Moana Pasifika v Highlanders
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@Bovidae said in Moana Pasifika v Highlanders:
The MP scrum is much stronger this year, particularly when the subs come on. Bartlett and Wingham will be tested.
Sadly our defence hasn't improved.
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I might be out of the loop, but has Cam Millar slipped down the pecking order behind Taine Robinson? Not long ago it was him vs Jacomb to get an ABs call up?
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@DurryMexted Certainly seems that way... JJ might just be sending him a message though. Still a good player, and I expect by the end of the season he will win the jersey back - probably the first time he has to deal with positive competition though (generally has been a race to the bottom in his career)
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@Grooter It's a tough call. Based on form absolutely. But just wonder given injuries if we might benefit from having the experience of Bell in the 23 this week over him. Like if you've got potentially three props making their season debuts at once, having Bell might make sense. However if EDG is in the mix I've probably throw caution to the wind and go with Taylor.
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@frugby said in Moana Pasifika v Highlanders:
@DurryMexted Certainly seems that way... JJ might just be sending him a message though. Still a good player, and I expect by the end of the season he will win the jersey back - probably the first time he has to deal with positive competition though (generally has been a race to the bottom in his career)
I think plenty of people in Otago/Southland want Millar to succeed. Everyone was surprised when he got surpassed by effectively one of the final players added to the squad.
Robinson's playing style is far more suited to how Joseph wants the backline to run. He plays a bit tougher. Is a bigger and has been involved in some pretty big plays.
If he maintains the standard he has exhibited for the first couple of weeks, he deserves to keep the spot.
Millar has proven himself to be a very good game manager and kicker. Which makes him perfect to be a potential game closer.
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ODT articles states EDG and Ma'u likely to be available for Friday. I hope they take a very cautious approach with both.
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@SouthernMann Good news. I’d personally have them both on the bench with Bartlett and Kautai to start… six day turnaround so the tight forwards will be feeling it
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I'd personally swap out the entire tight forward starting group. With most of the starters on the bench
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@Dan54 said in Moana Pasifika v Highlanders:
I would genuinely not be surprised if MP sneak this one on Friday. I have a funny feeling the Clan may just be a bit worn out after Saturday night, and even mentally could be not quite there?
While they are 11th, and winless this is a marker game for the Landers. Due to the reasons you've outlined.
We should win this. Everything points to us winning it. For the first time this season we will be picked by the pundits. Makes it the perfect banana skin game.
Showing we can turn up, get it done is what we need to do. This is up to Joseph to show he can balance a big game, the drain mentally and physically, to get the side up. Using his squad, rotating the players as required.
That's why I'd make the changes I suggested.
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@DurryMexted said in Moana Pasifika v Highlanders:
I might be out of the loop, but has Cam Millar slipped down the pecking order behind Taine Robinson? Not long ago it was him vs Jacomb to get an ABs call up?
For Highlander’s / Otago NPC nerds.
He was miles away and he’s further now.
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Since when could pro players not back up after just two games at the start of the season? Regardless of the effort put in in the second half of last weekend's game, basically every player from the Blues game should be able to front again this weekend.
And we're still yet to see anything to suggest that Moana are anything but a very average side. They've lost both their matches this year and shipped plenty of points in the process.
If the Highlanders are making changes, it should be so they can give some easy minutes to squaddies because Moana is one of the few games where they can afford to blood new players, not because they're knackered after just two matches to start the season.
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@Mr-Fish I agree. It’s not like it’s been 5/6 weeks on the bounce, it’s about to be 3, any starter should be able to handle that load. As I posted above, I expect the front row changes due to suspension and possible injury and one in the loose forwards. I think there’s a bit of overreacting, no need to make a huge amount of changes when you have a bye the following week. Again, can’t take Moana lightly, especially being their first game at home.
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@gt12 said in Moana Pasifika v Highlanders:
@DurryMexted said in Moana Pasifika v Highlanders:
I might be out of the loop, but has Cam Millar slipped down the pecking order behind Taine Robinson? Not long ago it was him vs Jacomb to get an ABs call up?
For Highlander’s / Otago NPC nerds.
He was miles away and he’s further now.
i would argue it was us otago/highlanders that were putting the hand break on others suggesting it, the most i got to was using him as an example of a more traditional 10 and if a more traditional 10 would be a good string in the ABs bow, not necessarily him though
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In terms of rotating players. The locks for example. It is around balance. If you look at the MP likely locks, they are some of the shortest in the comp. Meaning it is less likely to have major impact compared to giving them a potential rest against a team that has two 2m locks.
Yes, we expext our guys to play week after week. However, we also made the decision to run two 80 minute locks. In a high attrition position. Be selective about the games you rest them for. This one makes sense.
We have a squad, we should use it. We want to be where the Chiefs are. Rotating players in and out. Yes, they are chocked full of ABs. But flipping guys in and out ensure continuity of quality on the field.
Fortunately due to not having many traditional star players, there isn't a huge amount between some of our guys. We also need to get some lads on the park.
Our MP games proceed both of our byes. Which is a nit unfortunate, it would habe been better if they were chucked rihjt in the middle of runs of games.Taking a squad mentality is how we will go deep.
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Resting players in the third week is completely pointless. The Highlanders have just come off a big win, there is no need to rotate the squad, surely keeping that momentum is key. When is the Landers first bye? Surely you can wait until then to rest players so to speak.
There's also that factor of some players getting better the more they play, the likes of Holland isn't exactly firing yet so playing him into form wouldn't be a bad move.
I remember when the Canes rotated most of their squad a few years back against Moana 'just because' and it blew up in their face. These guys are professionals, they should be able to play the majority of this short season without a rest. Bye weeks are enough IMO.
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@Canes4life said in Moana Pasifika v Highlanders:
Resting players in the third week is completely pointless. The Highlanders have just come off a big win, there is no need to rotate the squad, surely keeping that momentum is key. When is the Landers first bye? Surely you can wait until then to rest players so to speak.
Bye week next week so multiple players being rotated this week is almost pointless. No need to rotate for the sake of rotation.
I guess we will find out tomorrow afternoon.
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The Landers could be trolling fans, with the options on the pick the team comp it runs each week. Listed as a blindside option is.... Jim Tavatavanawai. Jeez that'd be hilarious if he suits up as a loosie
