So breaking down this Canterbury side.

One regular SR starter in the backline (Drummond) and two in the forwards (Douglas and Franks). Only one is a consistent first stringer though. In the backs, Burke, Poihipi and McLeod are yet to play SR and I think also Siataga in the forwards. Some of the young talent just isn't that wonderful ie McKay and Punivai. Maybe there's a good reason the Crusaders have let them both go. Not the powerhouse side of years gone by (pre 2018 dynasty).

But there's enough talent and experience in the forwards to get the job done in the NPC. So man up fluffybunnies.

I've got no faith in Maddock. I think we've dug pretty deep into the talent pool the last few years as head coaches have moved on and now we're dredging the bottom. And the backs and inconsistent backline selections are a big issue which is hurting us.

Come on CANTERBURY.

Stat just popped up re Manawatu not having beaten us since 2008. But the Slade kick actually went through the posts to win that. Still shits me.

We have to score next and needs to be 7.

McKay. Gah. Fucking McKay. Again. Good luck, Highlanders with McKay and Punivai in the back three.

@Wally said in Canterbury vs Manawatu:

The two syrups on the wing are pretty useless.

Said that a week or two ago. FFS

Thanks; this makes sense of it all now.

Still, I wonder where Osborne is? One appearance out of the blue and gone again!

What an abysmal opening game. The only thing that makes this even remotely interesting is that these two nations have been at war.

More tinkering from Maddock. Need to have a look at the CRFU site to see if there's any explanation but that aside, I wonder why Ennor hasn't been locked in at centre with Bateman at second five-eighths. And still persevering with McLeod on one wing.

Board meeting tomorrow, there may be some stuff that comes out of that.

Lentjes was close to making the All Blacks EOYT two years ago when Hunt made it. This year for the Highlanders Lentjes was the better player. They're pretty similar in ability.

If he were available I'd like to think Lentjes might come back to Chch to play, but sounds like it's a moot point anyway.