Super Rugby: Blues vs. Highlanders in Auckland (05/04/2013)

[austingtir]

Darwin... i honestly dont see what you see in Aaron Smith. He is like a headless chook out there mate. What the heck was he doing pointing his finger around the place while the ball was rolling out of the ruck?

 

[dasNdanger]

What was the dressing down Hore got from Walsh for?


das

 

[smartcooky]

Walsh is a disgrace to referees all over the world.

What?

He's been very good so far, what's you problem?

 

[Gena_ZA]

Festival rugby, good eye candy but won't bring any of these sides anywhere close to ***le contenders
Still a feast to watch

 

[Amobokoboko]

Penalty goal Highlanders!

 

[Darwin]

Darwin... i honestly dont see what you see in Aaron Smith. He is like a headless chook out there mate. What the heck was he doing pointing his finger around the place while the ball was rolling out of the ruck?

The same thing the AB's selectors see in him

He is the best passing halfback in the country by miles - if you have a quality backline having a great passing halfback is a real asset! Smith had a couple of outstanding matches for the AB's last season, but consistency was an issue. Some of the trys the AB's scored last season were almost entirely down to Smith's phenomenal passing. He is having a poor game tonight, but there is no doubt he is a top class player when on form.

 

[austingtir]

What?

He's been very good so far, what's you problem?

I think he's the reason this game is such a shambles it cant possibly be all the highlanders making this mess of a game. And the shoulder charge by nonu was so close to being not called. Which was the main reason for it.

 

[dasNdanger]

What?

He's been very good so far, what's you problem?

I like Walsh, but that was a bad call. I'm guessing (hoping?) it's just because he didn't quite see the full extent of the impact from where he was standing. He listened to the Blues' player (forget who), and at least he wasn't too proud admit his mistake and to change it to a yellow card.

Darwin... i honestly dont see what you see in Aaron Smith. He is like a headless chook out there mate. What the heck was he doing pointing his finger around the place while the ball was rolling out of the ruck?

Pretty smile? Nice legs? Tight bum?




das

 

[William18]

What?

He's been very good so far, what's you problem?

I have no specific gripes with him in this game but generally his manner is rude and arrogant. He doesn't get along well with the players and his prone to excessively punish a team who "annoys" him.

 

[dasNdanger]

I think he's the reason this game is such a shambles it cant possibly be all the highlanders making this mess of a game. And the shoulder charge by nonu was so close to being not called. Which was the main reason for it.

Nah, game is a shambles because neither team can hold onto the ball. I swear it's more of a greased pig competition than a rugby match.


das

 

[Darwin]

Highlanders will probably be happy to have the lead at halftime. We need to be far more accurate in the second half.

We have been a bit more competitive at the breakdown (thanks to Hore). Tuiali'i has been pretty good to honest - he is certainly covering a bit of ground. Hardie has been really good too, with a couple of linebreaks already. Smith has been poor, Slade hasn't been great either, while Nonu too is having a shocker (though did do one good grubber through). Gear, Popoali'i and Smith look dangerous - we just need to get them more ball!

Luatua is on fire (again) for the Blues. Weepu has been very good, but Noakes has struggled a bit (mainly with goal-kicking and defense). Willison has been pretty handy at 12, while Piutau looks dangerous with ball in hand - he does need realise that running from the back is not always the best decision though!

It should be a good second half.

 

[nickdnz]

The same thing the AB's selectors see in him

He is the best passing halfback in the country by miles - if you have a quality backline having a great passing halfback is a real asset! Smith had a couple of outstanding matches for the AB's last season, but consistency was an issue. Some of the trys the AB's scored last season were almost entirely down to Smith's phenomenal passing. He is having a poor game tonight, but there is no doubt he is a top class player when on form.

No doubt - but he's certainly not been on form this season. Part of that is that he is trying to be what he isn't, which is an organiser and playmaker. I want him to be passing non stop - or running if there is something on. I don't wan't him messing around the ruck, when he does that he's not playing to any of his strengths.

That said - Weepu has been insanely good so far this match. There are actually a few players out there really impressing me - Mose Tuiali'i has been pretty much everywhere - probably better than I predicted. Luatua has been pressive as well - as has Ben Smith and Gear. Slade's counter attacking has also been a nice change of pace, he seems a bit more confident. Rene Ranger has been a beast as well, while Piatau has looked good.

That Nonu tackle...I mean you'd have think he'd have learned by now, just another yellow card to his record tally...

 

[dasNdanger]

That Nonu tackle...I mean you'd have think he'd have learned by now, just another yellow card to his record tally...

It was so entirely senseless that I can't help but feel it was something personal, or maybe an attempt to intimidate the Blues early on. I just can't get my head around why he would do such a thing, even with the lead at the time. It cost them greatly.


das

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Yellow's a bit harsh here I think...

 

[Darwin]

No doubt - but he's certainly not been on form this season. Part of that is that he is trying to be what he isn't, which is an organiser and playmaker. I want him to be passing non stop - or running if there is something on. I don't wan't him messing around the ruck, when he does that he's not playing to any of his strengths.

That said - Weepu has been insanely good so far this match. There are actually a few players out there really impressing me - Mose Tuiali'i has been pretty much everywhere - probably better than I predicted. Luatua has been pressive as well - as has Ben Smith and Gear. Slade's counter attacking has also been a nice change of pace, he seems a bit more confident. Rene Ranger has been a beast as well, while Piatau has looked good.

That Nonu tackle...I mean you'd have think he'd have learned by now, just another yellow card to his record tally...

I agree, though part of the problem is the Highlanders are really struggling to get clean ball at the back of the ruck this season. There are no forwards protecting the ball - the ball just seems to squirt out at random times, which makes it very difficult for Smith to control. If our forwards start performing I think we will see Smith back to his best before long...

Moala with a yellow now. While technically correct I can't help but feel it is a bit hard on Moala - Popoali'i is a midget and he was bending over. I hope Popoali'i is ok.

 

[dasNdanger]

Crap...I step out of the room for a sec and this happens. Hope he'll be okay.

Yellow's a bit harsh here I think...

I don't think he had a choice. I don't think it was intentional like Nonu's, but it was reckless.


das

 

[Darwin]

Moala was apparently going at 26.6 km/h when he tackled Popoali'i. I found that funny for some reason...

EDIT: Highlanders scrum on fire!

 

[dasNdanger]

Moala was apparently going at 26.6 km/h when he tackled Popoali'i. I found that funny for some reason...

EDIT: Highlanders scrum on fire!

Drinking again?


I need to go to bed. Will have to catch the rest in the morning.


das

 

[austingtir]

I dont get the conjecture on the blues high tackle it was high the ref was obligated to give him a yellow end of. Just because Nonu had intent doesnt make any difference to me. The blues player to me had quite a bit of intent aswell imo. Only players like Kahui can pull off a tackle like that legally!

TBH i actually quite liked Nonu's tackle I thought given weepu's cheeky run it was fitting. Gave him a bit of a sort out and we havent seen it happen again since.

 

[Darwin]

Drinking again?


I need to go to bed. Will have to catch the rest in the morning.


das

I wish. Unfortunately there are no good beers in Australia

Nonu, Nonu, Nonu, Nonu.... drops it.