[2017 Super Rugby] Round 10: Highlanders vs. Stormers (28/04/2017)

[TRF_stormer2010]

We need to sack Paul Treu. The man was a 7s coach and has no business as defense coach. Nepotism is killing our chances (if we ever had any?). We'll make the play-offs but we have the format to thank for that... although I think we might be good for position 8. But that is due to the Aussie conference being a joke ATM.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Are you guys serious?

This was never on the cards in my opinion. The Stormers were really bad vs the Crusaders and the Highlanders have gained a lot of momentum. I'm genuinely surprised at the predictions and comments here and optimism for a Stormers victory.

Way off the mark boys!

It's just a bit of humility and experience

We've lost plenty of games we should have won over the years

 

[Ground We Won]

It's just a bit of humility and experience

We've lost plenty of games we should have won over the years

It doesn't come off as humility, it comes across and negativity and pessimism, the idea of supporting a team is by backing them & being positive. Of course that doesn't mean being arrogant, but when the signs are there the team is obviously improving and starting to get results, I don't really get the need to doubt them. The signs were all pointing to a Highlander win and the negativity/pessimism actually really irked me.

 

[Caitlyn Jenner]

Are you guys serious?

This was never on the cards in my opinion. The Stormers were really bad vs the Crusaders and the Highlanders have gained a lot of momentum. I'm genuinely surprised at the predictions and comments here and optimism for a Stormers victory.

Way off the mark boys!

Yup, back to back weeks I have over-estimated the ability of the Stormers, but No more! I predict next week they'll be absolutely trounced by the Canes, and I'll be there to see it

 

[SomeOke]

I never had any doubt we'd lose to the Canes in Wellington, even before this tour started.
Now I'm pretty sure we're going to get violated.

 

[Ground We Won]

We need to sack Paul Treu. The man was a 7s coach and has no business as defense coach. Nepotism is killing our chances (if we ever had any?). We'll make the play-offs but we have the format to thank for that... although I think we might be good for position 8. But that is due to the Aussie conference being a joke ATM.

That is a very strange appointment. Do you think the change in Stormers style has made a lot of the players inconsistent? They have one of the highest carries counts in the competition and clearly tried to move away from the more conservative approach. Last year apart from the play-off the Stormers had decent defense.

 

[SomeOke]

That is a very strange appointment. Do you think the change in Stormers style has made a lot of the players inconsistent? They have one of the highest carries counts in the competition and clearly tried to move away from the more conservative approach. Last year apart from the play-off the Stormers had decent defense.

To be fair it is a completely new look back line, Rob du Preez barely played for us last year and this is the first season for both our centres. I've looked a the stats though and the problem isn't miss tackles, so it must just be bad organization.

Highlanders also just looked like they wanted to win while the Stormers were just going through the motions, which was evidenced for me by the way we attacked the loose balls and contested in the air.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

The Sunwolves did a whole lot better last week than the Stormers! Depressing stuff for the SA1 Conference.

 

[galumay]

I think it was a pretty predictible outcome given the difference between NZ sides and everyone else. The quip about Super 5 earlier in the thread is not as funny as it should be!

 

[smartcooky]

It's just a bit of humility and experience

We've lost plenty of games we should have won over the years

The Crusaders should have been 1 from 2 after the second round. I have no idea how the hell we won (and you lost) that match.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

We do get a bit of white line fever sometimes, keep pushing those 50/50 passes and the wheels can come off

Makes me really happy when I see us change the pace of a game, frantic 10 minutes or even just a frantic 60m up field and then stop and play it close, consolidate. Shows we're actually playing for the win rather than just the next try

 

[Ground We Won]

The Crusaders should have been 1 from 2 after the second round. I have no idea how the hell we won (and you lost) that match.

Sopoaga lost the Highlanders that match. They have been quite obviously a better and more stable side with Marty Banks, who has a quite remarkable successful kicking percentage. Not only that, but his tactical punting is excellent and is elusively quick. His decision making is not as erratic and he's consistent. The Highlanders are a much better side with him.

 

[Larksea]

can't believe I'm not seeing much talk about Rob Thompson What a great game he had.

Banks has been impressive and it seems the consistent game time he has been given in Sopoaga's absence has really helped him establish himself at this level.

But it also helps when Aaron Smith is your halfback and he is finding his best form again. He was superb.

highlanders Forwards play really well as a pack. Hunt has been dynamic and Squire has been brilliant this season. Arguably the form loose forward in the NZ game. I'm really impressed with Daniel Lienert-Brown (DLB?). Around the park he is basically so mobile its genuinely like having another loose forward. Ainley and Franklin are such a constant reliable pairing, such modest players compared to the likes of Etzebeth but they just deliver.

Ben Smith had a big game as well but it seems that ankle injury he shrugged off during the game will keep him our for a week or two.

Naholo and Osborne were Brilliant too.

landers are on a great run, they should win all their road trip games the trick is going to be staying in their game and maintaining their standards clocking up the points and then they have the massive clash with the Crusaders on June 3.