Last Saturday night our mighty Highlanders got their season back on track with a win over those table topping Bulls from Bokkie country, how good did it feel to get one up over those meat eaters?
However, this week brings a whole new challenge to Whoppa and his boys as they look to not only collect at least four points from Eden Park but more importantly they will be giving it all in an effort to defy the Blues an opportunity to take back the Gordon Hunter Memorial.
We won this from them at Forsyth Barr Stadium earlier in the year. There is a hell of a lot on the line on Saturday night as the Landers take on the latte swilling upstarts from Ponsonby in what looms as yet another key moment in the defining moments of the season. All could be lost, the trophy, 4 points and the position on the Super XV table not to mention bragging rights for the remainder of the year.
Just over a month ago the Highlanders enjoyed a special moment as they managed to overpower the Blues and regain the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy in what was an epic struggle, but fortunately we emerged victorious 30 - 27.
Gordon Hunter as most rugby pundits will know was a special man in the deep south where he played for Otago, coached his way up through the ranks eventually coaching Otago to the top of the table and then onto being a part of the All Black environment and a brief few years with the Blues.
None of the current Highlanders would have been coached by the great man himself but some may have played with the late Gordon's son in law Kelvin Middleton at some stage who himself was an uncompromising hard man wearing the number 6 jersey for the Highlanders.
The Blues have wreaked havoc with my Super Rugby picks as I keep thinking that they have got to click right at some stage but it just does not seem to happen and to be honest now I do not think that the ship will right itself any time soon.
They must not be underestimated though as they proved on Saturday night they fight to the very end and I suggest that the prize of the memorial on Saturday night may just prove the motivation they need as their camp looks to salvage something from the season.
Big Dog Jamie Joseph the coach was influenced by Gordon Hunter during his playing days and he will want to hold onto the memorial and continue the momentum that the Landers have regained following our win over the Bulls. As mentioned above this looms as a pivotal game yet again but we are at a point now where we can build on last years result or our season can taper off and become a mediocre result.
If we can replicate the form of Saturday where we were clinical in running rugby with minimal errors and gutsy on defense we can run away with an important victory.
Look for big games again from Tamati Ellison, Jarrad Hoeata and Hosea Gear. Gear will be champing at the bit to perform well after being snubbed by the All Blacks selectors; he had a strong game against the Bulls and always threatened to split them wide open but was often only just held as he looked to break tackles on numerous occasions.
Wasn't it great to see Tim Boys back in the number 7 kit as we have lacked a real ground player here in recent weeks and Thommo is best on the blindside.
So this Saturday Highlanders fans strap yourselves into your favorite arm chair, get the three stars in the fridge and prepare for battle as our boys look to honour a great man.