The Highlanders is NZRU's 3rd most successful team in Super Rugby after the Crusaders and Blues. Although they haven't won the competition to date they have reached 4 semi-finals and the finals once, losing to the Crusaders in 1999. They have struggle of late to make it in to the pay-offs and the top half of the log, having done so the last time in 2002. 

This is a team that on paper looks good but just can't seem to play accordingly. They represent North Otago, Otago and Southland in the Super Rugby competition. These are all strong teams in the Air New Zealand Cup. Yet as a franchise they have been struggling. Their main rivals in the NZ conference will be the Chiefs. But here is a look at their history in Super Rugby years gone by:

Super 12 Standings

Year  Play Win Draw Loss Place
1996  11     5      0      6    8th
1997  11     3      0      8    12th
1998  11     7      0      4    4th (lost semi-final to Auckland Blues)
1999  11     8      0      3    2nd (lost final to Crusaders)
2000  11     6      0      5    3rd (lost semi-final to Crusaders)
2001  11     6      0      5    5th
2002  11     8      0      3    4th (lost semi-final to Crusaders)
2003  11     6      0      5    7th
2004  11     4      1      6    9th
2005  11     6      1      4    8th

Super 14 Standings
Year  Play Win Draw Loss Place
2006  13     6      0      7    9th
2007  13     5      0      8    9th
2008  13     3      0      10  11th
2009  13     4      0      9    11th
2010  13     3      0      10  12th

Super Rugby
Year   Play Win Draw Loss Place
2011  16     8      0      8    8th

Super Rugby 2012 Season
This season the Highlanders will place their hopes on the shoulders of coach Jamie Joseph and skipper Jamie Mackintosh. They will comand the following squad of players:
Ma'afu Fi  Prop
Chris King  Prop
Jamie Mackintosh  Prop
Bronson Murray  Prop
Andrew Hore  Hooker
Jason Rutledge  Hooker
Josh Bekhuis  Lock
Jarrad Hoeata  Lock
Culum Retallick  Lock
Nick Crosswell  Flanker
John Hardie  Flanker
Adam Thomson  Flanker
Doug Tietjens  Flanker
James Haskell  Number 8
Elliot Dixon  Number 8
Nasi Manu  Number 8
Jimmy Cowan  Scrum Half
Aaron Smith  Scrum Half
Chris Noakes  Fly Half
Colin Slade  Fly Half
Lima Sopoaga  Fly Half
Kendrick Lynn  Centre
Tamati Ellison  Centre
Shaun Treeby  Centre
Hosea Gear  Winger
Siale Piutau  Winger  Tonga
Kade Poki  Winger
Telusa Veainu  Winger
Kurt Baker  Full Back
Ben Smith  Full Back

In 2012 the follwoing guys will make their Highlanders debut:
Hosea Gear ( Hurricanes)
Andrew Hore ( Hurricanes)
Tamati Ellison ( Ricoh Black Rams)
Culum Retallick ( Chiefs)
Doug Tietjens ( Manawatu)
Ma'afu Fia ( Manawatu)
James Haskell ( Ricoh Black Rams)
Chris Noakes ( Bay of Plenty)
And these players left to further their careers elsewhere or retire:
Alando Soakai ( Kubota Spears)
Robbie Robinson ( Chiefs)
Tom Donnelly ( Crusaders)
Mahonri Schwalger ( Chiefs)
Fetu'u Vainikolo ( Connacht)
Halani Aulika
David Te Moana
Brayden Mitchell
Joe Tuineau
Sean Romans
Tony Brown
Matt Saunders
James Paterson

With Hosea Gear, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowen and Andrew Hore in the team the Highlanders are looking like they might be restored to their former glory of the late 1990's and early 2000's.  This would be a welcome challenge to the other NZRU teams and indeed all SANZAR teams. That they can compete against the top teams in Super Rugby is a given fact looking at the squad here on paper.

I believe they will challenge the Chiefs for thw 3rd spot in the NZ conference and might even take second from the Blues. But from there it will be anybody's game. If they perform to their abilities a place in the play-offs are on but I don't really see them finishing above 5th overall after the last 6 years results.

But as always this is just my view... 


Dave