Highlanders v hurricanes

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I wouldn't call 30 minutes with a man more, almost the entire game. They had 10 minutes in the first half and another 20 in the second before Mitchell got a yellow in the 70th minute

 

[d1e1m]

Piri would have owned him if he was playing, no doubt.

Piri miles better than that prat Cowan, Jimmy talks too much while Weepu lets his play do the talking. Can't really blame Keats for the Canes loss, he's a Saders type halfback who needs a solid front row in front not like Weepu who will have a go.

 

[William18]

Both teams were poor. Sopoanga can just not kick like that at this level. It's a shame because i do not think that he played that badly. The Highlanders were very nonclinical and should have finished us off a long time before they finally did.

We were far, far worse. Didn't involve our wingers at all (or they didn't get involved?) and Savea did not touch the ball at all in the first half. I thought Cruden was terrible despite what people were saying. He did not show a cool head under pressure at all by kicking on the final play of the game. We don't want that in a world cup final. I think we did not put the Highlanders under any pressure. It always seems to be the same thing; we get the ball but then we turn it over very quickly through a stupid error.

 

[Darwin]

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:bananarock::bananarock::bananarock::bananarock::bananarock::bananarock::bananarock::bananarock::bananarock::bananarock::bananarock::bananarock::bananarock:

Sorry for the slight over-reaction, it's just when you support Otago and the Highlanders any win needs to be celebrated, as we only get a couple of wins per year between the two teams!

What a wonderful game.... ok the game itself was not the best quality (and that's probably an understatement), but the result was great! The Highlanders certainly deserved the win as they played like team, rather than the Canes who played like 15 individuals.

Hard to pick any standout players for the Canes. I thought Vito played well with the ball in hand but he, like the rest of the Canes pack, seemed to be scared to hit any rucks. Smith, Jane, and Gear all looked classy when they got the ball, but this was very seldom indeed.

The standout player of the match for me was Adam Thomson. He was everywhere - making tackles, stealing the ball, and running hard with the ball in hand. I never used to be a big fan, but the last 3-4 games I've seen him play he's been the best player on the park - if he can keep this form he will really push for an AB spot. I was also very impressed with Jamie MacIntosh. His work around the field was very good (as usual), but more importantly he was strong at scrum time.

 

[lance2010]

I wouldn't call 30 minutes with a man more, almost the entire game. They had 10 minutes in the first half and another 20 in the second before Mitchell got a yellow in the 70th minute

Im sure Ma'a got yellow carded at the 28min mark and red carded at 52min mark. Approx 40mins with 14 men,The Canes played terrible and lost by 5 they will surley improve.I don't think the Highlanders can play much better then they did.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Still don't like Jimmy Cowan; the way he was shown laughing after Nonu was sent-off was un-sportsman-like

....but taking his head off was VERY sportsman like

Whether he was laughing or not is beside the point, it doesn't change the fact Nonu had a brain explosion, he would have and should have gone even if jimmy had jumped straight back up.

I thought we did exactly what we needed to, we shut down the (argueably) best backline in the comp by stopping the hurricane forwards providing quick ball. how many times did we clear out a maul to turn over the ball?

we also scored while Nonu was still on the pitch, I think, and with a more experianced goal kicker we would have had quite a few more points.

In the end i dont think this means we're going to win it all or anything but that IF we are going to get beaten its going to cost you a fair bit of hard graft and if we can hold on until slade gets back this could be a very interesting comp.

 

[Dizzy]

Worst game ive ever seen... completely pathetic.

There was also a high tackle in this game as well that wasn't brought up. i cant remember who did it and who it was on but it was above the shoulders and it wasn't sited which is poor. Nonus hit was stupid yes but ive seen much later hits he was already in motion there was no stopping him but he didn't have to follow through with the shoulder

 

[187]

one word.. disgusting.

Cruden, your an idiot for kicking the ball at the end.. who does that?!

Nonu, what were you thinking?! stop being so hot headed. You lost me a heap of points in my virtual rugby team!

The forwards really need to up their game next week against the Crusaders. Was such a stink game to watch compared to the Blues vs. Crusaders game.. ONE TRY?! WTF?!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Nonu has been cited, I've just seen
Will get 2 weeks max, I think
But he would've been rested for 2 weeks at some point because of the All Blacks player policy thing, so it works out for him in the end

 

[Shaggy]

Nonu has been cited, I've just seen
Will get 2 weeks max, I think
But he would've been rested for 2 weeks at some point because of the All Blacks player policy thing, so it works out for him in the end

True, but i'm sure the Canes would want him available for next week against the Crusaders

 

[Muzzy]

and these are only the ones that have been recorded and put on youtube, theres more than this, i remember another one he did against the blues and noone even spotted it

some of these would have been ok if he had raised his arms as he charged the kick but he always goes in with his shoulders

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Some spectacular diving on display in 3/4 of those clips
Doesn't change the fact that Nony is a **** though

Also, is he wearing makeup in that Wales clip?!
and to think Henson get's a bad rap...

 

[Amobokoboko]

It was a real boring game but happy the highlanders won. Great stuff by Lima. Hopefully he can keep up this level the coming weeks.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

I was pretty happy with Lima, dont get me wrong, hes got some room for imporvement but he was not afraif to get his hands on the ball and was always in movement, alot of our recent first fives have been prone to catch and pass without taing a step which makes the backline seem really stagnent

I think with RObbie at fullback and smith on the wing things might run more smoothly

 

[Amobokoboko]

don't forget Lima only just turned 20 and it's his first super rugby season.

 

[lance2010]

don't forget Lima only just turned 20 and it's his first super rugby season.

Next year he be in a Hurricanes uniform,if Cruden doesn't live up to the hype.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

thats what im saying, did really well when put in context, and with a little support (someone else kicking) he could do even better
unfortunately thats not how it works anymore, he has signed a two year contract with us like everyone else, People like Poki who came in late as cover are the only ones who might be on short term.

 

[lance2010]

thats what im saying, did really well when put in context, and with a little support (someone else kicking) he could do even better
unfortunately thats not how it works anymore, he has signed a two year contract with us like everyone else, People like Poki who came in late as cover are the only ones who might be on short term.

Ok thanks for clearing that up,i knew there was some sort of change just wasn't too sure

 

[Kiwiwomble]

...dont get me wrong though, AFTER that im sure he will move onto "bigger and better things" just as slade will when cater moves on et al

 

[Amobokoboko]

Well it depends I Reckon, if the highlanders have a good season and next year as well I see them offer him a good deal.