Round 10: Crusaders - Highlanders

[smartcooky]

Just got back from the game. What a disappointment. The Crusaders were just FLAT and the Highlanders tackled as though their lives depended on it. The Crusaders were staid, slow and predicable, just lining themselves up like ninepins to be knocked over.

That said, the Highlanders thoroughly deserved to win

And what the hell was Blackadder thinking? SBW, Corey Flynn Sean Maitland starting on the bench, with Adam Whitelock at 12. And Joe Wheeler at No. 8? He's a fecking lock FFS.

 

[Draggs]

Good win for the Highlanders!

 

[Darwin]

Just got back from the game. What a disappointment. The Crusaders were just FLAT and the Highlanders tackled as though their lives depended on it. The Crusaders were staid, slow and predicable, just lining themselves up like ninepins to be knocked over.

That said, the Highlanders thoroughly deserved to win

And what the hell was Blackadder thinking? SBW, Corey Flynn Sean Maitland starting on the bench, with Adam Whitelock at 12. And Joe Wheeler at No. 8? He's a fecking lock FFS.

Because the Highlanders were so disruptive at the breakdown the Crusaders were not get the quick ball they are used to, so their attack looked very laboured. I hate to say it, but I feel that Andy Ellis loss to injury early in the game was a huge for them. The Crusaders really looked clueless in attack by the end of the game; there most 'inventive' play was an inside ball to Zac Guildford, but this was always easily read by the Highlanders defense.

Wheeler was very disappointing at 8, but it was his first game (apart from a few club games) for quite a few months. I think he is a quality player, he just needs some more game time to adjust to Super Rugby level.

 

[smartcooky]

Wheeler was very disappointing at 8, but it was his first game (apart from a few club games) for quite a few months. I think he is a quality player, he just needs some more game time to adjust to Super Rugby level.

That's because he's not a No. 8, he's a lock. He ran all the wrong lines in defence and offered little if anything on attack.

We really missed Kieran Read last night to give us some go-forward. Thing was, he wasn't even injured, he was being "rested". Well he rested in the bye week three weeks ago, and in any case, you don't rest your top players against your closest rivals for a playoff spot in your own conference, you rest them against lower table teams like the Chiefs and Cheetahs who aren't going to threaten your playoff place. IMO, this was a tactical error on Blackadder's part, and the first mistake he's made this season.

 

[Darwin]

That's because he's not a No. 8, he's a lock. He ran all the wrong lines in defence and offered little if anything on attack.

We really missed Kieran Read last night to give us some go-forward. Thing was, he wasn't even injured, he was being "rested". Well he rested in the bye week three weeks ago, and in any case, you don't rest your top players against your closest rivals for a playoff spot in your own conference, you rest them against lower table teams like the Chiefs and Cheetahs who aren't going to threaten your playoff place. IMO, this was a tactical error on Blackadder's part, and the first mistake he's made this season.

Wheeler was outstanding for Tasman last year at No. 8. Personally I think his future lies as a 6/8, rather than a lock, but time will tell I suppose...

 

[smartcooky]

Wheeler was outstanding for Tasman last year at No. 8. Personally I think his future lies as a 6/8, rather than a lock, but time will tell I suppose...

http://www.crusaders.co.nz/profile/joe-wheeler/243/player-details.aspx

http://www.makos.co.nz/player.php?player=83

He played lock and blindside for Tasman last year. I don't recall him starting a single match at No. 8

 

[Darwin]

http://www.crusaders.co.nz/profile/joe-wheeler/243/player-details.aspx

http://www.makos.co.nz/player.php?player=83

He played lock and blindside for Tasman last year. I don't recall him starting a single match at No. 8

Well in that case you recall incorrectly. He started 7 matches for the Mako's last year (before injury), six at No. 8, one at blindside flanker, but not one at lock!
http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player-zoom-14462-itmcup-2010-game.html

 

[lance2010]

Hoeata is a beast of a man i love watching this guy play he just throws his body into it.I wish he was in the Hurricanes...

 

[nik]

It surprised me that Highlanders won that game. Yes I know Highlanders have been superb this year however in this match they were without some of their best performing players e.g. Adam Thompson, Treeby, Poki. Outstanding effort from the Highlanders. Got to agree with one of the earlier posts - resting and benching the best performing players against an improving Highlanders outfit proved to be major tactical blunder from Blackadder, the Crusaders got zero competition points from their home game which is dissapointing.
Crusaders created plenty of opportunities but just needed to be a bit more patient closer to the line. It was the Highlanders rushing defence and counter rucking that lead to the normally composed Crusaders being rushed. Crusaders of 2011 rely on their attack to be better than their defence - it has worked all year, except against the Blues and also last night. They missed the go forward from Kieran Read and the injured Brad Thorn, also missed the direction of Andy Ellis and Carter.


Although the Crusaders will most likely bounce back next week the concerning factor must be the injury toll which got worse last night. Not sure how serious Andy Ellis and Brad Thorn's injuries are but it is definitely not a good sign.

 

[smartcooky]

Well in that case you recall incorrectly. He started 7 matches for the Mako's last year (before injury), six at No. 8, one at blindside flanker, but not one at lock!
http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player-zoom-14462-itmcup-2010-game.html

My mistake. I must be thinking of the previous year

http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player-zoom-14462-airnewzealandcup-2009-game.html

12 starts - 10 at right lock, 2 at blindside flanker.

None at No.8 or openside flanker.

I still maintain his best position is at lock, and the only reason he may have been moved last year was the availability for Tasman of Chris Jack in the No. 5 jersey. He was playing for Western Province in 2009. It would have been little more that a stop-gap measure

 

[Darwin]

My mistake. I must be thinking of the previous year

http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player-zoom-14462-airnewzealandcup-2009-game.html

12 starts - 10 at right lock, 2 at blindside flanker.

None at No.8 or openside flanker.

I still maintain his best position is at lock, and the only reason he may have been moved last year was the availability for Tasman of Chris Jack in the No. 5 jersey. He was playing for Western Province in 2009. It would have been little more that a stop-gap measure

That's alright, I make mistakes all the time... just ask my wife

Can't agree at all that Wheeler was just a 'stop gap measure' at No. 8 though - he played the best rugby of his short career in the 8 jersey last year. If Tasman wanted him to play lock they would have pared him alongside Jack (with Luafutu playing 8). Even when Jack was out injured for a game Wheeler still remained at Number 8 (with Ben Coman joining Gregory at lock). I would be very surprised if he doesn't start at 8 for Tasman this year as well.

 

[ranger]

That's alright, I make mistakes all the time... just ask my wife

Can't agree at all that Wheeler was just a 'stop gap measure' at No. 8 though - he played the best rugby of his short career in the 8 jersey last year. If Tasman wanted him to play lock they would have pared him alongside Jack (with Luafutu playing 8). Even when Jack was out injured for a game Wheeler still remained at Number 8 (with Ben Coman joining Gregory at lock). I would be very surprised if he doesn't start at 8 for Tasman this year as well.

Definitely. He looks like he could be a great 8, it was just Mark Brights quality play stopping him from making the switch earlier.

 

[d1e1m]

Wheelers a bit like Read in that respect, could cover from lock to blindside and 8 but this was always going to be to big a step up for him against a Highlanders pack that goes tends to front against any opposition. The game was won by the Highlanders pack and I don't think Wheeler can be blamed but I'm more than happy to blame George Whitelock.

 

[osmond]

Wheelers a bit like Read in that respect, could cover from lock to blindside and 8 but this was always going to be to big a step up for him against a Highlanders pack that goes tends to front against any opposition. The game was won by the Highlanders pack and I don't think Wheeler can be blamed but I'm more than happy to blame George Whitelock.

I blame George Whitelock too..he gave away 2 silly penalties in the second half resulting in 6 points to the highlanders. If he didnt give away those penalties the score would have been 20-18 to the highlanders. The saders would have then won the game by kicking for goal in the final minutes making it a 21-20 victory. Whitelock also might have ben able to stop the highlanders try but gave up too early. And he knocked on a few times when close to the tryline..I've seen him play way better than this in the ITM cup last year. He should be benched for Reuben Thorne next week. Sonny Bill Williams was also dissapointing when he came on..

 

[d1e1m]

A little hard to bring old Reuben out of retirement for another Saders bow . I wouldn't mind having him replace George in the lineup though, at least he'd be an intelligent replacement. I would've brought SBW on at the half when it was obvious the Saders attack was getting stale but it was the loss of THorn and Ellis and lack of Reado that were the biggest factors in what was a dominant performance by the Highlanders forwards.

EDIT: I'm an idiot who didn't see that article about Thorne coming out of retirement, my bad Osmond. Maybe this way I don't have to see George screw up in pressure situations again.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Really happy the Highlanders won. Hope they can keep their momentum.