Highlanders v Crusaders

[Duluth]

@southernmann said in SRA 2021 Round 1: Highlanders v Crusaders:

I'd say that Renton will be providing the openside cover off the bench.

Ahh. I wasn't looking for openside cover in number 23

[Kiwiwomble]

@bovidae said in SRA 2021 Round 1: Highlanders v Crusaders:

@kiwiwomble said in SRA 2021 Round 1: Highlanders v Crusaders:

no selby-rickit?

If fit, he has missed out to a 36 yr old.

And both Regan and Renton aren't part of the original squad.

you'd think he must have a niggle...surely...i mean im not a huge fan of the guys...but he can play some good code

[bobily2]

The first-round selections always have a few odd picks. Could be little injuries the coaches want to get sorted. Could be the players came back to training unfit and are still catching up. Could be rewarding preseason form/training efforts.

I'd expect to see the likes of Selby-Rickitt, Lentjes, etc to get start getting selected in a few weeks, especially if the Highlanders drop a game or two. Tomkinson will likely stay around, but maybe TUJ or Collins will come into the midfield to replace Punivai too.

[Kiwiwomble]

I like pictures

[delicatessen]

That's a ridiculous 23. Who's playing in the midfield when Tomkinson gets carded?

[Kiwiwomble]

@delicatessen dont get to replace a carded player

[delicatessen]

@kiwiwomble ah good point

[Kiwiwomble]

@delicatessen i assume thats why we've paired him with Punivai, normally a winger, need someone fast to cover the inevitable hole

[Stargazer]

@kiwiwomble Actually, red-carded players can be replaced after 20 minutes.

[Kiwiwomble]

@stargazer i forget we were doing that

[Stargazer]

Following the conclusion of the game on Friday night, there will be a pounamu mere presented to Co-Captain Ash Dixon to acknowledge his achievement of 100 games for a Super Rugby Club. Dixon played his 100th game against the Crusaders at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch on 9th August 2020 however the presentation was delayed until it could be made in front of a home crowd. 

Unavailable due to injury: Sam Gilbert (knee), Ayden Johnstone (Concussion), Pari Pari Parkinson (ankle)

News | Highlanders Rugby Club Limited Partnership

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[Yeetyaah]

Seems strange that Hunt starts over Ioane, I read above that he had drinking issues last season? I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing Alaimalo in blue

[Duluth]

Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, Dallas McLeod, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Samuel Whitelock, Scott Barrett (c), Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody

Reserves: Brodie McAlister, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Quinten Strange, Sione Havili Talitui, Mitchell Drummond, Fergus Burke, Chay Fihaki

---

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300237947/super-rugby-crusaders-midfielder-dallas-mcleod-to-start-in-absence-of-injured-duo

[Yeetyaah]

@duluth Goodhue finally back at 13.

[Bones]

@yeetyaah said in SRA 2021 Round 1: Highlanders v Crusaders:

@duluth Goodhue finally back at 13.

Because a 13 has been put at 12....what the fuck is up with midfields in NZ!? Has it become illegal to play good players in regular positions?

[Bones]

@kiwimurph said in SRA 2021 Round 1: Highlanders v Crusaders:

I wonder if Josh Ioane is receiving a bit of tough love after last season and his issues with drinking and weight.

Do tell? First I've heard of it.

Hunt was abysmal at 10 last year so he will have to have improved dramatically to be capable, when Ioane came back it was night and day.

[Duluth]

@bones

It was during the NPC

Koroi and Ioane got suspended for an 'alcohol related incident' the NZH claimed 'both players turned up to training in an unacceptable state'

[Stargazer]

@bones I can't remember in which article it was written, but Brown has made a remark about Ioane that it was good to see him wearing shorts in his usual size instead of a size up, after the off-season.

[Bones]

@Duluth @Stargazer cheers

Geez it's fairly dumb to get written off the night/morning before training if you're a pro athlete. It's a special kind of dumb to then turn up to training in that state.

[Kiwiwomble]

@stargazer what does that mean?

@Bones Hunt also had a misfiring ioane outside him at the start of last year and had a pretty good NPC at 10 from what i saw, im not oppose...as long as we dont persist too if loane comes on and sows him up