Super 15: Hurricanes v Highlanders. Wellington Regional Stadium. (17/3/2012 06:35GMT)

[donmcdazzle]

How good was Aaron Smith off the bench? Looks a million miles sharper than Cowan. Slade was terrible again, I'd give Noakes a run, he maybe is less exciting but does the basics far better than Slade.

Don't think the Highlanders got away with too much at the rucks. To Jabby above, getting rid of rucking has ruined that, back in the day nobody wanted to lie on the ball cause they would would get a working over, and the refs would blow a scrum if someone was stuck on the ball getting worked. Nowadays you just get pinged. Rucking = less penalties at rucks. Bring back rucking please.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

agree completely re the rucking, no rucking the head or special place but the rest is fair game

That doesn't quite answer those that get trapped in the ruck though. I say if someone is trapped and blocking the ball then blow it up and give a scrum, still have a chance to turn it over (as opposed to a tap)

as for slade i dont think anyone can argue he has the potential....hes just a bit gun shy. when sopanga gets back he starts with slade coming on with twenty to go, long enough to get into the game etc. Cant just give up on him

and as for smith/cowen....lets start looking for a young understudy for smith. Long been a fan of cowne, think the mungrel he brings to a game is priceless.....but you cant argue with how dangerous that backline looks off the back of smith

 

[nickdnz]

I've never been a huge Cowen fan, but lately he's looked bad. Really bad. Messy and slow delivery. Aaron Smith is better. I'd put him in the tests v Ireland. I actually rate Cowan behind Weepu, Smith, Mathewson, Peranara, Leonard, Kerr-Barlow and Ellis (pretty much in that order).

As for Slade, I still think he's the best the Highlanders have got. Noakes looked pretty composed, but I'm not sure I'd be ready to throw him in at 10 just yet. He needs to get more game time though, so I suppose it's not the worst thing. If only Sopoaga could be relied on with the kicking from hand and reading the game.

Not sure I'd want rucking being brought back. Richie McCaw would go into the first ruck of the game and come out looking like he was put through a blender.

 

[Bull]

Has the Canes hooker been cited?

 

[Draggs]

Just have to say how impressed I have been with Hardie this season.
Smith is another, very good service and seems to be a pretty intelligent player, two things I can't say about Cowan.

 

[Scan]

Yeah. Hardie is a pretty good 7 alright. Jack Lam tackled the shite outta the Highlanders last night as well.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Hardie has finally stepping up and its great to see, was too quiet when he did get a shot in the last few years but awesome this year

I really like sopanga and thing the sopanga/slade and even Noakes axis could be really good for us. Sopanga works very well with smith and seems to always be on the attack, fitting the ball flat....which he can do knowing there is someone like slade to come on later on to close out the game maybe. all dependant on slade picing p the pace a bit

whats dane coles being sited for?

 

[Larksea]

I didn't think Coles was sited for it but he threw a clear punch at the face of a highlanders player in a ruck but missed completely.

 

[Bull]

I didn't think Coles was sited for it but he threw a clear punch at the face of a highlanders player in a ruck but missed completely.

The whole citing thing is a bit of a farce, I mean Coles came flying into a ruck with a shoulder and then he shouldered the same player again and he punched the Highlanders prop. All of this was clear on the replay yet he isn't cited.

 

[nickdnz]

The whole citing thing is a bit of a farce, I mean Coles came flying into a ruck with a shoulder and then he shouldered the same player again and he punched the Highlanders prop. All of this was clear on the replay yet he isn't cited.

Fairly certain (and smartcookie could correct me) that you only get cited for red card offences. The citing commisioner would have to have deemed that his entry to the rucks with sholder and the punch that missed were red card offences, which I think would be an over reaction. It would have been up to the referee to have either given him a yellow card then and there or put the incident up for report with the new white card system.

 

[Bull]

But look at this now, was Braid yellow carded or penalised during the game?
http://www.keo.co.za/2012/03/20/blues-lose-luke-braid/

 

[nickdnz]

But look at this now, was Braid yellow carded or penalised during the game?
http://www.keo.co.za/2012/03/20/blues-lose-luke-braid/

I'm not sure, but my point was that the citing commisioner has to believe it was a red card offence to make a call on it. Apparently two strikes to the back of the head is deemed worse than a bad ruck entry and a missed punch. I'd imagine if that punch hit it may well have been a different story.

 

[Bull]

But you see that's my point, it's not the offense so much but the intent. There is no consistency, ie. Frans Hougaard gets suspended for 1 week because of the "spear" tackle on Ebersohn. That should have been a yellow card at most, now Digby Ioane cops 5 weeks for a tackle that doesn't even deserve a penalty. The refs, touch judges and citing commissioners are effing useless and they are ruining the game for everyone else.

 

[Gena_ZA]

Digby's spear tackle not a penalty - must have watched a different game then

 

[Dizzy]

But you see that's my point, it's not the offense so much but the intent. There is no consistency, ie. Frans Hougaard gets suspended for 1 week because of the "spear" tackle on Ebersohn. That should have been a yellow card at most, now Digby Ioane cops 5 weeks for a tackle that doesn't even deserve a penalty. The refs, touch judges and citing commissioners are effing useless and they are ruining the game for everyone else.

I agree with what you're saying here. There is too much inconsistency when it comes to punishment.

Now, a few months ago, I would be on here ranting and raving that the game has become really weak nowadays. But, since I wrecked my shoulder, and I know that I may never be the same Rugby player again. I have had a change of heart. I mean look at Isaia Toeava, his hip problems have troubled his career and now it seems like it's happening all over again.
Yes these guys get the best medical treatment possible, but the point is, the dangerous tackles CAN cause long term effects. I even feel bad for defending Tana's tip tackle on BOD now.

But when it comes to consistent rulings, it doesn't exsist and I think that's the main point. If you've played rugby, then you know that at times, momentum, adrenaline and a bit of luck is all that is needed to make your big hit, turn into a lifting tackle. I admit, most of the lifting tackles I've done have been based on my momentum, leg drive and a bit of luck. The intent isn't to lift but when it happens, you want to be driving your opponent backwards so you kinda just go with it..

Compared to punching, headbutts and downright foul play, tip tackles shouldn't get nearly as much punishment unless the video clearly shows an intent to drive the player into the ground IMO.