By MARK CASHMAN

Gordon skipper Jordie Goddard believes that the quick fire end to the season that is looming may well play into the Highlanders hands.

The Highlanders currently sit in sixth spot on the Shute Shield competition table on 29 points from their six wins and three losses, but there is a confidence at Chatswood Oval about their ability to go deep into the playoffs.

If the home and away section of the competition finishes off by playing Rounds 11, 12 and 13 the Highlanders will play the Hunter Wildfires at home, Eastern Suburbs at Woollahra and Penrith at Chatswood Oval before the play-offs.

All winnable games, some with the likelihood of bonus points.

“I think we’re tracking along not too badly,” Goddard told Rugby News.

“We haven’t been able to put the same backline out there at any stage of the season and that has been frustrating in some ways.

“But on the other side of that is the fact that 15 guys have made their first grade debuts and got some invaluable experience along the way.

“We have been fair so far this year, but if we want to go deep into the finals there are definitely areas that we need to fix and to be honest a short sprint at the back end to the season might be good for us.”

The challenges of leading the Highlanders this year have evolved from last season but Goddard says he’s getting the same buzz from doing the job.

“It’s been different – different in that the challenges have been all new,” Goddard added.

“I wouldn’t say that it has been any harder, but it’s been really exciting to see a whole new group of players come through.

“In particular all the colts that have stepped up and put their hand up. It’s been great to see how eager they are to play Shute Shield and to represent the club.

“That’s been really motivating for me.”

In the meantime it’s been all about remaining connected and doing as much personal fitness as the Public Health Orders allow.

“We have been through this all before so there is some familiarity about what lies ahead,” Goddard added.

“So we went in knowing what worked last year but at the same there have been a few ideas about on what we can do differently for a better result.

“This year though has been different in that we have got through a block of games and everything has been placed on hold.

“Everyone is just respecting the situation that we are in and doing what they can.” 

Lockdown in Sydney has meant that there is also plenty of time to watch the July international on Stan Sport and Goddard was thrilled to see one of his teammates from last year do so well.

Rodney Iona started for Manu Samoa in their two Rugby World Cup qualifying games against Tonga in New Zealand over the past two weekends.

“Rodney showed just what an exceptional player he is and that he is worthy of playing at that level,” Goddard said.

“Hopefully he continues to play in that team and that he gets the chance to pay at the Rugby World Cup in France in 2023.

“He’s proud of his Samoan heritage and it was great to watch him do so well.”

A bit closer to home Goddard reckons that the Waratahs got the right man in the right job with the appointment of Darren Coleman as their head coach.

“DC’s has the ability to sum up what needs to be done in any organisation and he will surround himself with good people,” Goddard added.

“He has an innate ability to connect with people and there is that competitiveness and attention to detail that you need for a job like that.”

IMAGE: ANDREW QUINN / GORDON RUGBY