Christie shines among faster Highlanders loosies [Otago Daily Times]

ODT Online rugby writer Jeff Cheshire looks at five things we learned as the Highlanders beat the Blues 29-21 in the Super 15 season-opener last night.

Loose forwards faster around field

One of the major issues in 2013 was that the opposition seemed to keep beating the Highlanders to the breakdown. This was not a problem last night as the loose forwards tore around the field to ensure the secured their own ball and disrupted a fair amount of Blues ball. Shane Christie was your typical scavenging openside flanker, being the first to the ruck and cutting down the Blues backline's space.

Nasi Manu worked hard in the tight-loose, strong in contact situations while also capable of turning over ball and doing well out wider. Gareth Evans ranged a bit more, but was still prominent in the loose, making tackles and a few good runs in the open. They were a loose forward trio they complemented each other well and were a large reason for the win.

They will not lack for intensity on defence

The defensive effort, particularly in the first half, was outstanding. Well organised and aggressive, they pushed up in a line to ensure the Blues runners had little room to work with and made it so much easier to turn ball over. Consequently, the Highlanders saw most of the ball in the first half and ensured that they were the only team in the game.

A few gaps opened up in the second half, which will need to be addressed, but for the most part this was a top notch defensive effort which sets the standard for the rest of the season.

Need to put together a full game

It is hard to be too critical, as after leading 24-0 it can be hard to come back out in the same mindset as you are at the start of the game. That said, the second half was lost 21-5, which makes the final score look a little less impressive.

A lot of this can be put down to the Blues having far more quality ball to work with in the second half, being under less pressure from the Highlanders defence and making a few more breaks. As the season progresses, it will be key for the Highlanders to ensure they remain the dominant team for the full 80 minutes, but for now we will take the win.

New firepower evident

It was clear that new signings Patrick Osborne and Malakai Fekitoa are both going to add some spark to the back line, a much needed addition after last year. Fekitoa hit the ball hard at the line and was a handful for the defence, running strongly and showing a good turn of pace to score an outstanding try. Osborne was a handful too and possessing a good offload and the ability to draw defenders.

This along with Ben Smith, a resurgent Aaron Smith and Shaun Treeby bodes well for a team that will make defences pay attention to them. If Lima Sopoaga starts running more they will become even more threatening, as he and his back line become all the more dangerous when he does this.

Lineouts still need work

The lineouts were poor once again, with too many throws going over the jumper's head. These things can happen early in the season while combinations are still being developed, but given this was a major concern last year, it is something that needs looked at. On the plus side, the defensive lineout did well, applying good pressure and pinching three balls, two by Josh Bekhuis while hard on defence and one by Gareth Evans at the front.