Rebels v Hurricanes

[Darwin]

Rebels:
15 Richard Kingi, 14 Luke Rooney, 13 Lachlan Mitchell, 12 Stirling Mortlock (c), 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve, 7 Michael Lipman, 6 Jarrod Saffy, 5 Hugh Pyle, 4 Alister Campbell, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Rodney Blake.
Subs : 16 Luke Holmes, 17 Laurie Weeks, 18 Adam Byrnes, 19 Tim Davidson, 20 JP du Plessis, 21 Peter Betham, 22 Afusipa Taumoepeau

Hurricanes:
15 Cory Jane, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Andre Taylor, 10 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 9 Chris Eaton, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore (c), 1 John Schwalger.
Subs: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Anthony Perenise, 18 James Broadhurst, 19 Serge Lilo, 20 Tyson Keats, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Jayden Hayward

No idea what to expect from the Rebels this game - they have been competitive in two of their five game, but hopeless in the other 3. Apart from their first game they have been pretty good at home. Some interesting changes to the Rebels lineup, with the likes of Richard Kingi (strangely starting at fullback), Luke Rooney, and Rodney Blake getting their first starts of the season.

The Canes look to have stuck with the same starting lineup that lost to the Blues last week, meaning Aaron Cruden remains on the bench. This could be the game the Canes backline clicks, and if they do click they will cause a lot of damage.

Overall I'm picking the Canes to take it by 15 points.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I think Rebels have lost pretty much all of their fullbacks haven't they?

 

[donmcdazzle]

Cruden is getting shafted by these coaches. Give the guy a chance to play a couple weeks in a row you idiots. Instead they're giving that treatment to Kirkpatrick who let's be honest is a fairly limited footballer at this level. He kicks for field position well, but is a pretty erratic goalkicker, offers nothing on attack and is passable on D. Crazy stuff. In saying that I guess the 'Canes should win but I hope the Rebels get into the weak forward pack the 'Canes have.

 

[Darwin]

I think Rebels have lost pretty much all of their fullbacks haven't they?

Yeah Gerrard is out injured. I just expected Rooney to start at fullback (not that he's shown anything to suggest he should be a starting Super Rugby player) rather than Kingi, who as far I know is primarily a halfback.

Cruden is getting shafted by these coaches. Give the guy a chance to play a couple weeks in a row you idiots. Instead they're giving that treatment to Kirkpatrick who let's be honest is a fairly limited footballer at this level. He kicks for field position well, but is a pretty erratic goalkicker, offers nothing on attack and is passable on D. Crazy stuff. In saying that I guess the 'Canes should win but I hope the Rebels get into the weak forward pack the 'Canes have.

I'm a bit surprised that Cruden is on the bench for the second week in a row, but to be fair he has hardly been in great form. In contrast Kirkpatrick has been playing solid (if what unspectacular) rugby.... if you want the coach to pick the team on form it would be hard to argue with this decision...

I don't think there is anything wrong with Kirkpatrick's goal kicking - he didn't have the best kicking game last week, but he did secure the win the week before against the Chiefs by nailing a couple of difficult late kicks. I would certainly be much more confident with him kicking at goal than Cruden (though Cruden does seem to have improved..).

 

[Larksea]

yeah got to wonder about the quality of players at the Reb's if Luke Rooney is starting. He was an average ITM cup player for the magpies and totally overshadowed by the likes of Richard Buckman. Who doesn't even have a super contract.

With Weepu out goal kicking will be one of the main reasons Kirk is starting over Cruden. Even though he had an average day kicking last weekend I'd still say overall he is a better kicker than Cruden. Also better range when kicking for field position too.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Well, anyone see this coming?

REB 42 - 20 HUR after 70 minutes.

I'd hardly say that, on the points you listed domcdazzle, that Cruden is much better than Kirkpatrick. He doesn't kicks for field position particularly well, is a pretty erratic goalkicker, offers little on defence. Only strong point is his attack, which the Hurricanes already have plenty of...

 

[Amobokoboko]

Cannes been thrased ( again) looking promising for the other games.

 

[smartcooky]

The Canes are just diabolical. It must be painful to watch for a Canes fan.

I see some Wellington midfielders who, if they are not careful, will play themselves out of an All Black jersey. Nonu and Jane have been awful

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I predicted the Rebels would win but by a landslide. Nah.

 

[Sam Owen]

I see some Wellington midfielders who, if they are not careful, will play themselves out of an All Black jersey.

Nonu and Smith combo were boring to watch. When their team is down they dont spark much in attack, they actually go down with their team. Kind of understandable but what happens if the All Blacks are down in a do or die game in the RWC?....will the pair spark or will they just do what they did tonight?...I'd rather watch Sonny and Robbie, they're sparkling.

Smith went ok tonight. Mortlock should be in the Wallabies, especially if he can match it with Ma'a.

Cipriani is one of the best 1st 5s in Super Rugby at the mo.

Vito is improving and looking good.

 

[ranger]

Well, anyone see this coming?

REB 42 - 20 HUR after 70 minutes.

I'd hardly say that, on the points you listed domcdazzle, that Cruden is much better than Kirkpatrick. He doesn't kicks for field position particularly well, is a pretty erratic goalkicker, offers little on defence. Only strong point is his attack, which the Hurricanes already have plenty of...

Attack isn't something you can quantify and then identify when you have enough of.. It sort of either works smoothly or it doesn't
Kirkpatrick cant run a backline, look what happens when you leave it up to Chris Eaton or Ma'a Nonu to run the ship on attack.. The Hurricanes are a team of attacking weapons, with both Cruden and Weepu out they are completely rudderless in the backline. Cruden attacks well both individually and in running a team, thats a hell of a lot more usefull than tactical kicking, especially when you have a weak tight five.

 

[TNT88]

If Mortlock keeps improving at this rate, he will be a candidate for for the Wallabies #12. The other main contenders Giteau/O'Conner/Barnes are playing #10 for their clubs.

All i have to say about the game is, f#cking LOL! Couldn't ask for a better hour of entertainment.

 

[Gavin]

Hurricanes played for the first 25 minutes, Rebels played for the rest.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Yep, also a SBW fan altho the combo with Smith.

 

[TNT88]

As bad as they played tonight, i bet they will come out angry next week. And they'll need to be against the Bulls!

 

[Tinus]

I've only seen the second half today. Thought it was almost painful to see Hurricanes struggle. The Rebels do surprise me at moments, but they aren't that good. Canes played without any inspiration, without a decent plan. Think this is a problem for the entire season, because the match against Blues wasn't any good either

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Cannot wait to watch this game when I can.

 

[Amobokoboko]

I think against the Bulls it will be a hard shell to crack anyway, as the Bulls aren't on their schedule neither and they have to carry along their great legacy.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

The way the Hurricanes are playing its a pity the Stormers miss them this year T_T

 

[Seaton]

Super lol...

A question about the Rebels, have all their good performances been at home? Disregard the performance against the Waratahs