Crusaders vs. Highlanders
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Wow - Mitch Hunt - where were you in 2007 when the ABs needed you!
I think that might be the most unlikely drop goal effort I've ever seen succeed!
Crusaders started the game on fire and looked like they would run away with things, but I've seen that happen before against the Highlanders. Highlanders worked their way back into the game and in the second half I think their tactics were largely better than ours. Most of the play was down our end and while we had quite a bit of ball, not much of it was in threatening situations. Highlanders just kept pressing for mistakes and when we kicked, it was almost invariably a sort of midfield kick rather than being able to drive them back into the corners.
Thought Mo'unga had one of his worst games - lots of early errors and little impact. To the extent that he was running the tactics it was all a bit predictable. George Bridge will have a few nightmares of being monstered by Naholo.
On the plus side, Matt Todd and Jack Goodhue were outstanding - as was Crotty until he went off. Sam Whitelock and Luke Romano not too far behind (if at all). Bryn Hall had his best game for several weeks.
For the Highlanders, Fekitoa and Naholo caught the eye. Buckman seemed good in all he did and the forwards (especially the starters) put it an excellent shift and were rarely dominated. Tom Franklin a potential AB bolter?
Some concerns for Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty.
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In breaking news I saw Owen Franks smile at the end of the game.
That last carry by Sam Whitelock making some good yards after we were going nowhere were invaluable.
Great effort by Hunt. He really wound up for it and hit it sweetly.
Landers second half was test like intensity. Well done to them.
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@Chris-B. You mentioned Fekitoa and Naholo catching the eye. They caught my eye too, but not in a good way. There is something about those two that make me nervous, especially in an emotionally charged atmosphere like a Lions Test. I don't trust them to keep a cool head. Today's game saw Fekitoa penalised at the beginning of the game for something that could easily have been a cardable offence and Naholo got away with playing a guy in the air - another cardable offence. Both players have history of doing dumb shit like that and fucked if my nerves will survive them doing that against the Lions.
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@Chris-B. said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
Wow - Mitch Hunt - where were you in 2007 when the ABs needed you!
I think that might be the most unlikely drop goal effort I've ever seen succeed!
Crusaders started the game on fire and looked like they would run away with things, but I've seen that happen before against the Highlanders. Highlanders worked their way back into the game and in the second half I think their tactics were largely better than ours. Most of the play was down our end and while we had quite a bit of ball, not much of it was in threatening situations. Highlanders just kept pressing for mistakes and when we kicked, it was almost invariably a sort of midfield kick rather than being able to drive them back into the corners.
Thought Mo'unga had one of his worst games - lots of early errors and little impact. To the extent that he was running the tactics it was all a bit predictable. George Bridge will have a few nightmares of being monstered by Naholo.
On the plus side, Matt Todd and Jack Goodhue were outstanding - as was Crotty until he went off. Sam Whitelock and Luke Romano not too far behind (if at all). Bryn Hall had his best game for several weeks.
For the Highlanders, Fekitoa and Naholo caught the eye. Buckman seemed good in all he did and the forwards (especially the starters) put it an excellent shift and were rarely dominated. Tom Franklin a potential AB bolter?
Some concerns for Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty.
Yeah Mounga had a really poor game. It will be interesting to see if the ABs go with Sopoaga or Barrett Jnr/McKenzie as the 3rd flyhalf. Reckon Mounga put a nail in his chances there.
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Mo'unga and Havili have been outstanding over the past two months. Both stunk and the house out today.
They'll get their chance next week.
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@Billy-Tell said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
@Chris-B. said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
Wow - Mitch Hunt - where were you in 2007 when the ABs needed you!
I think that might be the most unlikely drop goal effort I've ever seen succeed!
Crusaders started the game on fire and looked like they would run away with things, but I've seen that happen before against the Highlanders. Highlanders worked their way back into the game and in the second half I think their tactics were largely better than ours. Most of the play was down our end and while we had quite a bit of ball, not much of it was in threatening situations. Highlanders just kept pressing for mistakes and when we kicked, it was almost invariably a sort of midfield kick rather than being able to drive them back into the corners.
Thought Mo'unga had one of his worst games - lots of early errors and little impact. To the extent that he was running the tactics it was all a bit predictable. George Bridge will have a few nightmares of being monstered by Naholo.
On the plus side, Matt Todd and Jack Goodhue were outstanding - as was Crotty until he went off. Sam Whitelock and Luke Romano not too far behind (if at all). Bryn Hall had his best game for several weeks.
For the Highlanders, Fekitoa and Naholo caught the eye. Buckman seemed good in all he did and the forwards (especially the starters) put it an excellent shift and were rarely dominated. Tom Franklin a potential AB bolter?
Some concerns for Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty.
Yeah Mounga had a really poor game. It will be interesting to see if the ABs go with Sopoaga or Barrett Jnr/McKenzie as the 3rd flyhalf. Reckon Mounga put a nail in his chances there.
Say what? Barrett/ McKenzie over Sopoaga?
Yeah, nah...
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@Bones said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
@Billy-Tell said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
@Chris-B. said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
Wow - Mitch Hunt - where were you in 2007 when the ABs needed you!
I think that might be the most unlikely drop goal effort I've ever seen succeed!
Crusaders started the game on fire and looked like they would run away with things, but I've seen that happen before against the Highlanders. Highlanders worked their way back into the game and in the second half I think their tactics were largely better than ours. Most of the play was down our end and while we had quite a bit of ball, not much of it was in threatening situations. Highlanders just kept pressing for mistakes and when we kicked, it was almost invariably a sort of midfield kick rather than being able to drive them back into the corners.
Thought Mo'unga had one of his worst games - lots of early errors and little impact. To the extent that he was running the tactics it was all a bit predictable. George Bridge will have a few nightmares of being monstered by Naholo.
On the plus side, Matt Todd and Jack Goodhue were outstanding - as was Crotty until he went off. Sam Whitelock and Luke Romano not too far behind (if at all). Bryn Hall had his best game for several weeks.
For the Highlanders, Fekitoa and Naholo caught the eye. Buckman seemed good in all he did and the forwards (especially the starters) put it an excellent shift and were rarely dominated. Tom Franklin a potential AB bolter?
Some concerns for Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty.
Yeah Mounga had a really poor game. It will be interesting to see if the ABs go with Sopoaga or Barrett Jnr/McKenzie as the 3rd flyhalf. Reckon Mounga put a nail in his chances there.
Say what? Barrett/ McKenzie over Sopoaga?
Yeah, nah...
As a pure 10 I agree. But if they take beauden and cruden they might prefer a 3rd ten who can play other positions. Sopoaga is really only a 10. Could be called up if bb or ac got injured.
However given cruden off overseas I think they will include sopoaga.
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@Billy-Tell said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
@Bones said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
@Billy-Tell said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
@Chris-B. said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
Wow - Mitch Hunt - where were you in 2007 when the ABs needed you!
I think that might be the most unlikely drop goal effort I've ever seen succeed!
Crusaders started the game on fire and looked like they would run away with things, but I've seen that happen before against the Highlanders. Highlanders worked their way back into the game and in the second half I think their tactics were largely better than ours. Most of the play was down our end and while we had quite a bit of ball, not much of it was in threatening situations. Highlanders just kept pressing for mistakes and when we kicked, it was almost invariably a sort of midfield kick rather than being able to drive them back into the corners.
Thought Mo'unga had one of his worst games - lots of early errors and little impact. To the extent that he was running the tactics it was all a bit predictable. George Bridge will have a few nightmares of being monstered by Naholo.
On the plus side, Matt Todd and Jack Goodhue were outstanding - as was Crotty until he went off. Sam Whitelock and Luke Romano not too far behind (if at all). Bryn Hall had his best game for several weeks.
For the Highlanders, Fekitoa and Naholo caught the eye. Buckman seemed good in all he did and the forwards (especially the starters) put it an excellent shift and were rarely dominated. Tom Franklin a potential AB bolter?
Some concerns for Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty.
Yeah Mounga had a really poor game. It will be interesting to see if the ABs go with Sopoaga or Barrett Jnr/McKenzie as the 3rd flyhalf. Reckon Mounga put a nail in his chances there.
Say what? Barrett/ McKenzie over Sopoaga?
Yeah, nah...
As a pure 10 I agree. But if they take beauden and cruden they might prefer a 3rd ten who can play other positions. Sopoaga is really only a 10. Could be called up if bb or ac got injured.
However given cruden off overseas I think they will include sopoaga.
No way. A 3rd ten who can play other positions is not required.
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@Bones said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
@Billy-Tell said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
@Bones said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
@Billy-Tell said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
@Chris-B. said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
Wow - Mitch Hunt - where were you in 2007 when the ABs needed you!
I think that might be the most unlikely drop goal effort I've ever seen succeed!
Crusaders started the game on fire and looked like they would run away with things, but I've seen that happen before against the Highlanders. Highlanders worked their way back into the game and in the second half I think their tactics were largely better than ours. Most of the play was down our end and while we had quite a bit of ball, not much of it was in threatening situations. Highlanders just kept pressing for mistakes and when we kicked, it was almost invariably a sort of midfield kick rather than being able to drive them back into the corners.
Thought Mo'unga had one of his worst games - lots of early errors and little impact. To the extent that he was running the tactics it was all a bit predictable. George Bridge will have a few nightmares of being monstered by Naholo.
On the plus side, Matt Todd and Jack Goodhue were outstanding - as was Crotty until he went off. Sam Whitelock and Luke Romano not too far behind (if at all). Bryn Hall had his best game for several weeks.
For the Highlanders, Fekitoa and Naholo caught the eye. Buckman seemed good in all he did and the forwards (especially the starters) put it an excellent shift and were rarely dominated. Tom Franklin a potential AB bolter?
Some concerns for Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty.
Yeah Mounga had a really poor game. It will be interesting to see if the ABs go with Sopoaga or Barrett Jnr/McKenzie as the 3rd flyhalf. Reckon Mounga put a nail in his chances there.
Say what? Barrett/ McKenzie over Sopoaga?
Yeah, nah...
As a pure 10 I agree. But if they take beauden and cruden they might prefer a 3rd ten who can play other positions. Sopoaga is really only a 10. Could be called up if bb or ac got injured.
However given cruden off overseas I think they will include sopoaga.
No way. A 3rd ten who can play other positions is not required.
OK, I bow to your superior knowledge.
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@Billy-Tell said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
@Bones said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
@Billy-Tell said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
@Bones said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
@Billy-Tell said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
@Chris-B. said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
Wow - Mitch Hunt - where were you in 2007 when the ABs needed you!
I think that might be the most unlikely drop goal effort I've ever seen succeed!
Crusaders started the game on fire and looked like they would run away with things, but I've seen that happen before against the Highlanders. Highlanders worked their way back into the game and in the second half I think their tactics were largely better than ours. Most of the play was down our end and while we had quite a bit of ball, not much of it was in threatening situations. Highlanders just kept pressing for mistakes and when we kicked, it was almost invariably a sort of midfield kick rather than being able to drive them back into the corners.
Thought Mo'unga had one of his worst games - lots of early errors and little impact. To the extent that he was running the tactics it was all a bit predictable. George Bridge will have a few nightmares of being monstered by Naholo.
On the plus side, Matt Todd and Jack Goodhue were outstanding - as was Crotty until he went off. Sam Whitelock and Luke Romano not too far behind (if at all). Bryn Hall had his best game for several weeks.
For the Highlanders, Fekitoa and Naholo caught the eye. Buckman seemed good in all he did and the forwards (especially the starters) put it an excellent shift and were rarely dominated. Tom Franklin a potential AB bolter?
Some concerns for Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty.
Yeah Mounga had a really poor game. It will be interesting to see if the ABs go with Sopoaga or Barrett Jnr/McKenzie as the 3rd flyhalf. Reckon Mounga put a nail in his chances there.
Say what? Barrett/ McKenzie over Sopoaga?
Yeah, nah...
As a pure 10 I agree. But if they take beauden and cruden they might prefer a 3rd ten who can play other positions. Sopoaga is really only a 10. Could be called up if bb or ac got injured.
However given cruden off overseas I think they will include sopoaga.
No way. A 3rd ten who can play other positions is not required.
OK, I bow to your superior knowledge.
You're welcome.
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@Billy-Tell said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
@Chris-B. said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
Wow - Mitch Hunt - where were you in 2007 when the ABs needed you!
I think that might be the most unlikely drop goal effort I've ever seen succeed!
Crusaders started the game on fire and looked like they would run away with things, but I've seen that happen before against the Highlanders. Highlanders worked their way back into the game and in the second half I think their tactics were largely better than ours. Most of the play was down our end and while we had quite a bit of ball, not much of it was in threatening situations. Highlanders just kept pressing for mistakes and when we kicked, it was almost invariably a sort of midfield kick rather than being able to drive them back into the corners.
Thought Mo'unga had one of his worst games - lots of early errors and little impact. To the extent that he was running the tactics it was all a bit predictable. George Bridge will have a few nightmares of being monstered by Naholo.
On the plus side, Matt Todd and Jack Goodhue were outstanding - as was Crotty until he went off. Sam Whitelock and Luke Romano not too far behind (if at all). Bryn Hall had his best game for several weeks.
For the Highlanders, Fekitoa and Naholo caught the eye. Buckman seemed good in all he did and the forwards (especially the starters) put it an excellent shift and were rarely dominated. Tom Franklin a potential AB bolter?
Some concerns for Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty.
Yeah Mounga had a really poor game. It will be interesting to see if the ABs go with Sopoaga or Barrett Jnr/McKenzie as the 3rd flyhalf. Reckon Mounga put a nail in his chances there.
Marty Banks?
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@booboo said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
@Billy-Tell said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
@Chris-B. said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
Wow - Mitch Hunt - where were you in 2007 when the ABs needed you!
I think that might be the most unlikely drop goal effort I've ever seen succeed!
Crusaders started the game on fire and looked like they would run away with things, but I've seen that happen before against the Highlanders. Highlanders worked their way back into the game and in the second half I think their tactics were largely better than ours. Most of the play was down our end and while we had quite a bit of ball, not much of it was in threatening situations. Highlanders just kept pressing for mistakes and when we kicked, it was almost invariably a sort of midfield kick rather than being able to drive them back into the corners.
Thought Mo'unga had one of his worst games - lots of early errors and little impact. To the extent that he was running the tactics it was all a bit predictable. George Bridge will have a few nightmares of being monstered by Naholo.
On the plus side, Matt Todd and Jack Goodhue were outstanding - as was Crotty until he went off. Sam Whitelock and Luke Romano not too far behind (if at all). Bryn Hall had his best game for several weeks.
For the Highlanders, Fekitoa and Naholo caught the eye. Buckman seemed good in all he did and the forwards (especially the starters) put it an excellent shift and were rarely dominated. Tom Franklin a potential AB bolter?
Some concerns for Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty.
Yeah Mounga had a really poor game. It will be interesting to see if the ABs go with Sopoaga or Barrett Jnr/McKenzie as the 3rd flyhalf. Reckon Mounga put a nail in his chances there.
Marty Banks?
In his dreams when he's enjoying the Italian Summer.
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I can't help but smile reading this. What a sporting thrill!
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@Hooroo said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
I can't help but smile reading this. What a sporting thrill!
"Truth be known, the reason we remember that moment so well was because a jubilant Mehrtens immediately turned to the Loftus crowd and flicked them a one-finger salute with both hands."
Sure it wasn't to Dingo not the crowd?
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@booboo said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
@Hooroo said in Crusaders vs. Highlanders:
I can't help but smile reading this. What a sporting thrill!
"Truth be known, the reason we remember that moment so well was because a jubilant Mehrtens immediately turned to the Loftus crowd and flicked them a one-finger salute with both hands."
Sure it wasn't to Dingo not the crowd?
Wayne Smith was the coach in 1999
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Arrgghh you canterbury c#*nts!
Great South Island rugby. A really good game and a stink finish
Was spewing for ages that such a performance, especially 2nd half, gets you no points and a draw...blah blah blah
Today I'm still gutted the Man U of NZ rugby jammyied there way to the win but, as Hooroo said, what a dream for Hunt and what a dream kick. Every proper kiwi lad must have practiced that scenario as a kid.
So rugby was the winner, not that the red and black rabble would entertain that sentiment, but they do follow a rugby team that's very clinical and consistent.
Highlanders exposed a winning strategy though. Crusaders always look a bit toothless if you can get them going side to side by good consistent line defense I guess. If you stand up to the crusaders and then have something for the last 20-25 mins then they look fallible.
But for a terrible kick from Lima the Highlanders may have had the dream. At the time thought "fuck man" and then thought, this mistake will remind him of what's required and he'll use that error to be the star he can be. Still waiting for Aaron Smith to do similar though...
Landers did that and the benching of Dixon and Lima gave the indication they'd thought about it a bit.
Todd was brilliant and Goodhue has piqued my curiosity. Maybe, just maybe he's one of those where you see him from the start. He's making a difficult centre position look very easy for a young fella and getting stuck in all over the place. Might have one here.
Well done Crusaders, fair dues and their defense is a real foundation for their performances.
Not a lot to worry about from the Highlanders (BFA's noggin excepted) and the finals nonsense has already been determined I gather with away trips to Lions or ChCh in store. Hopefully a good hit out vs the Reds in July and then miracle time againGood game
