It’s encouraging, it really is. The feel-good story of the competition. Given no shot in kahooe for the 2011 Super 15, after two rounds the Highlanders are shaping up as a mid-table finish.
Step up one key man. Adam Thomson. No one player has stood out more in this newly expanded competition.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph believes him to be a real asset to the squad.
"Adam has been inspirational to us as a player," says Joseph.
"He makes big plays at crucial times that changes games. We're rapt with him.”
Interestingly, the All Blacks pecking order looks like it will change relatively fast. Lumped behind Vito and Messam, two players who Thomson has outshone in the past two games, his omission from the 2010 All Blacks Tri Nations and End of Year Tour squads was eye-catching.
Obviously he was told he wasn’t up to the mark, and sent to work on his skills. King Kumara and his cronies must now be quietly pleased with how Thomson has responded.
He is in a rich vein of form and most crucially Thomson looks to be maturing into a world-class player. He also presents a much sounder option than either Messam or Vito, both players who are still prone to brain-explosions.
Yes there is the now much anticipated showdown on Saturday the 18th of June between the SBW and Ma’a Nonu shows, but mark two other dates down in your calendars.
Friday the 29th of April, and Friday the 17th of June, the days which Thomson and Kaino will clash. These affairs are set to be gladiatorial.
They say players grow to another level when the put on the black jersey. If Adam Thomson can do this, Kaino will be in a real fight for his prized No. 6 jersey.
