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Highlanders v Brumbies
- Thread starter Darwin
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Amobokoboko
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Good win by the Highlanders back on trail.
Darwin
AKA Dingo_Darwin
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Good win for the Highlanders. To be honest though I'm not quite sure how we won that - scoring 2 breakout tries in 2 minutes certainly helped!
Colin Slade looked good (when he was on the field) - he was solid defensively, and certainly added something to the Highlanders attack. Don't think his injury is too serious, so hopefully he build on his good start next week. The biggest impact on the game from a Highlanders perspective was undoubtedly the return of Kade Poki. He was almost unstoppable with the ball in hand, playing a huge part in the lead-up to both of Rutledges tries. Piutau was dangerous on the other wing as well - it's great that the Highlanders have some serious threats on wings for a change. Kenny Lynn was probably the only disappointing Highlanders back - I would give him another go next weekend, but they Highlanders do have the option of shifting Piutau into centre (which is his best position), and bringing someone like Veainu onto the wing to add another attacking weapon to the backline.
Most of the forwards had solid games. MacIntosh and Rutledge were impressive up front, while Hoeata had another good game at lock - I wonder whether he has permanatly displaced Bekhuis as the starting Highlanders lock? Thomson probably had his quietest game of the year, though he did get through a huge amount of work on defense. Over the last few weeks I've been much more impressed with Nasi Manu. In the early rounds his defensive and ball-handling was dire, but he seems to have improved these aspects of his game in recent weeks (though they still need some work).
Colin Slade looked good (when he was on the field) - he was solid defensively, and certainly added something to the Highlanders attack. Don't think his injury is too serious, so hopefully he build on his good start next week. The biggest impact on the game from a Highlanders perspective was undoubtedly the return of Kade Poki. He was almost unstoppable with the ball in hand, playing a huge part in the lead-up to both of Rutledges tries. Piutau was dangerous on the other wing as well - it's great that the Highlanders have some serious threats on wings for a change. Kenny Lynn was probably the only disappointing Highlanders back - I would give him another go next weekend, but they Highlanders do have the option of shifting Piutau into centre (which is his best position), and bringing someone like Veainu onto the wing to add another attacking weapon to the backline.
Most of the forwards had solid games. MacIntosh and Rutledge were impressive up front, while Hoeata had another good game at lock - I wonder whether he has permanatly displaced Bekhuis as the starting Highlanders lock? Thomson probably had his quietest game of the year, though he did get through a huge amount of work on defense. Over the last few weeks I've been much more impressed with Nasi Manu. In the early rounds his defensive and ball-handling was dire, but he seems to have improved these aspects of his game in recent weeks (though they still need some work).
yeah, great to see the landers take that one. The passage of play leading upto MakIntosh's try was awesome. They started by just retaining posession then just increased the pressure they were putting on in attack, just great to watch.
Good return from Colin Slade.
Agree with the above about Manu and also point out that I said he would improve that area of his game when he got up to speed with super rugby. Always looked like he had the size and ability to make a real mark in super rugby and just needs experience to go with it. Very good pickup for the highlanders and he's still really young too.
As for the locks I'd thought joe tuineau would have been involved a lot more than he has this season. I thought he looked a sure thing to become a regular in the Highlanders 22 but he's hardly been sighted so far?
Ben Smith impresses every game, with his ability and utility he should surely be seen as a possible bolter for the world cup.
Good return from Colin Slade.
Agree with the above about Manu and also point out that I said he would improve that area of his game when he got up to speed with super rugby. Always looked like he had the size and ability to make a real mark in super rugby and just needs experience to go with it. Very good pickup for the highlanders and he's still really young too.
As for the locks I'd thought joe tuineau would have been involved a lot more than he has this season. I thought he looked a sure thing to become a regular in the Highlanders 22 but he's hardly been sighted so far?
Ben Smith impresses every game, with his ability and utility he should surely be seen as a possible bolter for the world cup.
Darwin
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Yeah Mackintosh's try was pretty amazing - no idea how many phases the Highlanders went through, but it must have been close to 20.
I was surprised not see Tuineau feature more at the start of the season, however after watching the Highlanders v Chiefs game at Carisbrook I think I know why he hasn't featured more. Tuineau was on the bench, and as normal the reserves ran some running drills after the game. Tuineau was so behind the other players during these drills (including the reserve prop, either Murray or King - I can't remember which) you could only conclude that he is either incredibly unfit, or was carrying an injury.
Agree entirely on Ben Smith, he is class every game. You can really appreciate how good he is when you watch the games live as well, as the amount of work he does covering at the back is incredible - he just never seems to stop running. The problem with him getting an AB's spot is that he only really seems to play his best while at fullback, and the likes of Muliaina, Toeava, and Jane, are all bound to be in the squad, while Dagg could also make his way into the squad, so the have too many fullbacks as it is! He is solid on the wing, but I don't think he is really an AB's winger, and while he is good in the midfield there are plenty of midfield options (SBW, Nonu, Fruean, Conrad Smith, Kahui etc). I would love to see him make the AB's again, as I think he would do a great job, I just can't see him forcing his way in at this stage...
yeah, so many good players around for a lot of positions in the world cup squad it's going to be more about who gets left out than who gets selected.
But that's only if everyone is fit. I think one or two injuries could see ben smith in with a chance.
Hell look at the midfield
Nonu, Smith, Sonny Bill, Kahui, Payne, McAlister, Tana, Stanley, Fruen
Ok so payne has signed overseas and doesn't have test experience but he is in great form every week.
Stanley hasn't had much gametime and would be the only one expected not to make the AB's.
Nonu & smith will be selected.
McAlister's has really hit the ground this year and is pretty much back to his best. His kicking form and ability to kick long distance for goal could end up being critical to the All Black mix and he seemes to have overcome the problems he had on defence (getting himself injured in the tackle).
Sonny Bill - not only is he a physical freak he also has fantastic all round skills. genuine potential test rugby game breaker.
kahui - should if fit be an automatic selection because he seems to grow to the demands of test rugby every chance he has been given and can cover 11 - 14. Has shown in test rugby to have genuine world class speed which AB backlines sometimes lack.
Fruen - size and power to overshadow pretty much every other 13 in world rugby.
Tana - ~75 tests as an all black, former captian and maybe NZ's all time best mid fielder - brings huge experience and somehow at 37 years old has managed to conjour up impressive speed and strength and do the job for the full 80min why would you not select him? He has stated that if he is given the chance he will take it.
Who the hell do you leave out?
could say the same for 15
Toeava, Mills, Jane, Dagg, Ben Smith
All look good enough for test rugby, all have played test rugby.
But that's only if everyone is fit. I think one or two injuries could see ben smith in with a chance.
Hell look at the midfield
Nonu, Smith, Sonny Bill, Kahui, Payne, McAlister, Tana, Stanley, Fruen
Ok so payne has signed overseas and doesn't have test experience but he is in great form every week.
Stanley hasn't had much gametime and would be the only one expected not to make the AB's.
Nonu & smith will be selected.
McAlister's has really hit the ground this year and is pretty much back to his best. His kicking form and ability to kick long distance for goal could end up being critical to the All Black mix and he seemes to have overcome the problems he had on defence (getting himself injured in the tackle).
Sonny Bill - not only is he a physical freak he also has fantastic all round skills. genuine potential test rugby game breaker.
kahui - should if fit be an automatic selection because he seems to grow to the demands of test rugby every chance he has been given and can cover 11 - 14. Has shown in test rugby to have genuine world class speed which AB backlines sometimes lack.
Fruen - size and power to overshadow pretty much every other 13 in world rugby.
Tana - ~75 tests as an all black, former captian and maybe NZ's all time best mid fielder - brings huge experience and somehow at 37 years old has managed to conjour up impressive speed and strength and do the job for the full 80min why would you not select him? He has stated that if he is given the chance he will take it.
Who the hell do you leave out?
could say the same for 15
Toeava, Mills, Jane, Dagg, Ben Smith
All look good enough for test rugby, all have played test rugby.
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