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2014 Super Rugby: Highlanders v Blues (Round 2)
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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 625454" data-attributes="member: 24910"><p>Brad Thorn <a href="http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/news/article/-/21662724/super-rugby-brad-thorn-out-for-four-weeks/" target="_blank">out for 4 weeks</a> with a rib injury. Bugger. Hoeata needs to prove his form versus the Blues wasn't a fluke, as we will really miss Thorn's ability to lead by example.</p><p></p><p>In terms of the Highlanders depth I can see both points of view. Like most sides we have a couple of key positions where we can't afford the incumbent to get injured, namely 8, 9, and 15. I think Brad Thorn is pretty crucial to us, but if Hoeata plays like he did versus the Blues we may be fine. Aside from those 3 positions (and probably wing) I don't think there is that much between the players that started against the Blues and the rest of the squad.</p><p></p><p>Our first choice props are anyone's guess - I don't think there is much between King, Fia, and Diaz. I would have rated Hames below those three before this weekend, but he was given the start by the Highlanders coaches, and did a pretty good job on debut. Coltman is clearly our best hooker, but Ged Robinson is a more than adequate starter at Super Rugby level, and Mitchell has some talent too. Obviously the rest of out locks are a downgrade on Thorn, but are all at a similar level. I don't think there is much at all between Hardie and Christie. Hardie was one of our better players last season, and I was expecting him to start ahead of Christie (though Christie had a good game in my opinion). Evans is a complete rookie at 6, and again I don't think there is much between him and Ioane (who was again one of our better players late last season). I think Manu remaining fit is a key, as he is another who leads by example and we really missed him last season.</p><p></p><p>Likewise having both Smith's available and firing is important, as they are our only two world class players. Sopoaga is ok at 10, but I really don't think there is much between him and Parker. Sopoaga can be electric on his day but I don't think he controls the game that well, can be prone to having the odd shocker (see the Cheetahs game last season), his defense is weak, and he is not a very good goal-kicker. Parker certainly doesn't have the running game that Sopoaga has but he can take the gap if it is available, controls the game well, is committed on defense (though his lack of size can be an issue at times), and (importantly) is a very good goal-kicker (kicking 80-85%). I'm happy with Sopoaga starting, but I don't think we would lose much (if anything) overall if Parker had to start. Treeby runs and tackles hard at 12, but again I don't think he is that much better than the likes of Stanley, Emery, or Burleigh, who all offer contrasting skills in the midfield. I'm a big fan of Fekitoa, but again he is unproven at this level just like our other midfield options. Buckman is limited on the wing, and I'm surprised Kurt Baker isn't starting. I think it is a bit harsh to call Baker a below par Super Rugby player. He is certainly unproven, but has looked very comfortable in his limited game-time at Super Rugby level, and has been in great form for Taranaki the last few seasons - he just needs a chance to prove himself. I do think Osbourne is very important to us, but he is a wing, and who cares about wings <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 625454, member: 24910"] Brad Thorn [URL="http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/news/article/-/21662724/super-rugby-brad-thorn-out-for-four-weeks/"]out for 4 weeks[/URL] with a rib injury. Bugger. Hoeata needs to prove his form versus the Blues wasn't a fluke, as we will really miss Thorn's ability to lead by example. In terms of the Highlanders depth I can see both points of view. Like most sides we have a couple of key positions where we can't afford the incumbent to get injured, namely 8, 9, and 15. I think Brad Thorn is pretty crucial to us, but if Hoeata plays like he did versus the Blues we may be fine. Aside from those 3 positions (and probably wing) I don't think there is that much between the players that started against the Blues and the rest of the squad. Our first choice props are anyone's guess - I don't think there is much between King, Fia, and Diaz. I would have rated Hames below those three before this weekend, but he was given the start by the Highlanders coaches, and did a pretty good job on debut. Coltman is clearly our best hooker, but Ged Robinson is a more than adequate starter at Super Rugby level, and Mitchell has some talent too. Obviously the rest of out locks are a downgrade on Thorn, but are all at a similar level. I don't think there is much at all between Hardie and Christie. Hardie was one of our better players last season, and I was expecting him to start ahead of Christie (though Christie had a good game in my opinion). Evans is a complete rookie at 6, and again I don't think there is much between him and Ioane (who was again one of our better players late last season). I think Manu remaining fit is a key, as he is another who leads by example and we really missed him last season. Likewise having both Smith's available and firing is important, as they are our only two world class players. Sopoaga is ok at 10, but I really don't think there is much between him and Parker. Sopoaga can be electric on his day but I don't think he controls the game that well, can be prone to having the odd shocker (see the Cheetahs game last season), his defense is weak, and he is not a very good goal-kicker. Parker certainly doesn't have the running game that Sopoaga has but he can take the gap if it is available, controls the game well, is committed on defense (though his lack of size can be an issue at times), and (importantly) is a very good goal-kicker (kicking 80-85%). I'm happy with Sopoaga starting, but I don't think we would lose much (if anything) overall if Parker had to start. Treeby runs and tackles hard at 12, but again I don't think he is that much better than the likes of Stanley, Emery, or Burleigh, who all offer contrasting skills in the midfield. I'm a big fan of Fekitoa, but again he is unproven at this level just like our other midfield options. Buckman is limited on the wing, and I'm surprised Kurt Baker isn't starting. I think it is a bit harsh to call Baker a below par Super Rugby player. He is certainly unproven, but has looked very comfortable in his limited game-time at Super Rugby level, and has been in great form for Taranaki the last few seasons - he just needs a chance to prove himself. I do think Osbourne is very important to us, but he is a wing, and who cares about wings ;) [/QUOTE]
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2014 Super Rugby: Highlanders v Blues (Round 2)
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