Rugby: Lynn urges side to get basics right

Centre Kenny Lynn believes the Highlanders must improve their basic skill levels as they seek their first home win of the Super 14 season against the Lions at Carisbrook tomorrow night.

The strong-running Southland centre said the Highlanders were just a whisker away from turning close losses into wins.

"I still think we can improve our basic skill level," he said. "We're dropping too much ball and not building pressure when we get in the attack zone. It's important not to rush it, not to try to score straight away."

The Johannesburg-based Lions have lost all six games and conceded 274 points but Lynn said they could not be underestimated.

"They're still a dangerous team and they love to attack. And they beat us in Johannesburg last year. I'm looking forward to it because it will be a good, open game.

"We've still got more than half the campaign to go and we can still turn it around into a winning season. We've just got to keep positive.

"We can't let the losses get us down or try to change too many things. It's just the little things that need a tweak - making sure we secure our own ball and finishing off more efficiently."

Lynn, 27, said the Highlanders were "devastated" by the 30-16 loss to the Sharks in round five, with winger Fetu'u Vainikolo denied a try by the television match official which might have drawn the game.

"We were two desperate teams and it felt like we played a lot of the good footy," he said.

"We worked hard to get our points and it seemed they got their points a lot more easily.

"We were pretty devastated but, on Monday, we reviewed what went wrong and moved on and that's the key."

Lynn conceded television match official rulings had not gone the Highlanders' way this season.

"It would be good if a few of the little decisions went our way," he said. "There have been a few 50-50 calls go against us and you would think that some of them eventually have to go our way.

"But hopefully we don't have to rely on 50-50 calls - that we can start getting some good wins and not have to worry about TMO calls."

Lynn has impressed in midfield after missing the first two games through a groin injury he suffered while goal-kicking for Southland last year.

"It's hasn't been hindering me too much," he said. "It's only sore in the days after games. I can monitor it with the physio and by game time it's fine again. I've been fairly happy with my form but it's hard when the team's not going so well."

Lynn, who has played 43 matches for Southland, is in his second Super 14 season and he is feeling increasingly comfortable at that level.

"I'm feeling more at home now and I'm really enjoying it. I'm liking the way we're playing, too. It's just going to be so much better once we start winning."

- NZPA