runners-up 1999
Last season: P13 W4 D0 L9 F254 A269 BP10 Pts26 (11th)

Squad:

Jamie Mackintosh, Clint Newland, Chris King, Bronson Murray, Jason Macdonald, Jason Rutledge, Josh Bekhuis, Tom Donnelly, Hayden Triggs, Joe Tuineau, Adam Thomson, Alando Soakai, John Hardie, Tim Boys, Nasi Manu, Stephen Setephano, Jimmy Cowan (C), Sean Romans, Matt Berquist, Michael Hobbs, Jayden Hayward, Jason Shoemark, Kendrick Lynn, James Paterson, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Ben Smith, Robbie Robinson, Israel Dagg

Gains: Robbie Robinson (Southland), Nasi Manu (Canterbury), Michael Hobbs (Blues), Bronson Murray (Crusaders)

Losses: Anthony Perinese, Lucky Mulipola, Johnny Leota, Daniel Bowden, David Hall, Ross Kennedy.


Highlanders' Head-To-Head Records

Week 1, v Crusaders (away)
H2H: Played 17: Won 6, Lost 11 -
In Christchurch: Played 9: Won 2, Lost 7 -

Week 2, v Blues (home)
H2H: Played 15: Won 5, Lost 10 -
In Dunedin: Played 7: Won 4, Lost 3 +

Week 3, v Cheetahs (away)
H2H: Played 4: Won 4, Lost 0 +
In Bloemfontein: Played 2: Won 2, Lost 0 +

Week 4, v Stormers (away)
H2H: Played 13: Won 8, Drawn 1 Lost 4 +
In Cape Town: Played 7: Won 4, Lost 3 +

Week 5, v Bulls (away)
H2H: Played 12: Won 8, Drawn 1 Lost 3 +
In Pretoria: Played 6: Won 3, Drawn 1, Lost 2 +

Week 6, v Sharks (home)
H2H: Played 12: Won 5, Lost 7 -
In Durban: Played 6: Won 2, Lost 4 -

Week 7, v Lions (away)
H2H: Played 12: Won 8, Lost 4 +
In Johannesburg/Bloemfontein: Played 6: Won 2, Lost 4 -

Week 8, v Chiefs (away)
H2H: Played 14: Won 5, Lost 9 -
In Hamilton/Rotorua: Played 7: Won 3, Lost 4 -

Week 9, v Western Force (home)
H2H: Played 4: Won 2, Lost 2 =
In Dunedin/Queenstown: Played 2: Won 1, Lost 1 =

Week 10, Bye

Week 11, v Hurricanes (home)
H2H: Played 14: Won 5, Lost 9 -
In Dunedin: Played 7: Won 4, Lost 3 +

Week 12, v New South Wales Waratahs (home)
H2H: Played 14: Won 3, Lost 11 -
In Dunedin: Played 7: Won 1, Lost 6 -

Week 13, v Brumbies (away)
H2H: Played 14: Won 6, Lost 8 -
In Canberra: Played 7: Won 2, Lost 5 -

Week 14 v Queensland Reds (away)
H2H: Played 14: Won 9, Lost 5 +
In Brisbane/Townsville: Played 7: Won 2, Lost 5 -