Highlanders injury woes continue

Reinforcements from Japan in the form of English forward James Haskell and talented utility back Tamati Ellison are still to arrive, and the form of the Ricoh Black Rams may result in a late arrival to Dunedin if they taste Japanese Top League Final’s action.

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Captain Jamie Mackintosh, Colin Slade, Jarrad Hoeata, Josh Bekhuis, Shaun Treeby and Siale Piutau are all still recovering from injury, although coach Jamie Joseph will hope that the Highlanders hospital will empty and not be stacked during the season.

The pre-season match against the Crusaders caused more issues for the Highlanders, with last season’s strike weapon Kade Poki (knee) and Kendrick Lynn (neck) out for an unknown amount of time.

The Highlanders, who eventually finished the 2011 season as third placed finishers in the New Zealand Conference, began this season in testing circumstances as the seven-time champion Crusaders demolished their Southern rivals.

The red and black machine led 35-0 at halftime, and eventually the Highlanders were on the receiving end of a 47-19 score line.

The Highlanders take on the Chiefs this weekend at Wakapitu Park in Queenstown this weekend, the same opponent they will face at Waikato Stadium on February 25th to kick off the two teams respective seasons.

The Southerners final pre-season match before heading to Hamilton will be against the Blues, at Uni Tec in Auckland.