Hurricanes vs Highlanders
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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. </p>
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<p>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.</p> -
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.
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>Weather forecast is for Showers so hopefully they miss the Tin.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="582453" data-time="1464144522">
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>Weather forecast is for Showers so <strong>hopefully they miss the Tin.</strong></p>
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<p>Only if someone's built a roof since I was last there</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="582447" data-time="1464144144">
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<p>If the Canes are going to win on Saturday night<strong> Perenara has to outplay Smith.</strong> If Smith can get his bullets away on a consistent basis then the Canes will be in for a bloody long night.</p>
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<p>If that happens Smith will have had a very poor night. TJs passing has been horrible.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="582451" data-time="1464144292">
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>It's not the fucken final y'know Beauds......</p>
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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.</p>
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<p>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.</p> -
<p>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. </p>
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<p>Focus Canes, Focus!!!</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="582473" data-time="1464146633">
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<p>What the fuck is wrong with using their loss from last year for motivation?</p>
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<p>my thoughts exactly :)</p>
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<p>Any motivation to play well is surely a good thing</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="582473" data-time="1464146633">
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<p>What the fuck is wrong with using their loss from last year for motivation?</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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."</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="582479" data-time="1464147205">
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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."</p>
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<p>Wow you would suck as a team motivator! As in Hurrell is good for the Warriors - suck!</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="582485" data-time="1464148187">
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<p>Wow you would suck as a team motivator! As in Hurrell is good for the Warriors - suck!</p>
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<p>Perhaps not the phrase to use with Hurrell.... :P</p> -
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>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. </p>
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<p>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.</p>
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<p>Bring on the Landers army!!!</p> -
<p>Highlanders to win this on superior tactics and the Canes messy midfield defence.</p>
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<p>I can see the Highlanders employing the game they did against the Tahs last year for this one. Keep turning Fatialofa, Coles and Ardie around and putting decision pressure on the midfield.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="582502" data-time="1464149498">
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<p>Highlanders to win this on superior tactics and the Canes messy midfield defence.</p>
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<p>I can see the Highlanders employing the game they did against the Tahs last year for this one. Keep turning Fatialofa, Coles and Ardie around and putting decision pressure on the midfield.</p>
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<p>The Canes have implemented a rush defense in recent weeks, whether that works against Fekitoa and Faddes remains to be seen but whatever the case they will need to make their tackles. No excuses especially considering they just had the bye.</p>
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<p>If the Canes are going to get up in this one they will have to win it through the middle. They will have to emulate something similar to the Crusaders tactics in the first 10 minutes against them a few weeks ago and suck their outsides in, earning the right to go wide. </p>
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<p>I believe the Canes chose to attack too early against the Highlanders in round 2 and instead of being more patient and waiting for the right time to strike they were trying to score off every opportunity.</p>
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<p>The game plan leading up to Julian Savea's botched try in last years final was the exact tactics the Canes need to employ. They were able to get in behind the Highlanders defense, something that they are more than capable of doing with players like Vito, Ardie, Thomson and Toomaga Allen in their ranks. </p> -
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<p>thehighlanders.co.nz</p>
<p><b>Hurricanes v Pulse Energy Highlanders - Westpac Stadium, Dunedin, Friday 27<sup>th</sup> May 7.35pm</b></p>
<p>Returning from their bye round Pulse Energy Highlanders Head Coach Jamie Joseph has made only two changes to his starting line-up that beat the Crusaders in round 12. Tom Franklin will start at lock for Joe Wheeler who drops out of the 23 for this week and Daniel Lienert-Brown, who was a late withdrawal for the Crusaders match, will start at loosehead.</p>
<p>Luke Whitelock had a standout game against the Crusaders and again keeps the in-form Liam Squire on the bench, while Mark Reddish is included in the match day team for the first time since round 7. The game will be massive for both sides as they are separated by a single point on the table, both clubs will be desperate to head into the June break with a win.</p>
<p>NZ rugby has designated round 13 as the “diversity round†. NZ Super Rugby teams will wear a range of brightly coloured laces to highlight diversity in rugby. It is a symbolic gesture to illustrate rugby is a game for everyone, no matter what size, shape, nationality, religion or gender. Joseph commented “our team is particularly diverse, I think we have at least six different nationalities in our squad, all with different backgrounds and cultures but it’s our love of the game that binds us together. That’s the beauty of rugby, it doesn’t discriminate, it’s come one, come allâ€</p>
<p>1. Daniel Lienert-Brown</p>
<p>2. Ash Dixon</p>
<p>3. Josh Hohneck</p>
<p>4. Alex Ainley</p>
<p>5. Tom Franklin</p>
<p>6. Elliot Dixon</p>
<p>7. Dan Pryor</p>
<p>8. Luke Whitelock</p>
<p>9. Aaron Smith</p>
<p>10. Lima Sopoaga</p>
<p>11. Patrick Osborne</p>
<p>12. Malakai Fekitoa</p>
<p>13. Matt Faddes</p>
<p>14. Waisake Naholo</p>
<p>15. Ben Smith (c)</p>
<p><b>Reserves</b></p>
<p>16. Greg Pleasants-Tate</p>
<p>17. Aki Seiuli</p>
<p>18. Siosiua Halanukonuka</p>
<p>19. Mark Reddish</p>
<p>20. Liam Squire</p>
<p>21. Fumiaki Tanaka</p>
<p>22. Marty Banks</p>
<p>23. Teihorangi Walden</p>
<p><b>Unavailable due to injury</b>: Liam Coltman (foot), Josh Renton (knee) Shane Christie (hamstring)</p>
<p><b>Head Coach:</b> Jamie Joseph <b>Assistant Coaches</b>: Tony Brown, Scott McLeod <b>Manager</b>: Paul McLaughlan</p>
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