Highlanders v Sharks
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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! -
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
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@Stargazer said in Highlanders v Sharks:
@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.
Sorry, yeah I expressed that badly. I was trying to say I think we've got a bunch of people out there who are physical specimens, but lack rugby (and often life) 'nous'. You see it at the Blues - great players, but just not skilled or rugby smart. I think chickens are coming home to roost in pro rugby here, and we're seeing one dimensional, narrow individuals playing the game.
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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)
Fuuuuucken hell buddy. Are you alright?
I hardly get that from watching the Highlanders play largely shit in their first game, against a very good sharks team.
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@Bones said in Highlanders v Sharks:
@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)
Fuuuuucken hell buddy. Are you alright?
I hardly get that from watching the Highlanders play largely shit in their first game, against a very good sharks team.
It's been building for a while for me. Let's see a few rounds in if this is a temporary thing, or representative. our play against England - for instance - was brain dead. It's becoming more prevalent throughout our structure, and not balanced by experienced heads making good decisions.
Or maybe I'm just becoming a grumpy old man. Either is fine of course
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Oh who on earth was the co-commentator? He was awful and got pretty much every tactical comment 100% wrong.
Sharks score a try off a great contestable kick. He then says the sharks are kicking too short and need to kick longer (while they're walking back from the try ffs). Cut to second half and a brilliant territorial long kick from the sharks...what's that? Oh they're kicking too long and need to do more contestable kicks (nevermind the massive lead).
Happened throughout the whole game.
