Colin Slade: Highlanders Lose Key Signing with Broken Jaw

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: January 31, 2011

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The Highlanders bid to reclaim Super Rugby dominance in 2011 has suffered a major set back. Marquee signing Colin Slade has been diagnosed with a broken jaw after suffering a knock in the team's preseason game against the Blues on Saturday. The injury will see Slade sidelined for the next six to eight weeks, leaving a gaping hole in the Highlanders backline.

What a cruel twist of fate for a team that has had more than their share of bad luck over the past few seasons. Numerous injuries have seen that they have barely fielded their top lineup at all and as a consequence, have struggled to win games.

But as they say, there's no use crying over spilt milk. The key now is for the Highlanders to look at the options available to them and make the best of the situation.

Fortunately, there is a replacement waiting in the wings who goes by the name of Lima Sopoaga.

Sopoaga is a skillful, gutsy First Five who has a ton of ability and potential. However having only one ITM Cup campaign under his belt, he lacks in experience and will find the pace of the game and the decision making a huge challenge. 

The Highlanders most likely picked Sopoaga with the intention of using him behind Slade, to help him develop so in the coming seasons he will be a top class No 10. And there is no doubt that he will be just that. But it will be a huge jump to start in his debut game against a strong looking Hurricanes team in Wellington at such a young age.

A good performance against the Blues in their first preseason hit out will boost the franchises confidence in him and if he can cope with the decision making required at the highest level, he could turn out to be just what the Highlanders are looking for at First Five.

They also have young Southland talent Robbie Robinson, who is capable of playing in the No. 10 jumper and did so for a large part of last years ITM Cup for Southland. But fullback seems ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Rugby Union

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