Blues v Highlanders
-
So there will be some changes in the backs this week with RTS & Plummer probably injured
Who should start at 12 and who should be the cover is the big question?
Also, I thought Mark Telea struggled on defence in the weekend. It's probably time to look at some one else. Lam? JRK?
I assume the pack will remain relatively unchanged
The backs might be something like this?
9 Christie
10 Barrett
11 Clarke
12 Tele'a
13 Ioane
14 Lam
15 PerofetaNock, Tua, Sullivan
The haves and the have not
I know its only one game. But there does seem to be a gap opening up in rugby now even in New Zealand. Crusaders are full of talent. Blues are closing the gap. Whereas the Highlanders (and maybe Canes) are slipping behind. Then there is the gaps between NZ and Aussie sides. It will destroy SRP is something is not done about it. NZ could start by addressing the NZ situation. Unsure how it would be done though. But Crusaders winning again and 2 sides struggling to compete (MP and Highlanders) will even (further) harm NZ rugby
-
The haves and the have not
I know its only one game. But there does seem to be a gap opening up in rugby now even in New Zealand. Crusaders are full of talent. Blues are closing the gap. Whereas the Highlanders (and maybe Canes) are slipping behind. Then there is the gaps between NZ and Aussie sides. It will destroy SRP is something is not done about it. NZ could start by addressing the NZ situation. Unsure how it would be done though. But Crusaders winning again and 2 sides struggling to compete (MP and Highlanders) will even (further) harm NZ rugby
-
@winger what? Highlanders played awful for large periods of the match and were still within a try with 5 minutes to go.
Get a grip.
-
@bones said in Blues v Highlanders:
@winger what? Highlanders played awful for large periods of the match and were still within a try with 5 minutes to go.
Get a grip.
Did you read the article. And as I said its only one game.
@winger said in Blues v Highlanders:
@bones said in Blues v Highlanders:
@winger what? Highlanders played awful for large periods of the match and were still within a try with 5 minutes to go.
Get a grip.
Did you read the article. And as I said its only one game.
No, I responded to your post.
-
@winger said in Blues v Highlanders:
@bones said in Blues v Highlanders:
@winger what? Highlanders played awful for large periods of the match and were still within a try with 5 minutes to go.
Get a grip.
Did you read the article. And as I said its only one game.
No, I responded to your post.
@bones said in Blues v Highlanders:
@winger said in Blues v Highlanders:
@bones said in Blues v Highlanders:
@winger what? Highlanders played awful for large periods of the match and were still within a try with 5 minutes to go.
Get a grip.
Did you read the article. And as I said its only one game.
No, I responded to your post.
OK. But the article is the key.
-
@bones said in Blues v Highlanders:
@winger said in Blues v Highlanders:
@bones said in Blues v Highlanders:
@winger what? Highlanders played awful for large periods of the match and were still within a try with 5 minutes to go.
Get a grip.
Did you read the article. And as I said its only one game.
No, I responded to your post.
OK. But the article is the key.
@winger said in Blues v Highlanders:
@bones said in Blues v Highlanders:
@winger said in Blues v Highlanders:
@bones said in Blues v Highlanders:
@winger what? Highlanders played awful for large periods of the match and were still within a try with 5 minutes to go.
Get a grip.
Did you read the article. And as I said its only one game.
No, I responded to your post.
OK. But the article is the key.
Not really if it's in the same tone as your post.
-
-
-
@bones said in Blues v Highlanders:
Christ on a bike. Having Hunt at ten is like having a 14yo there.
He's not on top of his game so far this season is he? And I tend to think Marty banks is probably even a step down, he looks quite past it.
-
There is something missing in the jigsaw. Hunt and Banks are really not up to it. A good ten and the Clan would be a different team I think. Although they can hold their own in most departments, they can't dominate anywhere to cover the obvious flaws.
Blues were quite good at taking the man out off the ball and being niggly. Part of the game plan to outmuscle the smaller team at the breakdown I think. Just a much better team all across the park unfortunately.
However, I honestly don't know why Clarke's name comes up in AB discussions to be honest. Positioning is poor, decision making isn't good, he looks for contact not space, .... I just can't see it. -
The player the Highlanders are really missing is Dixon. Coltman was back to being too inconsistent with his lineout throwing, so what used to be a strength of the Highlanders and the catalyst for many of their tries is now a weakness. The lineout just before HT being an example.
-
The haves and the have not
I know its only one game. But there does seem to be a gap opening up in rugby now even in New Zealand. Crusaders are full of talent. Blues are closing the gap. Whereas the Highlanders (and maybe Canes) are slipping behind. Then there is the gaps between NZ and Aussie sides. It will destroy SRP is something is not done about it. NZ could start by addressing the NZ situation. Unsure how it would be done though. But Crusaders winning again and 2 sides struggling to compete (MP and Highlanders) will even (further) harm NZ rugby
@winger The Canes are in a healthy position, they are a young squad and have been able to pick up wins without a large chunk of their experience. They've got plenty of depth, the problem with the Canes is making sure the right players are on the park. We haven't even seen Perenara, Coles, Walden, Franks, Bird, Walker-Leawere, Howden, Roigard etc this year so I don't think you need to lump the Hurricanes in that bracket. If the Canes get all their experience back towards the end of the season they can beat anyone.
The Highlanders on the other hand, sheesh they really have no depth whatsoever. You know you're in trouble when you have Marty Banks on the bench. He's barely NPC level these days, let alone Super Rugby quality.
-
There is something missing in the jigsaw. Hunt and Banks are really not up to it. A good ten and the Clan would be a different team I think. Although they can hold their own in most departments, they can't dominate anywhere to cover the obvious flaws.
Blues were quite good at taking the man out off the ball and being niggly. Part of the game plan to outmuscle the smaller team at the breakdown I think. Just a much better team all across the park unfortunately.
However, I honestly don't know why Clarke's name comes up in AB discussions to be honest. Positioning is poor, decision making isn't good, he looks for contact not space, .... I just can't see it.@old-samurai-jack He was one of our best in the first 2 games. Don't think he was overly terrible yesterday either apart from getting the ball slapped out of his hands when he was about to score.
-
@old-samurai-jack He was one of our best in the first 2 games. Don't think he was overly terrible yesterday either apart from getting the ball slapped out of his hands when he was about to score.
-
@african-monkey He was good under the high ball, carried well, ran good lines, but did fuck up that try. He's having a good season.
@tim He looks hungrier this year, which he needs to with the competition on the left wing (that doesn't include George Bridge). His work rate has improved a lot too, not that it was awful in previous years, but he's stepped up his game this year imo.
-
@tim He looks hungrier this year, which he needs to with the competition on the left wing (that doesn't include George Bridge). His work rate has improved a lot too, not that it was awful in previous years, but he's stepped up his game this year imo.
@african-monkey said in Blues v Highlanders:
@tim He looks hungrier this year, which he needs to with the competition on the left wing (that doesn't include George Bridge). His work rate has improved a lot too, not that it was awful in previous years, but he's stepped up his game this year imo.
I think if he had scored that try, it would be a very different story, he well fucked that up, and was also very aggressive in going for contestables - he's made some excellent catches this year and is getting plenty of metres (led the team yestreday with 95 off 14 runs, 22 passes, 1 defender beaten, 1 clean break, and 1 offload). He also made 6 tackles and missed none (3 turnovers though, which is a concern but everyone was bad for that last night).
-
@african-monkey said in Blues v Highlanders:
@tim He looks hungrier this year, which he needs to with the competition on the left wing (that doesn't include George Bridge). His work rate has improved a lot too, not that it was awful in previous years, but he's stepped up his game this year imo.
I think if he had scored that try, it would be a very different story, he well fucked that up, and was also very aggressive in going for contestables - he's made some excellent catches this year and is getting plenty of metres (led the team yestreday with 95 off 14 runs, 22 passes, 1 defender beaten, 1 clean break, and 1 offload). He also made 6 tackles and missed none (3 turnovers though, which is a concern but everyone was bad for that last night).
@gt12 said in Blues v Highlanders:
@african-monkey said in Blues v Highlanders:
@tim He looks hungrier this year, which he needs to with the competition on the left wing (that doesn't include George Bridge). His work rate has improved a lot too, not that it was awful in previous years, but he's stepped up his game this year imo.
I think if he had scored that try, it would be a very different story, he well fucked that up, and was also very aggressive in going for contestables - he's made some excellent catches this year and is getting plenty of metres (led the team yestreday with 95 off 14 runs, 22 passes, 1 defender beaten, 1 clean break, and 1 offload). He also made 6 tackles and missed none (3 turnovers though, which is a concern but everyone was bad for that last night).
A couple of shit kicks as well.
-
@african-monkey said in Blues v Highlanders:
@tim He looks hungrier this year, which he needs to with the competition on the left wing (that doesn't include George Bridge). His work rate has improved a lot too, not that it was awful in previous years, but he's stepped up his game this year imo.
I think if he had scored that try, it would be a very different story, he well fucked that up, and was also very aggressive in going for contestables - he's made some excellent catches this year and is getting plenty of metres (led the team yestreday with 95 off 14 runs, 22 passes, 1 defender beaten, 1 clean break, and 1 offload). He also made 6 tackles and missed none (3 turnovers though, which is a concern but everyone was bad for that last night).
@gt12 Yeah I'm surprised by the negativity towards him. For me, its out of him and Leicester Fai'anganuku gunning for the best left wing in the country with Rieko shifting in 1 of course these days.
Good to see some healthy competition for spots for higher honours.
