Article in RugbyPass - I think herald picks them up in a few days. Raises some interesting points, like WTF have they picked up random no-name SA midfielder for. That is NOT a 2m+lock FFS! "There’s a reason why middle-of-the-road 10s have flourished at the Highlanders, and it’s partially because Aaron Smith is capable of serving up ball on a platter, courtesy of the side’s industrious forwards." Sopoanga - burn!

@canefan said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes: @Rapido said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes: @pakman said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes: @taniwharugby said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes: @WillieTheWaiter it is ridiculous that a prop hooker or anyone other than the guy with 9 on his back are fair game in that situation At the risk of raking over old coals, isn't it the case that the Laws don't make distinction? I realise that there is an official interpretation which stipulates that the ball is out when halfback picks it. In the modern real world of refereeing. If you bump the arm of a halfback about to spin it wide and cause him to drop the ball you could get carded, if you bumped the arm of a prop in the same position but about to pick and go - you would get chess pumps from your teammates for forcing a turnover. Ruby laws should be interpreted and applied that encourage forwards to congregate at a breakdown (IMO); The defending team to attempt to win possession and if not then disrupt clean possession. The attacking team forwards should need to congregate to ensure possession is maintained and is then clean. At no point should one of the above actions, performed legally (or even just slightly mis-timed) risk incurring a card because refs don't understand the essence of rugby. In other words It ain't tiddlywinks mate!!! Rather it ain't League mate !!!! What next, illegal strips, and sit in protests blocking Queens Street for a week?

Against the Crusaders in pre season the Canes had Price, Callum Harkin and Jono Hickey as their halfbacks. I was really impressed by Harkin but he unfortunately broke his ankle in that game. Maybe they are looking at him as one option?

@booboo said in Hurricanes v Blues: @Bones said in Hurricanes v Blues: @Chris said in Hurricanes v Blues: Totally agree the percentage of kicks neutralized by players skill sets this year far out way how effective the kicks made have been. [booboo mode] out weigh[/booboo mode] You wouldn't believe the Engrish I decline to correct ... Here you are posting on the Hurricanes versing Blues thread... Which could be a thread about a couple of rugby teams in a poetry competition. I didn't actually realise that was a word but found it from this sauce: verse /vəːs/ verbARCHAIC gerund or present participle: versing speak in or compose verse; versify. "he began to verse extemporaneously in her ear" Thread diversion complete - I will now Blexit (so still here really).

@Damo said in Lions vs Canes: @booboo said in Lions vs Canes: @nzzp said in Lions vs Canes: @MajorRage I hadn't seen the tackle, so dragged it out. Link bel @Jaguares4real it's a clear yellow all day, and getting towards a red. Lions player swung around ... I'm not a fan of players going down like a sniper hit them, but I think it's pretty ugly. Sheesh. Wasn't a yellow card ... It's an orange card. On a good day it's a yellow and on a bad day it's a red. Are you telling me it wasn't a card at all? No. Not a yellow card though. (IMO)

@Canes4life and the rest

@Gunner said in Hurricanes vs Jaguares: I know it’s the rules...but... I don’t get why you can knock it back in the general field of play but as soon as you are in goal it’s suddenly illegal? I know @Nepia and @Kirwan has replied but just to add a wee bit more explanation you can knock the ball back (or down ) anywhere, including in goal. You just can't deliberately throw or knock the ball dead or into touch with your hands.

@Nepia said in Blues v Hurricanes: @Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues v Hurricanes: @Nepia said in Blues v Hurricanes: So after watching this game I’ve decided that Tony Johnson is either @Rancid-Schnitzel or Jordie Barrett’s publicist. I swear if JB had crouched down and taken a dump in the middle of the field Johnson would have been praising him for the consistency of the tutae (hopefully the advertisers algorithms don’t speak Maori). And I could swear you're related to the Ioanes or in love with them or both. Don't forget Josh! You still loved Weepu, even when he was (extra) fat and shït. Now that's loyalty!

Took my three year old daughter (first game) to this game and it was a heap of fun. Kids add such a different experience to it. Was a real strong northerly for the whole game so it was no surprise that it was a game of two halves. Also the fact that this Canes team isn't that much better than the Rebels. Ardie really stands head and shoulders above the rest of the forward pack. Most things he does at the moment are of high quality and his timing of picking moments has come along way from the raw player he was a few years back. And in saying that, id still pick an in form Cane over him for knockout rugby.

@Chester-Draws said in Hurricanes vs Chiefs: @Rancid-Schnitzel said in Hurricanes vs Chiefs: @No-Quarter said in Hurricanes vs Chiefs: @Rancid-Schnitzel I've been waiting for days for you to comment on Jordie's performance. This thread is now complete. Ha ha. He still wasn't at 12 though! For me, this isn't a Canes thing or Beadie's brother thing. I saw Jordie play for the NZ U20s and Canterbury before he ever signed for the Canes (I assumed he would stay down south) and could see that he was a special talent. It's frustrating when he does stupid shit (unnecessary offloads etc) but the potential is massive and he's still very young. Some people are very quick to throw players on the scrap heap. Just look at Nonu. NZ sees lots of "special" players. Sorry, but that's not enough. Damien McKenzie is plenty special, but that doesn't mean he should start every game. Another really special player was Rupeni Caucaunibuca. But special really, really isn't enough. The follow through is just as important. I'm sorry, but that is a bizarre post.

That was really my first time seeing Fletcher Smith, thought he looked pretty good. Was a very frustrating game to watch, way too many silly mistakes.

@Higgins said in Highlanders v Hurricanes: And that is why you take the gift three points, a draw is waaaaaaay better than a possible win/probable loss in my books I thought about that, but given they were in bonus point territory, they were only sacrificing one point by trying to go for the win.

@taniwharugby said in Hurricanes vs Crusaders: @Stargazer maybe Jordie took the last piece of pavlova when they were last home? Brilliant eh, Jordie looked pissed like Scott really sticks it to him after a win.

@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Hurricanes v Stormers: @Crucial said in Hurricanes v Stormers: @Rancid-Schnitzel said in Hurricanes v Stormers: @Crucial said in Hurricanes v Stormers: @Rancid-Schnitzel said in Hurricanes v Stormers: @Crucial said in Hurricanes v Stormers: @Rancid-Schnitzel said in Hurricanes v Stormers: Any of you caarnts still don't think Jordie is a 12? Clearly he's far more comfortable there. The dilemma now is what the fug to do about Laumape... Me. Great with ball in hand and running lines. Medium length pass way too slow and loopy for distribution needs at international level. He may be more comfortable there but at the top level I agree with the assessment of the AB coaches. Those skills work better at the back (except when attempting quick throw ins ). Needs to sharpen his passing game to be considered. Well knock me down with a feather. I'm sure you applied the same standards to SBW when he burst onto the scene. Or probably not. His pass was fine today. Just needs more time at 12. Tiatia is a natural fullback. Jordie isn't. Go and watch the first half again and watch how many laboured loopy passes he threw. If he got better then fair enough, but he was stand out horrid to start. I don't think i've seen SBW throw a loopy pass ever. You were probably too busy looking somewhere else. I'm happy for you to prove me wrong. I just don't think that among all the masses of criticism SBW has copped over the years I have noticed a theme of poor passing. Perhaps, if you are going to come up with a smart comment, back it up with fact instead of another smart comment? Wouldn't have made any difference. You would have defended him regardless. And his passing in 2011 definitely wasn't world class. In fact there were multiple aspects of his game that needed to be worked on. Would have been rather unfair to straight out write him off as a 12 don't you think? The point was that JBs passing was ropey. Try playing the ball instead of taking aim at the person making the point. I haven’t written JB off as a 12 just commented that if he has international aspirations in the position he needs to sharpen his passing game.

Weber looks well off the pace to me. Hesitant at the breakdown and his passing is erratic at best.

Switching DMac back to his best position is the best news out of Hamilton so far this season, let's hope they try it.

@sparky said in Hurricanes vs Highlanders: Aaron Smith, James Letjens and Pari Pari Parkinson did well for the Landers. Dane Coles, Ardie Savea and Ngani Laumape were outstanding for the Hurricanes. Laumape is the player of the competition so far IMHO. He's coming along well, hopefully they ditch the ease him into Super rugby plan and just play him.

Laumape's best ever game. Great to see Dane Coles returning to top form. Ardie Savea excellent yet again. One of TJP's best games for while. All four will be part of the ABs' RWC squad.

@Stargazer Looking forward to seeing him sign with Toulon and 3 games in the owner saying this isnt the Dagg I saw in the 2011 RWC highlights I watched....

@KiwiMurph said in Waratahs vs Hurricanes: @Bones said in Waratahs vs Hurricanes: @ShadowTrooper said in Waratahs vs Hurricanes: @Canes4life Yep agree with all the changes suggested fro next week. Was impressed the Canes stayed in the fight though, and that (plus Jordie's boot) is what got them over the line. Compare and contrast that with tghe Chiefs who had the bloody game there for the taking ,and let it slip from right under their noses to a much hungrier Landers side. Soooo....Canes won, but Chiefs lost huh? As opposed to NSW lost, and landers won.... Perhaps it has something to do with the Highlanders being down to 14 men for the last 13 minutes of the game...... Ok