Super 15: Highlanders - Blues in Dunedin (29-04-2011)

[TRF_Ezequiel]

The first match this weekend is between the Auckland Blues and the Otago Highlanders. North vs. South. The Highlanders travel back from Nelson with 4 points in the bag after beating the Crusaders last weekend. Because of their win, they are only 1 point behind the Crusaders now and the Blues have taken over the position on top of the Conference with a win last week. Can the Highlanders beat 2 conference leaders in a row? All will depend on their ability to act as a team like last weekend when they were without Kade Poki and Adam Thomson. Tony Brown has stepped up as replacement fly-half for the Highlanders last week. The 36-year old, who also played Super Rugby for the Sharks and Stormers, scored 11 points from the kicking tee against the Crusaders and was also important for the win over the reigning champions the Bulls. For the match with the Blues it seems that Adam Thomson, Jimmy Cowan and Alando Soakai will be back from injury.

In the Blues squad, all eyes will be on Rene Ranger. The winger has scored 6 tries so far this season and together with Jared Payne (who scored 5) he is the main reason the Blues are on top of the Conference. Tony Woodcock is probably the only issue from the Blues side which is a good thing, knowing they will miss Charlie Faumuina, Brad Mika, Liaki Moli and Daniel Braid already through injury. Tevita Mailau will replace Woodcock in the front-row.

Blues coach Pat Lam and Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph played their rugby through a similar era and they have stayed in touch and Lam thinks that both coaches will have a fair idea of the other's approach and tactics. It will be an exciting match to watch that can go either way.

In recent years, the Blues have mainly won the matches between the 2. The last time the Highlanders won, was in 2006, when they beat the Auckland side 26-13. In 2003, the Otago side managed to be the only team in the competition to beat the Blues that year, who went on to win the Super12 ***le. In Dunedin, the Blues came short 22-11 which denied them the possibility to win the trophy unbeaten, an achievement they reached only in 1997.



2010 Highlanders 15 - 19 Blues
2009 Blues 26 - 6 Highlanders
2008 Highlanders 15 - 40 Blues
2007 Blues 28 - 9 Highlanders
2006 Highlanders 26 - 13 Blues
2005 Highlanders 14 - 30 Blues
2004 Blues 50 - 22 Highlanders
2003 Highlanders 22 - 11 Blues
2002 Blues 13 - 20 Highlanders
2001 Highlanders 23 - 8 Blues
2000 Blues 26 - 16 Highlanders

 

[dullonien]

In the vBookie event, 'Highlanders by more than 7' is shown twice. I'm guessing the last bet at 4/1 should read 'Blues by more than 7'?

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Yes, my mistake. I changed it now

 

[Darwin]

Should be a very interesting game. Hopefully Cowan will be back for the Highlanders this week, though Aaron Smith has done a very good job in his absence. Hopefully Shaun Treeby and Kade Poki are also back. If Treeby is passed fit I'd imagine he will start at 12, moving Smith to fullback and Robinson back to the the bench. Poki would likely replace Paterson on the wing, though that would be a hard on Paterson who had probably his best game of Super Rugby against the Crusaders last week.

In the forwards I'd imagine Rutledge, Thomson, and Soakai will be back in the starting XV, replacing Schwalgher, Hardie, and either Donnelly, Bekhuis, or Hoeata. Hoeata is due for a rest (having started every match) though he seems to be getting better every week, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him start again.

 

[TRF_RC]

Come on, Highlanders at home? That's worth a bet in my eyes. Blues are going down!

 

[markshaw]

just put 500 on the blues by 7+ ...

 

[DorceOutSide]

just put 500 on the blues by 7 or less.

 

[Shaggy]

The teams as per NZ Herald

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=10721935

HIGHLANDERS
Robbie Robinson
Kade Poki
Kendrick Lynn
Ben Smith
Siale Piutau
Tony Brown
Jimmy Cowan
Nasi Manu
Alando Soakai
Adam Thomson
Josh Bekhuis
Jarrad Hoeata
Chris King
Jason Rutledge
J Mackintosh (c)

BLUES
Isaia Toeava
Joe Rokocoko
Jared Payne
Luke McAlister
Rene Ranger
Stephen Brett
Alby Mathewson
Peter Saili
Luke Braid
Jerome Kaino
Ali Williams
Anthony Boric
John Afoa
K Mealamu (c)
Tevita Mailau

Highlanders: Mo Schwalger, David Te Moana, Tom Donnelly, Nick Crosswell, Aaron Smith, Matt Saunders, James Paterson.

Blues: Tom McCartney, Pauliasi Manu, Jammes King, Chris Lowrey, Toby Morland, Benson Stanley, Lachie Munro.

 

[Darwin]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/sport/4933317/Paterson-benchedFive changes to the starting lineup of the Highlanders, with Thomson, Soakai, Rutledge, Cowan, and Poki all returning this week. Thomson and Soakai return to their normal positions of 6 and 7 respectively, meaning Hoeata moves back from 6 to lock, with Hardie dropping out of the 22 altogether. Donnelly again has failed to make the starting lineup, with Bekhuis and Hoeata clearly the top two rated locks in the Highlanders at this stage. Cowan replaces Smith, and Poki replaces Paterson on the wing, however Treeby is still out injured, meaning Ben Smith stays at 12.

Only a couple of changes to the Blues starting lineup, with Mailau replacing Woodcock (who is out with a foot injury), and MacAlister replacing Stanley at 12. Slightly surprised MacAlister replaced Stanley rather than Brett, as Stanley was very impressive last week. Pauliasi Manu and James King comes onto the bench, both from the wider training squad. King had to be brought in as the Blues have lost four locks this season so far with injury (Haiu, Moli, Paulo, and Mika).

Hard to know which way this game will go. The Highlanders team looks a lot stronger than last week, but the Blues team does look very impressive. I think the result will depend on if the Blues play for 80 mins - if they do I think they will win, however if they taper off (as they seem to do) the Highlanders could certainly cause them some problems...

 

[Amobokoboko]

countdown for the game has started, why is Tom struggling to get back into the starting XV, he had a good Tri nations for the AB's and altho he was injure dI reckon he still has his qualities as a player.

 

[Darwin]

countdown for the game has started, why is Tom struggling to get back into the starting XV, he had a good Tri nations for the AB's and altho he was injure dI reckon he still has his qualities as a player.

Donnelly has been playing ok this year - the problem is that Bekhuis and Hoeata have been playing exceptionally well. Hoeata has been one of the top locks in the whole Super Rugby competition for me - he's been making huge numbers of tackles, been strong and lineout, and powerful with the ball in hand. The AB's selectors will seriously be looking at him if he can keep this form up for the rest of the season.

Been a beautiful day in Dunedin, not a cloud in the sky. It might be a little cold for the players (it's about 12C now, but the temperature is dropping), but there isn't much (if any) wind, it's going to be great conditions for rugby.

Really looking forward to some of the matchups all over the park. The Blues may have a slight edge in the front row, though this is lessened somewhat by the absence of Tony Woodcock. MackIntosh has been superb all year all round the park, but has still struggled at scrum-time, so it will be another big test for him against John Afoa (who is not the most powerful scrumagger, but has improved his scrummaging quite a bit recently). The battle between the locks looks quite even. Despite the fact the Boric and Williams are bigger names, the Highlanders duo of Bekhuis and Hoeata have seldom been matched this season.

The loosies also look quite even. Kaino looked to be coming in his best form last week, and will be facing arguable the form forward of the competition in Adam Thomson. Luke Braid has impressed me in recent weeks, and may have the edge over Soakai. The two 8's look evenly matched as well, I can't wait to see the run into each other! Interestingly Saili, Braid, and Manu were all part of the same NZ under 20's team a couple of years ago, starting at 6,7, and 8 respectively in the final.

It's great for the Highlanders to have Cowan back, and it will be a good test for Mathewson facing him. I really rate Mathewson, but feel he is up against it to get an AB's spot this year, as the coaches don't feel his style of play suits the AB's gameplan. Looking forward to seeing how Ben Smith goes at 12 again, but I suspect that the Blues midfield of MacAlister and Payne may have the edge over Smith and Lynn. However I'd imagine both Smith and Lynn will test the defense of MacAlister and Brett inside him. The most interesting battle out wide is probably between Poki and Ranger. Both can be almost unstoppable with the ball in hand, but Ranger can go missing on defense, while I feel Poki's lack of size may mean he himself has trouble containing Ranger... if either player gets the ball the opposition better watch out!

Wish I could have made it to the ground to watch the match, but have dislocated my shoulder and torn one of the shoulder tendons, so have to stay in bed and watch the game drugged up on pain-killers... the only bright spot is that I get to watch the Royal Wedding with my wife after the game has finished....oh wait...

 

[Amobokoboko]

Ah ok, I'm also looking forward to the game. I do think the Blues have a slight advantage but I'm hoping the highlanders will win it.

 

[Sam Owen]

Highlanders are looking good and strong so Im gonna go for the BLUES!!!!!

 

[TRF_RC]

Although, I consider myself more of a Hurricanes "enjoyer", living in Otaga is bringing out the passion towards Highlanders in me.

Good to see McAlister initial shot on goal wasn't the best. The boys are gonna be exhausted if they have to keep tackling like this the whole game. Blues are having it too easy in the first 8 minutes.

 

[Amobokoboko]

good to see MacCalister slot that second penality.

 

[Darwin]

Damn, there goes Brown...

It may be the pain killers talking, but damn I love Ben Smith....

 

[TRF_RC]

What the hell's going on with Mealamu's line outs tonight?

 

[Darwin]

What the hell's going on with Mealamu's line outs tonight?

They lost Boric to injury before kick-off, but it's not really an excuse. It's keeping the Highlanders in the game at the moment though...

 

[TRF_RC]

I'm not complaining, but it's a little chaotic there.

6-0 Blues.

Highlanders are looking a little panicky with ball in hand. The blues DO have a good defensive line right now. Up quick in the Highlanders faces, messing up everything they do. Justin Marshal just said what i was writing.

 

[TRF_RC]

It may be the pain killers talking, but damn I love Ben Smith....

Those painkillers are talking sense then. He's had a cracking season so far. I was thinking if he's in Henry's peripherals for a place in the national squad, or does he not quite compare to some of the other boys in his position?