Moana Pasifika v Highlanders
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@DurryMexted said in Moana Pasifika v Highlanders:
I might be out of the loop, but has Cam Millar slipped down the pecking order behind Taine Robinson? Not long ago it was him vs Jacomb to get an ABs call up?
For Highlander’s / Otago NPC nerds.
He was miles away and he’s further now.
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Since when could pro players not back up after just two games at the start of the season? Regardless of the effort put in in the second half of last weekend's game, basically every player from the Blues game should be able to front again this weekend.
And we're still yet to see anything to suggest that Moana are anything but a very average side. They've lost both their matches this year and shipped plenty of points in the process.
If the Highlanders are making changes, it should be so they can give some easy minutes to squaddies because Moana is one of the few games where they can afford to blood new players, not because they're knackered after just two matches to start the season.
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@Mr-Fish I agree. It’s not like it’s been 5/6 weeks on the bounce, it’s about to be 3, any starter should be able to handle that load. As I posted above, I expect the front row changes due to suspension and possible injury and one in the loose forwards. I think there’s a bit of overreacting, no need to make a huge amount of changes when you have a bye the following week. Again, can’t take Moana lightly, especially being their first game at home.
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@gt12 said in Moana Pasifika v Highlanders:
@DurryMexted said in Moana Pasifika v Highlanders:
I might be out of the loop, but has Cam Millar slipped down the pecking order behind Taine Robinson? Not long ago it was him vs Jacomb to get an ABs call up?
For Highlander’s / Otago NPC nerds.
He was miles away and he’s further now.
i would argue it was us otago/highlanders that were putting the hand break on others suggesting it, the most i got to was using him as an example of a more traditional 10 and if a more traditional 10 would be a good string in the ABs bow, not necessarily him though
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In terms of rotating players. The locks for example. It is around balance. If you look at the MP likely locks, they are some of the shortest in the comp. Meaning it is less likely to have major impact compared to giving them a potential rest against a team that has two 2m locks.
Yes, we expext our guys to play week after week. However, we also made the decision to run two 80 minute locks. In a high attrition position. Be selective about the games you rest them for. This one makes sense.
We have a squad, we should use it. We want to be where the Chiefs are. Rotating players in and out. Yes, they are chocked full of ABs. But flipping guys in and out ensure continuity of quality on the field.
Fortunately due to not having many traditional star players, there isn't a huge amount between some of our guys. We also need to get some lads on the park.
Our MP games proceed both of our byes. Which is a nit unfortunate, it would habe been better if they were chucked rihjt in the middle of runs of games.Taking a squad mentality is how we will go deep.
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Resting players in the third week is completely pointless. The Highlanders have just come off a big win, there is no need to rotate the squad, surely keeping that momentum is key. When is the Landers first bye? Surely you can wait until then to rest players so to speak.
There's also that factor of some players getting better the more they play, the likes of Holland isn't exactly firing yet so playing him into form wouldn't be a bad move.
I remember when the Canes rotated most of their squad a few years back against Moana 'just because' and it blew up in their face. These guys are professionals, they should be able to play the majority of this short season without a rest. Bye weeks are enough IMO.
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@Canes4life said in Moana Pasifika v Highlanders:
Resting players in the third week is completely pointless. The Highlanders have just come off a big win, there is no need to rotate the squad, surely keeping that momentum is key. When is the Landers first bye? Surely you can wait until then to rest players so to speak.
Bye week next week so multiple players being rotated this week is almost pointless. No need to rotate for the sake of rotation.
I guess we will find out tomorrow afternoon.
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The Landers could be trolling fans, with the options on the pick the team comp it runs each week. Listed as a blindside option is.... Jim Tavatavanawai. Jeez that'd be hilarious if he suits up as a loosie
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id prefer him at 8 running off the back of a scrum
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@SouthernMann said in Moana Pasifika v Highlanders:
The Landers could be trolling fans, with the options on the pick the team comp it runs each week. Listed as a blindside option is.... Jim Tavatavanawai. Jeez that'd be hilarious if he suits up as a loosie
That's excellent. Well played to the social media intern.
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@gt12 said in Moana Pasifika v Highlanders:
@SouthernMann said in Moana Pasifika v Highlanders:
The Landers could be trolling fans, with the options on the pick the team comp it runs each week. Listed as a blindside option is.... Jim Tavatavanawai. Jeez that'd be hilarious if he suits up as a loosie
That's excellent. Well played to the social media intern.
Someone was recommending a fast 7 for the ABs...
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The Highlanders have to focus on winning this game. Losing it makes finishing 3-5 in a very tight competition incredibly difficult. Getting the last play off spot and getting annihilated by the Chiefs in the quarter final is not the outcome this season needs
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Landers having some social media fun
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As I stated above no changes at lock with some changes in the loosies. Backline remains the same with TK Howden and Te Hiwi coming on to the bench. Love that we haven’t rotated for the sake of it. Renton drops out of the 23 for Howden. Very quick loose forward trio which isn’t a surprise, gives an idea of what JJ is expecting from Moana.
- BARTLETT
- VIKENA
- SEFO KAUTAI
- FABIAN HOLLAND
- MITCH DUNSHEA
- SEAN WITHY
- VEVENI LASAGA
- NIKORA BROUGHTON
- FOLAU FAKATAVA
- TAINE ROBINSON
- CALEB TANGITAU
- TIMOCI TAVATAVANAWAI [C)
- TANIELU TELE'A
- SAM GILBERT
- FINN HURLEY
BENCH
16. JACK TAYLOR
17. ETHAN DE GROOT
18. SAULA MA’U
19. WILL STODART
20. TK HOWDEN
21. NATHAN HASTIE
22. CAMERON MILLAR
23. JAKE TE HIWI -
@Landers92 said in Moana Pasifika v Highlanders:
As I stated above no changes at lock with some changes in the loosies. Backline remains the same with TK Howden and Te Hiwi coming on to the bench. Love that we haven’t rotated for the sake of it. Renton drops out of the 23 for Howden. Very quick loose forward trio which isn’t a surprise, gives an idea of what JJ is expecting from Moana.
- BARTLETT
- VIKENA
- SEFO KAUTAI
- FABIAN HOLLAND
- MITCH DUNSHEA
- SEAN WITHY
- VEVENI LASAGA
- NIKORA BROUGHTON
- FOLAU FAKATAVA
- TAINE ROBINSON
- CALEB TANGITAU
- TIMOCI TAVATAVANAWAI [C)
- TANIELU TELE'A
- SAM GILBERT
- FINN HURLEY
BENCH
16. JACK TAYLOR
17. ETHAN DE GROOT
18. SAULA MA’U
19. WILL STODART
20. TK HOWDEN
21. NATHAN HASTIE
22. CAMERON MILLAR
23. JAKE TE HIWIThere is a bit of rotation. Which says there is some trust in the squad. Both the starting props who had some injury issues last week get big numbers. While Renton looks to have a week off.
Good to see some consistency in the backline. Hoping Te Hiwi has fixed his dropsies is he gets on.
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@SouthernMann front row was more or less forced due to the knocks taken last week + DLB, other than that the only change to the starting XV is at 8 with Renton. Glad we didn’t see big rotation like some were wanting.
Still a solid team with the changes made and a solid bench that we now know can add something to the game when needed. Looking forward to seeing TK make his debut.
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@SouthernMann I think Renton has lowkey been left out because they want to test how it looks without him… he was subbed pretty early v the Blues.
I noticed Jamie discussing Withy’s onfield leadership
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