Highlanders v Drua

[Kiwiwomble]

@SouthernMann you would love to see it

i will say i thought Lowe and Bogado did well, looks like we're just not the type of team thats going to get their wings into space so they can fly so with what little we gave them they did well

[Bones]

Nareki to fullback, Gilbert to 10, Hunt to provide spark from the bench.

[Kiwiwomble]

@Bones i dont hate it....i dont hate it at all

[SBW1]

@Bones Nareki was once a mini Lomu, really hope he can recapture some of that form.

[Kiwiwomble]

@SBW1 my biggest concern is we're not playing in a way that gives our wings many opportunities, we're miles from the days of smith unleashing naholo or osbourne down the blind side or sopoaga sparking a width of the field backline move

[SouthernMann]

@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders v Drua:

@SBW1 my biggest concern is we're not playing in a way that gives our wings many opportunities, we're miles from the days of smith unleashing naholo or osbourne down the blind side or sopoaga sparking a width of the field backline move

Our current backline moves are just give it to TUG and Nareki, then hope.

[Kiwiwomble]

@SouthernMann yeah....ask two injury prone players to basically crash it up and hope they break the line....makes sense

[SouthernMann]

A second player in two weeks set to debut for the Highlanders prior to debuting for their province. This time Jack Taylor at hooker. Luckily it shouldn't be too windy, he really battled yesterday in the wind in Taupo.

[Kiwiwomble]

good to have PPP back, also a good sign for the AB's Degroot is getting lots of game time, that just has to be getting his fitness up

[Duluth]

Drua

Emosi Tuqiei, Tevita Ikanivere, Samuela Tawake, Isoa Nasilasila, Leone Rotuisolia, Joseva Tamani, Kitione Salawa, Meli Derenalagi (c), Frank Lomani, Kemi Valetini, Taleni Rakuro, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Apisalome Vota, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada

Reserves: Zuriel Togiatama, Meli Tuni, Jone Koroiduadua, Sorovakatini Tuifagalele, Vilive Miramira, Elia Canakaivata, Peni Matawalu, Teti Tela

[ACT Crusader]

@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders v Drua:

good to have PPP back, also a good sign for the AB's Degroot is getting lots of game time, that just has to be getting his fitness up

It’s a pretty good engine room for the Landers. But can they use the ball?

[Kiwiwomble]

@ACT-Crusader i have been a hunt apologist in the past but a hell of a lot of our issues stem from that 10 bottleneck

our first choice forwards, imo, are good, by and large comfortably super quality, i honestly dont feel we've had much trouble with a stable platform to launch from....its only after we launch it starts to fall apart

[ACT Crusader]

@Kiwiwomble I thought Hunt has looked good this year. That 9/10 combo they rolled out against the Saders was a handbrake for sure.

[Kiwiwomble]

@ACT-Crusader he just doesn't control anything, honestly feels like he waits until the ball is in his hands...then looks...and thinks...and decides what to do, and by then the D is coming and so either shovels it on or runs himself.

thats why i'd have him at 15, when he does look dangerous its often in broken play or when he has enough time to get a head of steam up

[Grooter]

3 of our best players TUJ, Timu & Renton all scratched

[Stargazer]

I hope I got all the changes to the Highlanders squad:

Will Tucker starting instead of Dickson.
Nikora Broughton starting instead of Renton.
Jake Te Hiwi starting at 12 instead of TU-J.
Fetuli Paea starting at 13 instead of Timu.
Josh Bekhuis coming onto the bench at 19.
Connor Garden-Bachop coming onto the bench at 23.

[KiwiMurph]

@Stargazer Te Hiwi starting as well?

[Stargazer]

@KiwiMurph Yep, the SANZAAR website just changed it after I checked my post. I'll amend it.

[KiwiMurph]

@Stargazer so many changes haha - well done.

[Yeetyaah]

Damn these injuries are nuts.