Highlanders v Drua
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Goal for next week, come within a bonus point of Hurricanes. Don't want to get smashed, fart into the quarters and get smoked a week later. Hoping the Dura can beat the Rebels
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@SouthernMann I reckon you guys should rest all your players next week and save them for the quarters. 😁
The question is would you rather get a bonus point and then have to play the Blues/Canes away or take the L and play the Brumbies away. You may still play the Blues/Canes even if you lose. All depends on whether the Rebels bt the Drua or not.
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@Machpants said in Highlanders v Drua:
@Landers92 said in Highlanders v Drua:
@Machpants said in Highlanders v Drua:
"Grooto" "rule number 1, don't credit Ben Smith" dead silence from Ethan
What a fuckwit
Who are you calling that? De Groot or Wheeler?
Wheeler, he's an embarrassment. Ethan had no idea what to say to that 'banter'.
@Machpants said in Highlanders v Drua:
@Landers92 said in Highlanders v Drua:
@Machpants said in Highlanders v Drua:
"Grooto" "rule number 1, don't credit Ben Smith" dead silence from Ethan
What a fuckwit
Who are you calling that? De Groot or Wheeler?
Wheeler, he's an embarrassment. Ethan had no idea what to say to that 'banter'.
DG response made Wheeler look like a fool. Wheeler really tries much too hard to be the main man often when it's not appropriate
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders v Drua:
@SouthernMann I reckon you guys should rest all your players next week and save them for the quarters. 😁
The question is would you rather get a bonus point and then have to play the Blues/Canes away or take the L and play the Brumbies away. You may still play the Blues/Canes even if you lose. All depends on whether the Rebels bt the Drua or not.
I want to play the Brumbies
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders v Drua:
@frugby hopefully the Landers wear them next week aswell. The Canes are finally wearing them. Might be a clash though.
I think we're down to wear our maroon strip.
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After letting the win sink in here’s a few of my thoughts/takeaways from the game.
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The whole team turned up today and did a job, full credit to the coaching team to have them so organized and up for this game. Simple game plan yet executed well, very similar to the Crusaders game. Really good to see us being in a position where we control our own destiny, they knew they had to win to get in and they did.
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Defense. Outstanding defense, to hold the Drua to 0 tries is massive! Probably the most impressive part of our performance. Billy Harmon just brings that something extra to the forward pack and today is a prime example of how important he is to us.
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Ajay Faleafaga did everything he was asked to do and executed. I’d imagine he felt a bit of pressure stepping in after not playing the last few weeks and on top of that the pressure of how well Millar has been playing in previous weeks. He stepped in, did his job, directed the team well and played his own game. We have 2 talented 10s coming through the system and both are very capable. Exciting competition for the 10 jersey moving forward, good to see.
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Huge game from Fakatava, easily his best game of the season. That form is the the kind of form that got him the Black jersey previously so it’s a huge positive for all of New Zealand to see him put out a display like that. He didn’t seem to be trying too hard today and wasn’t doing anything unnecessary. Bloody good to see, the race for the All Blacks halfback spots are really heating up!
I’d like to add it’s great having Nareki back, we’ve really missed him. He’s had a very quiet season for his standards so to see him return today and put on a display like that was awesome to see, happy for the guy. Extremely capable of creating something out of nothing and when he’s on form he’s one of the better finishers going around. Team him up with the ever present Tavatavanawai and JRK at the back and it’s some awesome exciting footy to watch.
I won’t touch on any negatives because they were very few and far between, it doesn’t feel right after playing such a good positive game!
All in all, great win and awesome to see. Let’s hope we can carry that form into next week against the Hurricanes. We have struggled on the road all season, what better challenge than a top team pushing for the top spot themselves.
Up the Landers!
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@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders v Drua:
Why was Faleafaga dropped earlier in the season? He seemed to be playing pretty well and then he was out of the 23 altogether with Millar eventually taking over. Was there an injury to someone?
Faleafaga was woeful against the Reds, so they went back to Patchell - who then got injured in the game v the Force where we went back to Plan A (Patchell starts, Millar off the bench)
Millar then came in once Patchell got injured and was really good with his core role - and I think they wanted to give him clarity without looking over his shoulder so elected not to have Faleafaga on the bench.
Will be interesting to see what they do next week, personally I'd start Millar. I think at this stage, his kicking game means he is better suited to the current side, even if Faleafaga has a higher ceiling.
I thought his punting was found wanting today, and a better side punishes you for it. That is the big question mark in his game.
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@frugby said in Highlanders v Drua:
@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders v Drua:
Why was Faleafaga dropped earlier in the season? He seemed to be playing pretty well and then he was out of the 23 altogether with Millar eventually taking over. Was there an injury to someone?
Faleafaga was woeful against the Reds, so they went back to Patchell - who then got injured in the game v the Force where we went back to Plan A (Patchell starts, Millar off the bench)
Millar then came in once Patchell got injured and was really good with his core role - and I think they wanted to give him clarity without looking over his shoulder so elected not to have Faleafaga on the bench.
Will be interesting to see what they do next week, personally I'd start Millar. I think at this stage, his kicking game means he is better suited to the current side, even if Faleafaga has a higher ceiling.
I thought his punting was found wanting today, and a better side punishes you for it. That is the big question mark in his game.
Seems a bit tough to completely drop someone out of the squad for one bad performance, especially when you're then relying on them later in the season...
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@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders v Drua:
Why was Faleafaga dropped earlier in the season? He seemed to be playing pretty well and then he was out of the 23 altogether with Millar eventually taking over. Was there an injury to someone?
im not sure it was so much dropped as our 3rd choice 10 (as he started the season) rotated out when our first choice 10 was available again
