[2015 Super Rugby] Highlanders vs. Blues (Round 10) 18/04/2015

[TRF_stormer2010]

Venue : Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Kick Off local: 19:35 local, 17:35 AEST, 09:35 SAST
Referee: Chris Pollock
Assistant Ref 1:Ben O'Keeffe
Assistant Ref 2:Mike Lash
TMO :Vinny Munro

​

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Highlanders: Ben Smith (co-captain), Waisake Naholo, Malakai Fekitoa, Jason Emery, Patrick Osborne, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu (co-captain), James Lentjes, Elliot Dixon, Joe Wheeler, Mark Reddish, Josh Hohneck, Liam Coltman, Kane Hames. Reserves: Ash Dixon, Brendon Edmonds, Pingi Tala'apitaga, Tom Franklin, Dan Pryor, Fumiaki Tanaka, Marty Banks, Richard Buckman.


a couple of big changes, although player for player i dont think we're loosing much...we might take a while to gel, i guess emery has been coming off the bench pretty regularly. I feel buckman was playing above himself, really riding the confidence wave if you know what i mean. Will be interesting to see how he goes when he comes on...and where he comes on, we've been rotating the centers this year but he has played exclusively in the outsides for us (plays midfield for the magpies though)

 

[nickdnz]

Can't believe the Blues are now ahead of two other teams after their 1 win :lol:.

That said I hope the Highlanders kick em while they're down, if for no other reason than to emphasize there needs some serious changes in the Blues region.

 

[austingtir]

Naholo needs a Black jersey on his back ASAP!


Landers are giving them a tactical kicking master class atm.

 

[Muzzy]

Hell I think Sopoaga should be looked at for all black contention

Blues kicking game has been terrible, piutau not having a good game at all. Ioane looks really good though. But blues just look impatient and keep making the wrong decisions

 

[austingtir]

Man im so impressed with how the Highlanders are handling themselves in this match. This I would of thought was a real banana peal but they just look in total control to me.

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Beating Blues rugby 101:

Put ball in corners at every opportunity, camp in their half, outplay their backs, game over!

 

[jessta]

Kicking Game of highlanders is punishing blues. While the kicking game of blues is senseless. Straight to most dangerous back three in comp.

Ioane plays like a first season in form luatua. Looks very promising!

Blues own worst enemy!! Why chuck that chip in goal when you had numbers and why throw that helter skelter pass

 

[jessta]

I think at this rate piutau won't make abs. Hansen said he needs to play out of his skin to make it, not sure he's doing that. Certainly other back three in better form

 

[austingtir]

Might of spoken a bit soon about total control. The Blues have certainly woken up now the Highlanders need to do the same.


Jesus Richard Buckman had totally forgot about him he might have to learn to play 12 to get a run now!

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Another NOTHING YELLOW ****s sake this is BS.

 

[91jmay]

Awful decision. How can anyone reasonably think that is a card? Lots of mistakes in this game so far. Odd atmosphere as well.

 

[Drogers93]

Yeah that yellow wad a serious joke. Some really outrageous decisions during this years s15 so far

 

[91jmay]

Error strewn game this.

 

[austingtir]

Other than Moala (absolute beast) the young 6 and Cowan nobody else in the blues has really impressed me at all.

 

[Muzzy]

Man I didn't even realise Ioane was the same 19 year old from the sevens. Hes played better than most of the seasoned vets out there. Can definitely see a big difference between Cowan and Gibson park. Cowans passing is so much more crisp. Gibson park is only young though. Melani Nanai has made some rookie decisions too like when he didn't call the mark and tried to run the ball out of his 22. And the senseless chip and chase he did in the first half

 

[austingtir]

I know some will call me crazy but on this game alone id just about select Cowan as third AB halfback if Kerr Barlow cant make it. I think they need an experienced player among the other two who is also very good defensively Ellis cant be selected the way he's been playing and Cowan has been there and done it... its just weather he's to old but im not seeing it in this game.

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Seriously has Moala been at the heart of every breakout the blues have made or is it just me?

 

[Muzzy]

Wtf was that from West. 2mins left and he grubbers the ball away lol

 

[Amobokoboko]

What a comeback by the Blues! Pity they just fell short.

 

[austingtir]

What a comeback by the Blues! Pity they just fell short.

Bloody Chiefs supporter!! That was close though.

 

[smartcooky]

It was a game of two halves. No, really! It was!

 

[William18]

Man I didn't even realise Ioane was the same 19 year old from the sevens. Hes played better than most of the seasoned vets out there. Can definitely see a big difference between Cowan and Gibson park. Cowans passing is so much more crisp. Gibson park is only young though. Melani Nanai has made some rookie decisions too like when he didn't call the mark and tried to run the ball out of his 22. And the senseless chip and chase he did in the first half

Akira Ioane and not Rico Ioane was playing today.