Crusaders v Highlanders
-
@kiwi_expat said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@kiwimurph said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
Pleased to see Grace at 8 again after he went well last week - better for NZ rugby than Matera clogging up a spot.
There weren't complaints when Kazuki Hinemo started over Marino Mikaele-Tu'u for all of 2021's campaign? Hinemo was so influential throughout SRA & SRP he was awarded Highlanders MVP at their awards night, while Matera hasn't really brought much to be fair.
He didn't really.
MMT was injured for the season during SRA. Prior to that MMT, Renton and Hinemo had shared the role. MMT also was stood down for 2 matches (I think, but at least 1) due to off field stuff.
-
@kiwi_expat It's just something some people like to throw at the Crusaders (usually cheap shots), while ignoring the likes of Himeno, Ardron, Marchant, van Wyk etc etc. Best to ignore. Matera actually adds something because he's a very good player with international experience who can be helpful in developing the young players they have. The same cannot be said of all the other players I mentioned. Having said that, that doesn't mean I'm totally in agreement with signing players of his calibre.
-
I wouldn't call that accurate, a few seasons back Ardron appeared to carry the Chiefs pack almost single-handedly at times during their injury crises/locking woes.
-
@kiwi_expat said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
Wouldn't call that accurate as a few seasons back Ardron appeared to carry the Chiefs pack almost single-handedly through an injury crises.
He also played in the NPC so made a commitment to stay in NZ for rugby.
-
-
@kiwimurph said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
I wasn't taking a shot at the Crusaders - I was complimenting Cullen Grace - he went really well at 8 last week and I'm happy to see him picked there again - I want to see him keep up the form. Cripes.
Yeah Grace had a big game, I am pleased to see him start again.
-
@kiwi_expat said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
I wouldn't call that accurate, a few seasons back Ardron appeared to carry the Chiefs pack almost single-handedly at times during their injury crises/locking woes.
I said:
The same cannot be said of all the other players I mentioned.
Note that I used the word "all".
It's accurate for players like van Wyk or Marchant. -
@kiwimurph He's kind of slow and sluggish for an 8, looks a bit like a rangy lock playing in the loose forwards.
though he's definitely too short to be playing lock, interestingly he looks & plays like James Blackwell.
they even have the exact same dimensions:
-
@kiwimurph said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
I wasn't taking a shot at the Crusaders - I was complimenting Cullen Grace - he went really well at 8 last week and I'm happy to see him picked there again - I want to see him keep up the form. Cripes.
Bully.
-
@kiwi_expat said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@kiwimurph He's kind of slow and sluggish for an 8, looks a bit like a rangy lock playing in the loose forwards.
though he's definitely too short to be playing lock, interestingly he looks & plays like James Blackwell.
they even have the exact same dimensions:
Grace has a lot more skill than Blackwell,highlighted with a couple of great pieces of handling v Chiefs last weekend.
-
It is awesome to see both LF and Grace are starting for the Crusaders. It is a strong team but the Clan always lift for the southern derby. It is always a bit hard to choose who to support when the pig island is not involved.
-
@old-samurai-jack North Harbour all the way.
-
@bones said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@old-samurai-jack North Harbour all the way.
Harbourlanders… ahh the good ol’ days
-
@kiwi_expat said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@kiwimurph He's kind of slow and sluggish for an 8, looks a bit like a rangy lock playing in the loose forwards.
though he's definitely too short to be playing lock, interestingly he looks & plays like James Blackwell.
they even have the exact same dimensions:
You'd take him, if the opportunity arose. He'd be at least as good for the Landers as all those other good local lads like Lentjes, Harmon, Manu and Dixon
-
I was all for Matera strengthening the loose forward group, and I'm pretty sure I had him as the bench option with exactly the current trio starting. I was criticised for this because of the ill-feeling towards Grace who I had starting at 8. He was gone, I was told - corrected even - by several. As long as Matera was in the squad he had to start, I was told. Grace was picked too early for the All Blacks, undeservedly, and wouldn't be back, I was told. We're now seeing the comeback that should have been expected.
-
-
@shark said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
I was all for Matera strengthening the loose forward group, and I'm pretty sure I had him as the bench option with exactly the current trio starting. I was criticised for this because of the ill-feeling towards Grace who I had starting at 8. He was gone, I was told - corrected even - by several. As long as Matera was in the squad he had to start, I was told. Grace was picked too early for the All Blacks, undeservedly, and wouldn't be back, I was told. We're now seeing the comeback that should have been expected.
Nostradamus!
-
@kiwiwomble said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@kiwi_expat said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@kiwimurph said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
Pleased to see Grace at 8 again after he went well last week - better for NZ rugby than Matera clogging up a spot.
There weren't complaints when Kazuki Hinemo started over Marino Mikaele-Tu'u for all of 2021's campaign? Hinemo was so influential throughout SRA & SRP he was awarded Highlanders MVP at their awards night, while Matera hasn't brought much at all to be fair.
pretty sure there were...even on here potentially
I not a Crusader's man by any stretch of the imagination, bit I buggered if I can see what the problem with playing Matera is (I like having the odd player from oversaes, star power etc for comp). I think any teams job is too make their own team as strong as possible.
Don't know if any of you fellas have watched the players from Aus playing in NPC etc, haven't seen any complaints.. We had Marchant in Blues backline in 2020 etc.
As I said fellas I far from a Crusader's man, but you have to be consistent if you want your argument to have relevance. -
Who said Grace would never be an All Black again? That seems completely made up. Why is that happening so much in this thread?
There were a few, including myself, who think he should be playing at 6 to have the best chance of making it back. One good game at 8 where doesn't change that for me. His skillset still looks best suited to the blindside
As for Matera he was the preferred option. He started the first four matches. His form has been a bit disappointing and he's drifted out of the starting side
Cullen Grace - Wikipedia
