Hurricanes vs Highlanders
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="583381" data-time="1464355403">
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<p>He was very quiet, but I thought he got the hit of the night in that 1st half.</p>
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<p>He also completely missed the first up tackle on both Shields for his try and Savea's last try. A big red cross for that.</p> -
Some fairly blatant obstruction in that last try. <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://thumbs.gfycat.com/ExaltedGentleCleanerwrasse-mobile.mp4'>https://thumbs.gfycat.com/ExaltedGentleCleanerwrasse-mobile.mp4</a>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="583438" data-time="1464400604"><p>
He also completely missed the first up tackle on both Shields for his try and Savea's last try. A big red cross for that.</p></blockquote>
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You're quite right. Both tackles were his to make and he missed them both.<br><br>
If Luke Whitelock had done that wearing black he'd get crucified. -
<p>Thought it was a trip back in time and an example of a uniquely New Zealand wet weather game of rugby.</p>
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<p>Steady drizzle throughout.</p>
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<p>I was reminded of times long ago when we all played a bit, (long before this professional carry on). Some seasons you'd find yourself in a team which was good enough to win the comp (on points, grand finals were like carjackings - things that happened elsewhere) and the week preceding the game you just knew that if your team played how you have been, a win would be on the cards. You'd get the job done like you did in the earlier fixture.</p>
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<p>You arrive by car, or by bus, or by a lift from someone, (maybe your mum or dad) and it's started raining.</p>
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<p>No worries, it's a bit uncomfortable (not cold really), but you'd prefer the finer weather because your team would probably win</p>
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<p>Then the other team start to get a slight rub of the green. You build phases and then one, just one, sloppy ruck gets toe hacked down field and you're behind on the scoreboard. </p>
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<p>Then for the rest of the game not too much goes right. You get some points, your set piece is better, but always you're behind and eventually run out of time.</p>
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<p>At the end nobody will admit it but the old guy at the clubrooms offers "great leveller, the rain".</p>
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<p>Your boots didn't need scrubbing either, just some newspaper stuffed in them and a night in the hot water cupboard (airing cupboard for the toffs)</p>
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<p>Canes played the conditions better, scored more points so the win is theirs - that's how it works. Better team than the Landers? Nah, but we will see</p>
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<p>Sloppy reffing I thought. Not a game decider but certainly a game influencer. Refuse to call them "assistant referees" till the fluffybunnys actually start assisting in a meaningful way. A 5 m scrum after a 3 metre forward pass is a mockery of the game. The obstruction at the end try (correct, not a result definer as there was a penalty advantage) is a baffling anomaly considering some of the shit they've spotted and disallowed tries this year. For example that obstruction gets missed but some prick will find an innocuous neck roll a ruck earlier.</p>
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<p>There's a lot of luck with refereeing performances and maybe that's all there is to it.</p>
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<p>Not the first team in my 40 odd years of watching NZ rugby to travel to the capital and watch a harried Wellington team snatch a win in Wellington conditions. Fair enough Canes, fair enough.</p>
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<p>Coles, you ain't Fitzy. Enough whinging. You earn that right like Fitzy and Gregan did</p>
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<p>Naholo is really really growing on me. Used to think "big fastish guy, give ball point to try line". But watch him on defence. He's keen as! Last 3 games he's got over the ball at rucks, been immovable, and been denied penalties by poor officiating. He's a bit like Savea was 2 years ago but that ruck pilfering technique and desire is awesome. Big fan now</p>
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<p>All Black number 10's have to kick that penalty that Barrett missed. Not my idea, just a factual expectation</p>
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<p>I'm trying very hard to stick to the mantra "it all changes when they put on black. They're to be judged on their previous form as All Blacks, not franchise players" - eh Jules</p>
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<p>One throwaway comment from Tony Brown relayed to Goldie and EVERY fluffybunny is all "Faddes is the fastest thing since phar lap" Amazing how rumours get started and reinforced. He's ok but he's no speedster - besides Tony, fastest over what distance.</p>
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<p>Ardie - sure, become an All Black but fix your fucken bonce first!! </p>
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<p>Dreaming of a press release from Shag "Ardie Savea has not been considered for selection. As you will all no doubt know we have certain standards and behaviours defined in the All Blacks. All players sweep changing rooms, punctuality and discipline are vital. Also we refuse to dress someone in the black jersey who has a barnett like a 4 year olds pencil decoration or a polynesian beaker from the fucken muppets! he won't be selected unless Azza fixes his attitude. I've made this decision simply for the reason that I want to be able to look Pinetree in the eye when next we meet, and avoid the inevitable "100 years of All Blacks laid their lives on the line for this team and they have to watch sideshow fucking bob singing the anthem!" and the last thing the All Blacks need is "look at me, I'm just sooo random" personal expressionism. For fucks sake"</p>
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<p>Canes won, I cracked the shits and missed the Chiefs game but in the words of legitimate sopranos Milli Vanilli</p>
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<p>Blame it on the rain!</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="583564" data-time="1464440044">
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<p>Ardie - sure, become an All Black but fix your fucken bonce first!! </p>
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<p>Dreaming of a press release from Shag "Ardie Savea has not been considered for selection. As you will all no doubt know we have certain standards and behaviours defined in the All Blacks. All players sweep changing rooms, punctuality and discipline are vital. Also we refuse to dress someone in the black jersey who has a barnett like a 4 year olds pencil decoration or a polynesian beaker from the fucken muppets! he won't be selected unless Azza fixes his attitude. I've made this decision simply for the reason that I want to be able to look Pinetree in the eye when next we meet, and avoid the inevitable "100 years of All Blacks laid their lives on the line for this team and they have to watch sideshow fucking bob singing the anthem!" and the last thing the All Blacks need is "look at me, I'm just sooo random" personal expressionism. For fucks sake"</p>
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<p>It appears Hansen went - fuck you Siam, we've had dreadlocks, we have bogans (Squire), we'll have Kid (or Play whichever one he is) as well.</p>
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<p>It's only going to get worse too, I watched the highlights of Hastings Boys murdering one of the St Pats and half the team had the same haircut as that.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="583697" data-time="1464485636"><p>Got to give them credit - Canes got it done on the night.<br><br>
The three competition points swing between Chiefs-Canes on the Woodward dropped pass looking pretty significant right now.</p></blockquote>
Yup, I knew at the time it was a big moment in the Canes season. A win against the Chiefs would have been a huge plus. -
<p>Canes deserve the credit. They ground out the win and put away a decent Highlanders side with some strong interplay in the wet. The saying goes champion sides know how to get the result, im not saying the Canes are a champion side and they obviously don't have the calbire of players they did last year but there is certainly the potential to make a push for a finals berth and even win their maiden title. Fringe All Blacks like Michael Fatialofa, Toomaga Allen, Blade Thomson, Matt Proctor and Reggie Goodes are the cornerstone of this side and have the ability to kick it with anyone. </p>
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<p>They have a great mix of youth and experience and what I have loved most about this side since introducing Boyd and Plum into the mix is that they don't get too flustered in pressure situations, apart from Beaudys kicking :knuppel: . Canes sides in the past would shut up shop when things got tough whereas this side and the 2015 version have this ability to stay in the fight and even get the win against anyone with their strike power. They will be a nightmare playoff opponent for anyone and I hope this year they can finally kick on.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="583730" data-time="1464500089">
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<p>Thought Brad Shields was great, really physical in the collision</p>
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<p>Agree. But he has too many average games before the occasional good one</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="583718" data-time="1464497501">
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<p>Canes deserve the credit. They ground out the win and put away a decent Highlanders side with some strong interplay in the wet. The saying goes champion sides know how to get the result, im not saying the Canes are a champion side and they obviously don't have the calbire of players they did last year but there is certainly the potential to make a push for a finals berth and even win their maiden title. Fringe All Blacks like Michael Fatialofa, Toomaga Allen, Blade Thomson, Matt Proctor and Reggie Goodes are the cornerstone of this side and have the ability to kick it with anyone. </p>
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<p>They have a great mix of youth and experience and what I have loved most about this side since introducing Boyd and Plum into the mix is that they don't get too flustered in pressure situations, apart from Beaudys kicking :knuppel: . Canes sides in the past would shut up shop when things got tough whereas this side and the 2015 version have this ability to stay in the fight and even get the win against anyone with their strike power. They will be a nightmare playoff opponent for anyone and I hope this year they can finally kick on.</p>
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<p>Barrett's goalkicking is an issue, that's for sure. To date, his success rate is at 64%.</p>
<p>Interestingly, Cruden's goalkicking has not raised such critics among the members of this forum though his success rate is a mere 52%.</p> -
Never fear, Fozzie is working with our kickers now.<br><br>
But TBH, I'm not bothered how these guys kick in thier Super colours, everyone seems to step it up a notch in black, kicking % will be no different
