Highlanders v Rebels
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Christ on a bike this Mauger Landers team is firing on bugger all cylinders.
Too many errors and not the physicality and patience this game plan demands.We did fucken well with the kick it away and tackle like fuck way of doing things for about 5 years but it rests on specific defence and commitment.
It'd be any easy correlation to suggest Joseph and Brown influenced the team through their Otago reputations, and Mauger and Hammett don't but this team is actually declining going into finals.
Oh and for the most part Lima has Wasps wondering what they've bought.
A wins a win and finals footy in a socialist competition is a big achievement but fuck it'll have to be 3 peak 2015 performances in a row for this season to become part of clan folklore.
But good luck lads, give it shit wherever you have to travel to !
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@tim said in Highlanders v Rebels:
How did Umaga-Jensen go?
Mainly distinguished himself by having the stupidest haircut. Looked like he was wearing the handle of Ardie's toilet brush!
I reckon Sopoaga has missed having Tony Brown working with him on a daily basis. From what I've seen of his form this year, he wouldn't have made the ABs except on trust.
Naholo was easily the outstanding Highlanders back tonight - next best were McKay and Faddes coming off the bench. Walden was OK except for gifting Hodge a try.
Ioane had a second half shocker of monumental proportions.
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@siam I think there's been a decline in their weaponry.
They've relied on having a forward pack that could compete gamely and a backline chock full of dynamite.
Losing Fekitoa - and Sopoaga being off song - means there's that bit more defensive cover for the Smiths and Naholo. Not everyone in the backs is an absolute threat.
Probably missing Halanukonuka at tighthead as well. Lomax currently isn't a patch on Siua as a scrummager. Can't recall who else they've lost but their prop rotation doesn't seem as good as it's been.
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@chris-b yeah I think you're right. Heaps fewer threats but wracking my brain only Fekitoa stands out as big losses but 2 new All Blacks and a similar tight five makes me wonder if there's some intangible missing.
Nah bugger it, I blame Deans' (prodigy No.5 or is it 6?) 😁
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Am I the only one starting to get a bit bored of Sumo commentary? Nothing that I can completely put my finger on, but at times I find it tiring to listen to. He sort of commentates like the players are his mates.
I’d like to hear more of Lose, honestly, thought he did a fantastic job earlier this year.
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@majorrage see that was the problem I had with him when he first came along (well to my memory). I quite like him now but he can be a bit familiar.
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@majorrage said in Highlanders v Rebels:
Am I the only one starting to get a bit bored of Sumo commentary? Nothing that I can completely put my finger on, but at times I find it tiring to listen to. He sort of commentates like the players are his mates.
I’d like to hear more of Lose, honestly, thought he did a fantastic job earlier this year.
Let's not get carried away here! I put Lose with TJ in my list of commentators I can't stand to listen to.
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@bones said in Highlanders v Rebels:
Lose used to be freakin awful, but lately I've noticed he seems to have matured really nicely, doesn't make stuff up any more and calls it as ya see it.
I'd guess it's a case of "absence makes the heart grow fonder". I'm not sure how he'd stand up to be listened to every week, but on past form - not that well.
Sumo has grown on me since he started and I'm not worried that he'll likely be Nisbo's successor as No. 1 caller for the big matches.
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@bones said in Highlanders v Rebels:
Lose used to be freakin awful, but lately I've noticed he seems to have matured really nicely, doesn't make stuff up any more and calls it as ya see it.
He's actually not bad as a play by play commentator, but hopeless as a comments man. Don't give him time to think.
Although I am huge fan of Sumo. Sorry @MajorRage
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If Lose would lose the "out of Napier Boys High", like they were horses, it would go a long way.
He pronounced the Polynesian names well, which is good.
He goes on about those from "The Kingdom of Tonga" which is less good (Piers Francis is from the "Kingdom of England And Wales" but apparently only one kingdom is important).
