Super Rugby: Force v Highlanders (25/05/2013)

[Draggs]

Perth Oval, Perth

​

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Neutral refs...that Is all

 

[Darwin]

Ben Smith. That is all.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

This ref is just guessing!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Nonu could well have cost the Highlanders the game by not passing the ball out.
Easy run in for whoever was on the wing (Smith?) but he runs in to two defenders instead!

 

[Kiwiwomble]

How many "Cowen's" are in the force squad? No matter who had the ball the commentators call cowen!

 

[tenpm]

How did the Highlanders manage to **** off every single SANZAR referee? Seems like all decisions that could go against them, does.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

I thought you couldn't tackle some in the ait when they were taking a catch...not because they've just jumped in the air

 

[tenpm]

"Colin Slade... is meant to be a good kicker" Hahaha, riiight.

 

[TNT88]

Ben Smith. That is all.

I've had the pleasure of watching him and Israel Dagg live this season (playing the force). You've got to have both of them in an NZ 22, even better if you can fit them on the same pitch. Work ethic, positioning, decision making and counter attacking was sublime from both.

 

[smartcooky]

Nonu could well have cost the Highlanders the game by not passing the ball out.
Easy run in for whoever was on the wing (Smith?) but he runs in to two defenders instead!

That's because Nonu is a one trick pony... and the trick is called "battering ram".

I lament the general demise of guile, cunning and skilled ball players in the midfield. such as Aaron Mauger, Daniel Herbert, Tim Horan and Jeremy Guscott (who IMO, is the best player ever to wear the 12 jersey, at least in my lifetime). They have been superseded by muscle-bound battering rams like Nonu, who not only have no idea how to put a player into a gap, they can't even spot one unless its presented to them on a silver platter.

"Overlap?" they ask, "What does 'overlap' mean?"

 

[William18]

That's because Nonu is a one trick pony... and the trick is called "battering ram".

I lament the general demise of guile, cunning and skilled ball players in the midfield. such as Aaron Mauger, Daniel Herbert, Tim Horan and Jeremy Guscott (who IMO, is the best player ever to wear the 12 jersey, at least in my lifetime). They have been superseded by muscle-bound battering rams like Nonu, who not only have no idea how to put a player into a gap, they can't even spot one unless its presented to them on a silver platter.

"Overlap?" they ask, "What does 'overlap' mean?"

What you mean like Conrad Smith? There is a reason they call him the snake.

Like it or not, a big guy at 12 is a huge bonus now. You need someone in midfield to hit the ball up, get over the advantage line and provide great crash ball. This is why Nonu and Smith are a great combo - you have someone who can hit the ball and someone who can set his wingers up. When we had Mauger at 12, we had Umaga at 13 so we still had both roles covered we just had it the other way round. You can disparage him all you like and call him a one trick pony if you must but Ma'a Nonu from 2008 to now has been one of the best midfield backs in the world. It now seems as though that time may be ending. The fact remains though that he and his style of play has been bloody useful for a long period of time and that there is no 2,d five in NZ with anywhere near his ability.

 

[austingtir]

What you mean like Conrad Smith? There is a reason they call him the snake.

Like it or not, a big guy at 12 is a huge bonus now. You need someone in midfield to hit the ball up, get over the advantage line and provide great crash ball. This is why Nonu and Smith are a great combo - you have someone who can hit the ball and someone who can set his wingers up. When we had Mauger at 12, we had Umaga at 13 so we still had both roles covered we just had it the other way round. You can disparage him all you like and call him a one trick pony if you must but Ma'a Nonu from 2008 to now has been one of the best midfield backs in the world. It now seems as though that time may be ending. The fact remains though that he and his style of play has been bloody useful for a long period of time and that there is no 2,d five in NZ with anywhere near his ability.

I agree with this. To me he is the one guy i would still select just on reputation because he has been so good for so long now at test level.

Dagg, woodcock, hore, A smith, messam can all go get contracts in japan for all i care.

Also with the form Devilliers has been showing of late we need an experienced player in that position.

 

[Gena_ZA]

a play-maker at 12 in way more valuable than a basher, to counter a basher you put in someone equally as big and fight fire with fire or rely more on fast flanker for that channel

 

[Larksea]

how epic was Ben Smith in this game?

I don't understand how the highlanders keep losing games despite Ben Smith basically playing the house down every week, saving tries, scoring and setting up tries and basically breaking tackles at will. clocking up running meters faster than Piri can eat Big Ben pies.

made me sick watching Ben make a break after break and offload and a team mate knocks it on soon after, makes me wonder if half these guys even deserve to be on the same field as Ben Smith. Like he's setting an example and pace that half the team simply can't reach.

Again the best player on the park from either team and the highlanders lose.

 

[Draggs]

how epic was Ben Smith in this game?

I don't understand how the highlanders keep losing games despite Ben Smith basically playing the house down every week, saving tries, scoring and setting up tries and basically breaking tackles at will. clocking up running meters faster than Piri can eat Big Ben pies.

made me sick watching Ben make a break after break and offload and a team mate knocks it on soon after, makes me wonder if half these guys even deserve to be on the same field as Ben Smith. Like he's setting an example and pace that half the team simply can't reach.

Again the best player on the park from either team and the highlanders lose.

Ben Smith has been consistently the best NZ fullback for at least a season. What has happened to Andre Taylor? He was quite popular last year. Ben > Dagg for me.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I think Smith will have the 22 jersey come June, as he can cover wing, full back and centre. His utility value means he's more useful coming off the bench. If it was a straight shoot out between him and Dagg though, I'd opt for Smith.

 

[Larksea]

if ben smith doesn't start their should be national outrage.

his shear ability should more than trump his obvious utility, the fact he can basically play any position 10-15 should not cast a shadow over the fact he's probably the best fullback in the world right now. not handing him the 14 or 15 jersey should be considered an injustice and the selectors should be tried for treason in a public arena.

I mean even if you select dagg at 15 who would be at 14?

Gear?
Guildford?
Halai?
Tiko?
Piutau?

oh please... all just average compared to Ben Smith!



taylor was unstoppable last year but has been a non factor this year. pretty interesting turnaround. he did pickup a fairly bad injury towards the end of last season or ITM cup if I remember. maybe not been the same since?

he seemed to have a pretty dominant turn of pace last year that simply meant if he got through the line or past a defender he more often than not ended up over the try line as cover were simply not good enough to get him. Maybe he just doesn't have it this year?

 

[Kiwiwomble]

said it before...say it again, Dagg to 14 and smith to 15, SMith is the form fullback and of the two i think dagg looks better pn the wing, a little bit bigger etc.

None of that stops him coming into the midfield as cover, dagg moving to fullback and someone like Gear coming on the wing

I just seems STUPID to say because he is so good right now he should start from the bench....