Super Rugby: Chiefs vs. Highlanders in Hamilton (22/03/2013)

[Hulk Hogan]

This will help

 

[dasNdanger]

This will help

Okay, that's better! :lol:



das

 

[Darwin]

Argh.... try for Nanai-Williams after the Highlanders lose the ball. Poor start for us... again.

EDIT: there looks like a knock-on there - we may be saved.... or not.

 

[dasNdanger]

Argh.... try for Nanai-Williams after the Highlanders lose the ball. Poor start for us... again.

I think I'll go to be now...wake me up when it's over.



das

 

[Darwin]

Slade misses another kick - we really can't afford to not take our chances...

ARGH... just completely stuffed a try there too. I'm seriously considering just giving up on this match - we are just pathetic.

EDIT: Now the ref is against us... if he had checked that out with the TMO we may well have been given a try...

EDIT 2: Now Gear is held-up. Surely they can't hold out forever? No, no they can't. Try A Smith.

EDIT 36: I sense I am talking to myself. The Highlanders have officially driven me mad.

 

[austingtir]

Highlanders are playing pretty much the same as the last time these two played. Its not going to work even against a tired chiefs team.

Only thing the landers can hope for now is to play the overseas teams and accumulate some points. Conferance system continues to get the thumbs down from me.

Chiefs are head and shoulders above the rest of the NZ teams for sure.

 

[nickdnz]

Favourite moment of the game for me was when my dad said "Who's playing blindside for Highlanders?" and I said "Hoeata - well he is at the moment he'll probably get OHHHHHHHHHH! *As he takes Cruden's head off*.....Yellow carded in a minute".

 

[Darwin]

Well we lost. Again.

+ves
- Our scrum went well in the first half even though we didn't have Woodcock... Woodcock may find it hard to get back into the starting lineup unless he pulls finger
- Coltman was superb on his starting debut (apart from a few shaky lineouts). He managed to get the Highlanders a lot of good go-forward ball by running straight and hard, and he was handy at the breakdown too.
- Hardie looked good with ball in hand.
- Dixon made a number of powerful runs with ball in hand. His decision making still lets him down at time, but he can certainly break tackles!
- Overall the forwards pack were a lot more efficient at recycling the ball quickly in the first half, which allowed us to stretch the Chiefs defense.
- Aaron Smith looked pretty sharp (coinciding with getting quick ruck ball)
- Colin Slade survived another match
- Emery was solid on defense
- Poki was sharp on attack again, while Gear was again very powerful on the wing.
- Ben Smith is Ben Smith

-ves
- Our execution is pathetic - we stuffed up 3-4 prime try scoring opportunities.
- Our game-plan of "run at all costs" is slightly bizarre, and not very effective
- Colin Slade can't kick goals to save himself
- Bekhuis was anonymous
- Hoeata is still an undisciplined thug
- Wheeler has turned into a very average player, who runs far too high with ball in hand
- Hardie is ineffective at the breakdown
- Colin Slade struggled to control the game
- Nonu was anonymous after 30 mins (when he wasn't dropping the ball)
- We can seem to create any space for our wings.

Hmm... that's about all I can think of at the moment. Congrats to the Chiefs though - they showed why they are the champions tonight, winning even though they didn't play that well. Cane impressed me, as did Afeaki when he came on. Cruden is looking more like his old self each week -there was one run where it seemed like he stepped the entire Highlanders team! Horrell is very reliable at 12, while it was very encouraging to see Kahui back (and looking dangerous).

Oh well. There is always next season...

 

[Tekadus7]

Ah we survived. Yes!!! Good win, messy game, certainly some positives going forward for the southerners methinks.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Followed the game at work. good win by the Chiefs. Pity they didn't score more tries. The Highlanders did what they are doing already the entire campaign. Don't really understand how if you look at the players they have. Well a win is a win.

 

[Umaga's Witness]

Good game to watch from an unbiased spectators point of view. But i have to say there were a few crucial uncalled hands in the ruck turnovers near the end which could have made a big difference. Many a referee would have yellow carded the chiefs offenders in such situations, or at least in one of them.

 

[Adakins]

I tried to get up for this game but just could not drag myself out of bed. Woke up at 3:30am looked at the score and fell happily back asleep.

 

[austingtir]

Followed the game at work. good win by the Chiefs. Pity they didn't score more tries. The Highlanders did what they are doing already the entire campaign. Don't really understand how if you look at the players they have. Well a win is a win.

I honestly think that if Adam Thompson had been playing the last four weeks the Highlanders would probably of won atleast a couple of these games. I think between this year and last year thats the main thing i can see where they are totally ineffective. Their backrow is pants and its really not allowing them to play this gameplan they keep perservering with.

Also the number 8 from last year (forget his name) between him and Thompson being gone its just stuffed them up pretty bad.

I honestly think Thompson is one of the highlanders best ever players. I know he was never a great AB but at super level he was very influential for the highlanders. The way they are trying to play this year would of really suited him to imo.

 

[Darwin]

I honestly think that if Adam Thompson had been playing the last four weeks the Highlanders would probably of won atleast a couple of these games. I think between this year and last year thats the main thing i can see where they are totally ineffective. Their backrow is pants and its really not allowing them to play this gameplan they keep perservering with.

Also the number 8 from last year (forget his name) between him and Thompson being gone its just stuffed them up pretty bad.

I honestly think Thompson is one of the highlanders best ever players. I know he was never a great AB but at super level he was very influential for the highlanders. The way they are trying to play this year would of really suited him to imo.

Yep, I tend to agree. We have continued to play the same expansive game-plan as last season, ignoring the fact we don't have the loose-forwards to play that style. Thomson was incredibly quick and mobile for a loose-forward - I don't know how they expect the likes of Hoeata and Wheeler (both who are better suited to lock) to play like Thomson! Our options are simple, either (a) stop playing such an expansive game-plan, or (b) pick a side capable of playing the expansive game-plan. Personally I think they should go for for option (a), and simply go back to basics, as with the side they have if they start playing basic rugby they will actually be pretty good!

However I suspect we will stick with the 'spin it wide at all costs' game-plan - as such I think our only option is to play two opensides (Boys and Hardie). I'm not a big fan of Boys, but at least he will have the mobility that we need out of our loosies given the current game-plan. I would also look to get Paul Grant involved as soon as possible (I know I keep saying it). He is a big mobile guy (with a good Sevens backgorund), who would fit pretty nicely in the Highlanders 6 jersey at the moment....

 

[Draggs]

There is another Otago loose forward that could be called up.
Can you help me out Darwin?

 

[Darwin]

There is another Otago loose forward that could be called up.
Can you help me out Darwin?

No, you are beyond help :angry:

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

 

[Gena_ZA]

As expected, Chiefs heading for the pay offs

 

[Umaga's Witness]

Yep, I tend to agree. We have continued to play the same expansive game-plan as last season, ignoring the fact we don't have the loose-forwards to play that style. Thomson was incredibly quick and mobile for a loose-forward - I don't know how they expect the likes of Hoeata and Wheeler (both who are better suited to lock) to play like Thomson! Our options are simple, either (a) stop playing such an expansive game-plan, or (b) pick a side capable of playing the expansive game-plan. Personally I think they should go for for option (a), and simply go back to basics, as with the side they have if they start playing basic rugby they will actually be pretty good!

However I suspect we will stick with the 'spin it wide at all costs' game-plan - as such I think our only option is to play two opensides (Boys and Hardie). I'm not a big fan of Boys, but at least he will have the mobility that we need out of our loosies given the current game-plan. I would also look to get Paul Grant involved as soon as possible (I know I keep saying it). He is a big mobile guy (with a good Sevens backgorund), who would fit pretty nicely in the Highlanders 6 jersey at the moment....

You guys are right that they are playing the wrong plan for their team and its a shame Joseph doesn't seem to have a plan B because maybe a different plan would suit these players.

They also seemed to play too laterally in that game, and Slade didn't really take the ball to the line enough. They were too predictable.

 

[Larksea]

How good was Kahui when he came on? Through all his injuries its interesting how he fires as soon as he gets on the field every time.

Ben Smiith is still the best 15 in NZ even in a losing team, at least he should be clear first choice for any open spots at 13 or 14 for the all blacks with Kahui, Jane and maybe Conrad Smith out. main competition being Renee Ranger

I recon Brad Thorn would still make the All Blacks

Slade missed a couple of shots he should have got, he's not quite their yet but I still think it's only a matter of time till we see the Slade that was so good for the crusaders, the Slade that totally dominated the ITM cup a few years ago before all the injuries.

highlanders seem to be playing ok at times they just not winning games and you have to say that with 4 losses and only 1 bonus point to show for it before they have even done their road trip the season is basically over, top teams usually only drop 2-4 games total for the round robins and usually at least pick bonus points.

Some selection dilemma for the Chiefs, Kahui is back and looked like he should be starting, but what to do with TNW? Anscombe is on fire at fullback, Masaga has scored 4 trys and Tico is actually been really impressive too, doesn't have a nose for the line like Masaga but has been very solid. Bit of a queue of talented players waiting to get gametime in the chiefs backs with Aki and Ngatai

TKB injured means Leonard has a massive chance to get people talking about him again, I hope he nails it.