While I agree that the better forwards performance certainly helped Smylie at halfback, the ineptitude of the forwards in prior games shouldn't have had any effect on Perenara's kicking, yet it was absolutely terrible. Likewise his passing was inaccurate. I think a couple of weeks on the bench will do him some good, show that his place in the starting XV isn't guaranteed.
Highlanders squad added to the first post...
Darwin ain't gonna be happy 
What makes you think that? Darwin is always happy
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Ok, so I'm not
that happy about the Highlanders side. I'm glad Coltman has been maintained at hooker - he had a shocker last weekend, but he is a quality player. Fia is probably the best scrummaging TH we have so I don't mind him starting, though I do feel we will miss King's work rate (though I expect to see him on not long after halftime). Great to see Thorn back, and I'm happy it is for Hoeata, who has been rather quiet these last couple of matches (after a strong 1st match). I would still like to see Franklin included in the 22 sometime soon. I'm not sure about the make-up of the loose-forwards. Where is Gareth Evans? He was a key performer in the first two matches with his work-rate, breakdown & lineout work, but now he can't even make the 23? Dixon has improved a lot of the last few seasons and he adds another strong ball running option to the pack, but I'm still not convinced about his work-rate.
I would have preferred to see Parker at 10, but at least there has been no sightings of Ripia yet
I'm not sure what to make of Burleigh's inclusion. I think Treeby has been pretty good so far this season - he straightens the line well and is a solid defender. Burleigh brings a much better passing game than Treeby, but I do worry that we will start to get too lateral again with him at 12, and I still think he is a bit of a weak-link on defense (a concern when we also have Sopoaga and Osbourne in the backline...). Great to see Osbourne back - he has a few obvious flaws, but he is someone who can create something out of nothing. Disappointing to see Baker gone from the 22 again after a very solid game last weekend. Buckman has been solid too (and even made a break last weekend!), but I still think he is far too slow to be on the wing. Rasolea (a mid-field back) beat him on the outside far too easily on the way to his try last weekend for my liking....
Onto the Canes. Not a bad looking side - probably the best they could put out given the players available (barring Perenara). I don't mind seeing Perenara given another match on the bench, as he hasn't really performed to his usual high standard so far (and hopefully won't until after the Highlanders match
). Hammett has finally worked out the Savea and Lam can indeed play together - I just wish it had taken him another week to work that out, as the Lam/Savea combo could cause us a lot of issues! Good to see Banks back at fulback too.
