Hurricanes vs Highlanders

Canes4life

Canes Team is:
 
1. Reggie Goodes
2. Dane Coles
3. Jeff Toomaga Allen
4. Blade Thomson
5. Michael Fatialofa
6. Brad Shields
7. Ardie Savea
8. Victor Vito
9. TJ Perenara
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Julian Savea
12. Vince Tavae Aso
13. Matt Proctor
14. Cory Jane
15. James Marshall
 
Reserves:
16. Motu Matu'u
17. Chris Eves
18. Loni Uhila
19. Vaea Fifita
20. Callum Gibbins
21. Jamison Gibson Park
22. Ngani Laumape
23. Jason Woodward

pukunui

How does Shields keep getting starts? For a guy who was talked up as a potential AB he has been seriously underwhelming for a long time now. Laumape has been a bit unlucky with gsmetime after a strong start to the season.

Canes4life

I 100% agree Pukunui. I would have Abbott starting instead of Shields. I would start Thomson at 6 and have Abbott at 4 with Fifita off the bench.
 
I swear 90% of the time Abbott has started for us over the last two years we have won. I just don't get why Boyd keeps dropping the guy when he always performs so well for us.
 
I also don't see why the coaches are so fixated with starting Marshall at 15. Surely Woodward has proved he is a much bigger threat than Marshall and if we are going to compete with the Highlanders we need a bit of firepower out-wide, especially considering Skudder is not there. 
 
I'm sure the Highlanders will be shaking in there boots at the site of Marshall and Jane running at them. :truce:

Crucial

I'd be more concerned about the centres if I was a Canes fan. I'm not convinced they have found a pair that are any more than adequate. That's fine except they are coming up against a form combo being fed by the best pass in the game.

Canes4life

I'm happy with Proctor at centre. I think hes been bloody strong. 2nd Five remains the concern for me. Both Laumape and Aso have shown glimpses of their potential but their consistency remains the worry.
 
It will be interesting to see if Faddes can back up his strong performance against the Crusaders. He is a player on the rise and i'm looking forward to that battle with him and Proctor. 
 
If the Canes are going to win on Saturday night Perenara has to outplay Smith. If Smith can get his bullets away on a consistent basis then the Canes will be in for a bloody long night.

MN5

Heard BB on the radio trying to hype the game ( as he is no doubt contractually obliged to ) by going on about the "rematch" and "revenge" for last year.
 
It's not the fucken final y'know Beauds......

SouthernMan

The only area I can see the Hurricanes dominating is the front row. But even then we have held our own against stronger opposition than that. As always the Barrett factor is a bit of a concern. You never know when he will rip a team up. What's the forecast like? If it's a bit shit, then I can see it evening out a bit.

Canes4life

I hope they don't play like they did in last years final, especially Beauden. He had a shocker with the boot, mind you he's had shockers all year. Just hope he can turn those stats around.
 
Weather forecast is for Showers so hopefully they miss the Tin.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="582453" data-time="1464144522">
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I hope they don't play like they did in last years final, especially Beauden. He had a shocker with the boot, mind you he's had shockers all year. Just hope he can turn those stats around.
 
Weather forecast is for Showers so hopefully they miss the Tin.
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Only if someone's built a roof since I was last there

Crucial

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If the Canes are going to win on Saturday night Perenara has to outplay Smith. If Smith can get his bullets away on a consistent basis then the Canes will be in for a bloody long night.
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If that happens Smith will have had a very poor night. TJs passing has been horrible.

SouthernMan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="582451" data-time="1464144292">
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Heard BB on the radio trying to hype the game ( as he is no doubt contractually obliged to ) by going on about the "rematch" and "revenge" for last year.
 
It's not the fucken final y'know Beauds......
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I really hope that's the attitude of the Canes, firing up for a game that was played nearly a year ago and how no real relevance on the fixture ahead.
 
I heard the Highlanders get asked something similar, and they came back with a response of heck no, different competition, different players and they just want to go up get the points and come home.

Canes4life

That's the problem with the Canes. They always worry about the past. The past has nothing to do with the now. Totally different players and a different year. 
 
Focus Canes, Focus!!!

Tim

What the fuck is wrong with using their loss from last year for motivation?

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="582473" data-time="1464146633">
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What the fuck is wrong with using their loss from last year for motivation?
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my thoughts exactly :)
 
Any motivation to play well is surely a good thing

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="582473" data-time="1464146633">
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What the fuck is wrong with using their loss from last year for motivation?
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Totally agree, Tim!

antipodean

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="582473" data-time="1464146633">
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What the fuck is wrong with using their loss from last year for motivation?
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It's an empty trick. Best outcome is you win and then so what? You don't get the trophy. You don't get to kid anyone you're the deserving winner.
 
How much easier to say "if we don't get the points from this game, it's much harder for us to secure a finals berth. We were outplayed last year and that's the motivation to do one better this year."

Hooroo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="582479" data-time="1464147205">
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It's an empty trick. Best outcome is you win and then so what? You don't get the trophy. You don't get to kid anyone you're the deserving winner.
 
How much easier to say "if we don't get the points from this game, it's much harder for us to secure a finals berth. We were outplayed last year and that's the motivation to do one better this year."
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Wow you would suck as a team motivator! As in Hurrell is good for the Warriors - suck!

nzzp

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="582485" data-time="1464148187">
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Wow you would suck as a team motivator! As in Hurrell is good for the Warriors - suck!
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Perhaps not the phrase to use with Hurrell.... :P

antipodean

Canes4life

Whatever motivation is needed they need to find it fast. The form team in the comp is about to role into town and they will be relentless if the Canes do not get things right.
 
Whether its revenge for last years final, wanting to make this years playoffs or simply wanting to take their game to the next level, the Canes have to find that special element that makes them tick.
 
I want to see Fatialofa smash players like he did against the Chiefs, i want to see Barrett run at the line more often than not, I want our scrum to push those southerners backwards and I want to see those Savea bros play like men possessed. 
 
If the Hurricanes can reach their peak then maybe, maybe we can send the Highlanders back down South with their tails between their legs, however something in my head suggests it won't be that easy.
 
Bring on the Landers army!!!

The Silver Fern

Hurricanes vs Highlanders