Richard Loe: Casualty list a growing problem

Andrew Hore of the Highlanders. Photo / Getty Images

It was a fine win to the Highlanders last night but there are two main worries for them - the injury list seems to be getting even longer and some of their All Blacks are not really playing up to scratch yet.

You can exempt Andrew Hore and Adam Thomson. Hore has experienced something of a re-birth with his move to the south and I joked with his father last week when he scored against the Crusaders. The common feeling seemed to be: take that, Mark Hammett but, frankly, I think Hammett gave Hore the kick in the backside he needed and it is showing in his play now. Hammett has also saved the Hore family - locals down there - a lot in air fares.

Hore might have copped an injury and, for the Highlanders' sake, I hope he stays fit. They need him in this form.

Thomson also played a big role and looked a bit banged up. Injuries and depth might decide the Highlanders' season.

However, Colin Slade and Jimmy Cowan are nowhere near it. Aaron Smith is playing beautifully at halfback and could have stayed on all game. Cowan looked out of sorts and his attempted kick to touch to end the game was a horror - it could have cost them the match.

The Highlanders now sit on top of the New Zealand conference but I am a bit torn between wishing them well and warning them that worse is to come. For a start, I did not think the Waratahs were up to much. They are a strong defensive side with a good kicking game and compete well at the breakdowns - but that's about it.

Slade looked out of touch and hesitant and I have noticed before he gets a few kicks charged down. I groaned when little Lima Sopoaga went off injured as I knew it would cost the Highlanders a bit in the way they played the game. He and Smith give them a good sniping edge close in - and Slade has not recovered anywhere near his running game yet.

John Hardie played a fine match and deserved his try and centre Tamati Ellison is a calming, thinking presence in the midfield. No 8 Nasi Manu can play a good game - but not, it seems, two in a row.

They also tried hard to play the fast-paced, run-them-off-their-feet game but it often didn't come off. A team better at counter-attacking than the Waratahs could make them pay in the future.

I hope I am wrong - I picked the Highlanders to win and have a soft spot for them, particularly after all the financial grief affecting rugby in the deep south - but it may be that you can only get so far on raw-boned aggression and playing at pace. I like their style - but it costs them in terms of injuries and errors.

However, you can't help but admire them, particularly the way they rip into the rucks and mauls and they have one of the biggest collective hearts across Super Rugby. They'll need it. They have the Hurricanes next week and that'll be a biggie for Hore, if he is fit.