Rebels v Highlanders
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<p><img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CeSOZLTWQAAgtyL.jpg" alt="CeSOZLTWQAAgtyL.jpg"></p>
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<p>Great to see Wheeler back in the team, and Ash Dixon starting. Luke Whitelock is back, too.</p>
<p>I don't quite understand why they brought Jack Wilson over to the Highlanders, while they have an excellent winger in Ryan Tongia, who can play in all three outside back positions. Tongia seriously needs to think about moving to another team because he's wasting his time down South. Osborne is back on the left wing.</p> -
<p>Got me beat too Gunner. Played a mere 18 ITM Cup matches (including 8 for the BoP and a massive 10 for Otago) over the last four seasons, admittedly he seems to have been earning a living up in England (another indicator that his prospects in NZ must have been limited). It must be galling for the likes of Ryan Tongia to be overlooked for a player that is there on an injury replacement contract (for The Barracuda).</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://thehighlanders.co.nz/our-team/player-profiles/747-jack-wilson'>http://thehighlanders.co.nz/our-team/player-profiles/747-jack-wilson</a></p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/78228874/former-nz-and-england-sevens-star-jack-wilson-to-debut-for-highlanders'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/78228874/former-nz-and-england-sevens-star-jack-wilson-to-debut-for-highlanders</a></p>
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<p>EDIT: On a closer read of his profile I discover he is now a Pom. What the hell is the NZRFU forking out money to pay for a pom for when there must be any number of wingers plying their trade that would be a better investment than this? At least Highlanders fans have the consolation that he is a "star", at least according to the press headline anyway.</p> -
I'm far from his biggest fan, but Whitelock has been playing well. Plus it's only the Rebels......
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<p>It seems the Highlanders are really buying into a rotation policy, especially with the forwards. Dixon, Coltman and the likes of Wheeler and Franklin always start against the top teams. But there's no harm in playing the likes of Reddish, Ainley, and Whitelock, just to keep the other guys fresh.</p>
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<p>But I'm a bit perplexed about the selection of Jack Wilson ahead of Tongia, who I'm a massive fan of. Tongia has been great on attack and his defensive reading has improved a lot over the last year.</p> -
<p>Every chance Tongia has had, he has taken it with both hands, is odd he isnt gettting a decent shot</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="567004" data-time="1458815058"><p>
I'm far from his biggest fan, but Whitelock has been playing well. Plus it's only the Rebels......</p></blockquote>
You know it's a requirement to not rate Whitelock. His reputation precedes him and he'll never be rid of it.<br><br>
Edit: must learn to type better on phone ... fat fingers -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="567383" data-time="1458982934">
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<p>Andrew Leeds is refereeing. Will the game be worth watching? Just tuned in and its still nil nil after fifteen minutes.</p>
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<p>There's already been a couple shit decisions for each team.</p>
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<p>Highlanders are getting the better of play so far but making way too many mistakes.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="567395" data-time="1458985424">
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<p>Everyone else watching the cricket? Can't say I blame you, dull game.</p>
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<p>Landers 13-0</p>
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<p>Second half starts.</p>
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<p>A good night to flick through the channels.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bbarcs" data-cid="567407" data-time="1458986260"><p>
I'm happy because a Highlanders win keeps my multi alive.... But....<br>
Andrew Lees is a joke. Was begging the TMO to let him award a penalty try. For that? Wow</p></blockquote>For commentators eye patch? -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="567395" data-time="1458985424"><p>
Everyone else watching the cricket? Can't say I blame you, dull game.<br><br>
Landers 13-0<br><br>
Second half starts.</p></blockquote>Nope, can't watch anything tonight. Trying to follow everything all at once from my phone.<br><br>
So, I don't care if it's a dull game, as long as the High Landers win by plenty
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bbarcs" data-cid="567407" data-time="1458986260">
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<p>I'm happy because a Highlanders win keeps my multi alive.... But....<br><br>
Andrew Lees is a joke. Was begging the TMO to let him award a penalty try. For that? Wow</p>
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<p>Yeah, even the penalty was harsh, looked like the Rebels player tried to catch it to me but then lost it backwards.</p>
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<p>And then the Landers fuck the 5m lineout up anyway.</p>
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<p>Landers 13-3 after 53 mins.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="567414" data-time="1458986416"><p>Yeah, even the penalty was harsh, looked like the Rebels player tried to catch it to me but then lost it backwards.<br>
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And then the Landers fuck the 5m lineout up anyway.<br>
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Landers 13-3 after 53 mins.</p></blockquote>
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The Rebels 10 - I'm not going to try spell his last name - definitely tried to knock it dead. But yeah definitely didn't touch the ball. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="567414" data-time="1458986416"><p>Yeah, even the penalty was harsh, looked like the Rebels player tried to catch it to me but then lost it backwards.<br>
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And then the Landers fuck the 5m lineout up anyway.<br>
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Landers 13-3 after 53 mins.</p></blockquote>
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If that was an atempted catch....my nephew is a chimp -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Mattasaurus" data-cid="567418" data-time="1458986829">
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<p>If that was an atempted catch....my nephew is a chimp</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bbarcs" data-cid="567417" data-time="1458986729">
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<p>The Rebels 10 - I'm not going to try spell his last name - definitely tried to knock it dead. But yeah definitely didn't touch the ball.</p>
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<p>Alright, probably need to see it again then. I'm trying to keep track of the cricket while watching it and it hasn't exactly been an exciting game.</p> -
They can't lose from here surely?
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="567422" data-time="1458987435">
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<p>They can't lose from here surely?</p>
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<p>Against this Rebels team? No chance. Combine their forward pack and defence with the Force's attack and you might have a half decent mid table team.</p>
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<p>The Landers have slept through this game and are still dominating.</p> -
Hope Taylor and munroe step it up...
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="567432" data-time="1458988073"><p>Against this Rebels team? No chance. Combine their forward pack and defence with the Force's attack and you might have a half decent mid table team.<br><br>
The Landers have slept through this game and are still dominating.</p></blockquote>
Yeah, it was tounge-in-cheek -
<p>they really are justifying their win last year, while I was happy for them last year I wasnt convinced they were that good , I felt it was one of those lucky right place right time type things , </p>
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<p>I was wrong, they really are the real deal , even when average they have that winning clinical look to them </p>
