Blues v Highlanders
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@winger said in Blues v Highlanders:
@bones said in Blues v Highlanders:
@winger said in Blues v Highlanders:
@bones said in Blues v Highlanders:
@winger what? Highlanders played awful for large periods of the match and were still within a try with 5 minutes to go.
Get a grip.
Did you read the article. And as I said its only one game.
No, I responded to your post.
OK. But the article is the key.
Not really if it's in the same tone as your post.
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There is something missing in the jigsaw. Hunt and Banks are really not up to it. A good ten and the Clan would be a different team I think. Although they can hold their own in most departments, they can't dominate anywhere to cover the obvious flaws.
Blues were quite good at taking the man out off the ball and being niggly. Part of the game plan to outmuscle the smaller team at the breakdown I think. Just a much better team all across the park unfortunately.
However, I honestly don't know why Clarke's name comes up in AB discussions to be honest. Positioning is poor, decision making isn't good, he looks for contact not space, .... I just can't see it. -
The player the Highlanders are really missing is Dixon. Coltman was back to being too inconsistent with his lineout throwing, so what used to be a strength of the Highlanders and the catalyst for many of their tries is now a weakness. The lineout just before HT being an example.
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@winger The Canes are in a healthy position, they are a young squad and have been able to pick up wins without a large chunk of their experience. They've got plenty of depth, the problem with the Canes is making sure the right players are on the park. We haven't even seen Perenara, Coles, Walden, Franks, Bird, Walker-Leawere, Howden, Roigard etc this year so I don't think you need to lump the Hurricanes in that bracket. If the Canes get all their experience back towards the end of the season they can beat anyone.
The Highlanders on the other hand, sheesh they really have no depth whatsoever. You know you're in trouble when you have Marty Banks on the bench. He's barely NPC level these days, let alone Super Rugby quality.
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@old-samurai-jack He was one of our best in the first 2 games. Don't think he was overly terrible yesterday either apart from getting the ball slapped out of his hands when he was about to score.
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@african-monkey He was good under the high ball, carried well, ran good lines, but did fuck up that try. He's having a good season.
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@tim He looks hungrier this year, which he needs to with the competition on the left wing (that doesn't include George Bridge). His work rate has improved a lot too, not that it was awful in previous years, but he's stepped up his game this year imo.
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@african-monkey said in Blues v Highlanders:
@tim He looks hungrier this year, which he needs to with the competition on the left wing (that doesn't include George Bridge). His work rate has improved a lot too, not that it was awful in previous years, but he's stepped up his game this year imo.
I think if he had scored that try, it would be a very different story, he well fucked that up, and was also very aggressive in going for contestables - he's made some excellent catches this year and is getting plenty of metres (led the team yestreday with 95 off 14 runs, 22 passes, 1 defender beaten, 1 clean break, and 1 offload). He also made 6 tackles and missed none (3 turnovers though, which is a concern but everyone was bad for that last night).
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@gt12 said in Blues v Highlanders:
@african-monkey said in Blues v Highlanders:
@tim He looks hungrier this year, which he needs to with the competition on the left wing (that doesn't include George Bridge). His work rate has improved a lot too, not that it was awful in previous years, but he's stepped up his game this year imo.
I think if he had scored that try, it would be a very different story, he well fucked that up, and was also very aggressive in going for contestables - he's made some excellent catches this year and is getting plenty of metres (led the team yestreday with 95 off 14 runs, 22 passes, 1 defender beaten, 1 clean break, and 1 offload). He also made 6 tackles and missed none (3 turnovers though, which is a concern but everyone was bad for that last night).
A couple of shit kicks as well.
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@gt12 Yeah I'm surprised by the negativity towards him. For me, its out of him and Leicester Fai'anganuku gunning for the best left wing in the country with Rieko shifting in 1 of course these days.
Good to see some healthy competition for spots for higher honours.
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@chris said in Blues v Highlanders:
@gt12 said in Blues v Highlanders:
@african-monkey said in Blues v Highlanders:
@tim He looks hungrier this year, which he needs to with the competition on the left wing (that doesn't include George Bridge). His work rate has improved a lot too, not that it was awful in previous years, but he's stepped up his game this year imo.
I think if he had scored that try, it would be a very different story, he well fucked that up, and was also very aggressive in going for contestables - he's made some excellent catches this year and is getting plenty of metres (led the team yestreday with 95 off 14 runs, 22 passes, 1 defender beaten, 1 clean break, and 1 offload). He also made 6 tackles and missed none (3 turnovers though, which is a concern but everyone was bad for that last night).
A couple of shit kicks as well.
That’s a definite work on.
I like his involvements though, he’s really involved so he’s making more mistakes. Better for him to learn here.
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@african-monkey said in Blues v Highlanders:
@gt12 Yeah I'm surprised by the negativity towards him. For me, its out of him and Leicester Fai'anganuku gunning for the best left wing in the country with Rieko shifting in 1 of course these days.
Good to see some healthy competition for spots for higher honours.
I’d pick them both in a squad. Leicester has the ability to cover the midfield which I think would make him really nice to have in the 23.
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@african-monkey I hope he shoves my words up my arse because the potential is there for anyone to see. But AB left wing material at the moment? I think Leicester Fai'anganuku as a far better option at the moment. Rieko is the best left wing by a country mile though....
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@bones said in Blues v Highlanders:
@gt12 said in Blues v Highlanders:
very aggressive in going for contestables
Is this another way of saying "if he can't make it he fake jumps and takes the other guy out"? 😁
You say take out, I see him in the air going for the ball. But, actually I was referring to last week when he was excellent against us taking contestable in traffic.
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@bones said in Blues v Highlanders:
@gt12 said in Blues v Highlanders:
very aggressive in going for contestables
Is this another way of saying "if he can't make it he fake jumps and takes the other guy out"? 😁
He takes so many, some AFL style above his head, he might be earning the benefit of the doubt from refs. Has been a highlight of his play this year.