The Highlanders of New Zealand's rugged southern Otago are a tough team for any tourist. Ask James Haskell, the
Lions back row on his first tour. He played for the Super Rugby team from 2011
to 2013.
Although they will be without All Blacks
scrum-half Aaron Smith and fullback Ben Smith, their backline remains a
formidable threat and a powerful defensive guard. Goal kicking and will be
taken care of by Lima Sopoanga, who will also be responsible for leading their attack
in the Smith’s absence.
On the boundaries, and floating behind the
defensive wall will be a World Cup winner in Waisake Naholo. The Fijian-born
utility back (though he will probably start on the wing) has already racked up
22 Super Rugby tries, despite a lengthy injury lay-off in 2016. The 26-year-old
may be on the fringes of the All Blacks test side due to that time off, but he
will be looking to claim a place in Steve Hanson’s side with a good performance
at the Forsyth Barr stadium.
The pack, too, is a strong unit with Super
Rugby pedigree. Brother of All Black second row Sam Whitelock, Luke is also a
capped international with over 60 Super Rugby caps since 2012 for the Crusaders
and Highlanders. He will hope to challenge a Lions back row that has so far
been a highlight for the tourists. His work in the loose, if allowed to be
effective, could cause real problems for the Brits.
At hooker too they have a provincial
heavyweight with a solitary All Black cap to his name. Liam Coltman broke into
the Highlanders squad in 2013, aged just 23. Described by his team as an “abrasive
hooker”, his performances have impressed selectors, and he made his test debut
against Italy in 2016.
But all of the names above are somewhat
obvious choices.
One man that the Lions really need to watch
out for, and has so far been overlooked by some previews is the Tonga-born centre Malakai Fekitoa.
Fekitoa was unceremoniously dropped by
Steven Hansen for this test series, with Stuff.nz citing “doubts” over attacking ability and error rates. The Hurricanes’ Ngani
Laumape looks like he’ll be favoured to face whichever combination of Davies/Te’o/Joseph/Henshaw
Gatland and Howley choose. Perhaps Hansen is opting to front up against the
battering ram of so-called ‘Warrenball’.
But tomorrow’s game will be an opportunity
for Fekitoa to show that his flair and exciting attack (though, yes, he is plagued
with the occasional knock-on) will be missed in the tests.
A graduate of Wesley College, he possesses
some of the physical might of the school’s most famous son, a certain Mr Lomu. This,
along with a willingness to put his body on the line for his side, has resulted
in some incredible defensive hits in the past few years. (Not many can make
Conrad Smith feel as much like a sack of potatoes as a young Malakai did in
2014, see below)
Enough of his defensive capabilities.
Fekitoa has to outplay the outrageously talented Laumape to earn a spot on
future All Black tours. But whereas the Wellington 18-wheeler smashes through
even the hardiest of South African defences, Fekitoa uses his magic footwork
and silky hands to great effect.
Just watch this effort against the
Melbourne Rebels in April (okay, the Rebels, I know). Not only was he in prime
position to receive an admittedly wonderful off-load from Buckman, but he then
went on to beat four defenders, over the 20 metres to the line, with a deft
side-step, a quick hop, and then a burst of pace and strength that left the
poor Melbourne defenders wondering why they even bothered to catch their
trans-Tasman flight.
And what about this on a day of truly awful
weather at the Loftus Versfeld, just a month back?
Okay, his hand-off may draw the most
attention and there’s no reason it shouldn’t. But the line chosen to run rings
around a weary 75th minute Blue Bulls defence is supreme, as is the
intelligent burst of pace when Fekitoa realises he has dumbfounded the
unfortunate winger tasked with policing his outside options. Again, a subtle
step around the full back, and it’s straight home under the posts.
***
Yes there will always be Kiwis sitting on a
beach or sofa somewhere cursing the selectors. And it is Fekitoa’s turn this
summer. But he’s already been linked to the big money of the European leagues, as
almost every dropped All Black seems to be (Mr Piatau, we’re looking at you).
That shows that he’s unlucky, even if only time will tell if Hansen et al have
made the right choice.
And it also shows that the Lions can’t rest
on the laurels of beating the Crusanders team that had gone unbeaten before
their Christchurch meeting. Aaron Smith and namesake Ben may be having a quiet
beer with the excitable University of Otago students who often fill the Forsyth
Barr when the teams clash (Hansen will be hoping Aaron only has one, with his
dubious record),
but just with every New Zealand side: where one All Black is missing, there
seems to be another ready to fill their boots with an experience only available
to each Southern Hemisphere team once every 12 years.
The Lions must continue their good work in
the pack, and the back row will again be key. But if the backline is slow on
defence, or wayward in their passing game, the likes of Malakai Fekitoa will be
ready to prey on their mistakes and show Laumape and the indomitable Sonny Bill
that there are always players nipping at the heels of the 12 and 13 positions.
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