Globe-trotting Highlanders ready for Dunedin decider
The defending Super Rugby champions bagged a full-house 10 points from their 48-18 win over the Southern Kings (which included a trip of 10,484km from Dunedin to Port Elizabeth over the Indian Ocean) and the 34-8 triumph over the Jaguares (another 7,465km trip from Port Elizabeth to Buenos Aires over the Atlantic Ocean).
As they headed home on Sunday – another 9,805km from Buenos Aires to Dunedin, that would have seen them circumnavigate the globe in the past fortnight – they are gearing up for a match that will decide if they have to make another trip across the Indian Ocean for the quarterfinals.
The Highlanders are at home in Dunedin to the Chiefs this coming on Saturday.
Although there are numerous permutations possible before the New Zealand conference standings are confirmed next Saturday, a win could help the Highlanders avoid a trip to Cape Town for an encounter with the Stormers.
"It's crucial where we end up [on the standings], because obviously a couple of teams are going to have to jump back on a plane again," coach Jamie Joseph told stuff.co.nz.
"It's been a great tour for us," said Joseph, adding that there are no fresh injury concerns and optimism about the return of key three personnel.
The Highlanders – the Kiwi counter-attack masters – clinched their Super Rugby play-off spot with an impressive 34-8 triumph over the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.
Brilliant at speedily turning defence into attack, the team from southern island city Dunedin scored four tries to one, earning a bonus point before a large crowd at Estadio Jose Amalfitani.
Collecting a maximum five points from the penultimate round of league matches enabled the defending champions to climb one place on the New Zealand conference standings to third.
Only three points separate leaders Chiefs from the fourth-place Hurricanes – with the Crusaders and the Highlanders sandwiched in between, all guaranteed play-off places.
"We faced a tough team in the Jaguares and winning was more difficult than the scoreline suggests," Highlanders skipper and fullback Ben Smith told reporters.
"Our forwards provided a lot of good ball, we off-loaded well at times, and defended bravely.
"Qualifying for the play-offs is great, but we are not thinking that far ahead. We just want to get home and prepare for the match against the Chiefs."
Jaguares scrumhalf Martin Landajo replaced Agustin Creevy as skipper when the hooker retired injured after 25 minutes.
"It was a tough match and we did not take our chances," lamented Landajo.
"We also conceded too many penalties.
"We struggled during the second half because we did not have enough possession, but I believe the team learnt a lot from playing a very good Highlanders side."
Cheers to all our fans in Argentina & back at home. Can't wait to be back under the roof next wk! #WeAreHighlanders pic.twitter.com/xhiVl3Y3sp
— The Highlanders (@Highlanders) July 9, 2016
