Highlanders v Brumbies
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It's a tough comp when a team as good as the Highlanders are coming 4th in their group. <br>
That was a critical win in the scheme of things to create a decent buffer from the last playoffs wildcard spot to those chasing. <br>
On current form you could put any of the top four NZ teams up against anyone else in the world (test teams included) and they would have a good chance of a win I reckon. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Immenso Rapido" data-cid="576053" data-time="1462052729">
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<p>Ah Wong had a couple of shocker one on one tackling moments. Only watched the highlights, did he get pulled at half time?</p>
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<p>Yeah, I think he went off at about 45min mark... even though Pod said it was Coleman. Easy to get those two mixed up.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Baron Silas Greenback" data-cid="575989" data-time="1462011542">
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<p>Anyone mentioned how fucking retarded the commentators were?</p>
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<p>That penalty for truck and trailer in the maul near the end.... was quite possibly THE most obvious truck and trailer I have ever seen in a pro game. NO exaggeration. No joke, it was incredibly blatant. Saw it in real time, and called it. Then the replays show it even more clearly...</p>
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<p>And the commentators make out it was controversial, lucky.. or something the Brumbies should be unhappy about. </p>
<p>I wish they would actually learn the rules instead of trying desperately to appear impartial.</p>
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<p>That's because apparently any penalty against the attacking team in a maul is controversial, even when it's totally obvious...</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="576001" data-time="1462018754">
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<p>Really? I was thinking he played his way out with all the errors he was making.</p>
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<p>Good counter point. He did fuck up here and there. I was just impressed at his game winning line break and <strong>draw and pass</strong>. He would have managed to screw that up somehow in years gone by. Remember when he trialed for the ABs and was ALWAYS taking the wrong run vs pass option.</p>
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<p>He was also part of the defensive contribution. Kuridrani is not an easy man to tackle and Malakai shut him down. This was signficant unto itself as without Tomane on the wing the only back line threat they had was their number 13 (for some reason Toomua who is highly capable never chances his arm).</p> -
That draw and pass was basic. Should be bread and butter for a centre.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crazy Horse" data-cid="576140" data-time="1462082108">
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<p>That draw and pass was basic. Should be bread and butter for a centre.</p>
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<p>He did that draw and pass at full speed and didn't decelerate an iota. He was going full tilt. The difference between an international player and a provincial level player is that the international player can do the basics at very high speed.</p>
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<p>Anyway I am feeling outnumbered. The last thought I will leave you with while I ride off on my horse into the sunset is that maybe Ryan Crotty makes that line break and draw and pass or maybe he doesn't. I am not sure. Certainly other centres in the comp (e.g the Hurricane's centres) couldn't have pulled it off.</p> -
<p>Anyone suggesting that Fekitoa is not going to get first dibs at the AB 13 jersey is silly. Hansen himself has said as much.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tordah" data-cid="575966" data-time="1462007603"><p>imagine if the Brbumbies had a backline, they'd be pretty good</p></blockquote>
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Why? Their forwards haven't been doing too much over the past couple of weeks. They aren't generating turnover ball and that's even with Pocock back. <br><br>
It's hard to say how much the off field issues are affecting the preparation and confidence, but both backs and forwards are in a funk big time and they are being made to look extremely ordinary. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="576175" data-time="1462095374"><p>
Anyone suggesting that Fekitoa is not going to get first dibs at the AB 13 jersey is silly. Hansen himself has said as much.</p></blockquote>
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Yeah, he will get in on defense alone. The way he contained (smashed) Kuridrani was awesome, there are very few players going around that could do that. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="576212" data-time="1462136577"><p>Yeah, he will get in on defense alone. They way he contained (smashed) Kuridrani was awesome, there are very few players going around that could do that.</p></blockquote>
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His work rate has been immense. When you look back at Nonu and Umaga early in their careers I think he is going pretty well and can form a good combo with Ngatai or Crotty. -
It was an opportunity for a prospective All Black centre to go up against his Australian counterpart and Malakai's performance did him no harm what so ever. He comprehensively outplayed a bloke who is no slouch at all. That's what Shag is looking for; a bloke who rises to the occasion.
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Yep, a good man always rises to the occasion. Or so I am told.
