Rugby: Slade returns to start his push for a World Cup place

Highlander Colin Slade will play the Brumbies tonight after recovering from a broken jaw. Photo / Otago Daily Times

As far as the Super 15 is concerned, there might be more riding on the Chiefs-Waratahs clash in Sydney tonight, but the eyes of the All Black selectors will no doubt be diverted to another transtasman clash further south.

The Highlanders meet the Brumbies in Invercargill in a match between two franchises seemingly headed in different directions.

The feature of the game will be the Super rugby debut of Colin Slade for the Highlanders. The first five-eighth broke his jaw in the opening pre-season hit-out against the Blues in Balclutha, Slade's first run in Highlanders' colours since making the shift south from the Crusaders.

Since then Slade has been forced to eat meals straight from the blender while watching the likes of Lima Sopoaga, Robbie Robinson - prior to his late-night run-in with a can of pepper spray - and a blue-rinsed Tony Brown swan around at No10.

It has been a frustrating time for the 23-year-old, who is hoping to push for the honour of being Dan Carter's back-up in the World Cup squad later this year, adding to the one cap he won as a replacement at Sydney during last year's Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup.

He can take some comfort in the knowledge that nobody has made any gains in his absence.

The Chiefs pair of Stephen Donald and Mike Delany have mixed the hot with the cold and the former is now in the midst of a month-long layoff after fracturing bones in his back against the Sharks.

The Hurricanes' Aaron Cruden has perhaps been the most disappointing. He seems to have gone backwards since making his All Black starting debut in the same test that Slade made his only appearance.

He was dropped by coach Mark Hammett after the narrow victory against the Chiefs in round four and Daniel Kirkpatrick has been preferred since.

Stephen Brett and Luke McAlister have shared the duties at the Blues and, aside from the peerless Carter, have probably looked the best of the chasing bunch.

Slade now gets his opportunity to impress.

"We know he hasn't played any rugby since last year and we're realistic about that. It is going to take time to recapture that form which we saw at the Bledisloe Cup," Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph said.

"But I know he is hungry."

Hungry is a word you could use to describe the Highlanders under Joseph.

Eight years without a playoff appearance might have dulled the enthusiasm of the locals but that is quickly returning after a promising start to the season.

The opposite could be said of the Brumbies.

One of the most successful Super rugby franchises, the Brumbies are now riven and loaded with malcontent.

One of those, talented centre Adam Ashley-Cooper, announced this week he is upping sticks next season for the Waratahs.

Ashley-Cooper was one of two player representatives on the board of the Brumbies that decided to sack coach Andy Friend on March 1.

He will take his place on the wing for the Brumbies tonight.