Highlanders.... *shakes head*

(also published on Pink Rugby)

When it was announced that the Highlanders had the services of Tony Woodcock, Ma'a Nonu and

I too would be bowing my head in shame

Brad Thorn for the 2013 Super Rugby season, it seemed the Highlanders would have a very competitive team. Between them, the three new signings have 231 All Blacks caps, and 305 Super Rugby caps – when added to the likes of Andrew Hore, it seemed the Highlanders would have a very magical team for 2013. Definitely the team to watch!

Some very impressive pairings automatically came to mind – Hore and Woodcock in the front row, Thorn and Jarrad Hoeata together in the locking department, then in the backs Aaron Smith feeding the ball to Ma'a Nonu, Tamati Ellison, Hosea Gear and Ben Smith. Ten players with All Black & Maori All Blacks experience, it seemed like a no brainer. As an ex-Highlanders supporter I must admit that I

Elliot Dixon
... tats AND the man can play!

perience to the team. While I'm sure their knowledge and experience has been beneficial to the other players on the team, it seems that the Highlanders have become almost a 'retirement home' for players. Rather than playing with the energy and vitality of younger players, all these new, experienced signings seem to be making little impact at all on the team, almost as if they'd be happier sitting down to a game of BINGO or crib, while sipping on a sherry.

When you look at numbers (as I regularly do, having a fetish for rugby statistics), on paper the Highlanders have the oldest average age, at 25.7 years, followed by the Hurricanes on 25.1, the Chiefs on 24.8, the Blues on 24.0 and the Crusaders on 23.7. When analysed even further – focusing solely on forward packs, the Highlanders again have the oldest age average, at 27.9 years, with the four other teams averaging between 25.1 and 25.9 years. These averages make it clear that while age can often mean experience – it doesn't always translate into success.

As we enter round nine, it seems that the Highlanders coaches are shaking things up to try and get

One can watch the Highlanders lose....
and perve at Phil Burleigh....

that elusive first win of the season – All Blacks Aaron Smith and Colin Slade have been dropped, in favour of some lesser-known names. I personally think this is a good thing – because it HAS been all the 'lesser' knowns from the team, who are performing well this year. The likes of Elliot Dixon, Phil Burleigh (who also has the added benefit of being some major eye candy!) and Kade Poki have been playing exceptionally well. I think it's time for the coaches to stop waiting for the bigger names (namely any player who has worn the black jersey in the last 24 months) to finally step up, and for them to instead give the lesser-knowns a chance to prove their worth.

Jarrad Hoeata.
Just cos he's hot.
Unlike the Highlanders.

While I'm at it, perhaps the Highlanders lack of success is all down to the 'Nonu Curse'. Think about it it. 2011 – Hurricanes play badly. With Nonu. 2012 – Blues play badly. With Nonu. 2013 – Highlanders are playing badly. With Nonu. Yes, perhaps it's unfair to suggest, but I guarantee you it is a thought that every Kiwi rugby fan has had over the past couple of weeks. I would go as far as to say that the 'Landers will secure their first win without Nonu on the field.

OF COURSE it's not all bad. If the Super XV was a sexy-man competition, the Highlanders would be sitting in the top four, especially when Tamati Ellison comes back from injury in the next couple of weeks.

25 Days of Rugby Man Hotness (Dec 23)

Introducing the utterly gorgeous, hottest-rugby-Daddy-ever...

Tamati Ellison

Why I Love June

June.  First month of Winter, half way point of the year, shortest day, Queen Lizzie's birthday, Emersyn's birthday...  but more importantly...

ALL BLACKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On Sunday the All Blacks squad, to take on Ireland was announced.  Suddenly the media is full of the All Blacks - articles, photos, opinions, criticisms, compliments.  EVERYONE has an opinion, EVERYONE has something to say.  And they do.  And it is glorious.

My first thought upon waking on Sunday morning was "OH MY GOD, THE ALL BLACKS TEAM IS ANNOUNCED THIS MORNING!"... first thing I then did was ring Lauriel and the second thing I did was go on my phone, check out Twitter & find a tweet stating what time the team was being announced.  Lauriel and I spoke about who we thought would make the squad, and who would be left out - more importantly who we WANTED to be left out.

The team was announced and it was speedily up on the All Blacks website.  I read through the list - waiting to get to the #9 position, to find out whether Piri Weepu had made it... But NEVER in my wildest dreams - no, nightmares, did I imagine that one very important name would be missing from the list. 

Andy Ellis missed the cut.

How.
The.
Fucking.
Hell?

Other than the omission of Andy (aka TinTin) I was in agreement with the choices (and y'know - my opinion REALLY counts!)... even if I was (and still am) sad that CJ isn't in there.  Yes, he's injured - and that's WHY he's not in there, but still...  Even in the team photo, the dude who took his place (Hosea Gear) is standing beside Izzy, who is standing beside Zac.  How freakin' epic would it have been, to have the trio standing together in the official photo?

I guess there is still the Tri-Nations.. well.. Rugby Championship.. or whatever it's called with the inclusion of the Pumas this year.  And the end of year tour.

[we will now pause for a brief prayer.
Dear Rugby God:  Please don't let CJ injure himself again.
Amen.]

Anyway.  Boo Piri.  Boo Andy.  Boo CJ.  Yay Zac/Izzy/Richie/DC/etc.

Of course, the announcement of the team also means something else...

HEADSHOTS!!!!!

Zac, putting his best side forward

Can't have Zac, without Izzy

Can't have a post about the All Blacks
without Captain Fantastic, himself

As with Izzy & Zac, you can't have
Richie without Dan...

Tamati, oh Tamati...

Most exciting thing of course, is that on June 16th, Lauriel & I are going to SEE the All Blacks playing....

Bring.  It.  On.