Highlanders v Rebels

Stargazer

alt text

Unavailable due to injury: Liam Squire, Shane Christie, Ash Dixon, Dan Pryor, Lima Sopoaga, Waisake Naholo, Adrian Smith, James Lentjes (out for the season: Jason Emery, Hayden Parker).

http://thehighlanders.co.nz/our-news/latest-news

Stargazer

Who said Li had been dropped ... Faddes is on the bench.

Milk

After last week's announcement, when questioned on radio Brown said Li was rested after being his best performing winger and playing such big minutes. I didn't mention it at the time because I didn't think any other wingers had enough game time for that to be a compliment.

Stargazer

I'm surprised no one made a comment about Lima Sopoaga's brother making his Super Rugby debut off the bench. Has anyone ever seen him play rugby union? He's only been with the squad for - I think - a couple of weeks.

Stargazer

Melbourne Rebels extended team for Round 6 v Highlanders:

Fereti Sa’aga
James Hanson
Laurie Weeks
Culum Retallick
Steve Cummins
Jordy Reid
Colby Fainga’a
Amanaki Mafi
Nic Stirzaker (Captain)
Jackson Garden-Bachop
Marika Koroibete
Reece Hodge
Mitch Inman
Tom English
Jack Debreczeni

Extended Reserves (two to be omitted)
Siliva Siliva
Tom Moloney
Tyrel Lomax
Dominic Day
Lopeti Timani
Jake Schatz
Esei Haangana^*
Mick Snowden
Sione Tuipulotu
Ben Volavola

^Super Rugby debut
*Rebels debut

https://melbournerebels.com/2017/03/29/rebels-name-extended-squad-for-highlanders/

Crucial

@Stargazer said in Highlanders v Rebels:

I'm surprised no one made a comment about Lima Sopoaga's brother making his Super Rugby debut off the bench. Has anyone ever seen him play rugby union? He's only been with the squad for - I think - a couple of weeks.

Unless you were in a back paddock in Woodlands, you probably wouldn't have seen him play. I think he has only turned out for a pre-season Southland club run.
I guess the Landers have had him earmarked for next year anyway so have really just brought him in early and he has been good enough at practice.

Unite

@Crucial He also played in the NRC for the Western Sydney Rams last year I believe.

Crucial

@Unite said in Highlanders v Rebels:

@Crucial He also played in the NRC for the Western Sydney Rams last year I believe.

But no one watches that at all (except @NTA when he can get in for free or can see the game while up on his roof playing with his solar panels)

Bones

Is Cheika coaching the rebels?

Stargazer

Damo

Highlanders should win but I think it will be closer than many are predicting. Rebels have played ok last 2 games.

Stargazer

Great try Fekitoa after even greater work from Buckman!

Stockcar86

Highlanders score following a scrum against the head. Fekitoa in from Buckman offload

Crash

@Stockcar86 That was a sweet offload off the deck from the Barracuda

Stockcar86

Franklin with the worlds biggest spin dummy for a try to Whitelock

Damo

Hmmm. Hiding on the cards perhaps?

Damo

Too much attacking kicking. Just hold the ball you fools.

pukunui

Man Fekitoa is frustrating to watch. So good on defence but a bumbling mess on attack. Having said that he did well to score that try. It looks like he is almost over thinking it in attack. Stutter step left stutter step right. Then left again and drops the ball.

Li looking decent again tonight.

Dare i say it but i don't think Luke Whitelick would look out of place in the ABs now.
Would pick him before Elliot Dixon and with Luatua leaving and Shields having tits for hands, Whitelock might be a shot to compete with Squire for the back up 6/8 role.

Stockcar86

Whitelock playing well enough to keep Squire out of the starting side when he returns from injury. Maybe Hansen was right when he saw something in him a couple of years ago

Stockcar86

C'mon Highlanders - less side to sidey and more up the gutsy

The Silver Fern

Highlanders v Rebels