Ever since 97 playing the Brumbies in Canberra has been painful memories for me.
Hopefully we can get over it on Sat.
Ironic when we won our title they absolutely flogged us in round 1.
Ever since 97 playing the Brumbies in Canberra has been painful memories for me.
Hopefully we can get over it on Sat.
Ironic when we won our title they absolutely flogged us in round 1.
@Winger Aumua was on the bench and went down in a non contact situation. Could have just as easily happened at training.
Honestly that's better news than I thought we'd get.
He could potentially be back come finals time. However, I'm thinking it's more than likely he'll be on the higher end, or more of that estimated time frame out.
Hopefully not though!
And, for his sake as well, means he's not going to miss any ABs tests if he's named.
Any word on Aumua? With Roigard the comms were surprisingly good via social channels.
I don't think there is much tougher a game than the Drua away, so will take the win. Just hope Aumua isn't as serious as it looked.
Barrett, Barrett and Barrett
He's gonna sleep well tonight. Massive shift on D.
@ruggabee I'd think it's a money thing - get a few more dollars under his belt then hopefully back to NZ for a more senior coaching position if he gets the results over there.
Laidlaw did inherit a few coaches presumably with a few years left on their contracts. I'm sure he'll have ideas for replacements for anyone who has left, either of their own accord or not.
@Canes4life big locks? What a novel idea!
Love to get some minutes at 10? Seems likely.
Forgot to note this in here post match, but I went to the game against the Chiefs, and it stood out to me that Laidlaw basically stood at half way pre match, and watched the Chiefs in detail. For every 5 minutes of warm up he was observing the Chiefs as opposed to anything we were doing.
@Canes4life that whole saga with Boyd supposedly not wanting to leave but Plumtree getting the job was bizarre. Glad we're past that and the Holland years we had to endure afterwards.
TJ and Morgan I'm okay with. Not the biggest Morgan fan, but we can't play Cameron every game, and I don't think they'll give Godfrey a go over Morgan even if I think that would be a better idea moving forward.
As good as our depth in most positions Judd and Morgan doesn't inspire much confidence in me against the Drua away.
At least play TJ as his minutes have been limited behind Roigard most of the season anyway.
Drua and Brumbies both warrant playing close to our top 15 IMO.
Really tough two weeks coming up.
I think for the most part it's top 15, but you could start Kirifi and Flanders. Give Iose and Lakai a week on the pine.
Would be nice to see Viljeon on the bench too, as well as Higgins.
Pretty crazy backline for the Hunters.
Good to see Jon Preston & Dane on the pine too.
@Canes4life apart from Roigard, and it's pretty close, Iose has been our best IMO. Certainly doing his best Ardie impression, save for maybe some on the ball turnovers.
@Winger agree with your sentiments - think Higgins should be in the 23. Viljoen is certainly a better bet late in a game to create something too compared to Judd. This will be tight though so presumably they are playing it "safe" with Judd.
Still unclear on what Sullivan's status is - does anyone know?
Damn. Gutted for Cam.
Don't think it fucks us completely, but, losing arguably the best player in the comp does make it harder for us.
Fortunately, with TJ, we've got an experienced player, with a title under his belt to step in.
Good run down Canes4life - losing Aumua would be a blow but O'Reilly has been good this year for mind. He does all the basics well so I don't think that would be terminal.
Biggest concern for me would be losing Cameron, which is somewhat ironic as he's probably comparatively one of the lesser players in the 15. If we did, I'd much rather see Godfrey in the 10 jumper.
Keep Love at 15.
Morgan just doesn't look like a title winning 10 to me. Can do a job during the regular season but in tight finals footy, in possibly wet weather, I get Garden-Bachop like shivers thinking about it.
@Windows97 can't see that being a problem.
New coach. New WC cycle. And, a few new players too I'd imagine.
I saw Sullivan carrying the drinks. Is he available now?
I like your team Canes4life, although I would think they'll play Iose.
Cameron has done enough for me. I know he's been a bit criticised here but I'm more than happy with someone who gets us around the paddock like he does.