Crusaders v Highlanders
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@Nepia said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@Tim said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
It's absurd that Burns is keeping an NZ player out of a starting 10 jersey.
It's stupid that McClutchie is playing for the Islander team and this ponderous journeyman Englishman is sucking up NZR $$ at the Highlanders.
I get your point but I thought Burns was OK (as a vanilla 10) when the Landers were going forward. He connected well and didn't put others under pressure. He overdid the kick over the top a bit though.
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@cgrant said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
Last year, Gilbert was used as a 1st Five and did well. There is also Faleafaga waiting in the wings ...
I think Gilbert at 10 probably needs smith at 9, Le head taking some of the decision making re direction, before we bought in burns I thought we might see Gilbert at 10 but I can’t see it now with burns, hunt and millar in the stands
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Blackadder is looking very, very good. There seems more sting in his collisions this year. Has he put on some beef? Havili making a mockery of the negative fern narrative again. It seems he has put on a few kilos as well.
Jack Goodhue seems quite ponderous and out of place, doesn't he? Moody needs to put a few more miles on the clock although Ainsley is no mug.
For the Clan, TUJ looks the goods. He and Timu could become quite an efficient midfield if they stay healthy. The Clan will improve and start punching above their weight at some stage. Not sure when and I have been saying it since 2016 but "One day Roger Fitch, one day!" -
@Old-Samurai-Jack Really good that Blackadder is back he was one of the finds in 2021, sidelined most of last year. Really hope Grace comes back later in the year. How far away is Will Jordan from returning?
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It could be a long and hard year for the Highlanders. They were pretty ineffective. Among the positives : TUJ's power in midfield, PPP's strength up front and Gilbert's big boot. That's clearly not enough to win games. Hopefully, they'll fare better when De Groot, Frizell and Smith are back.
For the Crusaders, I liked what I saw of Hotham. He could well leapfrog Drummond before the final phases. -
@cgrant problem is TUJ looks slow and unfit, I guess at least the latter can be sorted pretty easily.
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@taniwharugby said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@cgrant problem is TUJ looks slow and unfit, I guess at least the latter can be sorted pretty easily.
Every time I see him involved in the play I wait for an injury. It's going to take a while for him to shake that reputation, if ever.
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@taniwharugby said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@cgrant problem is TUJ looks slow and unfit, I guess at least the latter can be sorted pretty easily.
i think its a bit deceptive, he "looks" slow because he's carrying more weight than we;ve seen before...but i look back on the blues match and BB's try which was off a turnover at the other end ,TUJ was one of the few that managed to get back and actually made the tackle on Tela
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@Old-Samurai-Jack said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
Blackadder is looking very, very good. There seems more sting in his collisions this year. Has he put on some beef?
Certainly looks like he's put bulk on up top. Was really noticeable IMO.
Havili making a mockery of the negative fern narrative again.
One good game followed a shocker. The negatives will continue.
Jack Goodhue seems quite ponderous and out of place, doesn't he?
Yep.
Moody needs to put a few more miles on the clock
Has too many already. Cant see him breaking back into contention unless we are desperate
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@Crucial said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@Old-Samurai-Jack said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
Blackadder is looking very, very good. There seems more sting in his collisions this year. Has he put on some beef?
Certainly looks like he's put bulk on up top. Was really noticeable IMO.
Havili making a mockery of the negative fern narrative again.
One good game followed a shocker. The negatives will continue.
Jack Goodhue seems quite ponderous and out of place, doesn't he?
Yep.
Moody needs to put a few more miles on the clock
Has too many already. Cant see him breaking back into contention unless we are desperate
I hate to say it, but for the first time I found myself wondering if Goodhue can still be considered the first choice 13 for the Crusaders. Really hope he finds his mojo again, but pace is hard to get back and he never was all that quick.
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@Crazy-Horse I think he still has the class, but his lack of pace is now a hindrance and wonder if he is at that point where he is making decisions based on what he used to be able to do, but his mind hasnt quite adjusted to what his body isn't able to do it now...
I said last year I'd be surprised if his window in the ABs hadn't passed him by.
