Highlanders and Hurricanes rampaging
The less celebrated two Kiwi franchises have improved, a lot.
Both teams looked as a work in progress in 2014, now they look like the complete thing. In Wellington, the duo of Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu is not the only attraction, Julian Savea is lethal and the Beauden Barrett is putting up a reasonable claim on the #10 All Blacks jersey.
Down south the Highlanders are showing an great composure and calm. After overcoming the Chiefs in Hamilton with a late penalty from cult figure Marty Banks, when 12 – 0 down against the reigning champions, the Highlanders didn’t panicked and start rebuild and shut down the Tahs for the rest of the game, allowing only one late try to Stephen Hoiles that saved a defensive bonus point for the visitors.
The two teams will clash next week in the opening game of the round, an opportunity to see which of the two will contest the Crusaders and Chiefs for top honours in the group on the other side of the ditch.
