Highlanders v Crusaders
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@Old-Samurai-Jack very much a work in progress.
I’d love to see a 12-Havili 13-Goodhue combo tried.
Jordan at fullback and then Ennor, Reece, Bridge, Fai fighting it out for the wings and bench option.
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@Old-Samurai-Jack yeah I really liked him on the wing last year and I think Goodhue is an ok 12, but an excellent centre.
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@Old-Samurai-Jack said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
Nobody has said it yet. Ennor is not a centers arsehole. Poor distribution skills, drifts sideways on attack, doesn't have the defensive nous of the position. Great player but just not a center.
Wasn't he part of the very dangerous 2017 U20 midfield with Orbyn Leger? That suggests the raw ingredients are there. However, we're not lacking in midfield options so maybe his future is on the wing
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Bloody Saders are spoilt with backs riches. Hell you gotta find some way of fitting Jordan Ennor Mo Reece Mullet Havili Fai and Bridge in there altogether! Maybe they can spare one or two for the Chiefs.....just sayin
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@KiwiMurph said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
Jordan another step closer to the ABs.
What are others thoughts of him as a 14 ? If beaudy was playing 15 ,
And more of a power winger at 11 ,( liking the look of Caleb Clarke ) that balance has served as well in the recent past
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@Bones said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
@Old-Samurai-Jack yeah I really liked him on the wing last year and I think Goodhue is an ok 12, but an excellent centre.
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
We all agreed this new comp didn’t reeeaaalllyyy count, didn’t we?
Yes. 100%. Just friendlies and training runs.
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I really liked the way Richie Mo'unga played last night. He was prepared to take the line on himself, which meant the defense couldn't just slide when he received the ball. Mo'unga has great footwork, and decent speed over short distances. He looks like he'd be a great touch player.
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@ACT-Crusader said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
I’d love to see a 12-Havili 13-Goodhue combo tried.
Definitely worth a run, but I don't think it will be happening (as a starting option) this weekend. In fact, it will be very interesting to see who Razor picks in the outside backs if everyone is available. I'm guessing it will be Reece, Jordan, Havili, with George on the bench.
Havili struggled a bit as a second five under Toddy's regime, but he was probably a 20 year old and paired with Fonotia. The way he bumped off Laumape the other week, he's doubtless made of sterner stuff these days.
Also worth a run at centre somewhere is Fetuli Paea, who was very good there for Ta$man, with limited opportunities.
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@Cantab79 And once again, his defense was very good. He seems more "robust" this season.
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@Cantab79 said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
I really liked the way Richie Mo'unga played last night. He was prepared to take the line on himself, which meant the defense couldn't just slide when he received the ball. Mo'unga has great footwork, and decent speed over short distances. He looks like he'd be a great touch player.
You're not wrong. He actually represented NZ in touch rugby (open mixed and open men's category).
The first photo is from 2012, don't know about the second:
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@Old-Samurai-Jack said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
@Cantab79 And once again, his defense was very good. He seems more "robust" this season.
Mounga? Yeah he certainly showed it on Frizzel. Neat tactic backing away from the tackle, but probably not the best one on your tryline.
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@Stargazer said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
).
The first photo is from 2012, don't know about the second:
Happiest team photo ever, here was me thinking touch was a fun game
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@Bones Nah, one instance doesn't make a pattern though, does it? Go through the game and see all the good tackles he made (one on the line that stopped a certain try). He has definitely improved in that area. He is no Johnny Wilkinson yet, but he is getting there.
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@Old-Samurai-Jack said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
@Bones Nah, one instance doesn't make a pattern though, does it? Go through the game and see all the good tackles he made (one on the line that stopped a certain try). He has definitely improved in that area. He is no Johnny Wilkinson yet, but he is getting there.
And I'll invite you to go through the game and watch all the bad and non tackles he made...a couple of lucky shots on the ball doesn't show improvement for me. He's not even trying to make a tackle!
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@Kiwiwomble the way he reacts and follows the play is phenomenal. He was doing it back in 2013 vs Ireland and fast forward 7 years he is still doing it at a high level.
You can see why Hansen and co wanted to surround him with faster players because when Smith can use his speed, it puts opposition teams under huge pressure, but if you haven’t got the pace outside him then it’s nullified somewhat.
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its textbook, his eyes never leave the ball and as soon as he makes his first offload he is looking for the breakdown so he can get the ball back, you know what they say, winners always want the ball
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Not reading the thread but am just watching the replay... but did TJ just say "Hi" to Davidav? Just on 34:30 game time?
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