ROSEMARY ABBOTT | Sport
SOUTHERN STUBBORNNESS
Despite the Highlanders sitting rock bottom on the Super Rugby Pacific in 2025, 34-year-old Jay Briggs has been proudly strutting around Christchurch like it’s still the golden era of Marty Banks and Aaron Smith.
Originally from Dunedin but now living in Christchurch, Briggs has refused to let facts, form, or common sense get in the way of his one-eyed devotion to the southern franchise.
“They might be dead last and have been bang average for a few seasons now, but that just means they’re due,” explained Briggs, who has been hoping for a season like they had in 2015 for the past decade, often also reminiscing of 1999 where they made the Super 12 grand final, in what was dubbed “Party at Tony Brown’s”
The Highlanders will naturally be missing the playoffs with tonight’s fixture and final round robin game against the top of the table Chiefs, a game Jay’s describing as “David vs Goliath,”
“If we lose, I’ll wear it even louder. That’s how you know who the real fans are. Not like these Chiefs fans who turn on their team when the going gets tough. Welcome to the house of pain!” Briggs exclaimed, still living emotionally in 2015, the last time they won the title.
Asked how he copes with the relentless banter at work and in public, Briggs was unfazed.
“I don’t support the Highlanders because it’s easy. I support them because it’s home!”
More to come.
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