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Super Rugby: Highlanders Talented Roster Could Lead Them to Super Rugby Playoffs
Published: February 16, 2012
In recent years the deep south has become a destination for talented players who were unable to make their own Super Rugby franchise. Eighteen of their 32 players come from outside the Highlanders' franchise region. But one team's trash is another team's treasure.
This year's edition of the Highlanders features 11 internationally capped players, seven of which played in the Rugby World Cup last year.
Leading from the front is big Southlander Jamie Mackintosh. The 130-kg prop has played age grade rugby for New Zealand all his life. He is a strong scrummager and a powerful ball runner. On the other side of the scrum will probably be fellow Southlander Chris King, who has always been one of the better props in the competition despite never being selected for the All Blacks. Veteran Bronson Murray and rookie Ma'afu Fia round out the rest of the props.
At rake, making his Highlanders debut is All Black veteran Andrew Hore. After captaining the Hurricanes last year, he was controversially released by coach Mark Hammett and decided to move down south as a result. He is a mobile hooker with a high work rate, often getting turnovers at the breakdown. Behind him will be Southland hero Jason Rutledge. At 34, Rutledge has played his best rugby over the past two years, with a powerful pick-and-go and a high work rate on defense. It will be interesting to see how much game time he gets this season.
The second row will be led by last year's new All Black Jarrad Hoeata. The hard-tackling Taranaki import will be teaming up with Southlander Josh Bekhuis, who has made improvements ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Rugby Union
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