SuperRugby: Blues v Highlanders. 26/05/2012

[donmcdazzle]

Take a look at the ball while it's in mid air, it's pointing diagonally, with the far side facing the Highlanders far corner post (not as extreme as that, but angled in that direction). It's very hard to throw a pass forward while it's facing that direction - try it out

It isn't hard to throw a forward pass with the shape of a legal one. It went forward out the hands and kept drifting forward.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Try and do it If the ball is facing towards the far corner on the Highlanders' side, the only way it could possibly have been thrown forward is if it was under-armed - think about it.

 

[Darwin]

A few random thoughts on the game:

- I was impressed with Luatua's work-rate. It will be good to see him get a chance to start in his preferred position (lock) next week.
- Luke Braid again looked good in a losing side
- Tony Woodcock had a strong game, which is great news for the AB's
- Weepu made a good impact when he came on, while Nonu was outstanding when he came on - putting him on the bench really fired him up!
- Francis Saili looked good in his starting debut, I was really impressed with his all-round game.
- David Raikuna had his best game of the season - he was very elusive, and seemed to back himself for the first time this season.
- I was very impressed with Ma'afu Fia - strong both in the scrum and around the field
- Thomson had a good game (as he usually does at this level), and Crosswell played well in the unfamiliar position of number 8 (though was a bit shaky at times at the back of the scrum)
- Cowan played reasonably well, but Smith was better (as always) when he came on
- I was happy with Noakes again - he's certainly not the most flashy 10, but he has done a good job for the Highlanders this season
- Baker looked good on the wing - wouldn't mind him getting a few more starts. It was good to see Hosea Gear rewarded with a couple of tries this week. Ben Smith is class.
- Whoever put their vBookie retirement fund on the Highlanders to win by more than 7 must have been wishing that the Highlanders took that easy penalty with time up on the clock rather than kicking for touch!

 

[Larksea]

I thought Burleigh had a really impressive game till he was binned, though at least he saved a try with it.

Blues played a hell of a lot better this week, forwards had a bit more hunger and nonu made good impact when he came on. Just glad the Highlanders game away with 5 points. Been a good weekend with all 4 NZ teams still in the playoff hunt getting 4 or more points.

 

[Darwin]

I thought Burleigh had a really impressive game till he was binned, though at least he saved a try with it.

Blues played a hell of a lot better this week, forwards had a bit more hunger and nonu made good impact when he came on. Just glad the Highlanders game away with 5 points. Been a good weekend with all 4 NZ teams still in the playoff hunt getting 4 or more points.

Burleigh played well again - he has been really good value for the Highlanders this season. In some ways it was a good thing for the Highlanders that Treeby got injured, as Burleigh is a far better fit for the Highlanders expansive gameplan than Treeby (who just tucks the ball under his arm and runs straight whenever he gets it).

 

[Larksea]

yeah that's the key really Treeby great on the crash ball and a strong runner but Burleigh can do that as well. But he can also play a serious role as a playmaker for the impressive outside backs the highlanders have this season. Plus his kicking game adds a lof of value. he just seems to have a much better combination with Ellison too.

Have to say the guy has been unlucky not to get a run at super rugby before this year. If he did not get this chance I think he would have gone overseas next year.

I did see him as a good option for the chiefs if SBW did not stick around but they will have a fight for him now if they want him for next year.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

I would say our best backline is noakes burliegh ellison, noakes and burliegh player really well together (obviously due to BOP connection), Burliegh played like a second ten on sat and with guys like smith gear and ellison around to break the line you have the luxury. the to seem to take the pressure off each other.

I really like treedby but he is too similar to ellison and think he is best use as midfield cover now

was realy impressed with fia. I've always thought murray was over rated so very happy to see another option out there

 

[Draggs]

Burleigh has been a great player this season. Really impressed with him, as you have stated, works well with Chris Noakes.
Highlanders are developing a quality backline, just need to have a kinder injury situation.

 

[Larksea]

can't ask for a better clutch goal kicker than Nokes, he's played that closer role so well but having such a class goal kicker on is important at any time not just the last 10 min.

 

[Larksea]

oh dear, Anscombe is now out for 6 weeks with an ankle injury.

 

[Darwin]

I've been very happy with Noakes at 10 this year - I definitely prefer him to Delany as he actually passes the ball rather than hogging the ball and having a go himself all the time..... I've been impressed with Burleighs running game this season - he has always been a great distributor, but he seems to have improved his running game over recent years.

oh dear, Anscombe is now out for 6 weeks with an ankle injury.

Really disappointing news for Anscombe (and the Blues). He hasn't had an easy debut season - he has been playing in a poor team, and been given inconsistent game-time, but he has shown enough to suggest he will be a very good Super Rugby player one day. I was hoping the Blues could pull off a couple of upsets now to boost the Highlanders playoff chances, but that seems less likely now that Anscombe is gone. I expect we will see Hobbs back at 10, and I'd like to see Francis Saili pair up with Nonu in the midfield, as he had a strong starting debut against the Highlanders.

 

[Larksea]

Anscombes injury may not be a bad thing, it's not super serious and it may be good for him to put his feet up and absorb and learn from his experiences this season and prepare for ITM cup. been a lot of pressure and controversy for the guys first year proper in super rugby.

he's critical for the blues going forward, he needs to come out next year and be a leader in the hopefully new and improved blues outfit with a new coach, gameplan and standards.

 

[Draggs]

Yeah, I like Noakes.
I remember him playing a really solid match against the Chiefs, but then getting injured right near the end, poor chap.
Come back from injury well though, and combined well with Burleigh. How long is Phil in contract for? Sign him up if it ends this season.

From what I can see Delany has a better boot than Noakes, so it is a tough call. I like Sopoaga, whilst I am really not a huge Slade fan. I understand he has injury issues, but he just doesn't impress me to the extent I have seen others praise him.

 

[Darwin]

Yeah, I like Noakes.
I remember him playing a really solid match against the Chiefs, but then getting injured right near the end, poor chap.
Come back from injury well though, and combined well with Burleigh. How long is Phil in contract for? Sign him up if it ends this season.

From what I can see Delany has a better boot than Noakes, so it is a tough call. I like Sopoaga, whilst I am really not a huge Slade fan. I understand he has injury issues, but he just doesn't impress me to the extent I have seen others praise him.

I'd assume Burleighs contract is only to the end of the season - I'm sure the Highlanders would love to sign him up again for next season, though the Chiefs may be interested too (especially considering SBW is likely to be playing league/boxing/ballet/becoming an astronaut next season).

Noakes actually has a really good boot on him (probably better than Delany), but he has been struggling all season with a groin injury which has really effected the distance he is getting on his kicks. Slade is a very classy player - or at least was before he started getting injured every second game (about two years ago). When he does return from injury he looks really down on confidence, and just when he starts to look like he is getting back into it he gets injured again. At his best he is a very good player - he has got a strong kicking game, and can really threaten the defensive line with him deceptive pace.... if we can get that player back he will be a huge asset to the Highlanders.

 

[Draggs]

Hah! Expect a statement from Nasser telling everybody Neil Armstrong has nothing on SBW. First offload in space!

I would like to see Slade with at least a full nearly-injury free season. He does have some tricks, but I don't think he will really a looking with Cruden and Barrett in the news. I do recall watching Slade against Fiji and being quite impressed.
Didn't know about Noakes' injury, that explains it. If Joseph can manage to keep Burleigh and a few others (great to hear Gear has stayed, good commitment) the Highlanders will have a very respectable backline. When they aren't injured, they've got some great loosies as well. John Hardie would have been a bolter for the ABs until his injury.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Slade will get next year to prove him self i guess (as i signed on) but i will be more than happy with Sopanga and Noakes filling the 10 jersey just as much, I thought Sopanga look really good before getting injured, he works well with Smith

having two injury prone 10's is a bit of a worry though

 

[smartcooky]

Slade will get next year to prove him self i guess (as i signed on) but i will be more than happy with Sopanga and Noakes filling the 10 jersey just as much, I thought Sopanga look really good before getting injured, he works well with Smith

having two injury prone 10's is a bit of a worry though

Saw an interview with Colin Slade the other night. He was a bit worried with all these injuries he has been getting that there might be something wrong with his bones, so he underwent a BMD (bone mineral density) scan.....no problems found, bone density in the normal range for his age and build.

IMO, he has just been unlucky.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Saw an interview with Colin Slade the other night. He was a bit worried with all these injuries he has been getting that there might be something wrong with his bones, so he underwent a BMD (bone mineral density) scan.....no problems found, bone density in the normal range for his age and build.

IMO, he has just been unlucky.

Medically yeah but I think you can get it in your head And make your self even more injury prone, you think as you go into the tackle you're about to get hurt and so make you'reself fall inthe wrong way or something


I fear mentally he's spent but hope I'm wrOng

 

[smartcooky]

Medically yeah but I think you can get it in your head And make your self even more injury prone, you think as you go into the tackle you're about to get hurt and so make you'reself fall inthe wrong way or something


I fear mentally he's spent but hope I'm wrOng

A good sports psychologist (and of course, a willing recipient) can get that sorted.

I wouldn't give up on Slade just yet, although I have to admit, he has been overtaken a bit with Cruden and Barrett in such good form.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

A good sports psychologist (and of course, a willing recipient) can get that sorted.

I wouldn't give up on Slade just yet, although I have to admit, he has been overtaken a bit with Cruden and Barrett in such good form.

very true and hope you're right