Highlanders v Crusaders

[dasNdanger]

I said earlier (during the game) that it seemed like there was a lot of nastiness in this game, much on the part of the Landers. It almost makes you feel as if the players were trying to either sabotage their careers, or - at the very least - sabotage the Saders. Sour grapes for possibly getting the wooden spoon this year? I really can't imagine that, but they were not playing very nice, right from the beginning.


das

 

[InsaneAsylum]

This is one reason I dislike Nonu. I really want to see him replace in the All Black squad which I doubt is gonna happen with Conrad going on sabbatical later this year. They need to groom a new centre in the rugby championship and end of year tour and hopefully the new guy makes the AB's coach forget about Nonu.

This is the problem with Hansen as a coach, he's turned on cruise control and put his feet on the dashboard (maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration but you get the idea). Mealamu, Hore, Carter, McCaw, Nonu and Smith are all reaching that age where they will go to japan/Europe and he doesn't seem to be blooding young players as quickly as they should.

 

[smartcooky]

Ellison will be the one who will be hard to replace, such a classy player and he has matured so well.

I agree.

That brilliant behind the back reverse offload (and as he was pitching forward in the tackle) to put Ben Smith in for the try was just an outstanding example of the silky skills that we will miss.

For those who haven't seen it, enjoy...



1. catches the pass in two hands then carries in right hand ready to pass to his left.
2. steps.
3. transfers ball to left hand to fend off tackler with right hand.
4. steps.
5. transfers back into right hand.
6. steps.
7. reverse offload behind back.


and all in the blink of eye...amazing!!!

 

[Larksea]

yip to confirm how epic that ellison - Ben Smith try was, it was 3 on 6

3 highlanders (decoy, Ellison, Smith), 6 crusaders defenders - highlanders try.

 

[smartcooky]

yip to confirm how epic that ellison - Ben Smith try was, it was 3 on 6

3 highlanders (decoy, Ellison, Smith), 6 crusaders defenders - highlanders try.

.....with a man (Hosea Gear) left over!!

 

[InsaneAsylum]

agree that try will make the season highlights reel

 

[Larksea]

.....with a man (Hosea Gear) left over!!

oops that will make it 4 vs 6 then missed gear.

 

[nickdnz]

The try be Veanu was also one of the tries of the season. Beat everyone!

Dan Carter looked very good this game - between him and Cruden, and Barrett also showing his class for the Hurricanes - we are so blessed at 1st 5/8th!

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

The try be Veanu was also one of the tries of the season. Beat everyone!

Dan Carter looked very good this game - between him and Cruden, and Barrett also showing his class for the Hurricanes - we are so blessed at 1st 5/8th!

To be honest, he only beat about three guys, in wide open space, after coming on near the end when everyone was tired. I'm not saying it wasn't a good try, but it needs to be put into perspective.

 

[dasNdanger]

I agree.

That brilliant behind the back reverse offload (and as he was pitching forward in the tackle) to put Ben Smith in for the try was just an outstanding example of the silky skills that we will miss.

For those who haven't seen it, enjoy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrC7-q4doBI

It was a beauty, that's for sure. But I will suggest that although Ellison did a fantastic job, it would have all been for naught if [strike]Dan Carter[/strike] Ben Smith hadn't been alert and ready for that ball. I've seen similar flash passes that didn't end up with a try because the receiver fumbled or missed the ball altogether. Certainly a joint effort, and since it paid off it makes that pass look all the more brilliant.



das

 

[Kiwiwomble]

I said earlier (during the game) that it seemed like there was a lot of nastiness in this game, much on the part of the Landers. It almost makes you feel as if the players were trying to either sabotage their careers, or - at the very least - sabotage the Saders. Sour grapes for possibly getting the wooden spoon this year? I really can't imagine that, but they were not playing very nice, right from the beginning.


das

The crusaders were bringing plenty of ****le to the game them selves, sam whitelock was spotted a couple of times climbing into and over rucks studs first

 

[donmcdazzle]

It was a beauty, that's for sure. But I will suggest that although Ellison did a fantastic job, it would have all been for naught if [strike]Dan Carter[/strike] Ben Smith hadn't been alert and ready for that ball. I've seen similar flash passes that didn't end up with a try because the receiver fumbled or missed the ball altogether. Certainly a joint effort, and since it paid off it makes that pass look all the more brilliant.



das

I get that Ben Smith is rated very highly by all and sundry here on the forum, but to call that try a joint effort due to him catching a pass is stretching it a bit far. May as well include Tanaka for passing it to Ellison.

 

[dasNdanger]

The crusaders were bringing plenty of ****le to the game them selves, sam whitelock was spotted a couple of times climbing into and over rucks studs first

Oh, I know they were - it was as if there were a lot of personal vendettas on the pitch that game. But the Highlanders were just a wee bit more obvious about it.

I get that Ben Smith is rated very highly by all and sundry here on the forum, but to call that try a joint effort due to him catching a pass is stretching it a bit far. May as well include Tanaka for passing it to Ellison.

Firstly, you missed my joke (as I rate Dan Carter higher...but that's possibly because I'm a Crusaders fan), and secondly, no matter which way you slice it, had Bin Smeeth missed that pass then the pass would haven't been quite as impressive. In fact, I can hear the commentators now (had Smith missed it) with their remarks about wild, uncontrolled passes and such. Yes, it was a beautiful movement and pass on Ellison's part, but it was Smith's completion that made it successful.

Bottom line? Both players did a great job. They showed skill and awareness and spot on teamwork. It was a brilliant moment.


das

 

[nickdnz]

Oh, I know they were - it was as if there were a lot of personal vendettas on the pitch that game. But the Highlanders were just a wee bit more obvious about it.

Firstly, you missed my joke (as I rate Dan Carter higher...but that's possibly because I'm a Crusaders fan), and secondly, no matter which way you slice it, had Bin Smeeth missed that pass then the pass would haven't been quite as impressive. In fact, I can hear the commentators now (had Smith missed it) with their remarks about wild, uncontrolled passes and such. Yes, it was a beautiful movement and pass on Ellison's part, but it was Smith's completion that made it successful.

Bottom line? Both players did a great job. They showed skill and awareness and spot on teamwork. It was a brilliant moment.

das

True. And for the matter had Tanaka not passed it to Ellison he wouldn't have done that pass. So he should probably get credit. And had the guys in the ruck not won the ball - Tanaka would not have gotten the ball to pass, so they should likely get credit. And had Josh Bekhius not crashed it up then the ruck wouldn't have been formed for it to be won, for Tanaka to pass the ball to Ellison - who in turn couldn't have offloaded to Ben Smith - so Bekhius deserves credit.

Regardless it was all pretty standard stuff from everyone other than Ellison. As much as everyone goes overboard with Ben Smith - I agree with Don that it was a fairly run-of-the-mill finish to an exceptional offload.

 

[smartcooky]

True. And for the matter had Tanaka not passed it to Ellison he wouldn't have done that pass. So he should probably get credit. And had the guys in the ruck not won the ball - Tanaka would not have gotten the ball to pass, so they should likely get credit. And had Josh Bekhius not crashed it up then the ruck wouldn't have been formed for it to be won, for Tanaka to pass the ball to Ellison - who in turn couldn't have offloaded to Ben Smith - so Bekhius deserves credit.

Regardless it was all pretty standard stuff from everyone other than Ellison. As much as everyone goes overboard with Ben Smith - I agree with Don that it was a fairly run-of-the-mill finish to an exceptional offload.

"True. And for the matter had Tanaka not passed it to Ellison (as expected) he wouldn't have done that pass. So he should probably get credit. And had the guys in the ruck not won the ball (as expected) - Tanaka would not have gotten the ball to pass, so they should likely get credit. And had Josh Bekhius not crashed it up (as expected) then the ruck wouldn't have been formed for it to be won, for Tanaka to pass the ball to Ellison - who in turn couldn't have offloaded to Ben Smith (totally unexpected) - so Bekhius deserves credit."

Of course, its not just the offload, its the quick feet and hand skills he showed that set him up the the unexpected offload that made it great.

But I am preaching to the converted aren't I

 

[Kiwiwomble]

is anyone else imagining how good we would be if Ben Smith and Tamati Ellison has triplets (fullback centre and right wing sorted)....no?...just me?

 

[Le_Manu]

I was at the game. Very impressed with the crowed size. Best turn out to a super 15 game I've seen under the roof. Just one point I want to bring up. Can the highlanders fan please tell me why they are carrying on and blaming there disappointing super15 campaign on one man (Nonu) It sounds like a cop-out to me. Seems like people are looking for excuses and its unfair to blame just the one player for this, he has hardly been playing anyway due to injury. Besides Ben Smith, what other current AB's have been playing well for the Blue nd Gold? Not many...if Any!!!

Nonu has to be the worst super rugby player in history lol

gotta get to the point where you have to ask is he really good for/in the All Blacks? or is being in a class team just making him look good?

I'm sure there are some stats to back it up. he's only won like 5-6 games in 3 years or something cray like that.

The highlanders were going fine till he came on. Treeby is actually looking pretty good, good to see him actually make a few passes, great runner with great intensity.

highlight of the game was Carter bringing Hosea Gear straight down one on one in full flight TWICE. man I could watch those tackles over and over you could do a lecture on tackling from the footage, a 10 bringing down one of the games most powerful runners. Carter had a pretty epic game all round. Will make the crusaders very tough come finals if he is on fire.

A bit rough don't you think?

Nonu is not the cause of the problem...there are countless of AB's and former AB's in that team...all with good experience in the jersey and yet are failing to perform too. B. Smith is the exception and T. Allison has his moments too. But Hore, Thorne, Woodcock, A. Smith have all been average. Yes Nonu has not been playing his best, but hes been injured.

Fact is, Nonu steps up in the Black jersey and he did so against France too....

Very unfair to blame the season on Nonu alone. I think Joseph has a lot of Q's to answer. B. Thorne said after the Blues win that they only had 1 training that week due to snow and maybe thats why they won. Does this suggest Joseph is over training the team? I dont know...but I am a bit disgusted at how the media and others have been quick to point the finger at Nonu...bit too easy to blame 1 man dont you think?

 

[Kiwiwomble]

this thread is about a game in super rugby...i couldn't care less if he steps up in the black jersey, if he had ripped the saders apart would you have said "awesome, great for the AB's"?....prob not (at least straight away) you would have been disappointed.

this game is perfect example of why people blame him (side note, i havent heard a single person who has blamed him completely for the season), treeby had run himself dead doing what he could to keep us in touch the saders...nonu is "on form" after the france games...comes on, trots around for ten minutes (disgraceful late tackle on Carter) and then when he does tackle someone he almost breaks their neck...and leaves the rest of the team (most having already played for 65min) to try and save face with 14 men.

if he was doing his best (like a lot of others) and still loosing (like most of the highlanders history) then we could get our head around it

He needs to learn a lesson from phil burleigh, got his chance out of the chief wider training group the other year and then played his skin off (within his abilities)

but he just doesn't seem to care, only trying for the AB's, basically as far as i see it he is just taking the spot and salary (or three) of some young local or promissing out of towner gagging for gametime

look at Tanaka and Horie (rebels) turned up in dunners with nothing but their kit...signed up with Zingari...played hard for the entire club season...got a itm spot...played hard the entire itm cup...got a super spot...played hard an entire super comp...when did nonu last earn his spot in a team on hard graft?

 

[Le_Manu]

when did nonu last earn his spot in a team on hard graft?

I dont know mate. You seem to know Nonu's mind set.

The main point of my post is that the Highlanders have bigger problems then just Nonu. That team is stacked with big names...and yet the results, well I dont need to get into that!

You have got to ask questions about Joseph now. He has the personal that every coach would dream of, and yet he probably have been better off signing up the young up and comers because the old heads have not delivered!