[2015 Super Rugby] Highlanders vs. Waratahs (Round 5) 14/03/2015

[TRF_stormer2010]

 

[Shaggy]

Hmmmn ... It's a shame from a Highlanders point of view, that the Tahs aren't playing as "well" as the Reds ATM ... the Highlanders will certainly have some confidence, being at home, and coming of that win against the Chiefs, but have some issues up front, with a lack of quality Props.

... not sure who to pick in this one

EDIT:- Highlanders named (http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...for-highlanders-in-waratahs-super-rugby-clash)

Highlanders: Ben Smith (co-captain), Waisake Naholo, Malakai Fekitoa, Shaun Treeby, Patrick Osborne, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu (co-captain), Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon, Joe Wheeler, Tom Franklin, Ross Geldenhuys, Liam Coltman, Josh Hohneck. Reserves: Ash Dixon, Brendon Edmonds, Pingi Tala'apitaga, Mark Reddish, John Hardie, Fumiaki Tanaka, Marty Banks, Jason Emery.

... Waratahs (http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Super15/Weekend-teams-20110203)


15 Israel Folau, 14 Peter Betham, 13 Matt Carraro, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Jacques Potgieter, 5 David Dennis (captain), 4 Will Skelton, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson
Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Sam Lousi, 20 Mitchell Chapman, 21 Stephen Hoiles, 22 Brendan McKibbin, 23 Jono Lance, 24 Taqele Naiyaravoro/Ben Volavola

 

[austingtir]

The Tahs are going to put alot of points on the HL tonight I suspect. The HL cant do anything right for the first 10 minutes.



Edit: Yep im expecting 50 plus this is an a abomination of a performance by the HL. Thats two tries off pretty much set piece as easy as you like.


Edit2: Wow this game has totally changed the decision to attack off a penalty has reaped hugely for the HL they got a tah sinbinned and its been all HL ever since.


Chiefs one week Tahs the next am I dreaming here? Ben Smith try!

Woot osborne try... this is unbelievable!!!

 

[smartcooky]

darwin doesn't seem to be around at the moment, so I'll say it for him...










BEN SMITH!!!

 

[Ossau]

Excellent game from the Highlanders.
Superb performance from the back-line!

Ben Smith is back!

 

[austingtir]

Yep Folau is still a little bit overrated imo. He has a fanastic core skill set but imo just isnt that great a fullback. Great player for sure but not at Ben Smiths level.


And Malakai is in great form. He just has this ability to beat guys in defence AND attack. Infact id go as far as to say defensively he's the most dynamic 13 I think iv seen especially the last two games and its not like he's been playing against no names.

 

[Mikel92]

darwin doesn't seem to be around at the moment, so I'll say it for him...










BEN SMITH!!!

God, don't get him started

Great win by the Highlanders. An upset for sure, even if they were at home. And Smith from the back was definitely a key part of that. Happy for the southern men.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Really happy with their win. I also had the impression that Folau had a quite game

 

[ratsapprentice]

Fantastic game - some awesome tries.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

BOOM! That is all

 

[ruggabee]

What a game! Exciting rugby still alive and kicking!

 

[Kiwiwomble]

http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/highlanders/336316/rugby-evans-steps-play-second-game-day

two games in one afternoon, personally i don't think he was far of man of the match. Its also not as if he had a quite afternoon at first five behind a dominant pack or spent the game playing forceback from fullback

 

[austingtir]

http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/highlanders/336316/rugby-evans-steps-play-second-game-day

two games in one afternoon, personally i don't think he was far of man of the match. Its also not as if he had a quite afternoon at first five behind a dominant pack or spent the game playing forceback from fullback

I thought he was good aswell.. Makes you wonder though basically third choice 7 and imo he played better than either of the other two ever have.

Also liked the bit where the highlanders won a scrum late in the match for a penalty but before the scrum set alot of HL players (Evans in particular) were clearly giving the tahs players some verbals... and then they backed it up with the tighthead or whatever happened... was good to see!!

 

[Kiwiwomble]

i wont be too upset to see dixon, manu and evans starting next week, they we're pretty epic, the backs scored the tries but i think the game was one at the breakdown, there were very few ways through our defense after the first 15 and it felt like we got quite a few turnovers

not sure who will be on the bench....