Highlanders vs Blues
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Nonu and Reiko Ioane were excellent for the Blues. The Blues lost this in the forwards: at scrum time and the breakdown. Big Karl and "King" Akira weren't really there tonight.
Ben Smith as ever, superb for the Landers. Coltman, Lomax and Lietjens all very good.
@sparky said in Highlanders vs Blues:
Nonu and Reiko Ioane were excellent for the Blues. The Blues lost this in the forwards: at scrum time and the breakdown. Big Karl and "King" Akira weren't really there tonight.
Ben Smith as ever, superb for the Landers. Coltman, Lomax and Lietjens all very good.
I don't think big Karl was that bad. For me Ofa is a bit flat at the mo. As it turned out probably cost us that Mafileo went off so early.
Old schoolers like me look for balance in the loose trio, and Red, Dalton and Akira doen't have it. Through (EDIT:Throw!) in Blake Gibson at and balance is restored.
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@sparky said in Highlanders vs Blues:
Nonu and Reiko Ioane were excellent for the Blues. The Blues lost this in the forwards: at scrum time and the breakdown. Big Karl and "King" Akira weren't really there tonight.
Ben Smith as ever, superb for the Landers. Coltman, Lomax and Lietjens all very good.
I don't think big Karl was that bad. For me Ofa is a bit flat at the mo. As it turned out probably cost us that Mafileo went off so early.
Old schoolers like me look for balance in the loose trio, and Red, Dalton and Akira doen't have it. Through (EDIT:Throw!) in Blake Gibson at and balance is restored.
@pakman best not to throw Gibson, you will break him.
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@kev said in Highlanders vs Blues:
@Crazy-Horse Great comment. Add to those an outside back Ben Smith who creates space and passes better than anyone. I would say that is the Blues greatest weakness - they have had so many destructive ball runners yet constantly miss opportunities with backs not passing in the open or forwards off loading in 50/50 contact areas.
It was a big problem in past seasons when we were stuffing wingers into the midfield, but I'm not sure that this has been that big a problem for us this year, probably because we have proper midfielders in the midfield now who are willing passers. Then you have Melani who has improved his passing and ability to put players away.
@Dice said in Highlanders vs Blues:
@kev said in Highlanders vs Blues:
@Crazy-Horse Great comment. Add to those an outside back Ben Smith who creates space and passes better than anyone. I would say that is the Blues greatest weakness - they have had so many destructive ball runners yet constantly miss opportunities with backs not passing in the open or forwards off loading in 50/50 contact areas.
It was a big problem in past seasons when we were stuffing wingers into the midfield, but I'm not sure that this has been that big a problem for us this year, probably because we have proper midfielders in the midfield now who are willing passers. Then you have Melani who has improved his passing and ability to put players away.
I was watching a dodgy connection on VPN, but I don't remember our first fives kicking much, other than that Plummer PEARL.
What I did notice was Clan sending a runner at breakneck pace to get between our midfield players and encourage the cutback.
I'd have expected a seasoned 10 to kick tactically to keep the Clan rush honest. As it was, the Blues backs were predictable and their penetration reduced to individual attempts at breaks.
Did we do one kick chase?
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@Dice said in Highlanders vs Blues:
@kev said in Highlanders vs Blues:
@Crazy-Horse Great comment. Add to those an outside back Ben Smith who creates space and passes better than anyone. I would say that is the Blues greatest weakness - they have had so many destructive ball runners yet constantly miss opportunities with backs not passing in the open or forwards off loading in 50/50 contact areas.
It was a big problem in past seasons when we were stuffing wingers into the midfield, but I'm not sure that this has been that big a problem for us this year, probably because we have proper midfielders in the midfield now who are willing passers. Then you have Melani who has improved his passing and ability to put players away.
I was watching a dodgy connection on VPN, but I don't remember our first fives kicking much, other than that Plummer PEARL.
What I did notice was Clan sending a runner at breakneck pace to get between our midfield players and encourage the cutback.
I'd have expected a seasoned 10 to kick tactically to keep the Clan rush honest. As it was, the Blues backs were predictable and their penetration reduced to individual attempts at breaks.
Did we do one kick chase?
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@Chris said in Highlanders vs Blues:
@Kirwan Makalio will resign with the Crusaders
Big difference between resigning and re-signing, no?
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Would not be surprised to see Coltman make the WC squad ahead of Harris.
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Would not be surprised to see Coltman make the WC squad ahead of Harris.
@ACT-Crusader said in Highlanders vs Blues:
Would not be surprised to see Coltman make the WC squad ahead of Harris.
Harris is pretty shit
