Highlanders v. Rebels

[Kiwiwomble]

The Highlanders

1. Jamie Mackintosh (C)
2. Jason Rutledge
3. Chris King
4. Josh Bekhuis
5. Jarrad Hoeata
6. James Haskell
7. Adam Thomson
8. Nasi Manu
9. Aaron Smith
10. Chris Noakes
11. Hosea Gear
12. Shaun Treeby
13. Tamati Ellison
14. Kade Poki
15. Ben Smith
Reserves
16. Brayden Mitchell
17. Ma'afu Fia
18. Culum Retallick
19. Doug Tietjens
20. Jimmy Cowan
21. Phil Burleigh
22. Buxton Popoali'i


Not a bad team, Burleigh to cover first five apparently....just seen no hore, any knw if he's injured? he's not even on the bench

 

[Larksea]

hore has an injury yes but I dont know the spacifics

hoeata and Thomson back in the side should lift the forward pack from last weeks effort. highlanders I think should look to secure 5 points and get themselves back on track. but that's been a hard ask this year.

 

[InsaneAsylum]

Rebels have o'connor and beale back but have lost cipriani. I'm going with the highlanders but by about 10 points.

 

[Draggs]

Hardie is a big loss, no doubt. Still not sure about Haskell, just don't think he is suited for this rugby.
Glad to see Burleigh back, he has been pretty impressive so far.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Rebels have o'connor and beale back but have lost cipriani. I'm going with the highlanders but by about 10 points.

I wasn't happy to see O'conner and Beale...Beale has generally done pretty well against us...

 

[Draggs]

Anybody know where Darwin has gotten off to?
I thought it was just the euphoria of the Crusaders match, but not seen him for nearly a month.\

Jabby, might need to send you on a rescue mission!

 

[Kiwiwomble]

I was thinking the same thing this morning...i'm starting to feel a bit like a highlanders loaner...more glory for me when we win!

 

[Draggs]

I was thinking the same thing this morning...i'm starting to feel a bit like a highlanders loaner...more glory for me when we win!

Heh, positives right?
I like the Highlanders team (not as much as the Sharks, don't worry, Eze). Joseph has really done a good job with his squad, who really aren't as star-studded as the Chiefs, Blues, Crusaders (but have beaten most of them). They play as a team and don't have a single individual responsible for most of their success it seems. They are getting better depth, and Joseph seems to know what to do to get the most out of his players. I'd give anything for a coach like him at the Sharks. Ben Smith simply has to be in the AB 22 this year. Such a consistently good player, I hope the whole Guildford situation is over.

 

[Larksea]

I don't think you can say the Highlanders lack star power these days, sure it was only a few years ago that Thomson and Cowan were their only All Blacks with Ben Smith and Jamie the other big names but that's not the case anymore. Hore, Slade and Gear are big names and so is Ellison IMO. Plus they have Aaron smith who is about as close to a sure thing for future all black selection as you can get.

Up Until Slade was injured I think the highladers had one of the strongest squads around, Joseph has recruited really well the last couple of years. Getting Aaron Smith, Slade and Sean Treeby last year was just what the highlanders needed to make the setup attractive enough for others to follow.

 

[Draggs]

Fair point, but they still have quite a few less internationals than say the Crusaders.
Shame about Hardie, he seemed like a good option if McCaw isn't available for the future.

 

[Aedaphon]

I feel like a lone Rebels fan on this forum... Not got the greatest expectations with this game but, that said, coming off the back of a victory.

Just pray for some O'Connor magic :lol:

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'm a rebels fan

I'm not expecting a win, but would like them to keep it close - if they can play like they did the first 25mins or so last week, but for the whole match, it should be good.

JOC will be a boost, however I thought that Lloyd Johannsen (sp?) played pretty well at 12 last week, and offered something different to what JOC/Cipriani bring to the midfield area.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

my only hopes are for a good game and at least a bonus point....and no injures!

 

[InsaneAsylum]

i like lloyd johansson, and given the fact that he's massive, he really needs to be more like a manu tuilagi type player

 

[TRF_Olyy]

You know what's terrible?
Getting up at 6.15 instead of 7.15, and not realising until eating half of your breakfast that you could still be in bed

 

[TNT88]

I cringed when tipping the Highlanders because I really think the Rebels can win this. Hopefully it's a close game either way.

 

[Draggs]

Looking forward to this, lets seem how long I can go before passing out.

 

[cyRil]

You know what's terrible?
Getting up at 6.15 instead of 7.15, and not realising until eating half of your breakfast that you could still be in bed

Aha, FOOL!!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Stupid time differences...


Shame that Cipriani is out for this, would've been interesting to see him vs Haskell, as they used to be team mates.

 

[TNT88]

Carrrrrnnn the rebels!