Highlanders v Sharks
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Some great signs for South African rugby, so much size in the forwards which is nothing new, but the flair that is coming through especially in the outside backs is amazing ..I thought the Highlanders forward pack was systematically bullied off the paddock ...
Every Highlanders player seemed to be man handled like it was men playing boys ..
Very convincing win to the Sharks in the end, I thought the final score actually flattered the Highlanders ..
Could be the Sharks year ..! -
@Steven-Harris yeah across the board the Sharks players just seemed bigger and more robust in the exchanges.
So Landers did the right thing in that 2nd half to speed the game up. Looked good, but then a couple of times when they had to score they coughed it up.
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Highlanders v Sharks: costly penalties, poor line-outs, bad kicking and big, strong South African backs
I don't think anyone had very high expectations from this young, inexperienced Highlanders side, but the way the Highlanders lost was disappointing.
Disappointing
Coltman's line-out throwing was very bad (not that it was ever good, but it was just very noticeable in this game). Ill-discipline was costly (Curwin Bosch kicked 3 penalty goals). The Sharks conceded way more penalties (15; the Highlanders conceded 7), but not where they could lead to successful kicks at goal (and the Landers chose the line-out anyway).Rob Thompson - the most experienced back on the field - didn't lead by example, displaying a poor kicking game and making several other, uncharacteristic mistakes. Both Mitch Hunt and Josh Ioane couldn't get the backline firing and both produced wide passes that were almost intercepted by the speedy Sharks' backs. I don't know the reason for this 10-12 experiment, but it didn't work. Next game, they should try Ioane at 10, possibly with Hunt at 15 instead of McKay. Stat: Hunt missed two of his four kicks at goal (50%). Curwin Bosch's kicking percentage was 88% (he missed one kick).
The inexperienced back three of Jona Nareki, Tima Fainga'anuku and Josh McKay couldn't get past the big South African defensive line: small men trying to run through big men usually doesn't work, but they tried it anyway. Gutsy, but not effective. Trying to catch the high ball with a big opposition player chasing, also wasn't a success. The back three also displayed the poor kicking game that we saw from Thompson. Not sure what the game plan was, but it either wasn't a good game plan, or it was poorly executed.
The most disappointing stat of the night was that of turnovers: the Highlanders conceded 21 against the Sharks' 8.
Positives
Full credit should be given to the Sharks, with their powerful, big backline. Particularly, Makazole Mapimpi and Aphelele Fassi, who were running great lines with speed, were outstanding. The Sharks managed to turn many opportunities into tries - often feeding of Highlanders' mistakes. The Highlanders had no answer to the Sharks incredible line-speed.It was not all doom and gloom for the Highlanders though. The scrum went reasonably well; the Highlanders won 100% of their own scrums (the Sharks only 57%), especially Siate Tokolahi deserves a mention in this respect. The line-out improved considerably when Ash Dixon came on and there was a short Highlanders resurgence in the second half that could, and should, have made the score closer, if it wasn't for some soft tries given away at the end of the second half.
Marino Mikaele-Tu'u was outstanding at number 8 and, by far, the best Highlander of the night. Most running metres of all players (105m), 3 clean breaks and 7 defenders beaten. Aaron Smith, despite a few bad passes, also had a very good game, both with his crisp passing and fast running.
My MVP: Aphelele Fassi
Best Highlanders player: Marino Mikaele-Tu'u
Best Highlanders forward: Mikaele-Tu'u
Best Highlanders back: Aaron Smith
Most disappointing: Liam Coltman and Rob Thompson
Greatest worry: the lack of size in the backs (especially the back three) and the team's inability to deal with the opposition's line-speed (I think we're going to reach that conclusion more often this season).(write-up based on detailed notes of the game and ESPN stats)
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@Stargazer said in Highlanders v Sharks:
Best Highlanders forward: Mikaele-Tu'u
Best Highlanders back: Aaron SmithBy a long, long way unfortunately.
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BOOM. Fucken take that naysayers. That's how you shit the bed.
Highlanders appear to have spent the extra week taking etiquette lessons in how to curtsey and smile meekly whilst waving visitors in.
Mixed bag from Fainganuku, who seemed to get better but will forever be judged by me on his biggest run. Nothing makes my blood boil more than watching a winger with the corner open decide he'd rather run into the cover.
Matchbox 20 stone, what an atrocious performance. Too much weights not enough basic skills work.
Something finally goes right for a SG special! Take a bow Mikael...Mika...Marino!
Backline looked better with Ioane leading it last year than what I saw tonight. Although we probably missed Walden more than anything.
That performance at the breakdown and general forward performance reminded me of the last time I was a canes supporter. Wonder what the link is?
Don't really get the fuss about McKay. Think I'd rather see Collins given a bash.
Dickson went well, good to see Hunt back out there and Lentjes actually starting to look like he's earnt his spot.
Onwards and upwards.
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For me we just do not have enough firepower and need our best 15 on the field at all times to get close to a result.
In backs I think we need Walden and Tomkinson (even Nabura dear I say it) Just need to be able to match teams physically and for speed.
In forwards the biggest disappointments were our locks, I thought they would really step up this year. Dickson played ok but Parkinson was anonymous and looked to avoid contact. There were a couple of times he could have won turnovers and he backed away.
Next week In Canberra could be even worse! -
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About the only positive for me is there's a chance teh Blues wind up 3rd, without playing much better than last year.
Worrying how our NZ teams have fallen off a cliff. Fundamental skills missing in players - it's like we're optimising for size, and forgetting speed/skill is just as important. Saffers production line is back - they are going to be a hell of a force if they dont' destroy their team with politics (again)
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@nzzp said in Highlanders v Sharks:
About the only positive for me is there's a chance teh Blues wind up 3rd, without playing much better than last year.
Worrying how our NZ teams have fallen off a cliff. Fundamental skills missing in players - it's like we're optimising for size, and forgetting speed/skill is just as important. Saffers production line is back - they are going to be a hell of a force if they dont' destroy their team with politics (again)
Not sure who you're talking about, but it was exactly size that the Highlanders were lacking in the backs, and the big lump in the forwards - Mikaele-Tu'u - was one of the best players on the field and showed plenty of skills.
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Too many boys from bad nz 20s teams getting gigs.
Too many 2nd tier players gone.
But realistically highlanders are just reverting back to type after another golden period . -
The Hammettuer effect is in action. That was painful watching if you're a Highlanders fan, as an almost neutral who wanted the Highlanders to win there was some good attacking play from the Sharks.
Good to see TBN get a run ... even if it was on the wing.
Good to see Tu'u show what he's made of with decent minutes on the park.
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@Nepia said in Highlanders v Sharks:
The Hammettuer effect is in action.
How does he keep getting gigs or are we expected to believe the counterfactual. I.e. how bad they'd be without him?
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@antipodean said in Highlanders v Sharks:
@Nepia said in Highlanders v Sharks:
The Hammettuer effect is in action.
How does he keep getting gigs or are we expected to believe the counterfactual. I.e. how bad they'd be without him?
I guess he’s like those guys in any corporation who continue to fail their way up.
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Pretty decent indication of the depth of NZ rugby I'd have thought.
Highlanders and nz lost a lot of intellectual property last year. Can't replace players with 10 years super rugby experience with a body the same size and expect the same results.
Landers were decimated in a player turnover year like seldom (never) seen before. If you lose 2 thirds of your 1st 15, 500+ caps of experience you aren't going to be the same in anything but appearance, so I can't see how people expected too much.
The Highlanders 2020 is as much a story about nz player depth as it is anything else
