Crusaders v Highlanders
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Was at the game last night, brutal loss but story of the season really. Glad we turned up and made a game of it and even better to see the young guys step up.
For those wondering why Taine Robinson was subbed after he scored, he was holding his groin with a very visible limp and had to sit down on the ground as he got to the sideline, not sure if that was shown on TV but it didn’t look good. Hope it’s nothing serious for him.
For me, the guys that stood out for the Landers were Holland and Howden, I honestly don’t think they could have done a lot more than they did, they left it all out there. The whole forward pack proved worthy, Taylor, Cribb and Withy looked good. EDG had a big shift and is showing why he’s an All Black. Lowe, Jim and Tele’a consistent again getting through a lot of work. I was worried when I saw Dunshea was out and Cribb was in but he didn’t put a foot wrong and was impressive.
For the crusaders I thought Ennor had a solid game, very solid on D but Jesus Christ he must be the most strapped up player I’ve seen. Was down every 10minutes in back play so he must be carrying some pretty bad niggles. Definitely a quality 13 when fit and healthy. Tamaiti getting through the 80 at tight head was huge, another big shift for him. Reihana had a great first half but didn’t notice him much in the second, there’s a good player in there for sure.
Im not going to jump into the negatives and point out where it was lost, not needed and I’d rather focus on the good when you consider our season is already over. As I said, story of the season but 1 more game against the Chiefs next week and it’s on to 2026. This core of young guys have grown and really shown over the last 2 weeks they have the ability to be even better in 2026. Plenty to be excited about, just a struggle to constantly have a bigger picture outlook with how many losses we have had this year. I’m excited for 2026 with this group for sure.
On to next week against the Chiefs, here’s hoping we can put in another big performance at home.
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All Blacks forward escapes punishment for 'grub' flying headbutt but could face a hefty ban
Highlanders prop Ethan de Groot could face a lengthy ban which could make him unavailable for the All Blacks' Test series against France.
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@Chris thatd gotta be 3 weeks minimum?
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@Chris said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
Degroot maybe in trouble with the judiciary after footage of a head butt on Jamie Hannah during a clean out has come to light
Yeah I saw that when it happened. Well off the ball.
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I agree with those saying Howden had a big game. If Haig had a game like that I would finally be seeing what some people say about him.
From Crusaders perspective, it was weird. I didn't think they played too badly. I thought they defended well, but when they managed to get the ball back it was often in a shit position and they either made an error or were unable to clear the ball far enough up field.
Rivez did well, but he did make a few errors with his passing. Hopefully that doesn't become the norm.
And Preston's pass was noticeably sharper than Drummond's. Preston has the tools to be handy at a higher level, but he needs to show he can tidy up poor ball, something he has struggled with at Super level.
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@Crazy-Horse Preston's kicking in the final 10 minutes was a bit short of what I'd expect from Dupont (I think Justin was promoting his kicking as being similar) - three poor kicks in a row. Some pretty poor options all round from a team that currently sits atop the ladder.
On the plus side, the team that sits bottom of the ladder really should have tipped us (the team that currently sits top) over at home, so that bodes well for the comp!
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@Chris-B said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@Crazy-Horse Preston's kicking in the final 10 minutes was a bit short of what I'd expect from Dupont (I think Justin was promoting his kicking as being similar) - three poor kicks in a row. Some pretty poor options all round from a team that currently sits atop the ladder.
On the plus side, the team that sits bottom of the ladder really should have tipped us over at home, so that bodes well for the comp!
Yeah, Preston is still number 2 for the Saders in my mind. Definitely needs to polish up a fair bit, but the tools are there.
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@Crazy-Horse yeah - work in progress. Drummie got closer to being number two for play-off games last night IMO - but, I suspect Penney is building for the future.
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@taniwharugby said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@Chris thatd gotta be 3 weeks minimum?
Yep you would think so
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@Chris-B said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@Crazy-Horse yeah - work in progress. Drummie got closer to being number two for play-off games last night IMO - but, I suspect Penney is building for the future.
It will be interesting to see. Drummond's experience with be valuable.
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@Grooter said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@darylmitchell said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@Canes4life said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
This season might not have gone the way the Landers would have liked but man there is some talent in this team to build around. TK, Holland, Tim, Tangitau, Tele'a, JRK, Fakatava and even Cribb was very good tonight.
No mate, you don't understand, whenever a Jamie Joseph-coached team loses the narrative is always he has no good players and Jamie was simply unlucky, it's nothing to do with the coach mate.
Jamie's playing group short of experience you must admit, the only +5 year super players out there were Lowe, Fakatava, de Groot & Tele'a. Flipside Codie Taylor, Bower, Barrett, Grace, Christie, Drummond, Havili, Ennor, Reece & McNicholl. But then again Daryl maybe you're right my standards have dropped. household names Taniela Filimone & Tai Cribb had me thinking my Landers bet would come through.. It didn't damn you Millar I mean Joseph!
Oh yeah, except Dermody had the same group last year & managed 6th.
Which begs the question, why are people absolving Joseph of blame for finishing dead last?
He inserted himself into the HC role (which didn't need to happen) after Dermody did a fine job in 2024, therefore he should cop the blame.
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@darylmitchell Inferior competition. Difference last year was Moana were worse so we beat them 2x, we beat the Tahs because they were worse, and we beat the Force in the worst game ever.
We lost our way at points this year, but the direction of travel has again been upwards.
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