There is nothing more frustrating as a fan of a team then seeing year in and year out of poor results combined with bad management decisions that perpetuate that losing culture. So when an obvious 'told you so!' move is made which turns things around quickly it's even more infuriating for me at least. Jamie Joseph's appointment as Otago Highlanders coach is one of those moves for me. After years of struggles for the franchise on and off the field the Highlanders are looking on the up.
Ten years ago the Otago Highlanders were one of the very best teams in the then Super 12 competition. Over a stretch of five years (1998-2002) they reached the semi finals three times and the finals once- losing to the Crusaders. Over that time the Highlanders had a wealth of talented players and All Blacks- Anton Oliver, Carl Hoeft, Carl Hayman, Kees Meeuws, Taine Randall, Byron Kelleher, Tony Brown, Pita Alatini and Jeff Wilson made the team formidable and tough to beat especially at their home ground Carisbrook- The House of Pain.
However once these players left or retired the wheels fell off the Highlanders. They have had the worst record amongst the New Zealand Super Franchises in the past decade failing to make the playoffs once. Players didn't want to play for the team and there has been a lack of talent being developed in Otago and Southland. Both rugby unions have struggled financially which has had a direct impact on the resources it could put into player development. This has been perpetuated in the fact they have failed to attract top players from around the country to play for the franchise. The past five years have seen the Highlanders become the team where castoffs of the other NZ franchises went to play.
Jamie Joseph's appointment as coach in July 2010 has been a fresh of breath air for the franchise. His results before joining the Highlanders were good as he led the Wellington NPC team to back to back titles 2008-2009. He brought with him an expansive way of playing which was exciting for players. It's also more appealing for fans and attracts people to attend games- the number one objective for a professional sports team.
Plodding forward oriented rugby has been shown to be an antiquated strategy in the modern game. The rules of the game have meant the ability to score tries is the key. People from the deep south of the country pride themselves on being 'purists' of the game. Where hard work and gritty determination, not talent and athleticism produces wins. Where kicking penalties and strong defence are the recipe for success. The arrival of professional rugby to the shores of New Zealand has meant that the game has evolved in a short space of time to the extent that players have to be full time athletes. You can't be just big and work hard you have to be able to do everything- run, pass, offload. In this sense I feel Otago and Southland Rugby Unions are behind the eight ball. Just look at the All Blacks who have come from the them in the past five years- Jimmy Cowan, Jamie Mackintosh, Ben Smith and Adam Thomson. A small list for a region who have produced some of the best players in our game.
There must be something about Joseph as a coach because he is attracting some good players to move down to Dunedin to play for him. In the past two years he has managed to assemble a solid mixture of veteran and youth. Last year he brought Hosea Gear, Andrew Hore and up and coming half-back Aaron Smith with him. This off season he has managed to convince current All Blacks Tony Woodcock and Ma'a Nonu to leave the Blues and move down south. He's also convinced the ageing dual-code legend Brad Thorn to come and play for him. There will have twelve current or former All Blacks on the squad next year.
Despite finishing ninth in last years Super 15 competition they were competitive throughout the season. There is a lot of optimism for the upcoming season and so there should be. It's amazing how quickly a team can be turned around and made competitive again with the right leadership and coaching. It maybe too hasty to say that the Highlanders are playoff bound this year but at least they will be relevant. Considering how the team has fared over the past decade it's a step in the right direction. Now all they need is a first five who doesn't have a glass jaw....
Photo sourced from ort.co.nz
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