Super Rugby: Ben Smith vs. Blues (1/06/13)

[Darwin]

Yeah. Who are that team in Blue?

 

[tenpm]

I should be upset about the Blues losing, but it's so difficult because Ben Smith.

 

[big ginger 8]

Yeah. Who are that team in Blue?

15 Ben Smiths?

 

[Darwin]

15 Ben Smiths?

They certainly played like a team of 15 Ben Smith's in the first half.

 

[big ginger 8]

They certainly played like a team of 15 Ben Smith's in the first half.

Don't think they're goning to bother training until Thursday next week either!

 

[ratsapprentice]

Loving the way Tanaka is playing.

 

[smartcooky]

To quote someone we all know......

"Ben Smith! That is all!!!"

 

[admartian]

lol Colin Slade went down momentarily after passing the ball. Fella can't exhale without getting injured.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Nonu and Smith coming on, and everything fell apart.

 

[admartian]

Does this mean the Blues are out of contention?

 

[smartcooky]

Does this mean the Blues are out of contention?

Mathematically they still have a chance, thanks to their bonus point try after the whistle, but results have to fall their way.

They have to go to South Africa and play the Sharks and the Cheetahs, then come home and play the Chiefs. I can't see them winning any of those matches

► They have only beaten the Sharks twice in Durban, last time was 2004

► While they have the wood on the Cheetahs, the Free State team is a far different prospect this year than in the past, especially in Bloemfontein

► What chance would anyone give them of beating the Chiefs on return from South Africa?

 

[RyotoTheDragon]

great game from tanaka

 

[tenpm]

Mathematically they still have a chance, thanks to their bonus point try after the whistle, but results have to fall their way.

They have to go to South Africa and play the Sharks and the Cheetahs, then come home and play the Chiefs. I can't see them winning any of those matches

► They have only beaten the Sharks twice in Durban, last time was 2004

► While they have the wood on the Cheetahs, the Free State team is a far different prospect this year than in the past, especially in Bloemfontein

► What chance would anyone give them of beating the Chiefs on return from South Africa?

I haven't lost hope for the Blues entering the playoffs, though I'm not expecting it.

I think the two South African games are winnable - the Sharks are underperforming, and while the Cheetahs have had a good season, they've struggled against NZ opposition, losing to both the Hurricanes and the Chiefs (they miss the Crusaders, and the Highlanders don't really count). I don't have as much optimism for the Chiefs game, but then again they've tripped up in the last couple of games last year... Who's to say it won't happen again?

 

[Kiwiwomble]

I am in Sydney....I was in Wellington fir the sharks game.....telethon to pay to send me out of chch each week?

 

[Muzzy]

Yeah. Who are that team in Blue?

Nonu, Gear, Hore, Ellison, it must have been the Hurricanes jk

Yeah the blues played some stupid rugby, I was playing a game of 'how long can the blues hold the ball before giving it back', the longest they held the ball was 4 seconds during the first 60 mins, incredible. Can't remember what the exact stats were, but I think after half time the blues had made around 100 tackles and the Highlanders made 18. I think the blues were just trying too hard, trying to run it out of their own 22 and going for the miracle tries instead of holding onto possession, getting into the right territory and doing the basics first. They finally started doing that in the last 20 mins when they started coming right.

 

[austingtir]

How many reputations in the highlanders have been tarnished after this game. Its pretty clear with how they played and the players he's given game time previously (tenaka, mckintosh and co) that the selection that started this game works better for them.

I know im going to get razzed for it but im still in total disbelief that Hansen can select A Smith and then go around and say a guy like Gear is basically playing like **** and thats why i didnt select him.....

 

[tenpm]

Has Hansen said that he dropped Gear because of form? I thought that he wasn't selected because he's going off shore.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I;d imagine it'd be a bit of both.

 

[Sam Owen]

Has Hansen said that he dropped Gear because of form? I thought that he wasn't selected because he's going off shore.

Watched Hansen on the news, sounds like they're developing for the future. Very similar to what Henry did early in his reign at the helm.

Like Vic said could be both. I don't think his form is too bad but we have seen better from him. Gear has been interviewed as saying he's going off shore but he's made himself available to the All Blacks and would still like to play for them however that doesn't sound like what Hansen is after for these games at this stage.

 

[InsaneAsylum]

decided to play the "Ben Smith" drinking game.... bad move