Highlanders (rugby)

Rugby team
teamname = Highlanders

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union = New Zealand Rugby Union
location = Dunedin, New Zealand
country

founded = 1996
region = Otago, North Otago, and Southland
ground = Carisbrook
capacity = 29,000 [ [http://www.orfu.co.nz/page.pasp?pageid=20 www.orfu.co.nz] ]
coach = Glenn Moore
captain = vacant
league = Super 14
season = 2008
position = 11th
pattern_la1=_yellowshoulders| pattern_b1=_thinyellowsides| pattern_ra1=_yellowshoulders|leftarm1=0000AA| body1=0000AA| rightarm1=0000AA| shorts1=0000AA|socks1=0000AA
pattern_la2=_maroonshoulders| pattern_b2=| pattern_ra2=_maroonshoulders| leftarm2=FFFFFF| body2=FFFFFF| rightarm2=FFFFFF| shorts2=0000AA| socks2=0000AA
The Highlanders (formerly known as Otago Highlanders), are a New Zealand rugby union team based in Dunedin that compete in the Super 14. The franchise represents the Otago, North Otago, and Southland rugby unions. The Highlanders take their name from the Scottish emigrants that helped found the Otago, North Otago, and Southland regions in the 1840s and 1850s. Their main ground is Carisbrook in Dunedin, with other home games being played in Invercargill and Queenstown.

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 2001. 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 817 points, and highest career try scorer is Jeff Wilson with 35. They are currently coached by Glenn Moore

History

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.McIlraith (2005), pg 322.]

The 1996 team was captained by John Leslie and coached by Gordon Hunter.McIlraith (2005), pg 323.] Their first Super 12 match was against the Queensland Reds at Carisbrook on 3 March 1996, whom they defeated 57–17.McIlraith (2005), pg 228.] McIlraith (2005), pg 40.] 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.McIlraith (2005), pg 41.] They only won two more games that season, against Natal at Carisbrook and against the Canterbury Crusaders at Lancaster Park,McIlraith (2005), pg 43.] and they finished the season eighth on the table.McIlraith (2005), pg 235.]

1997 was the least successful season ever for the Highlanders. They finished last in the competition, and managed only three wins.McIlraith (2005), pg 243.] 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.McIlraith (2005), pg 50.] 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.McIlraith (2005), pg 77.] The Highlanders eventually became the first New Zealand side to defeat all four South African teams in one season. [The Crusaders achieved the same feat one day later.] 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.McIlraith (2005), pg 82.] 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.McIlraith (2005), pg 83.]

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.McIlraith (2005), pg 253.] 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.McIlraith (2005), pg 255.] They returned to New Zealand to defeat the Waikato Chiefs and then the Crusaders.McIlraith (2005), pg 256.] 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 Half-back Jason Spice scored in the corner to give the Hurricanes a 21–19 victory.McIlraith (2005), pg 101.] 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.McIlraith (2005), pg 104.] 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 First five-eighth Tony Brown. The Highlanders scored first, and led 14–9 at half time. However the decisive try was to Crusaders Wing Afato So'oalo, who chipped the ball then out-sprinted All Blacks winger Jeff Wilson to collect the ball and score.Gifford (2004), pg 175.] McIlraith (2005), pg 106.] 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.McIlraith (2005), pg 261.] 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.McIlraith (2005), pg 121.] 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.McIlraith (2005), pg 124.] The next season opened with a 23–8 victory over the Blues.McIlraith (2005), pg 269.] 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.McIlraith (2005), pg 144.] [Prior to the Super 12 in 1996, Otago had played New South Wales in 1925, 1991 and twice in 1995.] 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.

(NPC), and was appointed the Highlanders coach for 2002.McIlraith (2005), pg 158.] Their season started with a narrow 30–28 loss to the Crusaders at Jade Stadium.McIlraith (2005), pg 159.] 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.McIlraith (2005), pg 163.] 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.McIlraith (2005), pg 285.]

The 2003 season started with a 29–16 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton.McIlraith (2005), pg 171.] 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.McIlraith (2005), pg 175.] 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,McIlraith (2005), pg 176.] 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.McIlraith (2005), pg 198.] 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.McIlraith (2005), pg 302.] The Highlander’s 2005 season started with a loss to the Blues at Carisbrook.McIlraith (2005), pg 209.] Following this the side won six games consecutively, the first time the franchise had ever done so.McIlraith (2005), pg 212.] 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.cite news| title=COOPER HAS BOARD'S SUPPORT |publisher=The Southland Times |date=2006-05-16 |last=Burdon |first=Nathan] The 2007 ended with a similar result to 2006. The Highlanders again finished ninth on the table, and worst of the New Zealand teams.cite news| title=Pressure on but Cooper standing firm |publisher=The Otago Daily Times |date=2007-05-07 |last=Meikle |first=Hayden] They finished the season with five wins and eight losses from their thirteen matches.cite news| title=RUGBY / REVIEW PROCESS |publisher=The Southland Times |date=2007-05-09 |last=Savory |first=Logan] Coach Greg Cooper left the franchise to take up the assistant coaches position with the Blues following the 2007 season.cite news| title=Three in frame to replace Cooper |publisher=Otago Daily Times |date=2007-07-21 |last=Meikle |first=Hayden] The coach for the 2008 season, Glenn Moore, was appointed 28 August 2007.cite news| title=Right time to take charge: Moore; Draft policy not a concern |publisher=Otago Daily Times |date=2007-08-29 |last=Page |first=Craig]

Name and colours

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.cite web| url=http://www.highlanders-rugby.co.nz/page.pasp?pageid=2 |title=Highlanders |publisher=highlanders-rugby.co.nz |accessdate=2007-11-18] 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 encompasses 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.

Franchise area

The Highlanders' franchise area consists of the regions controlled by the North Otago, Otago and Southland Rugby Unions. Like all New Zealand Super 14 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 14 franchises) to fill their squad. Both Otago and Southland compete in the Air New Zealand Cup, [cite web|url=http://www.allblacks.co.nz/index.cfm?layout=ANCExplained&newsArticle=3747|title=Air NZ Cup Explained|publisher=NZRFU|accessdate=2008-01-24] and North Otago in the amateur Heartland Championship. [cite web|url=http://www.allblacks.com/Heartland/|title=Heartland Championship|publisher=NZRFU|accessdate=2008-01-24] As a result, the majority of Highlanders players play for Otago or Southland.

Grounds

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.cite news| url=http://www.abc.net.au/am/stories/s344777.htm |title=Wallabies take on All Blacks in the House of Pain |publisher=abc.net.au |date=2001-08-11 |accessdate=2007-12-18 |last=Vincent |first=Michael] 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.cite web| url=http://www.critic.co.nz/about/columns/52 |title=Delights of Dunedin |publisher=critic.co.nz |accessdate=2007-12-18 |date=2007-04-17] A new stadium has been proposed to replace Carisbrook because it is no longer suitable to international rugby, or as a venue for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.cite web| url=http://www.carisbrook.org.nz/pages/catalystevents.html |title=Catalyst Events |publisher=carisbrook.org.nz |accessdate=2007-12-18] The Carisbrook Stadium Trust was established in 2006 to manage the planning and construction of a new stadium.cite web| url=http://www.carisbrook.org.nz/pages/history.html |title=Carisbrook Stadium Trust History |publisher=carisbrook.org.nz |accessdate=2007-12-18] The stadium will not be built on the current Carisbrook site, instead it will be constructed near the University of Otago and Otago Harbour.cite web| url=http://www.carisbrook.org.nz/pages/where.html |title=Carisbrook Stadium Trust — Where is it? |publisher=carisbrook.org.nz |accessdate=2007-12-18] 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.cite web| url=http://www.carisbrook.org.nz/pages/design.html |title=Carisbrook Stadium Trust — Design |publisher=carisbrook.org.nz |accessdate=2007-12-18]

As well as Carisbrook, the Highlanders usually play at least one regular season match at either Rugby Park in Invercargill or the Queenstown Event Centre in Queenstown. Prior to 2007 the regular season match was usually played at Rugby Park,cite news| url=http://www.rugbyheaven.co.nz/4188484a25923.html |title=Highlanders head back to Queenstown |publisher=rugbyheaven.co.nz |date=2007-09-05 |accessdate=2007-12-18 |last=Burdon |first=Nathan] however in 2007 they played a match at the Queenstown Event Centre.cite news| url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/454218/1052024 |publisher=tvnz.co.nz |title=Chiefs edge out Highlanders |accessdate=2007-12-18 |last=Whiting |first=John |date=2007-04-07] The Highlanders have also played pre-season matches at Centennial Park in Oamaru.cite news| url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/454218/649985 |title=Warm up S14 matches begin |publisher=tvnz.co.nz |accessdate=2007-12-18 |date=2006-01-16]

uper records and achievements

uper 12 placings

The following table summarises all Super 12 results—excluding trial and pre-season matches:cite web | publisher=Lassen Creative Technologies Ltd | title=Super Rugby Team Details (The Highlanders) | url=http://www.lassen.co.nz/s14det.php?teamnum=5#hrh| accessdate=2007-12-10]

Notable players

Players who have played over 50 games for the Highlanders:
*Josh Blackie
*John Blaikie
*Tony Brown
*Jimmy Cowan
*Carl Hayman
*Carl Hoeft
*Byron Kelleher
*Filipo Levi
*Seilala Mapusua
*Kelvin Middleton
*Simon Maling
*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.McIlraith (2005), pg 111.] Glen Ross took over in 1997, and was not reappointed for the 1998 season.McIlraith (2005), pg 61.] Tony Gilbert was appointed for the 1998 season, and again coach the team in 1999 before being appointed co-coach for the All Blacks.McIlraith (2005), pg 77.] 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.McIlraith (2005), pg 158.] 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.cite news| title=Three in frame to replace Cooper |publisher=Otago Daily Times |date=2007-07-21 |last=Meikle |first=Hayden] The coach for the 2008 season is Glenn Moore who was appointed 28 August 2007.cite news| title=Right time to take charge: Moore; Draft policy not a concern |publisher=Otago Daily Times |date=2007-08-29 |last=Page |first=Craig]

Bibliography

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Notes and references

External links

* [http://highlanders-rugby.co.nz Highlanders official site]