Highlanders (rugby union)

Highlanders

Highlanders Logo
Union	New Zealand Rugby Union
Founded	1996
Location	Dunedin, New Zealand
Region	North Otago Otago Southland
Ground(s)	Carisbrook (Otago) Queenstown Events Centre (North Otago) Rugby Park Stadium (Southland) (Capacity: 28,000 (Carisbrook) 19,000 (Queenstown Events Centre) 17,000 (Rugby Park Stadium))
Coach(es)	Rajul Patel
Captain(s)	Ronak Patel
League(s)	Super Rugby
2010	12th
1st kit 2nd kit
Official website
www.highlanders-rugby.co.nz

The Highlanders (formerly known as Otago Highlanders) are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Dunedin that compete in Super Rugby. The franchise represents the North Otago, Otago and Southland provincial Rugby unions. The Highlanders take their name from the Scottish immigrants that helped found the Otago, North Otago, and Southland regions in the 1840s and 1850s. Their main ground through the 2011 Super Rugby season is Carisbrook in Dunedin, with home games occasionally being played in Invercargill and Queenstown. The Highlanders will move into Carisbrook's replacement, Forsyth Barr Stadium at University Plaza, starting with the 2012 season; the stadium is scheduled to open in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, but after the Super Rugby season.

The franchise was formed in 1996 to represent the lower South Island in the newly formed Super 12 competition. They finished the inaugural season eighth, and the following season finished last after winning only three of eleven matches. However in the 1998, 1999 and 2000 seasons they qualified for semi-finals; the best result in their history was in 1999 when they hosted the competition final against fellow South Island team the Crusaders. They lost the match 24–19, and the following year were again knocked out by the Crusaders—this time in their semi-final. Since then they have only finished in the top four once more, in 2002. Between the 2003 and 2007 seasons the team has finished ninth three times and eighth once.

Former Highlander, Anton Oliver has played a record 127 games for the franchise, and thirteen other players have played over 50 games for the team. The Highlanders' highest career points scorer is Tony Brown with 857 points, and highest career try scorer is Jeff Wilson with 35. They are currently coached by Jamie Joseph and are captained, starting in the 2011 season, by Jamie Mackintosh.

History

Main article: History of the Highlanders

The Highlanders' franchise was created as one of five New Zealand teams in the Super 12. Originally named the Otago Highlanders, the Highlanders' franchise area encompassed the lower South Island of New Zealand, and was formed from the North Otago, Otago, and Southland provincial rugby unions.

The Highlander mascot performing before a match at Carisbrook stadium.

The 1996 team was captained by John Leslie and coached by Gordon Hunter. Their first Super 12 match was against the Queensland Reds at Carisbrook on 3 March 1996, whom they defeated 57–17. After three matches the Highlanders were undefeated and leading the competition. However the following week at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in South Africa they were defeated 59–29 by Northern Transvaal. They only won two more games that season, against Natal at Carisbrook and against the Canterbury Crusaders at Lancaster Park, and they finished the season eighth on the table.

1997 was the least successful season ever for the Highlanders. They finished last in the competition, and managed only three wins. They were now coached by Glenn Ross and captained by Taine Randell. Their eight defeats that season included a 75–43 defeat to Natal in Durban. The points scored by Natal included 50 points by Gavin Lawless — a competition record. Following their last place in the 1997 season, Tony Gilbert was appointed as coach. Their first game under his guidance was an upset 26–19 win over the Queensland Reds. The Highlanders eventually became the first New Zealand side to defeat all four South African teams in one season. After defeating the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld they needed the Queensland Reds not to defeat the Brumbies by a large margin. Queensland were defeated by the Brumbies 23–16 and the Highlanders finished fourth, thus qualifying for the semi-finals. In the semi-final, they faced defending champions the Auckland Blues at Eden Park. The Blues were leading 20–16 at halftime, and were leading 30–26 before a controversial try to Adrian Cashmore pushed the Blues to a 37–26 lead. Joeli Vidiri had illegally taken out Highlander Stanley off the ball.

The following season in 1999 the Highlanders improved on their 1997 season record by reaching and hosting the tournament final. They opened their season with a 19–13 victory over the Auckland Blues at Carisbrook. This was followed by a victory over the Northern Bulls, the Stormers at Carisbrook, and the Cats, before their first loss of the season to the Sharks. They returned to New Zealand to defeat the Waikato Chiefs and then the Crusaders. After defeating the Reds, the Highlanders lost to the New South Wales Waratahs at Carisbrook. The next week they defeated the Brumbies at the same venue. In their next match, despite leading the Wellington Hurricanes 14–3 at half time, the Highlanders lost when Hurricanes Template:Half-back Jason Spice scored in the corner to give the Hurricanes a 21–19 victory. Had the Highlanders won they would have finished top of the table and hosted a semi-final at Carisbrook. Instead they then had to travel to South Africa where they defeated the Stormers 33–18. The Highlanders travelled back to Dunedin for the 1999 Super 12 Final, which was against South Island rivals the Canterbury Crusaders, and was billed as "the party at Tony Brown's house" after Highlanders Template:First five-eighth Tony Brown. The Highlanders scored first, and led 14–9 at half time. However the decisive try was to Crusaders Template:Wing Afato So'oalo, who chipped the ball then out-sprinted All Blacks winger Jeff Wilson to collect the ball and score. Although the Highlanders scored a try to Isitolo Maka with three minutes remaining, the Crusaders won 24–19.

The Highlanders opened their 2000 season with a 50–13 victory over the Queensland Reds at Carisbrook. They won their next three matches, against the Sharks, Hurricanes and Cats. However they then lost their following three; against the Crusaders, Brumbies, and Blues. They played the Crusaders at Jade Stadium in their semi-final, and were defeated 37–15 after Marika Vunibaka scored two tries for the Crusaders in the last 20 minutes. The next season opened with a 23–8 victory over the Blues. Their 39–20 defeat of the Waratahs at Carisbrook on 7 April was the first defeat of New South Wales by an Otago-based side since the Otago provincial team defeated New South Wales 5–0 in 1901. The Highlanders narrowly lost to the Hurricanes in Napier 35–33 before defeating the Brumbies at Carisbrook on 20 April. Although the Highlanders went undefeated at home for a second consecutive season, the they finished fifth with six wins that season.

The Highlanders playing the Hurricanes at Wellington in 2005; their first win over them at that venue.

Laurie Mains had returned from South Africa to coach Otago in the 2001 National Provincial Championship (NPC), and was appointed the Highlanders coach for 2002. Their season started with a narrow 30–28 loss to the Crusaders at Jade Stadium. That year the Highlanders also achieved a win over all four South African teams. The Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy was also introduced that season to be contested between the Highlanders and Blues. Gordon Hunter had coached both teams before dying from cancer in 2001. The match was played at Eden Park, and the Highlanders were ahead 15–3 at half time, and eventually won 20–13. Their last home match of the season was against the Reds at Carisbrook. The Highlanders’ 40–26 win meant that they had gone three seasons undefeated at Carisbrook. The Highlanders finished fourth and played the Crusaders in Christchurch where they lost 34–23, although Jeff Wilson did score a try in his last match for the franchise.

The 2003 season started with a 29–16 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton. They then defeated the Stormers and Bulls before losing to the Cats in Johannesburg. Their second loss occurred when the Crusaders defeated them 17–16 at Carisbrook. The Highlanders had gone three seasons, 2000, 2001 and 2002, and 16 games unbeaten at Carisbrook before that loss. The Highlanders then defeated the Blues 22–11 to retain the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy. In April that year it was revealed a rift had developed between coach Laurie Mains and some of the senior players in the squad. Anton Oliver was branded the ringleader by Mains, and after their final game of the season Mains resigned and was replaced by his assistant Greg Cooper.

In contrast to their previous season, in 2004 the Highlanders conceded 44 tries, twelve more than in 2003, but scored nine more tries then in 2003. Not only did they have a new head coach, but also thirteen new players in their squad. This all contributed to them finishing the season ninth that season. The Highlanders' 2005 season started with a loss to the Blues at Carisbrook. Following this the side won six games consecutively, the first time the franchise had ever done so. After a draw with the Stormers and a bye, the Highlanders had gone unbeaten for eight weeks. Three weeks from the end of the round robin they were third, but after losing their remaining three matches fell to eighth for the season.

After ten years the Super 12 was expanded to include two extra teams; the Western Force from Australia, and the Central Cheetahs from South Africa. The expanded competition was renamed the Super 14. The Highlanders continued under Cooper in 2006. After losing their first match of 2006 to the Crusaders, they then won their next three. After only won two of their last six games, they finished the season ranked ninth. The 2007 ended with a similar result to 2006. The Highlanders again finished ninth on the table, and worst of the New Zealand teams. They finished the season with five wins and eight losses from their thirteen matches. Coach Greg Cooper left the franchise to take up the assistant coaches position with the Blues following the 2007 season. The coach for the 2008 season, Glenn Moore, was appointed 28 August 2007.

Name and colours

The logo of the Otago Highlanders before they changed their name.

The name Highlanders was chosen after the early Scottish settlers in the lower South Island. These Scottish settlers were the founders of Dunedin—known as the "Edinburgh of the South", and the city where the Highlanders are based. According to the Highlanders official website: " The name and image of the Highlander conjures up visions of fierce independence, pride in one's roots, loyalty, strength, kinship, honesty, and hard work."

The colours of the Highlanders formerly encompassed the provincial colours of North Otago, Otago, and Southland; yellow, blue and maroon. Blue is also the predominant colour of the Flag of Scotland, and is used by many sports teams in that country.

On Friday, 3 June 2011, the Highlanders introduced—controversially—a new predominantly lime green kit.

Franchise area

The provincial unions that encompass the Highlanders' franchise.

The Highlanders' franchise area consists of the regions controlled by the North Otago, Otago and Southland Rugby Unions. Like all New Zealand Super Rugby sides, the Highlanders are able to protect 24 players from within their franchise area from the draft. They then must go to the draft (which consists of New Zealand-based players not protected by any of the five Super Rugby franchises) to fill their squad. Both Otago and Southland compete in the ITM Cup (formerly the Air New Zealand Cup), and North Otago in the amateur Heartland Championship. As a result, the majority of Highlanders players play for Otago or Southland.

Grounds

Carisbrook stadium.

The Highlanders' main ground is the 29,000 capacity Carisbrook in Dunedin. Carisbrook is also known as "The Brook", or as "The House of Pain" due to its reputation as a difficult venue to visit. The stadium is also well known for Dunedin's large student population (known as "Scarfies") that occupy the terraces—an uncovered concrete embankment at the eastern end of the ground.

A new stadium, Forsyth Barr Stadium at University Plaza, is currently under construction to replace Carisbrook because it is no longer suitable to international rugby, or as a venue for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The Carisbrook Stadium Trust was established in 2006 to manage the planning and construction of a new stadium. The stadium is not being built on the current Carisbrook site, but instead near the University of Otago and Otago Harbour. It will be a roofed, all weather stadium with a rectangular configuration, and permanent seating capacity of 25,000 that could be expanded to 35,000 if necessary.

As well as Carisbrook, the Highlanders usually play at least one regular season match at either Rugby Park in Invercargill or the Queenstown Events Centre in Queenstown. Prior to 2007 the regular season match was usually played at Rugby Park, however in 2007 they played a match at the Queenstown Events Centre. The Highlanders have also played pre-season matches at Centennial Park in Oamaru and at the Showgrounds in Balclutha.

On March 28, 2009, the Highlanders played a home game at FMG Stadium in Palmerston North against the Bulls. This game attracted a crowd of 10,000; one of the Highlanders' biggest of the 2009 season.

Super records and achievements

Super 12 placings

The following table summarises all Super 12 results—excluding trial and pre-season matches:

Year	Played	Win	Draw	Loss	PF	PA	Diff	BP	Points	Place	Playoffs
1996	11	5	0	6	329	391	-62	6	26	8th
1997	11	3	0	8	299	409	-110	5	17	12th
1998	11	7	0	4	343	279	64	6	34	4th	(lost semi-final to Auckland Blues)
1999	11	8	0	3	280	203	77	3	35	2nd	(lost final to Crusaders)
2000	11	6	0	5	320	280	40	8	32	3rd	(lost semi-final to Crusaders)
2001	11	6	0	5	284	295	-11	5	29	5th
2002	11	8	0	3	329	207	122	6	38	4th	(lost semi-final to Crusaders)
2003	11	6	0	5	287	246	41	5	29	7th
2004	11	4	1	6	299	347	-48	8	26	9th
2005	11	6	1	4	221	214	7	1	27	8th

Super 14 placings

The following table summarises all Super 14 results—excluding trial and pre-season matches:

Year	Played	Win	Draw	Loss	PF	PA	Diff	BP	Points	Place	Playoffs
2006	13	6	0	7	228	276	-48	3	27	9th
2007	13	5	0	8	235	301	-66	7	27	9th
2008	13	3	0	10	257	338	-81	7	19	11th
2009	13	4	0	9	254	269	-81	10	26	11th
2010	13	3	0	10	297	397	-100	6	18	12th

Franchise records

In the 1998 and 1999 season the team set several franchise records that they have yet to surpass. In 1998 they scored their most ever points (374), and most ever tries (40) in a season. The following year their 65–23 win against the Bulls set several records; most points in a match, most tries in a match with nine, and largest winning margin of 42.

Current first five-eighth Tony Brown holds several individual records; most points in a season for his 150 in 2000, as well as most career points with 857. His 857 career points included 144 conversions, 183 penalties, and six drop-goals. The most points in a single match is held by former fullback Ben Blair who scored 28 against the Sharks in 2005. Most career tries is held by former player Jeff Wilson with 35. He also shares the record for most tries in a single match with three—this record is shared with Doug Howlett, Ryan Nicholas, Jeremy Stanley, and To’o Vaega.

Players and coaches of note

Wider Training Group

• Liam Coltman
• Sam Anderson-Heather
• Alex Ryan
• Tim Boys
• Hoani Matenga
• Scott Cowan
• James Wilson
• Fetu'u Vainikolo
• Ben Atiga
• Tony Koonwaiyou

Internationally Capped players

• Jimmy Cowan (44 caps)
• Tony Brown (18 caps)
• Adam Thomson (17 caps)
• Tom Donnelly (15 caps)
• Ben Smith (2 caps)
• Jamie Mackintosh (1 cap)
• Colin Slade (1 cap)
• Mahonri Schwalger (25 caps)

Out for 2011

• Israel Dagg ( Crusaders)
• Matt Berquist ( Crusaders)
• Hayden Triggs ( Chiefs)
• Jason Shoemark ( Chiefs)
• Clint Newland ( Leinster)
• Jayden Hayward ( Hurricanes)
• Stephen Setephano ( Chiefs)
• Jason Macdonald
• Michael Hobbs
• Fetu'u Vainikolo - to wider training group
• Tim Boys - to wider training group

In for 2011

• Colin Slade ( Crusaders)
• Nick Crosswell ( Hurricanes)
• Jarrad Hoeata ( Chiefs)
• Shaun Treeby ( Wellington)
• Aaron Smith ( Manawatu)
• Telusa Veainu ( Canterbury)
• Lima Sopoaga ( Wellington)
• Kurt Baker ( Taranaki)
• Halani Aulika ( Otago)
• David Te Moana ( Agen)
• Brayden Mitchell ( Southland)
• Mahonri Schwalger ( Sale Sharks)
• Elliot Dixon ( Southland)
• Matt Saunders ( Southland)
• Siale Piutau ( Counties-Manakau)
• Kade Poki ( Crusaders)

Notable players

Players who have played over 50 games for the Highlanders:

• Josh Blackie
• John Blaikie
• Tony Brown
• Jimmy Cowan
• Tom Donnelly
• Carl Hayman
• Carl Hoeft
• Byron Kelleher
• Chris King
• Filipo Levi
• Simon Maling
• Seilala Mapusua
• Kelvin Middleton
• Craig Newby
• Anton Oliver
• Taine Randell
• Romi Ropati
• Jeff Wilson

Coaches

In their first season the Highlanders were coached by Gordon Hunter before he joined the All Blacks selection panel. Glen Ross took over in 1997, and was not reappointed for the 1998 season. Tony Gilbert was appointed for the 1998 season, and again coached the team in 1999 before being appointed co-coach for the All Blacks. Peter Sloane was appointed Gilbert's successor for the 2000 season, and also coached them in 2001 before moving to coach the Blues. Laurie Mains returned to New Zealand from South Africa to replace Sloane for the 2002 season. Mains resigned following the 2003 season after a rift between him and senior players. Greg Cooper replaced Mains and coached the team from 2003 until 2007, when he left the franchise to take up the assistant coaches position with the Blues. Glenn Moore coached the club from 2008 through until 2010, when he was relieved of his duties after the club posted only 10 wins against 29 losses in his 3 years in charge. His replacement is former All Black flanker Jamie Joseph.

Players List

Pita Alatini 1998-01, James Arlidge 2003, Halani Aulika 2011 Stephen Bachop 1996, Kurt Baker 2011 Ryan Bambry 2006, Aaron Bancroft 2007-08 Manassa Bari 1997, Josh Bekhuis 2009- Matthew Berquist 2005, 2009–10 Joshua Blackie 2001, 2003–07, Duncan Blaikie 1999-2000, John Blaikie 1997-02, Ben Blair 2005-06, Daniel Bowden 2008-09 Peter Bowden 2002-03, Colin Bourke 2005, Tim Boys 2006, 2008–10 Neil Brew 2001, 2004–06, Tony Brown 1996-2004, 2011 Callum Bruce 2006-07, Donny Cameron 2003, Keith Cameron 2007-08, Matt Carrington 1997-2000, Craig Clare 2007, Eroni Clarke 2001, Paul Cooke 1996, Matthew Cooper 1996, Jimmy Cowan 2003- Scott Cowan 2009-2010 Nick Crosswell 2011- Simon Culhane 1996-99, Justin Cullen 1996, Israel Dagg 2009-10 Mike Delany 2008, Vilimone Delasau 2006, Clarke Dermody 2003-07, Eliott Dixon 2011- Tom Donnelly 2003- Murray Driver 1996, Rhys Duggan 1998, Marc Ellis 2000, Chris England 1996, Nick Evans 2004-07, Lio Falaniko 1996-98, Gerrard Fasavalu 2001-02, Blair Feeney 2002, Pailate Fili 1997-98, Brad Fleming 2003, Stu Forster 1996-97, Andrew (Billy) Fulton 2001-02, Rico Gear 2000, David Gibson 2001-02, Ryan Glover 2005, Steve Gordon 1997, David Hall 2005, 2007–09 John Hardie 2010- Sam Harding 2002-04, Carl Hayman 1999-07, Jayden Hayward 2009-10 Davin Heaps 1998, Tiwini Hemi 1997, Paul Henderson 1996, Ben Herring 2003, Michael Hobbs 2010 Jarrad Hoeata 2011- Carl Hoeft 1997-05, Charlie Hore 2007, Glen Horton 2003-05, 2007–08, Doug Howlett 1997, Ben Hurst 2004, Richard Kahui 2006, Jason Kawau 2006-07, Byron Kelleher 1998-03, Ross Kennedy 2009 Chris King 2005- Uloi (Roy) Kinikinilau 2006, Josh Kronfeld 1996-2000, Brendan Laney 1997-01, David Latta 1996, Danny Lee 2003-05 Johnny Leota 2008-09 Rob Lawton 1996, George Leaupepe 1996, 2001, John Leslie 1996-98, Filipo Levi 2002-2007, Brian Lima 1996, 1999, Kendrick Lynn 2009- Hoani MacDonald 2004-08, Jason MacDonald 2003, 2006–10,

Jamie MacKintosh 2007- Vula Maimuri 2001, Isitolo Maka 1996-99, Simon Maling 1997-04 Nasi Manu 2010- Seilala Mapusua 2002-06, Brett Mather 2008-09 Ryan McCarthy 2007, Brett McCormack 1996-97, 1999–2000, Joseph (Joe) McDonnell 1999-03 Tony McEwan 1997, Cameron McIntyre 2005, Casey Mee 1997, Kees Meeuws 1996-01, Kelvin Middleton 1998-03, Mike Mika 1996-98, Paul Miller 1999-2002, 2005, Brayden Mitchell 2011- Paul Mitchell 2002, Nick Moore 1996-98, Eugene Morgan 1999, Toby Morland 2004-08, Marius Mostert 2002, Loakimo (Lucky) Mulipola 2007-09 Bronson Murray 2010- George Naoupu 2008-09 Craig Newby 2002, 2004–08, Clint Newland 2008-10 Ryan Nicholas 2002-04, Anton Oliver 1996-07, Daniel Parkinson 2000, Ruben Parkinson 1998, James Paterson 2010- Hayden Pedersen 2004-05, Anthony Perenise 2009 Siale Piutau 2011- Daniel Quate 2003-04, Seru Rabeni 2003-04, Taine Randell 1996-03, Hayden Reid 2001, Andrew Rich 1996, Willie Rickards 2007, William (Willie) Ripia 2006, Robbie Robinson 2010- Sean Romans 2009- Romi Ropati 1997-02, Isaac Ross 2008, Jason Rutledge 2004, 2009- James Ryan 2005-07, Matt Saunders 2004-05, 2007–08,2011- Mahonri Schwalger 2005,2011- Steven Setephano 2008-10 Jason Shoemark 2005, 2009–10 Colin Slade 2011- Aaron Smith 2011- Ben E Smith 2006 Ben W Smith 2008- Chris Smylie 2006, Alando Soakai 2007- Lima Sopoaga 2011- Jeremy Stanley 1998-2000, Paul Steinmetz 2002-03, Blair Stewart 2008, Niva Ta'auso 2008, Iliesa Tanivula 2001-04, Ezra Taylor 2007-08, David Te Moana 2011- Karl Te Nana 2000, Kane Thompson 2006-07, Adam Thomson 2006, 2008- Ace Tiatia 1997, Brendon Timmins 1996, 1998–2000, 2002 Rua Tipoki 2000, Hale T`Pole 2004-07, Shaun Treeby 2011- Hayden Triggs 2008-10 Aisea Tuilevu 2001-04, Joe Tuineau 2010- Anthony Tuitavake 2005, Mark Urwin 2001, To'o Vaega 1996-97, Samiu Vahafolau 2000-2001, 2003, Fetu Vainikolo 2008-10, Kupu Vanisi 1996-98, Telusa Veainu 2011- Viliame Waqaseduadua 2007, Willie Walker 2002-2003, Grant Webb 2002-2005, Nick White 2004, 2006, Paul Williams 2003-04, 2008, Thomas Willis 2000-2003, James Wilson 2007-08, Jeffrey Wilson 1996-2002, Jason Wright 1996-97, Greg Zampach 2007,

• Players in bold are in the current squad.

Bibliography

• Gifford, Phil (2004). The Passion - The Stories Behind 125 years of Canterbury Rugby. Wilson Scott Publishing. ISBN 0-9582535-1-X.
• Howitt, Bob (2005). SANZAR Saga - Ten Years of Super 12 and Tri-Nations Rugby. Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 1-86950-566-2.
• McIlraith, Matt (2005). Ten Years of Super 12. Hodder Moa. ISBN 1-86971-025-8.

External links

• Highlanders official site