Cannon targets immovable object

Brendan Cannon is eager to resume his battle with Anton Oliver. Picture / Fotopress

Waratahs hooker and Western Force recruit Brendan Cannon is eager to resume his individual battle with Anton Oliver.

The clash between the veteran front rowers will be just one of the many juicy match-ups between the Super 12 leaders and the buoyant Highlanders at Carisbrook tomorrow night.

For Cannon, 32, the veteran of 33 tests for the Wallabies, the game represents another testing night at the office against the man he rates second to none.

"Anton doesn't say much to you on the field but when you scrum against him, it's like going into a wall," Cannon said. "He's been the heart and soul of the Highlanders for many years. He's a great character and a good friend of mine."

The Highlanders had succeeded this season through playing simple, but effective, rugby.

Asked whether the Waratahs had been spending extra hours on the scrum machine this week in preparation for the Highlanders' immovable front row, he grinned.

"No, we haven't touched it that much, really. We're not too focused on the scrums. I mean, the Highlanders scrum has certainly been a major factor in the success they've had.

"They've got the experience of both Carls [Hoeft and Hayman] and Anton up front. They've been dominant and have been the form front row of the Super 12.

"They're also pretty smart. They pick and choose which scrums they really want to attack.

"It's a good challenge for us but it's not one we're running away from. We're respectful of their capabilities but we believe we've got a reasonable scrum ourselves."

Cannon was the first player to sign for the John Mitchell-coached Force side who enter the expanded Super 14 next year.

Though it had caused ructions as the new franchise went after players, the introduction of a professional side in Perth was a good thing for Australian rugby, Cannon said.

"It's fantastic for me to be a founding player with the Force. John's been very impressive and he's recruited good players.

"I didn't know much of John before this season but I've been impressed with the set-up in Perth and with John's views on rugby."

- NZPA