Blues vs. Highlanders
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<p>Entertaining match and absolutely agree with saulityvi, that try by Naholo should be nulled out as that should have been a yellow card for the "intentional knock-on" as it was clearly foul play which stopped what would have been a very good opportunity for the Blues.</p>
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<p>Good to see some players who haven't had much of a run since the end of last years Super Rugby and AB's starting the year in good form... Ben and Aaron Smith, Lima Sopoaga etc playing really well.</p>
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<p>West looking more composed and great vision for the kick in behind which lead to a try defeating the rush defense.</p>
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<p>Looking forward to an entertaining 2nd half and...</p>
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<p>C'mon the Blues</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="saulityvi" data-cid="561046" data-time="1456471295">
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<p>Did i just miss it or were there no scrums on the first half?<br><br>
Very impressed with the Smiths and Sopoaga so far, West and Hall need to step up big time if the Blues want to snatch this</p>
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<p>Just the one I think. Stable scrum, no issues for either team.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="saulityvi" data-cid="561046" data-time="1456471295">
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<p>Did i just miss it or were there no scrums on the first half?<br><br>
Very impressed with the Smiths and Sopoaga so far, West and Hall need to step up big time if the Blues want to snatch this</p>
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<p>There were a couple</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="saulityvi" data-cid="561046" data-time="1456471295">
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<p>Did i just miss it or were there no scrums on the first half?<br><br>
Very impressed with the Smiths and Sopoaga so far, West and Hall need to step up big time if the Blues want to snatch this</p>
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<p>West playing pretty good IMO and Hall looks good when he runs but his passes are just not in the class of Mister Smith... but then nobody really is!</p>
<p>Halls passes seem to often end up behind the player receiving the ball so the receiver often has to pause and wait or reach behind for the ball rather than running onto the ball.</p>
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<p>Also, to add to my post above... fantastic to see Big Patrick back on the park!</p> -
<p>We're holding our own against a very good Highlanders outfit. Big 2nd half effort needed.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="RoninWC" data-cid="561052" data-time="1456471572"><p>West playing pretty good IMO and Hall looks good when he runs but his passes are just not in the class of Mister Smith... but then nobody really is!<br>
Halls passes seem to often end up behind the player receiving the ball so the receiver often has to pause and wait or reach behind for the ball rather than running onto the ball.<br><br>
Also, to add to my post above... fantastic to see Big Patrick back on the park!</p></blockquote>
Yea Hall isnt a bad half back, but Aaron Smith is just in his own class. <br><br>
The Highlanders also have an advantage in having the other Smith making plays whereas West doesnt have that kind of support.<br><br>
Waiting for the benches to run on, Blues should have the edge there -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="RoninWC" data-cid="561052" data-time="1456471572">
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<p>West playing pretty good IMO and Hall looks good when he runs but his passes are just not in the class of Mister Smith... but then nobody really is!</p>
<p><strong>Halls passes seem to often end up behind the player receiving the ball so the receiver often has to pause and wait or reach behind for the ball rather than running onto the ball.</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Also, to add to my post above... fantastic to see Big Patrick back on the park!</p>
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<p>Yup - I've been trying to enlighten the world (the Fern at least) about this for a couple of years now.</p>
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<p>TJ was pumping him like crazy after Gibson's try, so I feel like I'm on the right side of rating him. ;)</p>
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<p>Cracking game of rugby for the first round.</p> -
<p>Charlie and Rene on</p>
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<p>Gibson looks the goods.</p>
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<p>ok, so this new rule about hands being part of the body must be behind the offside line, jeez, that makes it an even tougher line to police IMO</p>
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<p>both sides seem to have remembered about that tackling lark</p>
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<p>could be a YC coming...DDT</p>
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<p>some good continuity from the Blues but the Highlanders d up to the task</p>
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<p>huge defensive effort by Highlanders, a few moments that looked like something dodgy went on, culminating in Osborne getting a YC.</p>
