:moon: :shrug:
Season to date: 5-10-1 -3.00 units
Game One) Highlanders v Hurricanes, Carisbrook
Highlanders -7.5/8.5
The Highlanders' home loss v the Chiefs last weekend was the upset of the round. The home side was second in most departments to a very impressive Chiefs display by a team that continues to beat the spread as underdogs.
However, there may have been a coupleof factors contributing to the loss - the Highanders looked over-confident and waited for things to happen until it was too late; they were sluggish after two games away in Sth Africa and they don't seem to spark up in Invercargill like they do in front of the Dunedin scarfies.
The 'canes have now won 3 in a row but all victories have been mixed efforts against opponents of debatable quality.
Last week's win over the Reds was a worthy triumph but the match had little to recommend in terms of shape and structure and both sides lack the quality required to make the playoffs.
The Highlanders to me still look like a top-four outfit despite last week's setback. They know another home loss will severely hurt those ambitions and should be a much-improved unit this week.
Laurie Mains has made three changes to the starting XV; bringing in winger Romi Ropati for Aisea Tuilevu, big No8 Paul Miller for Kelvin Middleton and prop Joe McDonnell for Carl Hoeft. All three should bring renewed enthusiasm and punch to the home team's game.
Lock Dion Waller is in doubt for the Hurricanes who will otherwise field an unchanged side.
Conditions may be wet tonight but that would suit the home team, who have a more cohesive pack and gameplan than the visitors. They should keep the 'canes on the back foot enough to negate what magic Umaga, Cullen and Lomu may provide.
PLAY HIGHLANDERS -7.5 (2 UNITS)
GLTA
Season to date: 5-10-1 -3.00 units
Game One) Highlanders v Hurricanes, Carisbrook
Highlanders -7.5/8.5
The Highlanders' home loss v the Chiefs last weekend was the upset of the round. The home side was second in most departments to a very impressive Chiefs display by a team that continues to beat the spread as underdogs.
However, there may have been a coupleof factors contributing to the loss - the Highanders looked over-confident and waited for things to happen until it was too late; they were sluggish after two games away in Sth Africa and they don't seem to spark up in Invercargill like they do in front of the Dunedin scarfies.
The 'canes have now won 3 in a row but all victories have been mixed efforts against opponents of debatable quality.
Last week's win over the Reds was a worthy triumph but the match had little to recommend in terms of shape and structure and both sides lack the quality required to make the playoffs.
The Highlanders to me still look like a top-four outfit despite last week's setback. They know another home loss will severely hurt those ambitions and should be a much-improved unit this week.
Laurie Mains has made three changes to the starting XV; bringing in winger Romi Ropati for Aisea Tuilevu, big No8 Paul Miller for Kelvin Middleton and prop Joe McDonnell for Carl Hoeft. All three should bring renewed enthusiasm and punch to the home team's game.
Lock Dion Waller is in doubt for the Hurricanes who will otherwise field an unchanged side.
Conditions may be wet tonight but that would suit the home team, who have a more cohesive pack and gameplan than the visitors. They should keep the 'canes on the back foot enough to negate what magic Umaga, Cullen and Lomu may provide.
PLAY HIGHLANDERS -7.5 (2 UNITS)
GLTA
