Highlanders v Blues
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Must say it was well worth the trip going down for the game. There were plenty of Blues supporters down there which I was surprised by as there was nex to no one when we played the Crusaders. The stadium was fantastic, easily the best in the country and credit to the Highlanders fans who were very gracious in defeat. I'll definitely head down again for a game that's for sure.
On the game, we completely out muscled them where they couldn't deal with our size and couldn't slow our ball down. Our big names Akira, Pat and Ofa really did smash them around and Karl T monstered their scrum along with Ofa. I notice Christie copped a bit of flak but he was very good I feel both in cover defence and by getting our attack going from the base. Caleb Clarke surely has to be in the next ABs squad as well. He looked like he was running around against little kids every time he touched the ball. Credit to the Highlanders as well, the never give up and always punch above their weight. Couldn't stand that penalty Smith got for diving which I hate in general but never mind.
Special mention to Alex Hodgman as well who came and spoke to me after the game. Absolutely top bloke who's enjoying running around injury free. He's certainly playing very well and continues to get better.
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also, Aaron Smith is the heart and soul of that Highlanders team. He is directly responsible for getting competition points year on year, it's absolutely remarkable.
The only other player I see who comes close to that level of impact is TJP. No surprises they're the 1 and 2 nines in the country.
Love watching him play, and to be at that level for that long astounds me. 8 years for the ABs, and we let him go from the Blues WTG (possibly able to be renamed WTF).
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@gt12 said in Highlanders v Blues:
Lander’s 8
ESPN has him with two tackles but he led the forwards for metres.
same stats by the look
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I’m more in the Ioane at 6 than 8 boat. Think he looks far more assured on the side and in that tight role. Today he was behind a dominant scrum so was easy yards off the back.
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Watched this on delay after playing. Great game to watch. If the Blues can lower the amount of penalties they give away, they'd be very difficult to beat.
Aaron Smith is amazing. Ioane was superb at eight. Frizzel is becoming the clear firm blindside flanker in the competition IMO. With a better pack he'd be dominant. As normal, some real depth in NZ rugby when it comes to backrowers.
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@ACT-Crusader said in Highlanders v Blues:
I’m more in the Ioane at 6 than 8 boat. Think he looks far more assured on the side and in that tight role. Today he was behind a dominant scrum so was easy yards off the back.
Yrah, I'd be happy to chick Ardie at 8 and have both Frizzel and Sotutu on the bench...
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@booboo said in Highlanders v Blues:
@gt12 said in Highlanders v Blues:
Lander’s 8
ESPN has him with two tackles but he led the forwards for metres.
Yeah.
Yeah I'm sure you won't have noticed the second best 8 in SRA...
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@Bones said in Highlanders v Blues:
@booboo said in Highlanders v Blues:
@gt12 said in Highlanders v Blues:
Lander’s 8
ESPN has him with two tackles but he led the forwards for metres.
Yeah.
Yeah I'm sure you won't have noticed the second best 8 in SRA...
Akira?
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@booboo said in Highlanders v Blues:
@Bones said in Highlanders v Blues:
@booboo said in Highlanders v Blues:
@gt12 said in Highlanders v Blues:
Lander’s 8
ESPN has him with two tackles but he led the forwards for metres.
Yeah.
Yeah I'm sure you won't have noticed the second best 8 in SRA...
Akira?
Who?
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@Bones said in Highlanders v Blues:
@pakman said in Highlanders v Blues:
Expect Clan starting 8 to be mullered at scrum time.
Heard that before a few times....
I think you'll have to give me that one.
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@pakman said in Highlanders v Blues:
@Bones said in Highlanders v Blues:
@pakman said in Highlanders v Blues:
Expect Clan starting 8 to be mullered at scrum time.
Heard that before a few times....
I think you'll have to give me that one.
Haha! Aaaaabsolutely stuffed. Interesting to note that the Highlanders scrum goes faster in reverse than Michael Collins on a clean break. (Gratuitous doff for the blues fans)
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Team stranded in Dunedin.Flight to Auckland cancelled.
Lucky it’s bye week! -
Waiting for another TMO decision perhaps!
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@trodthesod said in Highlanders v Blues:
Team stranded in Dunedin.Flight to Auckland cancelled.
Lucky it’s bye week!Nobody deserves to be stranded in Dunedin.
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@Kirwan said in Highlanders v Blues:
@trodthesod said in Highlanders v Blues:
Team stranded in Dunedin.Flight to Auckland cancelled.
Lucky it’s bye week!Nobody deserves to be stranded in Dunedin.
Come on now, Dunners is great!! Not like it's Palmy North or anything....
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