[2017 Super Rugby] Round 4: Hurricanes vs. Highlanders (18/03/2017)

[TRF_heineken]

Venue: Westpac Stadium
Time: 08:35 CAT (SA, GMT+2)​

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Yeah, I'd rather watch this derby than the 'Tahs and Brumbies. I'm calling the 'Canes to bounce back.

 

[Radsy]

Highlanders are under threat of having the season slip away here. Just too many injuries to overcome an angry defending champion side. Third string flyhalf, fourth string openside. Barracuda looking rusty and pedestrian. Osbourne can fill in admirably for Naholo, who has been mediocre. Tevita Li is the lone bright spot thus far, looking much better, and more well-rounded than he did as a Blue. Whitelock's return gave them some shape last week, but Tony Brown has been dealt an ugly hand early in the campaign. This could be a blowout.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Hurricanes had a couple of big injuries themselves last week. But yeah, they'll have too much for the Highlanders.

 

[Makos]

Honestly can't see how the Landers are going to win this?

I think Ben Smith might be back, so that's one positive they have going for them.

Sopoaga out for the local lad Fletcher-Smith. He's a good place kicker and I have watched him in the ITM, not a bad replacement at all. Sopoaga has actually been playing terrible, so it maybe a blessing in disguise.

Naholo out is a big loss, he has really fantastic finishing qualities. Either Osborne directly replaces him, or Barracuda goes out to the wing with Ben Smith going to fullback.

The only way I can see the Landers winning this would be to get stuck into the Hurricanes forwards, who are not that good as we saw vs the Chiefs. The Highlanders like against the Blues will have to make all their first tackles as well, because once the Canes break that advantage like, they're way too hard to stop.

It might be more productive for the Highlanders to let this one go and focus more on the Brumbies, but that's not really their way..

Highlanders are under threat of having the season slip away here

Looking at the draw, not really. They have a fairly easy run in and will be eyeing to win most of their games after this week.


BTW. Whats wrong with Shane Christie!!!!?

 

[SomeOke]

Honestly can't see how the Landers are going to win this?

I think Ben Smith might be back, so that's one positive they have going for them.

Sopoaga out for the local lad Fletcher-Smith. He's a good place kicker and I have watched him in the ITM, not a bad replacement at all. Sopoaga has actually been playing terrible, so it maybe a blessing in disguise.

Are you sure Marty Banks won't be starting? It's a fantasy issue .

 

[Makos]

Are you sure Marty Banks won't be starting? It's a fantasy issue .

He should start, with Fletcher-Smith on the bench!

Good old Marty, very underrated.

 

[Radsy]

Looking at the draw, not really. They have a fairly easy run in and will be eyeing to win most of their games after this week.


BTW. Whats wrong with Shane Christie!!!!?

Yeah, I probably overstated that. Perhaps they can stay afloat long enough to get healthy.

Christie's illness is a very odd situation. They have been open about how baffled they are.

 

[Larksea]

I hope Ben Smith is feeling better but I hope he takes another week or two off. he was knocked out cold. One of those situations where he would probably be fine but if he takes another similar knock that would potentially end his season or worse.

Highlanders are in a tricky spot, I think their chances of winning are severely reduced without Ben Smith there. beating a blues side that has forgotten how to win is one thing. Hurricanes away is a whole other level of challenge.

 

[Makos]

Hurricanes


15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Vince Aso, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Callum Gibbins, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Michael Fatialofa, 4 Mark Abbott, 3 Jeffery To'omaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles(captain), 1 Chris Eves

Substitutes: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Ben May, 18 Mike Kainga, 19 Sam Lousi, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Otere Black, 23 Wes Goosen

Highlanders

15 Ben Smith (captain), 14 Richard Buckman, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Rob Thompson, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Fletcher Smith, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Joe Wheeler, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown

Substitutes:16 Sekonia Pole, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Guy Millar, 19 Jackson Hemopo, 20 Gareth Evans, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Marty Banks, 23 Matt Faddes

- - - Updated - - -

Fletcher-Smith thrown right in the deep end.

Still a very strong Landers starting XV, but the Canes at home is a tough ask..

Anyone else think Tevita Li is in All Black form? Looks like a good replacement for Piutau.

 

[Radsy]

Hurricanes


15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Vince Aso, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Callum Gibbins, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Michael Fatialofa, 4 Mark Abbott, 3 Jeffery To'omaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles(captain), 1 Chris Eves

Substitutes: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Ben May, 18 Mike Kainga, 19 Sam Lousi, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Otere Black, 23 Wes Goosen

Highlanders

15 Ben Smith (captain), 14 Richard Buckman, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Rob Thompson, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Fletcher Smith, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Joe Wheeler, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown

Substitutes:16 Sekonia Pole, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Guy Millar, 19 Jackson Hemopo, 20 Gareth Evans, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Marty Banks, 23 Matt Faddes

- - - Updated - - -

Anyone else think Tevita Li is in All Black form? Looks like a good replacement for Piutau.

Yes. He's been excellent. Major leap forward in his development so far this season.

 

[Makos]

Yes. He's been excellent. Major leap forward in his development so far this season.

Apparently there's issues with the Blues development team. They're not working well with young emerging players. That's why a lot of them have left Auckland for overseas or other franchises/unions.

We're seeing it again from yet another ex-Blues product, he's left and already made a marked improvement. I think the Blues need to be gutted and cleaned out and new system and people installed to stop the rot, it's not just the managers fault, it's the whole structure and system there.

 

[Makos]

Outstanding game so far. Is anyone else really impressed with the ref Angus Gardener? He's excellent. Has excellent interpretations of the rules, he's not pedantic or nervy, great rapport. Very impressed, easily one of the best referees in the world in my opinion. It's refreshing to finally be able to compliment a referee rather than complain about them.

High standard of rugby on display as well, I was particularly impressed with Fekitoa until he sadly had to go off. Seems like he's come round and sorted his game out. Faddes is a great sub for him as well. Highlanders are unlucky not to be in the lead, bit of a shame that Aaron Smith couldn't finish of that great move. That's more like the Highlanders we're all used to watch, great counter attacking rugby and quick back play. Can't wait for the 2nd half

- - - Updated - - -

I forgot to add. How good is Jordie Barrett!!!

All Black written all over him, an unreal natural talent and a real athlete, very tall and powerful, great ball skills.. what a prospect.

 

[Makos]

After the Dixon try the Highlanders were terrible..

The Highlanders needed to take their half chances this match to stay in touch with that Canes and they didn't. Try scoring opportunities from Aaron Smith squandered. He's lacking that Midas touch he used to have, he's still tricky and making some good plays, just lacking with the final product.

Te Vita Li had a game to forget as well.

The Landers just have too many injuries and are running out of players.

Bravo to the Hurricanes though, best backline in the world, the Barretts are extremely good. Julian Savea looks really fit this season, he played really well. I like Aso on the wing and Proctor centre to, the Canes backline has so much depth and class, what an excellent team to watch.

 

[Caitlyn Jenner]

For me this match confirmed what I already knew. The Canes are the most dangerous team in the competition and are favourites. The Highlanders are on a downwards trend as a side, granted injuries haven't been kind to them. Ngani Laumape is an awesome player, much in the mould of Nonu, and (if he keeps this up) deserves an ABs call up. Jordie Barrett is a prodigious talent. Ardie Savea has the most impact of any forward in the country. His brother is starting to look like the player of old. And, Angus Gardner is the best referee in the southern hemisphere. Right up there with Nigel Owens.

 

[Makos]

injuries haven't been kind to them

I would add the fixtures haven't been kind to them either.

Chiefs (H)
Crusaders (H)
Blues (A)
Hurricanes (A)
Brumbies (A)

Whoever came up with that for the Highlanders clearly hates them.

Meanwhile the Canes got;

Sunwolves (A) lol
Rebels (H) lol
Chiefs (A)
Highlanders (H)

The Highlanders basically killed themselves playing the best teams in the competition in the first few weeks causing a high injury count and already fatiguing them. I feel sorry for them.

The draw is better for them after the Brumbies game, so hopefully they can build some momentum after that and make a play-off spot.

 

[galumay]

The 'Canes were awesome, 'Landers suffering as others pointed out, but you cant take away how well the 'Canes are rolling this season - again!

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Also wondering if the fact it was widely reported t brown didn't want to top job and only hanging around for one season starting to filter down into the teams commitment

 

[Larksea]

yip, it has to be said that the departure of JJ was not handled very well. They had a championship side, an amazing stadium and good fan base. They should have been able to attract a good coach, brown was happy being an assistant. At this stage the landers look like the NZ conf wooden spooners. has been interesting to see Aaron Smith pulled early again at the 60min mark.

Losing Fletcher Smith didn't help. he actually looked pretty good.

maybe someone who follows landers players more than I do can confirm but to me Marty Banks looked poor. Is he injured? you would think with Sopoaga injured Banks would be next off the rank and be ideal for the job. I was suprised to see him benched, then come on and really didn't fire...

 

[Makos]

yip, it has to be said that the departure of JJ was not handled very well. They had a championship side, an amazing stadium and good fan base. They should have been able to attract a good coach, brown was happy being an assistant. At this stage the landers look like the NZ conf wooden spooners. has been interesting to see Aaron Smith pulled early again at the 60min mark.

Losing Fletcher Smith didn't help. he actually looked pretty good.

maybe someone who follows landers players more than I do can confirm but to me Marty Banks looked poor. Is he injured? you would think with Sopoaga injured Banks would be next off the rank and be ideal for the job. I was suprised to see him benched, then come on and really didn't fire...

Vern Cotter should have been appointed, with the promise of the All Blacks job after 2019.

Also the Blues will be wooden spoon of the conference.