QF - Brumbies v Highlanders
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Paywalled ODT article gave a quick injury update:
The Highlanders should effectively have everyone on deck this week, though midfield back Tanielu Tele’a is an uncertain starter with his knee problem. Lock Will Tucker cleared the next stage of HIA protocols, and rising first five Cameron Millar is available. Millar, halfback Folau Fakatava, lock Mitch Dunshea, loose forwards Oliver Haig and Sean Withy, and outside backs Timoci Tavatavanawai and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens will probably return to the starting XV. Fullback selection could be up for debate, though, after youngster Finn Hurley shone in his first start in the 41-14 loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington -
@Duluth cheers mate.
Can’t believe they said fullback might be up for debate
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@Landers92 said in QF - Brumbies v Highlanders:
@Duluth cheers mate.
Can’t believe they said fullback might be up for debate
Hurley was a thorn in the Hurricanes side on Saturday, he did a lot of clean up work at the back and played very well in those tough conditions. Going into the game I thought he may have been an area of weakness the Canes could exploit but he was really good. You'd expect JRK to start though.
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@Canes4life yea given the conditions at the ground Hurley was very impressive. Was almost always in a good position to take any kicks we put there way despite it blowing an absolute gale.
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that all well and good....but then he seemed to get ragdolled everytime he attacked the line
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@Kiwiwomble yeah he was by far the tiniest on the field until Vijoen came on.
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and we're not talking Reece or Kolbe small...ie. lightning quick, strong, ballet dancer on their feet small
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Kolbe was an absolute speed bump early in his career. I remember Naholo steam rolling him when he was about Hurley's age. As for pace, I'd probably have him being quicker than most of the Highlander's back three members. His acceleration is probably seen as more valuable than his outright speed. If you look at the highlights from this game(4.30 and 10.30), his acceleration seems to be where he gets away from defenders. It will be interesting seeing his progress with Otago compared to last year. If he is a player for the future, he should stand out at that level. Fabian Holland for example has been a standout since he was 19 in the NPC.
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Brumbies call upon fourth-choice prop as front row injury crisis hits
The Brumbies are confident fourth-choice prop Harry Vella will rise to the occasion as injuries threaten to de-rail the ACT outfit
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@ploughboy I don't consider the Brumbies to have been very impressive this year. Yes they've got the results but they haven't looked particularly imposing doing so.
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We have a punchers chance in this. The Brumbies are better. We just need to focus on keeping them down their end as much as possible. Play boring rugby, kick to corners, and use the back three when the opportunities arise.
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@Tim said in QF - Brumbies v Highlanders:
Brumbies defence has been poor, but so has Highlanders. Brumbies will cut their backline to pieces. Highlanders don't have the backs to score enough points.
I’d argue we do have the backs to put up the points if Millar and Tele’a are healthy, along with at having Nareki back to team up with JRK and Tavatavanawai.
The issue is not adjusting on the fly if something isn’t working or it’s being shut down by the defense. If our inside backs can adjust and get the ball into the wider channels like we were able to do against the Crusaders and Drua it’s anyone’s game. Issue here is the Brumbies defense is a lot better than both of those teams, but I do think we have the have the ability to score points here.
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@Tim said in QF - Brumbies v Highlanders:
Brumbies defence has been poor
Yup, but they've scrambled well. The stats are strange
3rd best in terms of points conceded (Blues 1st, Canes 2nd). However they are 2nd worst for missed tackles. Only the Force are worse
Tua is 2nd in the comp for missed tackles and Sapsford is 9th
If Teleʻa is fit he should cause some trouble for Tua
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The more I think about it, the more I hope Millar and Tale’a are fit for this game.(not exactly a hot take, but it’s very important).
Tele’as ball carrying and and midfield crashes have been missed, there isn’t exactly another midfielder in the highlanders that can fill that role of all making the gain line and being able to provide quick ball, especially first or second phase off set play.
Millars tactical awareness seems ahead of Faleafaga at this stage so that will be huge, along with his general kicking and goal kicking. If we play to our best ability, goal kicking could be the difference.
A cold night in Canberra, those 2 players and what they provide will be hugely important if we want to be in this game.
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I'd be tempted to run Finn Hurley on the bench and let him loose with 20 to go.
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@SouthernMann said in QF - Brumbies v Highlanders:
I'd be tempted to run Finn Hurley on the bench and let him loose with 20 to go.
Ajay and Finn could provide X factor late in the game. Or have Gilbert as your 10 cover and have Te Hiwi/Whaanga and Hurley on the bench.
I’d almost put Matt Whaanga ahead of Te Hiwi right now, based on his output from minutes played he has had more of an impact on games than Te Hiwi has. -
@Landers92 said in QF - Brumbies v Highlanders:
@SouthernMann said in QF - Brumbies v Highlanders:
I'd be tempted to run Finn Hurley on the bench and let him loose with 20 to go.
Ajay and Finn could provide X factor late in the game. Or have Gilbert as your 10 cover and have Te Hiwi/Whaanga and Hurley on the bench.
I’d almost put Matt Whaanga ahead of Te Hiwi right now, based on his output from minutes played he has had more of an impact on games than Te Hiwi has.We won't win this game playing good sensible rugby. We need to pull a few surprises and Hurley and or Faleafaga off the bench could be the players to do it. I'd rather we give this a good old fashioned try and lose by 20, than fart our way to a 10 point loss.
