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Super Rugby: Highlanders vs. Reds in Dunedin (29/03/2013)
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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 561129" data-attributes="member: 24910"><p>When Nonu plays like this I agree. He is a waste of space. He often plays like this at Super Rugby level, but turns into a different player in a Black jersey (perhaps we should change our team colours <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> ). At the moment he seems to take forever to decide what he is going to do - he is at his best when he makes up his mind early and just goes for it. When he passes early he is actually very effective, as he has a (surprisingly) long and accurate passing game. Likewise when he runs straight and hard (which he is yet to do for the Highlanders this season) he is difficult to stop, even though he isn't exactly subtle in his running style. He just needs to be told to act immediately once he gets the ball - delaying things works well for some players (e.g. Dan Carter), but it doesn't work for Nonu.</p><p></p><p>I have re-watched the game again, which may be a sign of my impending madness. Woodcock showed some signs of improvement, but still looked a little off the pace for me - I would relegate him to the bench next weekend. Hore too didn't offer much, with Coltman making far more of an impact when he came on (though his lineout throwing remains and issue). Brad Thorn is still working hard, with little support. I thought Hoeata again was nowhere near quick enough for the 6 jersey given our game-plan. As much as I hate to say it Ioane would be a better option at 6 for us than either Hoeata or Wheeler at this stage (though I would prefer either Boys or someone like Paul Grant..). Dixon again showed some positive signs with ball in hand, but he did miss a couple of tackles he should have made. Hardie is ok, but hasn't really hit the form he displaying at the start of last season.</p><p></p><p>While I'm not a fan of Ioane's style of play - mainly as it stifles any possibility of using the backline - it didn't actually hurt the Highlanders this match as our backline play has been pathetic all season. I still think it is a waste having him run the ball up at first or second receiver very single play (as if we were playing the 13-man code), but at least the backs aren't running sideways for a change!</p><p></p><p>Aaron Smith was solid at halfback, and it is good to see him use his running game a bit more in recent weeks. Slade was ok at 10, but hasn't really improved with game-time as I would have expected. At his best he attacks the line hard with ball in hand (ala Nick Evans), but the at the moment he is just shoveling the ball on, allowing the defenders to just drift off him. Nonu looks to be trying hard, but is trying to do far too much himself. Emery continues to impress though - it is easy to forget he is still only 19! His work on defense has impressed me a lot more this season, as he seems to have worked out that tackling around the legs is a good idea. </p><p> </p><p>Popoali'i was electric with ball in hand (as usual), but importantly made his tackles on defense too. Gear continues to impress me despite the poor quality ball he is receiving. I was critical of Gear often last season as he often seemed very passive with ball in hand, and didn't really make the most of the space he received. This season is the complete opposite - he hasn't received any space, but has frequently got well beyond the advantage line with ball in hand. If the Highlanders eventually manage to make space for their wings opposition sides better watch out! Ben Smith was oddly very quiet. He looked good when he got the ball, but didn't chime into he backline as much as usual. One of the reasons for this was Slade was playing fullback a lot on defense - while Slade has more than enough skills to play here, the Highlanders miss Smith's innate ability to counter attack from the back.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 561129, member: 24910"] When Nonu plays like this I agree. He is a waste of space. He often plays like this at Super Rugby level, but turns into a different player in a Black jersey (perhaps we should change our team colours ;) ). At the moment he seems to take forever to decide what he is going to do - he is at his best when he makes up his mind early and just goes for it. When he passes early he is actually very effective, as he has a (surprisingly) long and accurate passing game. Likewise when he runs straight and hard (which he is yet to do for the Highlanders this season) he is difficult to stop, even though he isn't exactly subtle in his running style. He just needs to be told to act immediately once he gets the ball - delaying things works well for some players (e.g. Dan Carter), but it doesn't work for Nonu. I have re-watched the game again, which may be a sign of my impending madness. Woodcock showed some signs of improvement, but still looked a little off the pace for me - I would relegate him to the bench next weekend. Hore too didn't offer much, with Coltman making far more of an impact when he came on (though his lineout throwing remains and issue). Brad Thorn is still working hard, with little support. I thought Hoeata again was nowhere near quick enough for the 6 jersey given our game-plan. As much as I hate to say it Ioane would be a better option at 6 for us than either Hoeata or Wheeler at this stage (though I would prefer either Boys or someone like Paul Grant..). Dixon again showed some positive signs with ball in hand, but he did miss a couple of tackles he should have made. Hardie is ok, but hasn't really hit the form he displaying at the start of last season. While I'm not a fan of Ioane's style of play - mainly as it stifles any possibility of using the backline - it didn't actually hurt the Highlanders this match as our backline play has been pathetic all season. I still think it is a waste having him run the ball up at first or second receiver very single play (as if we were playing the 13-man code), but at least the backs aren't running sideways for a change! Aaron Smith was solid at halfback, and it is good to see him use his running game a bit more in recent weeks. Slade was ok at 10, but hasn't really improved with game-time as I would have expected. At his best he attacks the line hard with ball in hand (ala Nick Evans), but the at the moment he is just shoveling the ball on, allowing the defenders to just drift off him. Nonu looks to be trying hard, but is trying to do far too much himself. Emery continues to impress though - it is easy to forget he is still only 19! His work on defense has impressed me a lot more this season, as he seems to have worked out that tackling around the legs is a good idea. Popoali'i was electric with ball in hand (as usual), but importantly made his tackles on defense too. Gear continues to impress me despite the poor quality ball he is receiving. I was critical of Gear often last season as he often seemed very passive with ball in hand, and didn't really make the most of the space he received. This season is the complete opposite - he hasn't received any space, but has frequently got well beyond the advantage line with ball in hand. If the Highlanders eventually manage to make space for their wings opposition sides better watch out! Ben Smith was oddly very quiet. He looked good when he got the ball, but didn't chime into he backline as much as usual. One of the reasons for this was Slade was playing fullback a lot on defense - while Slade has more than enough skills to play here, the Highlanders miss Smith's innate ability to counter attack from the back. [/QUOTE]
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Super Rugby: Highlanders vs. Reds in Dunedin (29/03/2013)
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