Super 15: Crusaders - Highlanders in Christchurch (01/06/2012)

[Draggs]

Why was Haskell sent to the bun?
Seems like the Crusaders went up a gear after the first quarter.

 

[Darwin]

Why was Haskell sent to the bun?
Seems like the Crusaders went up a gear after the first quarter.

Playing the ball while lying on the ground. He had initially attempted to pilfer the ball, but failed and fell on the ground then popped the ball up when he was lying on the ground. George Whitelock was sent off earlier in the game for an identical offense, which made the decision by Haskell to play the ball on the ground particularly dumb in my opinion.

 

[Draggs]

Yeah, Haskell doesn't strike me as the brightest lad.
I did laugh when I saw a card by his name on his return match.
Any news on the injury front? Hardie is gone all season, right? Quality flanker, looking forward to watching him in the ITM cup.

 

[Darwin]

Yeah, Haskell doesn't strike me as the brightest lad.
I did laugh when I saw a card by his name on his return match.
Any news on the injury front? Hardie is gone all season, right? Quality flanker, looking forward to watching him in the ITM cup.

No news that I am aware on the injury front - no new injuries for the Highlanders, but no-one coming back (apart from maybe Piutau) as most of he Highlanders injuries have been season ending injuries. Yeah Hardie is gone for the season, which is disappointing as he was finally starting to deliver on his potential. He's been a good player for several years now, but struggled a bit with the step up to Super Rugby (though received limited chances behind Soakai). He had an exceptional season for Southland last year, so hopefully he can continue his form when he returns from injury.

The Highlanders have been particularly badly affected with loose-forward injuries this season - Hardie, Tietjens, and Dixon all suffered season ending injuries, while the likes of Haskell and Crosswell have been out for extended periods due to suspension and injury respectively. That has meant our two primary loose-forwards (Thomson and Manu) have been played every week, and it is noticeable that they have become less effective as the season has progressed (exactly the same thing that happened last season). Hopefully a few weeks break now will do them good (unless Thomson starts for the AB's against Ireland, which is a distinct possibility). I have to say I've been a bit disappointed with Haskell. He hasn't been bad, but I just expected more from a 39 test veteran. The only time I noticed he was playing last night was when he was being sent off!

 

[Larksea]

he was just starting to look good before his long suspenstion, now it may take him a couple of games to get in the grove and the season will be all but over unless they can sneak into the top 6.