Hunter Trophy adds spice to contest
Highlanders v Blues, Forsyth Barr Stadium, August 2, 2020, 3.35pm
Turning around many of the issues that had marred their game over recent seasons, the Blues have a chance to tidy up another when playing the Highlanders in Dunedin on Sunday.
It involves the not-so-small matter of the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy, a prize that recognises the contribution Hunter made to both franchises during the early years of Super Rugby.
The Blues haven't had their hands on the trophy for eight seasons and would dearly love to have it back.
Both sides have acknowledged the importance of the trophy, although both coaches, Aaron Mauger for the Highlanders and Leon MacDonald for the Blues, played for the Crusaders and were outside the sphere of influence Hunter exuded.
However, they were well aware of the importance of his contribution and so were their players.
"We would like nothing more than to take the trophy back to Auckland with us," MacDonald said.
"We know that we will need to be at our best to achieve that. Every time we play the Highlanders it is a close affair, as are all the games in this competition."
Highlanders co-captain Aaron Smith said retaining the trophy was a motivation for the side.
"We would like nothing more [than] to keep the Gordy Hunter at home. We have drip-fed it during the week, people talking about him…he sounds like someone I would have loved to play for.
"I have been coached by guys that played under him. Obviously, the have very similar styles in the way he cared for his players. Trusted you to play your game but also a bit of a character off the field as well," Smith said.
The Highlanders have named Josh Ioane at first five-eighths for his first start in the position in Super Rugby Aotearoa with Mitch Hunt moving to fullback and Bryn Gatland coming onto the bench.
"Mitch has been outstanding for us and has really flourished with regular game time. We are truly blessed with the standard of first-fives we have in our squad and I would be confident with any of the three of them at the helm. Josh deserves his chance though as he has worked very hard to get back to full fitness and we saw some nice touches from him against the Chiefs," Mauger said.
Michael Collins has been named again at centre and Mauger said his good decision-making would allow him to have a significant impact on the game.
MacDonald said the Blues had been working hard to be more accurate and disciplined at the breakdown while wanting to continue to be physical at the collisions.
"We have to get the job done upfront and give our backs the time and space to show their skills, be both patient as well as capitalise on our chances," he said.
The Blues had one change to their side that beat the Chiefs with loosehead prop Karl Tu'inukuafe starting after a good effort off the bench last week while Alex Hodgman would have a chance for a bit of break on the bench after notching some heavy playing time during the season.
The teams are:
Highlanders: 1.Ayden Johnstone, 2.Ash Dixon (captain), 3.Jeff Thwaites, 4.Pari Pari Parkinson, 5.Jack Whetton, 6.Shannon Frizell, 7.Dillon Hunt, 8.Marino Mikaea-Tu'u, 9.Aaron Smith, 10.Josh Ioane, 11.Scott Gregory, 12.Patelesio Tomkinson, 13.Michael Collins, 14.Josh McKay, 15.Mitch Hunt.
Substitutes: 16.Liam Coltman, 17.Ethan de Groot, 18.Siate Tokolahi, 19.Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20.Jesse Parete, 21.Folau Fakatava, 22.Bryn Gatland, 23.Jona Nareki.
Blues: 1.Karl Tu'inukuafe, 2.Kurt Eklund, 3.Ofa Tuungafasi, 4.Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 5.Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 6.Dalton Papalii, 7.Blake Gibson, 8.Akira Ioane, 9.Finlay Christie, 10.Beauden Barrett, 11.Caleb Clarke, 12.TJ Faiane, 13.Rieko Ioane, 14.Mark Telea, 15.Matt Duffie.
Substitutes: 16.Luteru Tolai, 17.Alex Hodgman, 18.Sione Mafileo, 19.Josh Goodhue, 20.Tony Lamborn, 21.Sam Nock, 22.Otere Black, 23.Harry Plummer.
Referee: Mike Fraser