Highlanders v Crusaders

Canerbry

Fuck.
 
Great derby, one of the best I can remember, enjoyable high quality game. Both sides had some great individual performances within good, organised team play. Both teams would beat England.
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Highlanders had a magic night with the bounce of the green and home-town advantage fully taken. Full house will go into the Octagon very happy and start burning down balconies etc. 
 
Much closer than the scoreline suggests of course, of course both disallowed tries would have been immediately given at home (with the fern haters moaning obviously), coulda-woulda-shoulda been a very different game. Great NZ Referee MvJ's opinion is that momentum AND supporting players driving got Romano over the line: There wasn't a second movement before reaching out, what the slo-mo showed was what happens when a player hits the ground at speed - you always bounce then go forward a bit before settling. That and Justin Marshall is a "total arsewipe and the ref is a cheat", which is good enough for me. Then compare Read's to the fat Lander's one, fuck.
 
BUT if you let in three tries against the run of play (two which were Not Crotty's fault) then two more just for the fun of it, you're always going to lose. Option and opportunity taking by the Highlanders was class, they would beat anyone in that form. Goalline defense was fantastic, getting hammered for hours of the game and then having the patience to respond with interest was the difference, we got more and more desperate as the clock wore on and it showed. Well done Landers you bunch of fluffybunnys.
 
The Fern's least favourite ever Whitelock had a ball tonight, seen him play better for red+black a few times but of course it only gets noticed when etc... Ben Smith is a legend; Faddes took his chances well, had his Ben Blair v Bulls 2001 moment, but wasn't as fast as Tony Brown told Justin Marshall; A Smith had some moments still sprays kicks and gets lost and dominated at the breakdown; Toeyfekka went missing for large parts of the game; So'opoaga must be behind Mo'unga now.
 
Dagg was amazing and will be an All Black; Back three, Read and Ellis had great games; good around-the-park game from the front row can't make up for an ordinary game gamesmanship-wise; Taufua keeping the momentum going in the playoffs could be good for him; MacNicholl was a pace short all night, against good oppo he can't find the next gear, the end of Nadolo's bullshit suspension can't come fast enough; how good is Ritchie Mo'unga.

antipodean

If it was the first time you made the joke about Ellis being better than Aaron Smith, I'd laugh. Now you just look like the drunk who sits in the corner with a piss stain on his pants. Very sad.

hydro11

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gunner" data-cid="579521" data-time="1463133118">
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Not sure if this was mentioned at the time, but I thought I was a bloody strange call; 
When A Smith fired the pass from the ruck into the retreating Crusaders player, the ref let it go... 
Really, since when is that not an automatic penalty? 
But anywho, what a freaking game, how good are the Highlanders? 
Faddes, Faddes, who the fuck is Faddes? 
He's really come outa nowhere and done a hell of a job firstly on the wing, then they put him to 13, and I thought meh.. can't see him doing much there, but hang on a minute... Think he could soon end up with cult hero status in Dunedin if he hasn't already.
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Thank goodness the referee did not penalise that. Aaron Smith could have passed the ball anywhere he wanted. Israel Dagg is allowed to retreat and make a genuine attempt to get onside. Smith was just trying to milk a penalty and Pollock was having none of that. Rugby shouldn't be a sport where players are playing for penalties. You already have the situation where players are lying offside and not affecting play but bloody halfbacks trip over them in a theatrical attempt to get a penalty. Keep that stuff out of the game.

hydro11

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="tubbyj" data-cid="579523" data-time="1463133293">
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Faddes was certainly amazing but Feikotoa seems to be struggling at 12 but you couldn't drop Faddes after that performance.
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I reckon they look at putting Faddes back to the wing and put Naholo at 11. No slight on Osbourne but the others have earned their place.

Frank

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canerbry" data-cid="579532" data-time="1463134963">
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 A Smith had some moments still sprays kicks and gets lost and dominated at the breakdown. :good1:
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Canerbry

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="579538" data-time="1463135619">
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If it was the first time you made the joke about Ellis being better than Aaron Smith, I'd laugh. Now you just look like the drunk who sits in the corner with a piss stain on his pants. Very sad.
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Sorry whaddaya on about? Quality contribution by the way, excellent addition to the debate and great reading.

Canerbry

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Frank" data-cid="579543" data-time="1463135919">
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canerbry" data-cid="579532" data-time="1463134963">
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 A Smith had some moments still sprays kicks and gets lost and dominated at the breakdown. :good1:
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Do you disagree with the above?

Damo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canerbry" data-cid="579546" data-time="1463136111">
Do you disagree with the above?</blockquote>
Umm, yes.

Canerbry

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Damo" data-cid="579550" data-time="1463136537">
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Umm, yes.
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Cool, at least that's sorted now. On to the rest of the game.

antipodean

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canerbry" data-cid="579545" data-time="1463135956">
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Sorry whaddaya on about? Quality contribution by the way, excellent addition to the debate and great reading.
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Sorry I didn't come in with half my reply pre-written with the same sad crap. But if you think your material is original or fresh, keep at it plugger.

Canerbry

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="579556" data-time="1463137109">
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Sorry I didn't come in with half my reply pre-written with the same sad crap. But if you think your material is original or fresh, keep at it plugger.
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Um I don't know when you came, you'd obviously pre-read what apparently was pre-written, but I mean come on, it wasn't even close to the most rancid bait there, did you read ANY of it or just get your A Smith google alert and overreact to your expertly spotted slight on your little crush? 
 
Did anyone check if Naholo was in front of So'opoanga's kick?

antipodean

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canerbry" data-cid="579561" data-time="1463137541">Um I don't know when you came, I don't think you read what apparently was pre-written, but I mean come on, it wasn't even close to the most rancid bait there, did you read ANY of it or just get your A Smith google alert and overreact to your expertly spotted slight on your little crush?</blockquote> Your posts are just tiresome. They're not funny no matter how often you sit there in the dark jerking off deluding yourself that you're witty. <blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">Did anyone check if Naholo was ahead of So'opoanga's kick?</blockquote> It's Sopoaga ffs. It's not hard.

Canerbry

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="579564" data-time="1463137991">
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Your posts are just tiresome. They're not funny no matter how often you sit there in the dark jerking off deluding yourself that you're witty. 
 
 
It's Sopoaga ffs. It's not hard.
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Yep and you're an analytical genius too, always nice to see your negative shitposts all the time. Block me and you'll be much happier in your happy little corner where no-one disagrees with you.

Canes4life

Aaron Smith killed it tonight. That bullet pass of his is what makes this Highlanders team so potent on attack. If you removed him from this side the Highlanders would look like a completely different outfit. Smith was in a different league than Ellis. Ellis may aswell just head overseas before he gets too many more grey hairs on that lid of his. Will never be an All Black again that's for sure.

KiwiMurph

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canerbry" data-cid="579561" data-time="1463137541">
Did anyone check if Naholo was in front of So'opoanga's kick?</blockquote>
 
Yep they showed a replay from a different angle and Naholo was fine. 
So Crusaders have 1 win v NZ teams and are undefeated against overseas teams and the Blues have 1 win v NZ teams and are undefeated against overseas teams...

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="579571" data-time="1463138689">
Ellis may aswell just head overseas before he gets too many more grey hairs on that lid of his. Will never be an All Black again that's for sure.</blockquote>
Maybe he has enough pride in his province to stay and play here. He has a business, a home and a family here. 
And he's quite easily been the second best NZ halfback this year. He's leaner and faster than last year. Getting to breakdowns much quicker. 
Perenara is error prone, weber sprays passes all over the show and Kerr Barlow has been injured pretty consistently 
Agree he won't be an all black again, but he'd make my form 23, he's way tooooo boring though aye bro

Canerbry

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="579574" data-time="1463139125">
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Maybe he has enough pride in his province to stay and play here. He has a business, a home and a family here. 
And he's quite easily been the second best NZ halfback this year. He's leaner and faster than last year. Getting to breakdowns much quicker. 
Perenara is error prone, weber sprays passes all over the show and Kerr Barlow has been injured pretty consistently 
Agree he won't be an all black again, but he'd make my form 23, he's way tooooo boring though aye bro
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Careful, if you even mention him you will be called all sorts of names, which in the fern circlejerk counts as inspired debate.

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="579571" data-time="1463138689">Aaron Smith killed it tonight. That bullet pass of his is what makes this Highlanders team so potent on attack. If you removed him from this side the Highlanders would look like a completely different outfit. Smith was in a different league than Ellis. Ellis may aswell just head overseas before he gets too many more grey hairs on that lid of his. Will never be an All Black again that's for sure.</blockquote>
 
Smith was excellent. 
Should we be concerned about Fekitoa getting the ball ripped off him so easily by the grey haired, old, slow, never be an AB again halfback....

hydro11

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="579574" data-time="1463139125">
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Maybe he has enough pride in his province to stay and play here. He has a business, a home and a family here. 
And he's quite easily been the second best NZ halfback this year. He's leaner and faster than last year. Getting to breakdowns much quicker. 
Perenara is error prone, weber sprays passes all over the show and Kerr Barlow has been injured pretty consistently 
Agree he won't be an all black again, but he'd make my form 23, he's way tooooo boring though aye bro
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Ellis does a job but there is a very good reason that that Samoan test will be his last. Perenara, Weber and TkB are all far from perfect but they each fit the All Blacks game plan. Ellis is probably good enough for at least another Super Rugby season, provided he has good players around him.

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="579574" data-time="1463139125">
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Maybe he has enough pride in his province to stay and play here. He has a business, a home and a family here. 
And he's quite easily been the second best NZ halfback this year. He's leaner and faster than last year. Getting to breakdowns much quicker. 
Perenara is error prone, weber sprays passes all over the show and Kerr Barlow has been injured pretty consistently 
Agree he won't be an all black again, but he'd make my form 23, he's way tooooo boring though aye bro
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All due respect to his loyalty to the Canterbury region. 
 
I wouldn't say hes been the second best halfback in New Zealand. He is behind a great pack. My grandma would look good behind a pack like the Crusaders. He should be offering alot more than what he is. But his predictable style of play only allows him to do so much and that is preventing the Crusaders from firing on all cylinders. 
 
I suppose it's so hard watching a guy like Ellis or any other halfback for that matter when Aaron Smith has a pass like he does. Smith has the ability to set a game a light with one pass, something that young kids should aspire to..
 
Put it this way. If you were coaching a young bunch of up and coming halfbacks, would you show a tape of Andy Ellis and his lethargic style of play or Aaron Smith's exciting ability to turn a game with one flick of the wrist. 
 
The Crusaders lost that game tonight because they simply couldn't keep up with the Highlanders. I wonder why... There is no room for old men at the base of the scrum in this day and age. But hey by all means, keep him there, it will only benefit other teams heading into the playoffs.

The Silver Fern

Highlanders v Crusaders