fantastic game for the highlanders, I've been a bit critical of Haskell but I thought he had a better game. Though yes he did give away a couple of penalties he shouldn't have...
I know people are going to be talking about Thomson, however I was super impressed by Ben smith who setup at least 2 of Thomsons trys if not all three. and still found time to score two himself.
Every time Ben Smith gets the ball with a little space he looks like he's broken the line before he even gets to it. He has the defensive line in a panic as soon as he gets the ball - he's pretty unique in that way I can't think of any other player that has that effect... His error rate is very low in comaprison to the +ve impact he has for his team, that's what impresses me the most.
I don't know what to think about Thomson... He's awesome but at the same time he's a nightmare... He's taking all the lineout ball the Locks should be getting and he's scoring all the tries the wingers should be getting and I personally dont think he does the Job a blindside flankers should be doing. In games like this where his team are clearly dominant he's constantly around the ball out wide and causes havoc but in tight games where his forwards are under pressure I think he can be a liability. And I look at the Highlanders locks and wingers and wonder how are any of them going to push for All Black selection if Thomson is scoring all the tries and winning all the lineout ball???
No doubt about it though he's a rare tallent.
But for me the stars of the show are the two smiths... Ben and Aaron, I think both will be all blacks this year...
Barlow is a class act with huge potential, more x-factor but at times his option taking is not as good as Aaron Smith - and that IMO is more important at test level... Will have to see because depending on what State Brendon Leonard and Piri Weepu are in there may be room for both in the All Blacks if three 9's are selected.
and a backup FB in Ben...
