Auckland v Canterbury

[Duluth]

Still have a crazy error rate

Something is really off with the side. Players who looked very good at the next level up are struggling at NPC level

Pressure must be on McGrath, Bates and Hickey

[Kirwan]

Not impressed with the coaching at all.

[Bones]

@Duluth said in Auckland v Canterbury:

That was awful Vikena. He’s regressing this year

Music to a highlanders fan's ears.

[KiwiMurph]

This is one of the worst Auckland teams I've ever seen.

The positive is the young players. Simpson looked much better than Christian L.

I will say though - whilst I thought Taele did some fine things - I don't see how a player of his size is going to be the future star that some are predicting - he looks WAY too small for the midfield in the modern game.

[Mauss]

@KiwiMurph Regarding Taele, surely physicality outweighs size? And of that, Taele has plenty.

But I'll admit that I'm quite biased. Taele reminds me of Matt Giteau and the latter is one of my all-time favourite players.

[Duluth]

@KiwiMurph said in Auckland v Canterbury:

I will say though - whilst I thought Taele did some fine things - I don't see how a player of his size is going to be the future star that some are predicting - he looks WAY too small for the midfield in the modern game.

He subbed on at 10 against Otago. Maybe that's where he winds up?

[antipodean]

@KiwiMurph said in Auckland v Canterbury:

This is one of the worst Auckland teams I've ever seen.

Certainly one of the greatest reversals in form when compared to the Blues. It looks like a confusing mishmash of styles too.

Either the wider squad aren't coming to terms with the gameplan, or there's a substantial drop in quality.

[nzzp]

@antipodean said in Auckland v Canterbury:

Either the wider squad aren't coming to terms with the gameplan, or there's a substantial drop in quality.

[Lancaster Park]

Admittedly only saw the highlights but given the strongly held views by many in Auck that Akira is a beast but we just dont appreciate it I would have thought he would be playing like a man against boys at this level.
Did anyone at the game or seeing it all see him as a step above the rest?

[African Monkey]

@Lancaster-Park said in Auckland v Canterbury:

Admittedly only saw the highlights but given the strongly held views by many in Auck that Akira is a beast but we just dont appreciate it I would have thought he would be playing like a man against boys at this level.
Did anyone at the game or seeing it all see him as a step above the rest?

As @KiwiMurph said, he's on the way out and I'm surprised he's actually playing here before heading to Japan. He's just going through the motions and who can blame him when there's the Japanese season waiting for him.

He probably just doesn't wanna risk injury, it's not as if he has anything to play for here, similar to Jack Goodhue at Northland last year.