SuperRugby: Chiefs v Hurricanes. 28/04/2012

[Dizzy]

Yes and another great try from Andre Taylor, surely has a shoe in for an All Black spot.... Get him in there and prime him up for the next World Cup... Overall, a good contest, the Chiefs look like they should be well ahead, be great to see how everything turns out.

 

[Dizzy]

Easy try for The Flash.... poor tackle from Perenara, one of the stronger tacklers in the Hurricanes squad.

 

[Shaggy]

Nice try to "Flash" Mesaga

Sent from my LG-P925g using Tapatalk

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Do you think Cruden is still on time to gain 5cm and 15 kg? It seems it's the only thing he needs to be one of the top 10s worldwide.

 

[Dizzy]

Well, it was a good game all round. Well deserved win for the Chiefs

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I don't think the ref had a particularly great game - couple of knock ons called that looked like they were flat at best. Some penalties were a bit iffy too. Don't think it ultimately changed the game though.

 

[Larksea]

Yes and another great try from Andre Taylor, surely has a shoe in for an All Black spot.... Get him in there and prime him up for the next World Cup... Overall, a good contest, the Chiefs look like they should be well ahead, be great to see how everything turns out.

He would be if Ben Smith wasn't doing as much maybe more for the highlanders, who knows there maybe room for both in the squad but I think they are both Fighting for Toeava's spot.

 

[Larksea]

Good game for the chiefs, they actually looked really sharp for a team coming back from a 4 week road trip. partly i think because of the sharp delivery of Leonard who had an impressive return. Barlow hasn't been quite right for a few weeks, i think the lift in this area was noticeable.

Very much a good team effort, was also good to see Toby Smith back on deck and showing why I think he should be an All Black but unfortunately the fact he's been out since round 1 may rule him out for June selection. Though I still think he's the best man to take Afoa's spot going forward.

Shame for the Canes, after some good results this one really drops drops them off the top three in NZ who all had wins and the top 6 overall - they need to turn the screws on the Blues and try and pickup a bonus point to get back in the running.

 

[james5000]

He would be if Ben Smith wasn't doing as much maybe more for the highlanders, who knows there maybe room for both in the squad but I think they are both Fighting for Toeava's spot.

LOL Ben Smith is lucky to get through 80 mins, he's been injured for half the comp. Taylor is a mile ahead IMO. He looks dangerous every time he touches the ball.

 

[Larksea]

I would hardly call Ben Smith injury prone, he had an issue with a head knock - could have played last week but was rested as a precaution.

I don't think Taylor is a mile ahead. Both are two of the best runners in the whole comp, but Ben Smith is so much more involved in every game. Where Taylor waits for his chances in set play or counter attack Smith is getting involved everywhere and causing havoc pretty much every time he touches the ball.

This weekend was a good example, That try Taylor scored was brilliant, I doubt many others could score like that. But apart from that he actually had a really quiet game and wasn't involved much - up till that point I remember thinking he hadn't really been in the game at all, then with the highlanders game Ben Smith is everywhere. Seems every time the highlanders do something good Smith is involved somehow. I think his running ability is very unique because it puts the defense ahead of him into panic mode before he even gets to the line and opportunities are around him. And Smiths great strength is the low error rate he has even though he has a massive workload, he seems to thrive on it.

picked on form alone I think I'd have both in my squad, both are playing the kind of rugby that demands selection.

But at the same time Dagg is playing well enough that he is a sure selection to start at 15 so that may mean only one open spot unless something drastic happens like Jane, Guildford or Gear being dropped...

 

[donmcdazzle]

It will be one or the other, maybe Taylor's youth will help him out in terms of developing him. Smith probably is as good as he will ever be, Taylor has more potential improvement.

 

[Larksea]

I dont think it's about improvement or devalopment.

It would be more about producing this same form at test level, and fitting into the All Black environment if they get the chance. Though Smith has already had a taste and actually did well the one chance he got.

The other difference being that Ben Smith has been bloody good for the last few years and been unlucky with selection. Taylor hasn't really been a factor up till now though he's been around a while.

Hindsight is always 20/20 but I think the last couple of years the faith and selection that Toeava has had through his injuries, may have been better off being given to Ben Smith who hasn't really put a foot wrong since his first AB selection. In fact he's got better every year.

 

[nickdnz]

It will be one or the other, maybe Taylor's youth will help him out in terms of developing him. Smith probably is as good as he will ever be, Taylor has more potential improvement.

Well, Ben Smith is only a year older, so I'm not so sure they will take that into account.

I personally would go with Taylor. There is so little that goes right for the Hurricanes in the forwards, that it really credits just how important the outside backs are that they can still allow the Canes to win. I also think it speaks volumes that Taylor was the only player to score a try in both the Crusaders AND the Chiefs matches, leading the competition in line breaks, running metres and tries (which are three attributes I really wan't from my fullback). I like Ben Smith, and I would agree that on the whole he is a safer option, but I don't think he's as dangerous with the ball as some people make out. I also think the Highlanders' backline is fairly under achieving considering who they have, it always looks a little uncreative and flat (obviously not Ben Smith's fault).

 

[donmcdazzle]

^^ My bad guys I thought Smith was like 28-29, didn't realise he was only 25. There goes that point then!

 

[Amobokoboko]

Great game; got the result via text. Looking forward to next week. Can we keep our momentum?

 

[Gena_ZA]

Well, Ben Smith is only a year older, so I'm not so sure they will take that into account.

I personally would go with Taylor. There is so little that goes right for the Hurricanes in the forwards, that it really credits just how important the outside backs are that they can still allow the Canes to win. I also think it speaks volumes that Taylor was the only player to score a try in both the Crusaders AND the Chiefs matches, leading the competition in line breaks, running metres and tries (which are three attributes I really wan't from my fullback). I like Ben Smith, and I would agree that on the whole he is a safer option, but I don't think he's as dangerous with the ball as some people make out. I also think the Highlanders' backline is fairly under achieving considering who they have, it always looks a little uncreative and flat (obviously not Ben Smith's fault).

Agree here, Taylor reminds me of Cullen, more and more each game
Dagg is brilliant in a open game but goes a bit quit when the rest is not performing = early part of this tournament
Smith is dynamic and very involved, would like to see him continue for an extended period to form a solid opinion on him

 

[Larksea]

Agree here, Taylor reminds me of Cullen, more and more each game
Dagg is brilliant in a open game but goes a bit quit when the rest is not performing = early part of this tournament
Smith is dynamic and very involved, would like to see him continue for an extended period to form a solid opinion on him

Want to see an "extended period to form" from smith? He's been in great form for the last 3 years, it's really only because the highlanders team and players around him have improved that he's really showing what he can do. When the highlanders were at their worse he and Thomson were the shining lights of the team, probably should have been in the All Blacks on form last year. Taylor is the one who's been very average up till this season.

Taylor does have a point of difference much like Cullen, his speed and agility just seem to be so good which is enabling him to do what he's doing. Seems to have great running technique, a very long stride when he opens up.

 

[Larksea]

Chiefs have the lions next and they should look to rest a few players. In particular Messam who has played every game all but 5min and played 15 min with a rib injury this week, Clark, Retalick and the two props also could use some downtime.

 

[nickdnz]

Want to see an "extended period to form" from smith? He's been in great form for the last 3 years, it's really only because the highlanders team and players around him have improved that he's really showing what he can do. When the highlanders were at their worse he and Thomson were the shining lights of the team, probably should have been in the All Blacks on form last year. Taylor is the one who's been very average up till this season.

Taylor does have a point of difference much like Cullen, his speed and agility just seem to be so good which is enabling him to do what he's doing. Seems to have great running technique, a very long stride when he opens up.

Not been a fan of his untill this season, but to be fair, he only had a handful of Hurricanes games (I think around five), all on the wing and still managed two tries. He's been behind Savea, Jane and Gear in the last few seasons, but it's been his permanent move to fullback which is what is making him look so good (as I said last season he should play).

As I said, I like Smith but I feel that while he is probably a more safe option, Taylor has that x-factor that the All Blacks could really use (especially if they want to play Kahui on the wing again this season).

 

[donmcdazzle]

Also Taylor has been in good form in the itm cup the last few years. His last season for manawatu he scored some great tries.