SR T-T FINAL: Blues v Highlanders
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@crazy-horse said in SR T-T FINAL: Blues v Highlanders:
@kiwiwomble yeah anything can happen, but there are quite a few Blues players putting their hand up for long term AB selection. I know the Blues have their weaknesses, but surely it would raise eyebrows if they don't get up.
I don’t think you can look at it like that. There are so many variables in a game that can impact on a result.
The 9-10-12 for the Blues has a massive question mark over it in my view. Quick ball from Smith will put them under a bit of pressure and whilst the loosies of the Blues are very good, they are going to have to play the house down to slow down that ball.
6-7-8 for the Landers will all need to have big games and not just be serviceable.
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The forwards battle should be interesting, to say the least. Less big names in the Highlanders pack but collectively, the latter looks better.
Scrums : even
Lineouts : advantage Highlanders
Rucks : even
Mauls : advantage Highlanders
Driving : advantage Blues -
@cgrant said in SR T-T FINAL: Blues v Highlanders:
Mauls : advantage Highlanders
Not so sure on that, for me feels more like we've been a bit bullied in the maul as opposed to the blues who I seem to recall have repelled quite a few lineout drives on their own line.
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@bones said in SR T-T FINAL: Blues v Highlanders:
@cgrant said in SR T-T FINAL: Blues v Highlanders:
Mauls : advantage Highlanders
Not so sure on that, for me feels more like we've been a bit bullied in the maul as opposed to the blues who I seem to recall have repelled quite a few lineout drives on their own line.
our maul work has come on leaps adn bounds over the last few years. I think there's been a definite decision to prioritise it and back it in games (and learn if not) ... early rounds of SRA you saw a lot of penalties being kicked to the corner and mauls being driven, even when it wasn't workign that well. Then eventually, it starts to work
The change from a few years ago is massive in terms of our defence. Chapeau Tom Coventry
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@cgrant said in SR T-T FINAL: Blues v Highlanders:
The forwards battle should be interesting, to say the least. Less big names in the Highlanders pack but collectively, the latter looks better.
Scrums : even
Lineouts : advantage Highlanders
Rucks : even
Mauls : advantage Highlanders
Driving : advantage BluesScrums should be advantage blues. It's been a weapon the last couple of years... until we shit the bed like against the Chefs.
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@act-crusader said in SR T-T FINAL: Blues v Highlanders:
@crazy-horse said in SR T-T FINAL: Blues v Highlanders:
@kiwiwomble yeah anything can happen, but there are quite a few Blues players putting their hand up for long term AB selection. I know the Blues have their weaknesses, but surely it would raise eyebrows if they don't get up.
I don’t think you can look at it like that. There are so many variables in a game that can impact on a result.
The 9-10-12 for the Blues has a massive question mark over it in my view. Quick ball from Smith will put them under a bit of pressure and whilst the loosies of the Blues are very good, they are going to have to play the house down to slow down that ball.
6-7-8 for the Landers will all need to have big games and not just be serviceable.
I acknowledged the Blues have their weaknesses. Agree 9,10,12 is a problem area but apart from Smith, it could be argued the others are at least on par with the Highlanders. And the Blues have RI at centre. Wings and fullback are probably about even, maybe slight advantage overall to the Blues.
Then, take a look at the Auckland forward pack. All Black props, All Black lock, and All Black loose forwards (if all available) all of whom have put forward a good case for a starting All Black spot (individually and collectively}. It will be a worry if that group of forwards don't step up and take the game away from the Highlanders.
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@cgrant said in SR T-T FINAL: Blues v Highlanders:
The forwards battle should be interesting, to say the least. Less big names in the Highlanders pack but collectively, the latter looks better.
Don't disagree in the slightest, but with the number of ABs, potentially starting ABs , in the Blues pack, it really should be a comfortable advantage to the Blues.
On paper, I'd argue the Blues should have advantage over the Crusader pack too.
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Landers as under dogs in a final again, thats perfect, just the way we like it.👌
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@crazy-horse said in SR T-T FINAL: Blues v Highlanders:
@cgrant said in SR T-T FINAL: Blues v Highlanders:
The forwards battle should be interesting, to say the least. Less big names in the Highlanders pack but collectively, the latter looks better.
Don't disagree in the slightest, but with the number of ABs, potentially starting ABs , in the Blues pack, it really should be a comfortable advantage to the Blues.
On paper, I'd argue the Blues should have advantage over the Crusader pack too.
Our pack looks nice on paper, but they did get smashed by the Highlanders' pack last time around.
This should be close. It was 1 win each in SRA.
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@dice said in SR T-T FINAL: Blues v Highlanders:
@crazy-horse said in SR T-T FINAL: Blues v Highlanders:
@cgrant said in SR T-T FINAL: Blues v Highlanders:
The forwards battle should be interesting, to say the least. Less big names in the Highlanders pack but collectively, the latter looks better.
Don't disagree in the slightest, but with the number of ABs, potentially starting ABs , in the Blues pack, it really should be a comfortable advantage to the Blues.
On paper, I'd argue the Blues should have advantage over the Crusader pack too.
Our pack looks nice on paper, but they did get smashed by the Highlanders' pack last time around.
This should be close. It was 1 win each in SRA.
Yeah, Blues pack were beaten last time but Fo Frizzel my nizzle played a big part in that. Renton has been good at the breakdown but I'm not so sure he has the physicality to dominate the Blues (haven't watched him closely though).
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@toddy yeah, Renton has been good but Frizell was on a rich vein of SR form
I wonder if we'll try the Lentjes/Himeno/Harmon combo again, go for speed and turnovers, try and get on the board early
I havent heard of any injuries so im assuming more or less the same team we've fielded for the whole of SRTT
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@toddy said in SR T-T FINAL: Blues v Highlanders:
@dice said in SR T-T FINAL: Blues v Highlanders:
@crazy-horse said in SR T-T FINAL: Blues v Highlanders:
@cgrant said in SR T-T FINAL: Blues v Highlanders:
The forwards battle should be interesting, to say the least. Less big names in the Highlanders pack but collectively, the latter looks better.
Don't disagree in the slightest, but with the number of ABs, potentially starting ABs , in the Blues pack, it really should be a comfortable advantage to the Blues.
On paper, I'd argue the Blues should have advantage over the Crusader pack too.
Our pack looks nice on paper, but they did get smashed by the Highlanders' pack last time around.
This should be close. It was 1 win each in SRA.
Yeah, Blues pack were beaten last time but Fo Frizzel my nizzle played a big part in that. Renton has been good at the breakdown but I'm not so sure he has the physicality to dominate the Blues (haven't watched him closely though).
This made me laugh more than I should have
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@dice said in SR T-T FINAL: Blues v Highlanders:
@crazy-horse said in SR T-T FINAL: Blues v Highlanders:
@cgrant said in SR T-T FINAL: Blues v Highlanders:
The forwards battle should be interesting, to say the least. Less big names in the Highlanders pack but collectively, the latter looks better.
Don't disagree in the slightest, but with the number of ABs, potentially starting ABs , in the Blues pack, it really should be a comfortable advantage to the Blues.
On paper, I'd argue the Blues should have advantage over the Crusader pack too.
Our pack looks nice on paper, but they did get smashed by the Highlanders' pack last time around.
This should be close. It was 1 win each in SRA.
I don't recall last time around so I will take your word for it. My argument is, from a NZ perspective, that Blues pack should not be getting bettered by the Highlanders pack. Not in a game like this.
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@mattasaurus Are you sure about that?
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@african-monkey about being underdog? id say so, home advantage, number of All Blacks, direct results this year, top of the table all suggest the blues are the fav
@crazy-horse said in SR T-T FINAL: Blues v Highlanders:
@bovidae big year from Harmon. Amazing to think he has been mentioned in some circles as next cab off the rank for AB 7 if Savea's knee rules him out. Good to see.
yeah, our game plan over the last few season has really allowed opensides to shine, Hunt had a great season last year and i thought losing him was a real blow but Harmon has really stepped up
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@kiwiwomble Fair enough I guess, I personally think its a toss of the coin between 2 sides with 2 very different styles of play. As cliche as it sounds, I guess whoever executes it better will win.
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@african-monkey fair enough, ive already said in general anything can happen in a final but as far as what can be measured beforehand i think the Blues have it on paper
