The Highlanders ruck work is shocking, they used to the be the best breakdown team in the comp, probably the worst atm.
I honestly tune in every week and am genuinely surprised how bad we are each and every week. Like you said we were so good at the breakdown the last two years, our back line used to play on the advantage line. This year, the skill level, the structures, the general rugby playing ability has just evaporated. We are missing Manu, Thomson, Crosswell (who hasn't played at all this year for the Chiefs) hell, even Haskell from last years back row.
Fuk's sake, forget all that above.. we've been shat on by every single ref this year. Almost all the 50-50's and bounces of the ball have gone against us. Not spouting vitriol either, I've mentioned it every week.
..see bounce of the ball again