Crusaders vs Highlanders pre-season

[Chris B.]

26-0 at halftime.

Crusaders haven't completely switched teams at halftime - McKay and the Crusaders start the 2nd half well.

[Kiwiwomble]

always a question how much you can read into these games as there are so many of the "first string" guys missing...but its still good to hear, if nothing else some confidence for some of the fringe/new players

pretty much different teams in the second half so could easily swing the other way

sounds like sio stayed out of trouble?

[Kiwiwomble]

reading through the text commentary and they seem to mention a lot of grubbers and chips?

[Chris B.]

Sustained pressure by the Crusaders and sustained infringing by the Highlanders - Tavatavanawai get the Crusaders on the board.

[Chris B.]

Crusaders with a series of infringements giving the Highlanders field position.

[Kiwiwomble]

"Both sides are struggling with the fatigue of the game as the scrum takes a while to set"

...shouldn't be with pretty much a new tea at half time

[Chris B.]

Ollie Jager with the first significant looking injury. Archilles-looking...

[Chris B.]

Tavatavanawai gets a second try - comes into the line from the blindside and runs straight through the Highlanders.

For someone who was only a late call-up for the Mako, he looks pretty useful. Big and fast.

[Kiwiwomble]

@Chris-B said in Crusaders vs Highlanders pre-season:

Ollie Jager

he cant have been that injured....

[Chris B.]

Great run by Tamati Williams - shows real pace - really impressive - and then another excellent charge by Fletcher Newell to score.

One of the better moves I've seen concocted by props!

26-21 - 10 minutes to go.

[Chris B.]

@Kiwiwomble said in Crusaders vs Highlanders pre-season:

@Chris-B said in Crusaders vs Highlanders pre-season:

Ollie Jager

he cant have been that injured....

He's off - it was Newell scored the try.

[Kiwiwomble]

@Chris-B oh, the commentary lists him

[Kiwiwomble]

damn, talk about a game of two halfs

[Chris B.]

@Kiwiwomble Definitely off.

He went down like he'd been hit by a sniper.

Crusaders score from a 12 man lineout drive.

Highlanders use their challenge and find a fault - surprise, surprise.

No try.

This is going to be a dubious rule!

[Kiwiwomble]

that Cameron bloke seems ok....

edit: really, the commentary said they found nothing wrong...

[Chris B.]

Sorry - I've got that wrong - seems the try stands.

28-26 Crusaders.

[Chris B.]

...and Makene has a chance to win it on fulltime, but his penalty fails and the Crusaders retain the Farmlands Cup.

Woo Hoo!!!

[Kiwiwomble]

I know its only pre season but they need a rev up after that, all but two were fresh legs in the second half, its not like the saders brought on DC or something

[Chris B.]

@Kiwiwomble Game of two halves - and four teams?

I think Romano looked quite instrumental in the second half performance - Crusaders came out with a lot more second half urgency.

Highlanders II didn't really look at the races, much like Crusaders I.

Cameron was pretty good!

Segner a couple of good lineout takes and appeared to pack at 8, despite wearing 6 (didn't look natural there).

That really was an impressive run by Williams and nearly as good from Newell.

[Stargazer]

@Chris-B said in Crusaders vs Highlanders pre-season:

On right now. How come @Stargazer doesn't have 10 posts on a thread already!!!

Too much in awe of Fabulous Fakatava!