Super Rugby: Hurricanes vs. Kings in Wellington (30/03/2013)

[TRF_Ezequiel]

Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Other matches this weekend:

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...y-Highlanders-vs-Reds-in-Dunedin-(29-03-2013)

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...iefs-vs-Blues-in-Mount-Maunganui-(30-03-2013)

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...by-Brumbies-vs-Bulls-in-Canberra-(30-03-2013)

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...eetahs-vs-Rebels-in-Bloemfontein-(30-03-2013)

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...ormers-vs-Crusaders-in-Cape-Town-(30-03-2013)

http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/...ugby-Waratahs-vs-Force-in-Sydney-(31-03-2013)

BYE

 

[Gena_ZA]

When they say the Kings tackle like demons and a birdie told me Savea said "Challenge accepted"

 

[Darwin]

Hurricanes: Andre Taylor, Alapati Leiua/Matt Proctor, Conrad Smith (c)/Alapati Leiua, Tim Bateman, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara /Chris Smylie; Victor Vito, Karl Lowe, Brad Shields, Jason Eaton, Jeremy Thrush, Ben May, Dane Coles, Ben Franks.
Reserves: Ash Dixon, Reggie Goodes, Mark Reddish, Faifili Levave, Chris Smylie/Samisoni Fisilau, Tusi Pisi, Reynold Lee-Lo.

The canes welcome Coles back into the starting lineup, with Taylor back at fullback too. There are a few injury concerns, with both Perenara and Conrad Smith bracketed in the side. If Smith is ruled out Leuia will start at centre, and Matt Proctor will make his debut on the wing. I'm surprised that Ardie Savea doesn't feature in the 22, as he back available again this week after serving his suspension.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

It's odd, considering Hammett had said he was a chance of being in the first XV named, that Savea can't even make the bench in what will probably be the Hurricanes' easiest game of the season.

 

[nickdnz]

I think Andre Taylor really need to find some form this game - and it's probably the game to do it with the Kings having some pretty suspect defense.

I'm interested in seeing Proctor on the wing if he gets the chance. Agree it's strange Ardie doesn't even make the bench - there aren't many games which are easier than this for the Canes (maybe I'm underestimating the Kings...).

 

[sifplay]

When they say the Kings tackle like demons and a birdie told me Savea said "Challenge accepted"

I fail to see how is conceding 121 points in 4 games tackling like "Demons".

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Prior to the match against the Chiefs they had the best tackle rate in the competition. Don't know what it is now though.

 

[sifplay]

Prior to the match against the Chiefs they had the best tackle rate in the competition. Don't know what it is now though.

It was due to the fact that the referee kept them in a game by not controlling the breakdown and Sharks running straight into them

Tackles made Kings - 165 (84%)
Sharks - 87 (86%)
http://www.rugbystats.com.au/matches/rugby/match21212.html

Kings - 194 (90%)
Force - 108 (76%)

Kings - 118 (77%)
Chiefs - 106 (85%)

Kings - 183 (80%)
Saders - 72 (78%)

 

[Gena_ZA]

I fail to see how is conceding 121 points in 4 games tackling like "Demons".

If you can't see the lighter side in that comment of mine you should change your meds, you seems like the sour type in any event

 

[sifplay]

If you can't see the lighter side in that comment of mine you should change your meds, you seems like the sour type in any event

Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning as I was being sarcastic. Whats with the hostility?

 

[Gena_ZA]

Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning as I was being sarcastic. Whats with the hostility?

Not at all, it's Friday after all. Sarcasm invites confrontation

 

[Darwin]

Canes in control so far, 10-0 after 10 minutes.

 

[austingtir]

Peranara continues to impress. To me so far this season he's been light years ahead of A smith. Every time 10 metres from the line with a quick tap he is asking big questions of opposition defence with not much support either. This is the type of halfback i prefer bit more robust and like a loose forward.

 

[Darwin]

It has taken a few weeks, but Perenara is starting to get back to the outstanding form he displayed last season. Despite his young age he is undoubtedly the most complete halfback in the country in my opinion, though his passing has been a bit erratic at times this season. His nose for try-line is a real asset too. I don't think it will be long before we see him in the AB's side.

We are certainly well set for halfbacks this season - the AB's selectors just need to decide which halfback pairing suits their game-plan best (personally I would go with Smith and Perenara).

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

While Smith is the incumbent, I just don't think he has as diverse a skill set as either Perenara or Kerr-Barlow. I think if Smith is starting Kerr-Barlow is a better bench option, because he's more different to Smith than Perenara is.

 

[Darwin]

While Smith is the incumbent, I just don't think he has as diverse a skill set as either Perenara or Kerr-Barlow. I think if Smith is starting Kerr-Barlow is a better bench option, because he's more different to Smith than Perenara is.

Yep, I agree entirely. However the one skills he does bring (a phenomenal passing game) is pretty useful for a halfback! Personally I'm not a big fan of Kerr-Barlow on the bench, as it looks like he tries to play 80 mins of rugby in the 20 mins he is on For me he is either starting or sitting in the stands...

EDIT: Good try for Shields seals the match for the Canes. Shields has really impressed this match!

 

[nickdnz]

Eck. I can't bee too unhappy with the win - but there we're still no where near the form we were last season particularly in counter attacking. We really miss Cory Jane in my opinion. I personally think Peranara is the best halfback in the country by a fair bit. He just seems to have sticky hands, that catch and control impossible balls.

Ben May was really mixed. On one hand he scrummed pretty well and scored a nice try - on the other him and Eaton were just walking penalty machines (I thought the ref was pretty anal this match to be fair...).

 

[Darwin]

Eck. I can't bee too unhappy with the win - but there we're still no where near the form we were last season particularly in counter attacking. We really miss Cory Jane in my opinion. I personally think Peranara is the best halfback in the country by a fair bit. He just seems to have sticky hands, that catch and control impossible balls.

Ben May was really mixed. On one hand he scrummed pretty well and scored a nice try - on the other him and Eaton were just walking penalty machines (I thought the ref was pretty anal this match to be fair...).

You think a Hurricanes player is the best in his position in the country? I'm shocked (not that I really disagree with you..).

I agree the Canes are really missing Jane - what confused me most is the way the commentators kept talking up Leiua (suggesting he was close to the AB's last season :lol. They made far too many silly errors, but did look dangerous at times with ball in hand. Barrett is still struggling to control the game a bit at 10, but did look dangerous when shifted to fullback - I wonder whether we will see Pisi at 10 and Barrett at fullback in the Canes next match?

 

[nickdnz]

You think a Hurricanes player is the best in his position in the country? I'm shocked (not that I really disagree with you..).

I agree the Canes are really missing Jane - what confused me most is the way the commentators kept talking up Leiua (suggesting he was close to the AB's last season :lol. They made far too many silly errors, but did look dangerous at times with ball in hand. Barrett is still struggling to control the game a bit at 10, but did look dangerous when shifted to fullback - I wonder whether we will see Pisi at 10 and Barrett at fullback in the Canes next match?

Haha, someone is feeling sour. Not to worry though - some Highlanders players are touring primary schools in Otago in the next few week, so there's a chance they may win a game.

I agree in terms of Leiua - couldn't work out what the commentators were going on about (although it did feature a host of my least favourite commentators). Leiua had a good game by his standards - his running metres must have been right up there and he did get that nice intercept. The problem with him I find, other than his late of any real pace - he actually blew a number of chances. He should have passed the ball back inside to Barrett in his first break, and there were a number of times where he just seemed to lack common sense and gets shepherded into touch - which is a little typical of him in my opinion. Overall he's solid but hardly close to the All Blacks (in fact I'd say of any current sarting winger he'd be one of the least likely).

I hope to see Barrett stay at 10 - in part because I just don't really rate Tusi Pisi and I'd rather have Andre Taylor start (although he's still not making the line breaks I want to see), but also because I still think Barrett has more to offer at 10 despite getting closed down a bit this game. I think it was actually a tactic of the Kings to close down the 10-12 channell early, which is why they seemed to get a bit of space.

 

[Darwin]

Haha, someone is feeling sour. Not to worry though - some Highlanders players are touring primary schools in Otago in the next few week, so there's a chance they may win a game.

I agree in terms of Leiua - couldn't work out what the commentators were going on about (although it did feature a host of my least favourite commentators). Leiua had a good game by his standards - his running metres must have been right up there and he did get that nice intercept. The problem with him I find, other than his late of any real pace - he actually blew a number of chances. He should have passed the ball back inside to Barrett in his first break, and there were a number of times where he just seemed to lack common sense and gets shepherded into touch - which is a little typical of him in my opinion. Overall he's solid but hardly close to the All Blacks (in fact I'd say of any current sarting winger he'd be one of the least likely).

I hope to see Barrett stay at 10 - in part because I just don't really rate Tusi Pisi and I'd rather have Andre Taylor start (although he's still not making the line breaks I want to see), but also because I still think Barrett has more to offer at 10 despite getting closed down a bit this game. I think it was actually a tactic of the Kings to close down the 10-12 channell early, which is why they seemed to get a bit of space.

Sour doesn't even get close to how I'm feeling The way we are playing I would be surprised if we could beat primary school sides. It is lucky there is 4 points for the bye, as that is the only way we look capable of getting points this season....

I agree on Leiua - he is decidedly average (though had a solid game this week). He does seem to have an innate ability to sniff out an intercept though (which is rare among NZ wings).

Like you I would stick with Barrett at 10 - he just seems to be lacking a bit of confidence at the moment. I just get the feeling that the Canes coaches quite like Tusi Pisi (for some reason).