Highlanders v Crusaders
-
It'll be close either way I think. If the Highlanders can start well, with a good crowd behind them I think they get home.
Big issue I think for the side now, is the old 'here we go again' in these NZ derbies.
Take out that horrid three-game run against the Canes, Rebels and Reds, and the Highlanders have been very competitive this year. Ran the Blues, Brumbies and Chiefs all fairly close in differing ways. They'll win a derby sooner rather than later, and with the carrot of this pretty much sewing up a playoff spot, this might just be their week - particularly with all the negative energy around the Crusaders.
-
@Tim said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
Sounds like Crusaders will be without Barrett and Blackadder, possibly McAllister. As Strange can't run a lineout, Bell throwing is a grim prospect for them. On the other hand, the Highlanders are chop.
I find the talk of the Crusaders lineout issues being on the hooker quite fascinating. From what I've watched, it seems the jumpers are just as big an issue. For starters they lack a real beanpole of a target, and their young locks have been horribly exposed.
Granted there have been a few overthrows, but I reckon this comes from them being forced to try other things.
-
@nzzp said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
@Chris said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
Highlanders by 10
there is little funnier than Crusaderst trying to grab underdog status ... against the Highlanders. TAB don't lie fella
Yes it does all
The time -
@Tim said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
Sounds like Crusaders will be without Barrett and Blackadder, possibly McAllister. As Strange can't run a lineout, Bell throwing is a grim prospect for them. On the other hand, the Highlanders are chop.
McAlister out with a hamstring.
Blackadder out
Taylor and Williams back
Barrett doubtful
LILO -Willie maybe out depends on how recovers from the head knock. -
@Chris said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
@nzzp said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
@Chris said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
Highlanders by 10
there is little funnier than Crusaderst trying to grab underdog status ... against the Highlanders. TAB don't lie fella
Yes it does all
The timetake out loss insurance then! Exploit the TAB
-
@nzzp said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
@Chris said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
@nzzp said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
@Chris said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
Highlanders by 10
there is little funnier than Crusaderst trying to grab underdog status ... against the Highlanders. TAB don't lie fella
Yes it does all
The timetake out loss insurance then! Exploit the TAB
Maybe I have already.
-
@nzzp said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
@Chris said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
Highlanders by 10
there is little funnier than Crusaderst trying to grab underdog status ... against the Highlanders. TAB don't lie fella
Crusaders were hot favorites last week against the reds but they lost? Tab lied fella
-
@Chris said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
@Tim said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
Sounds like Crusaders will be without Barrett and Blackadder, possibly McAllister. As Strange can't run a lineout, Bell throwing is a grim prospect for them. On the other hand, the Highlanders are chop.
Taylor and Williams back
The chat around our rugby club is that Tamaiti Williams will be getting some club minutes this weekend so will be interesting to see if he’s thrown straight back into the crusaders fold. I’m not saying him playing club is a lock in, just saying there’s a possibility from what I’ve heard.
You’d think Taylor is on the bench for sure. With Blackadder and Barrett likely out he is heavily needed. As a highlanders fan, I hope he plays club for this week😂
-
@Landers92 said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
@nzzp said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
@Chris said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
Highlanders by 10
there is little funnier than Crusaderst trying to grab underdog status ... against the Highlanders. TAB don't lie fella
Crusaders were hot favorites last week against the reds but they lost? Tab lied fella
You should have won that!
The odds weren't that far off ... in fact, if you don't get injuries you should win that one.
-
@Chris said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
@Tim said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
Sounds like Crusaders will be without Barrett and Blackadder, possibly McAllister. As Strange can't run a lineout, Bell throwing is a grim prospect for them. On the other hand, the Highlanders are chop.
McAlister out with a hamstring.
Blackadder out
Taylor and Williams back
Barrett doubtful
LILO -Willie maybe out depends on how recovers from the head knock.Worst Haiku ever.
-
@Bones said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
@Chris said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
@Tim said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
Sounds like Crusaders will be without Barrett and Blackadder, possibly McAllister. As Strange can't run a lineout, Bell throwing is a grim prospect for them. On the other hand, the Highlanders are chop.
McAlister out with a hamstring.
Blackadder out
Taylor and Williams back
Barrett doubtful
LILO -Willie maybe out depends on how recovers from the head knock.Worst Haiku ever.
有り難う御座います
-
@Chris said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
@Bones said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
@Chris said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
@Tim said in Highlanders v Crusaders:
Sounds like Crusaders will be without Barrett and Blackadder, possibly McAllister. As Strange can't run a lineout, Bell throwing is a grim prospect for them. On the other hand, the Highlanders are chop.
McAlister out with a hamstring.
Blackadder out
Taylor and Williams back
Barrett doubtful
LILO -Willie maybe out depends on how recovers from the head knock.Worst Haiku ever.
有り難う御座います
ありがとうございます。
Reasonable effort, but don't use kanji just for the sake of it. Especially as it's questionable whether Bones needs that much respect. -
So the Highlanders currently have 19 losses in a row against NZ opposition. Almost catching Umaga's Blues who had 20 games in a row without a win (there was a draw against the Chiefs in there)
Against the Crusaders its 10 losses, 1 win & a draw in the last 12
The last win was four matches ago: 33-12 back in 2021:
-
While Id be happy to welcome williams back if hes ready, I'm not sure that prop has been where we are losing games.
-
Can we change the thread title to Saturday night cripple fight.
Both teams have had moments but for the most part are largely inconsistent, struggle to build momentum, lack cohesion at the collision, and have hit or miss set pieces.
