Highlanders V Brumbies Super Bang Bang quarter finals
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<p>I definitely look at an Aussie team with Pocock in it with more trepidation. He can be nullified, but the All Blacks need to actively focus on doing that, and when they don't he keeps Australia in the game.</p>
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<p>He's not the best player in the world, but he is absolutely exceptional at one particular skill that can really disrupt the teams he's playing against.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Milk" data-cid="598388" data-time="1469043782">
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<p>I definitely look at an Aussie team with Pocock in it with more trepidation. He can be nullified, but the All Blacks need to actively focus on doing that, and when they don't he keeps Australia in the game.</p>
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<p>He's not the best player in the world, but he is absolutely exceptional at one particular skill that can really disrupt the teams he's playing against.</p>
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<p>When he is one of their few quality forwards, then he can be stopped and disrupted. The problem is if the depth chart starts to stack up for them, then it gets tough. Stop Pocock, and others make hay. It's the Jonah effect all over again - defences may stop him, but that opens up space everywhere else. </p>
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<p>In terms of influencing games, ask the SA team at the 2011 world cup the effect he can have. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="598378" data-time="1469017948">
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<p>Congrats on pointing out the self evident truth that a team in a knockout final has a chance. The Brumbies have look stifled and bereft of imagination on attack., Pocock's not the sort of player that's going to fix that issue.</p>
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<p>The point I'm making is they are more than just a chance. Playing knockout games at home means even with a crap attack, the Brums could very readily get up and win this, By comparison, play at a neutral or Highlanders venue, I'd say a very low chance of winning.</p> -
<p>I'm interested in the last two lines. The Brumbies' main attacking weapon is the maul, and they are all but admitting they have a lock acting as a blocker, and actively train for it. That's an astounding thing to say going in to a game. </p>
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<p>it's only accidental though...everytime, I suppose.</p>
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<p>oh, no worries then....</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SouthernMan" data-cid="598315" data-time="1468994528">
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<p>Interesting changes in for the Highlanders, Luke Whitelock moves from no8 to lock, where he played when Squire came on last weekend. While Shane Christie returns to the openside.</p>
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<p>I think the selection of Luke Whitelock at lock is a clear indication the Highlanders are going to attempt to run the Brumbies all over the park.</p>
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<p>There shouldn't be a lot lost lineout wise either, Squire can move into the middle, while Dixon is always camped at the front of the lineout, so Whitelock can jump at the back.</p>
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<p>Interesting as well, that they have reverted to a 5/3 split on the bench, after having six forwards on the bench against the Chiefs. Although I fully expect Aaron Smith and Sopoaga to play full games.</p>
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<p>Don't need 6 forwards on the bench when you have 4 loosies starting that all can play 80 minutes if needed. Good to have Christie back in the side.</p>
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<p>Looks to be showers for most of tomorrow in Canberra, but a mild temperature of 17. The wind is always a factor out in Bruce particularly for the fans sitting in the icy wind tunnel!</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nzzp" data-cid="598391" data-time="1469044512">
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<p>The point I'm making is they are more than just a chance. Playing knockout games at home means even with a crap attack, the Brums could very readily get up and win this, By comparison, play at a neutral or Highlanders venue, I'd say a very low chance of winning.</p>
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<p>Given the way they've been playing, they'd need a hometown ref.</p> -
I've unloaded the TAB account on the Landers to cover a 3.5 point spread. If Jamie Joseph is as good as I am starting to think he is, then we may<br>see the first team successful all season long in defusing the Brumbies potent rolling maul.<br><br>And it is potent. Yes it is a bit stink and predictable. But give them their dues, they have the best rolling maul I have ever seen in my life. Pity that<br>is the only thing they have going for them, but yeah, it is what it is.<br><br>I am not phased by Pocock coming back, he has been a bit luke warm when returning from injuries in prior seasons and has taken his time to find his feet again,<br>also their biggest loss is Tomane anyway, he basically was their back line.
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Brumbies 24 - 28 Highlanders.
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<p>Current weather in Canberra:</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://www.canberraairport.com.au/travellers/info-for-travellers/webcam/'>https://www.canberraairport.com.au/travellers/info-for-travellers/webcam/</a></p>
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<p>The camera is shaking a bit because its windy as fuck. Wind speeds up around 52km/h, gusting to 72km/h</p>
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<p>Rain around as well, clearly: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR403.loop.shtml#skip'>http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR403.loop.shtml#skip</a></p>
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<p>Bruce stadium is to the NW of centre. Unfriendly conditions to say the least.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="598757" data-time="1469166407"><p>Current weather in Canberra:<br>
<br><a class="bbc_url" href="https://www.canberraairport.com.au/travellers/info-for-travellers/webcam/">https://www.canberraairport.com.au/travellers/info-for-travellers/webcam/</a><br>
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The camera is shaking a bit because its windy as fuck. Wind speeds up around 52km/h, gusting to 72km/h<br>
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Rain around as well, clearly: <a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR403.loop.shtml#skip">http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR403.loop.shtml#skip</a><br>
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Bruce stadium is to the NW of centre. Unfriendly conditions to say the least.</p></blockquote>
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Weather a big leveler I think.... feeling sick with nerves <br><br><br>
Cmon landers -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="598760" data-time="1469167220"><p>Cheer up Matt - if it's any help I reckon you'll only win by 20 in the wet.<br>
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Unfortunately, my prediction will have as much bearing on the actual result as NQs. :)</p></blockquote>
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It still makes me feel better.. cheers mate -
<p>The weather here is miserable and looks like getting worse. Pleased I didn't get any tickets.</p>
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<p>Kick chase and ability to hold the ball will win tonight. Clan's scrum and lineout better be up to scratch.</p> -
<p>especially when they get to play in that air-conditioned dry FB Stadium most weeks...they're feckereded</p>
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Haven't been this nervous since rwc final
