i love this, two guys that know what a good team culture is

My takeaway was the ball skills of Sotutu is key. Can't just rush up on Barrett because he may not be the playmaker.

I have finally skimmed through a viewing of this game. The Chiefs were completely dominated in the tackle so the backs were always on the back foot. Losing both 1st 5s by HT didn't help the Chiefs but I don't think it would have mattered.

Noah Hotham was definitely the most influential player on the field.

Te Hiwi was one of the form midfield backs in the tournament so deserves selection for the NZ U20s IMO.

A Smith-Fakatava combo offers a nice contrast. Fakatava used to run too often and tried to take on the opposition by himself, but he has learnt to temper his enthusiasm and when he has a snipe. That makes him a much more dangerous halfback.

@ACT-Crusader said in Highlanders v Waratahs:

@Machpants only concern with that is that the broadcasters love more ‘finals’ because they rate higher and they can sell to advertisers.

Yeah it's never going to happen but the comp would be much better

@Machpants thanks for explaining a bit more than "he's not a normal 1st 5"

that makes sense, my feeling was he was running a lot but trying to feed and distribute, not just going to ground like a crash ball, so to a dumb front rower it just looks like another form of play making, just the opposite end of the scale to a first 5 whole kicks everything away

@Damo said in Reds v Highlanders:

blimp

Clearly the badyear one and not the Goodyear.

@pakman said in Drua v Highlanders:

@Victor-Meldrew said in Drua v Highlanders:

First time I've really seen Tu'u. Looks a real prospect.

Not a big Clan watcher? Even more impressive given against Drua. Seemed to stand up well to their physicality.

As much as any other team I guess. Just that he's never really stood out for me before.

lovely day in the sun, biggest gripe was how poor RA handled promoting it, sitting next to some brumbies fans, they had come down for it and were shocked at how small the crowd was, pointed out there had been next to no advertising

Wore my old Dunedin RFC jersey and Fakatava and Vahaakolo came over for a photo, both seem like really good blokes, Freedom was just chatting away about how disappointing the results was, letting the fans down, but how thankful he was to be getting a shot at that level, even more of a fan

@bones I really hope you are right!

@frank said in Crusaders v Highlanders:

@chris said in Crusaders v Highlanders:

@crazy-horse said in Crusaders v Highlanders:

Some random thoughts from a Crusader point of view after finally watching this game

Zach Gallagher is a mean looking kid. Maybe it's his thick neck, he looks like a fighter to me.

Loose forward has become a strength after being a weakness the last few years. Grace, Blackadder and Christie are pretty bloody handy at this level.

I was disappointed to see Ennor go straight to centre and LF move to the wing. I think there is more potential the other way around.

It will be interesting to see how the backline looks once Goodhue is back and hopefully firing. I think (hope) Bridge will be left out.

I rate Gallagher highly tough young bugger only 20.
Very physical player good size at 117kg and 197 c/m
He can also play 6.

Crusades website says 117 kg, Wikipedia and All Blacks .com say 102kg.
I assume the Crusaders website is more up to date but that's some weight gain!!

That was the first time I had laid eyes on him and to have the confidence to get up and take a line out one minute into being on the field was really good to see. Hope he has a great future.

@tim said in Highlanders vs Blues:

Paea could've been carded twice in the first half (high tackle on Sotutu, lifting Goodhue's legs and dropping him at a maul). Poor reffing.

He was consistent at letting things go (see: Liam Coltman at the maul). It's just so random from week to week

@cgrant said in Hurricanes vs Highlanders:

@bones
A midfield combo with the two twin brothers could be fun but it won't happen under Foster's management.

Ardie and Julian?

@kiwiwomble said in Highlanders v Crusaders:

for what was actually a reasonably enjoyable game

I thought it was enjoyable to watch too. Although not being a cricket, US sports, soccer etc fan I'm just happy to have the rugby back so have enjoyed most games I've watched (even if I have been pointing out shit stuff too 🙂 - stupid league rules in rugby).

@kiwiwomble said in Blues/Chiefs/Highlanders game of 3 halves:

anyone give a bit of an over view of the Landers? kind of feel we were just holding on even thought we were fielding pretty much full strength teams

Will probably see a lot more of the style they want to play in the real games but I thought they were just lacking enterprise in their play (for Super). Gregory made good ground quite often but usually then died with the ball as there was no support or anticipated runs off him.
Forwards seemed OK (against the Chiefs)

@akan004 said in Frizell assaults woman:

Hopefully the UK won't let him in. Don't want him to be on tour with the ABs.

UK will, he doesn't have a criminal record does he?

57470449-b3ae-4eb6-a1d0-b3250d1f8115-image.png

really wish I had unfollowed this thread

@antipodean said in Brumbies v Highlanders:

@stargazer said in Brumbies v Highlanders:

@antipodean 2020 Kirifi was quite a lot better than the 2021 version. The early 2020 version of L Boshier was better

That's the problem.

In 2021 both are a long way off Dalton and Billy.

Given the quality of 6s and 8s around, I'd say that Boshier is miles away, with Paps and Ardie and Cane, plus they like Kirifi (he's playing like shit, but they like him), and that's not even talking about Christie, Harmon, or even the use of Blackadder as a 7.

@kiwiwomble I like the idea of being unbeaten. That'll do me. But I gave up on respecting the TT trophy as anything highly treasured a few weeks ago, sadly.

@taniwharugby they call the knock on dont they?

3 on 3 with a 3rd of the pitch i would often back the attacking team, but at least on of our three was Johnston (prop) so then you start thinking, is he going to try and barge over himself, does he have the quick hand to get it wide...really wish there was a wider angle

@stargazer I knew he had spent time in Northland, was looking up something a few weeks ago and his wiki page said he was born in Perth, if you cant trust Wiki, what can you trust!!

@derpus Hegarty was very pedestrian at 1st 5. Stifled momentum by just receiving the ball flat footed.

I thought Scott-Young toiled hard. Both halfbacks had their moments. I like the young kid that started at halfback, he’s got some talent, just needs to calm it down a bit.

Aaron Smith’s speed to the ruck and then clearance is still world class for an old fella....

@canes4life said in SRA Round 10: Highlanders v Hurricanes:

@siam I saw that live too but it wasn’t that bad after seeing it on the replay.

Yeah I don't think any of it was bad either but they seem to apply the letter of the law very arbitrarily. This time "beyond horizontal" made way for "retaliation".
I've given up making sense of what they're trying to officiate

Cameron Millar kicks it! Highlanders win!

Full time: Crusaders 23 - 25 Highlanders

There was really nothing between these teams. If you haven't watched it, try to catch a replay if there is one. Great game, with some great quality rugby!

@kiwiwomble said in SRA U20: Hurricanes U20 v Highlanders U20:

Nice power play use yellow for our announcement, put the canes on the back foot right from the start

Yellow is nicer than what I thought it was - lemon.

@crucial yeah they arent far off, but definitely missing something out there.

@stargazer The Highlanders played well but the Barbarians took it to them, and created try-scoring chances. Mistakes and a lack of combinations hurt them. Individually the Barbarians have some quality players but had less than 2 days preparation.

@bovidae said in Highlanders v Chiefs (Sat 10/4/21):

@dan54 My invoice to NZR has been posted.

A logical, thought through idea? You're barking up the wrong tree there pal.

@pakman said in Crusaders v Highlanders (2 April 2021):

@frank said in Crusaders v Highlanders (2 April 2021):

@pakman said in Crusaders v Highlanders (2 April 2021):

Couple of things I’ve not seen mentioned.

Highlander runners seemed for at least first 60 to back off/slow a tad/change line at last moment going into contact. Result was a bit like when a scrum fakes at hit. Oppo overbalanced and contact ineffective. Whatever it was it really threw Saders momentum at breakdown.

Clan seemed to target running one out and then angling back in behind ruck. Seemed that analysis may have identified space there, and good yards made.

Seemed also to result in Saders not getting the rub of the red and black, as per usual.

If I were Super coaches I’d be pouring over tape!

A bit of actual rugby analysis rather than endless moaning about the refereeing. Awesome stuff!!

Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

We don't like change.

@mikey07 I have learned something new today, Jensen is a recognised Maori name! Looks like he might be eligible for one of the Scandinavian teams as well.
I'm sure @nepia will agree that the names Gemmell, Wakefield and Blake over our way are also recognised Maori names too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@kirwan said in Blues v Highlanders:

@tim Look at the length and accuracy of that pass, amazing considering he was sprinting while he passed it.

outrunning a back.

Also, how good was the 'don't argue'. One of the best tries I've seen live in ages (first proper game in a year or so, of course 😃 ) As I said in the match thread, Rieko came from nowhere - used his gas to get in position, but then had a lot of work to do to wrong foot the defender and gas everyone.

Absolute quality. Still pissed that it didn't get awarded.

@arhs yes, the way he gave up was frustrating. I agree the defensive accuracy of the entire team was miles off, when your All Balcks are missing routine one on one tackles that indicates a broader issue.

@pakman watching the nations cup on the prime app on a few telly's, it was crap.

@stargazer said in Highlanders vs Hurricanes pre-season:

@machpants With Hickey gone, the Canes basically only have one ten, JGB, who is pretty average. Leger is a midfielder, Jordie and Love are fullbacks. Just shit recruiting.

But surely your not surprised....

@Kiwiwomble said in Crusaders vs Highlanders pre-season:

this seems to be working currently, don't know if it will stay up

Awesome Cheers for that @Kiwiwomble