Highlanders 2025
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If you would have drawn up the backline halfway through the NPC. It would have only had Tele'a and Fakatava in the spots they are currently occupying
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@SouthernMann some good depth in the backs once everyone is back healthy. Something we haven’t had for years
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Just wonder after Big Jim's game last week, if JJ didn't have a quiet word about staying calm etc.
The 50-22 kick he did was on the back of him taking a quick penalty, and think perhaps was a risky play for a few metres? If they just kicked penalty to touch they still got throw in etc. Perhaps not what the AB selectors would want?? -
@Dan54 i for one love the tempo, much preferred to a committee meeting followed by a limp kick for 15m gain, keep turning them around. I think it makes a difference as captain...he's setting the gameplan, everyone else should be looking to him
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
@Dan54 i for one love the tempo, much preferred to a committee meeting followed by a limp kick for 15m gain, keep turning them around. I think it makes a difference as captain...he's setting the gameplan, everyone else should be looking to him
Not suggesting I don't like it in any way mate. Just not sure coaches or anyone will want it in test arena? I can imagine how quickly he would get called an idiot if he did it in test and missed touch. Just not percentage play?
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@Dan54 no worries, didn't mean to be so blunt sorry
i actually wouldn't mind a bit more hustle on the international stage, if the person thats going to make the decision is capable why not quickly bang a penalty downfield before the defence can actually set, the 50/22 was great, and its not his first, but i think the intent was to keep the game unstructured and at the other end of the field
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@Dan54 said in Highlanders 2025:
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
@Dan54 i for one love the tempo, much preferred to a committee meeting followed by a limp kick for 15m gain, keep turning them around. I think it makes a difference as captain...he's setting the gameplan, everyone else should be looking to him
Not suggesting I don't like it in any way mate. Just not sure coaches or anyone will want it in test arena? I can imagine how quickly he would get called an idiot if he did it in test and missed touch. Just not percentage play?
Have you never seen B Barrett play for the ABs?
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Is the rumour true Big Jim wants to play for the ABs?
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@nostrildamus i kind of assume if you're uncapped internationally and you commit to a NZ franchise then you want to play for the AB's, but maybe not
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@nostrildamus said in Highlanders 2025:
Is the rumour true Big Jim wants to play for the ABs?
It has been reported he's turned down Fiji numerous times to keep chasing an ABs opportunity
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if it was a betting option....id put some money on him getting pick in squads but being stuck behind incumbents, at best, he'll play in the third test if we've one the first two...and then never get picked again
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@Dan54 said in Highlanders 2025:
Just wonder after Big Jim's game last week, if JJ didn't have a quiet word about staying calm etc.
The 50-22 kick he did was on the back of him taking a quick penalty, and think perhaps was a risky play for a few metres? If they just kicked penalty to touch they still got throw in etc. Perhaps not what the AB selectors would want??I get what you’re saying, but i thought he saw a chance and backed himself to execute. No different to Bender and Aaron Smith making similar plays over the years, I’m all for a player backing themselves.
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@Dan54 said in Highlanders 2025:
Just wonder after Big Jim's game last week, if JJ didn't have a quiet word about staying calm etc.
The 50-22 kick he did was on the back of him taking a quick penalty, and think perhaps was a risky play for a few metres? If they just kicked penalty to touch they still got throw in etc. Perhaps not what the AB selectors would want??If he hadn't kicked a ball in a long time I'd agree. But, it was the second 50/22 in as many weeks. He tapped and went with the intention to kick. Fullback up, it was a smart play.
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Highlanders ran a new player draft for club rugby. Fun idea.
An interesting tidbit is that Faleafaga is now wearing Zingari kit, looks like he's changed from the Sharks
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@Dan54 said in Highlanders 2025:
Just wonder after Big Jim's game last week, if JJ didn't have a quiet word about staying calm etc.
The 50-22 kick he did was on the back of him taking a quick penalty, and think perhaps was a risky play for a few metres? If they just kicked penalty to touch they still got throw in etc. Perhaps not what the AB selectors would want??If he hadn't kicked a ball in a long time I'd agree. But, it was the second 50/22 in as many weeks. He tapped and went with the intention to kick. Fullback up, it was a smart play.
I just thought it risky. He could of kicked that exact same kick from penalty marks without the risk of turning ball over if it didn't make 22.
Make it clear again, I loved it, but if he was in test match did it and turned ball over he would get crucified on here. All I suggesting is not what test coaches would be looking for I wouldn't think. -
@SouthernMann i saw that too! he's dead to me!
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@Dan54 said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@Dan54 said in Highlanders 2025:
Just wonder after Big Jim's game last week, if JJ didn't have a quiet word about staying calm etc.
The 50-22 kick he did was on the back of him taking a quick penalty, and think perhaps was a risky play for a few metres? If they just kicked penalty to touch they still got throw in etc. Perhaps not what the AB selectors would want??If he hadn't kicked a ball in a long time I'd agree. But, it was the second 50/22 in as many weeks. He tapped and went with the intention to kick. Fullback up, it was a smart play.
I just thought it risky. He could of kicked that exact same kick from penalty marks without the risk of turning ball over if it didn't make 22.
Make it clear again, I loved it, but if he was in test match did it and turned ball over he would get crucified on here. All I suggesting is not what test coaches would be looking for I wouldn't think.I think you are reading a wee bit too much into a single play in week 2 of Super Rugby.
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@Dan54 said in Highlanders 2025:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@Dan54 said in Highlanders 2025:
Just wonder after Big Jim's game last week, if JJ didn't have a quiet word about staying calm etc.
The 50-22 kick he did was on the back of him taking a quick penalty, and think perhaps was a risky play for a few metres? If they just kicked penalty to touch they still got throw in etc. Perhaps not what the AB selectors would want??If he hadn't kicked a ball in a long time I'd agree. But, it was the second 50/22 in as many weeks. He tapped and went with the intention to kick. Fullback up, it was a smart play.
I just thought it risky. He could of kicked that exact same kick from penalty marks without the risk of turning ball over if it didn't make 22.
Make it clear again, I loved it, but if he was in test match did it and turned ball over he would get crucified on here. All I suggesting is not what test coaches would be looking for I wouldn't think.Sure it had an element of risk, but excellent players make the difference in games. Had he waited and kicked a normal penalty he wouldn't have got the same distance with the kick as it would've been covered.
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I agree, I thought it showed excellent understanding of the laws. There was risk involved, but if no-one is back, it is just down to his execution.
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And he is VC isn't he, so has a bit of lattitude to make such decisions?
