Highlanders v Hurricanes - round 5
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That Canes bench scares me... Landers bench is very green, I thought they would have gone for a 6-2 split, but Naeta is seemingly out in the cold.
Jamie showed against the Blues he can be ruthless, so would not be surprised to see those back reserves get very limited minutes, how he injects Stodart and Lasaqa will be key to maintain dominance in the tight five. I think in this team, Howden has to go the 80, or else we could be bullied for size.
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The big dogs are back.
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Highlanders definitely favorites
Canes look a little stronger than last week, if they can keep their discipline it should be a great game.
Canes bench very mixed, Isaia Walker-Leawere and Riley Hohepa could easily cost us the game tempered by the long awaited return of Lomax and Aumua to finally bring some ball carrying ability. -
It's funny on IWL, I feel he'd been really ramping up since the middle of last year and was easily playing his best footy this year, definitely more noticeable in the tackle and ball in hand. Then his ill discipline returns with a vengeance and he's written off. I'd persist with him, his upside is definitely starting to show, just needs to keep his head in the game.
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The only reason the Landers are the favourites, is because they are 2-1 and the Canes are 1-3. Starting sides are fairly even (I actually think the Landers backline has sneakily become very strong, which is weird!) but the Canes bench is way superior.
Canes have the better front row (overall)
Landers better locking combo
Canes better loose forwards
Canes better halves
Landers better midfielders
Landers better wingers
Canes better fullback. -
@Bones said in Highlanders v Hurricanes - round 5:
It's funny on IWL, I feel he'd been really ramping up since the middle of last year and was easily playing his best footy this year, definitely more noticeable in the tackle and ball in hand. Then his ill discipline returns with a vengeance and he's written off. I'd persist with him, his upside is definitely starting to show, just needs to keep his head in the game.
I agree but he deserves to be benched for this game. Rewarding such a poor and ill-disciplined game with another start would have been a horrible move by the coach. His size and mobility are a big plus though so if he pulls his head in, he could reach quality heights.
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@frugby said in Highlanders v Hurricanes - round 5:
The only reason the Landers are the favourites, is because they are 2-1 and the Canes are 1-3. Starting sides are fairly even (I actually think the Landers backline has sneakily become very strong, which is weird!) but the Canes bench is way superior.
Canes have the better front row (overall)
Landers better locking combo
Canes better loose forwards
Canes better halves
Landers better midfielders
Landers better wingers
Canes better fullback.Hard to disagree with this at this stage of the season. Hopefully when we meet next time we'll have our better midfield on the park.
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@Canes4life I think ultimately the Highlanders might win, simply because they are playing with so much confidence + zoo factor, JJ factor, but if it is close at the end, I see our set piece getting butchered, and then being unable to defend on our line. We lack big bodies on the bench... really need Stodart to step up.
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@frugby said in Highlanders v Hurricanes - round 5:
@Canes4life I think ultimately the Highlanders might win, simply because they are playing with so much confidence + zoo factor, JJ factor, but if it is close at the end, I see our set piece getting butchered, and then being unable to defend on our line. We lack big bodies on the bench... really need Stodart to step up.
If the Higlanders can start really well then that should give them enough confidence to kick on. However, if it's close or if the Hurricanes are leading at the break I think they will pull away with a stronger bench.
The key players for the Hurricanes on Saturday will be Roigard, Godfrey and Love. They need to kick well and control territory and not give the Highlander's lethal back three (Tangitau and Nareki in particular) too much time and space.
It's definitely going to be close, the Highlanders should definitely be confident in in getting their first W against the Canes for about 6-7 years. BRING IT ON.
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the later is actually a good shout
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders v Hurricanes - round 5:
@Bones said in Highlanders v Hurricanes - round 5:
It's funny on IWL, I feel he'd been really ramping up since the middle of last year and was easily playing his best footy this year, definitely more noticeable in the tackle and ball in hand. Then his ill discipline returns with a vengeance and he's written off. I'd persist with him, his upside is definitely starting to show, just needs to keep his head in the game.
I agree but he deserves to be benched for this game. Rewarding such a poor and ill-disciplined game with another start would have been a horrible move by the coach. His size and mobility are a big plus though so if he pulls his head in, he could reach quality heights.
Yep, I'm sure he's been given the reason for his benching, will be the measure of him whether he can make the required changes.
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@Canes4life said in Highlanders v Hurricanes - round 5:
@Bones said in Highlanders v Hurricanes - round 5:
It's funny on IWL, I feel he'd been really ramping up since the middle of last year and was easily playing his best footy this year, definitely more noticeable in the tackle and ball in hand. Then his ill discipline returns with a vengeance and he's written off. I'd persist with him, his upside is definitely starting to show, just needs to keep his head in the game.
I agree but he deserves to be benched for this game. Rewarding such a poor and ill-disciplined game with another start would have been a horrible move by the coach. His size and mobility are a big plus though so if he pulls his head in, he could reach quality heights.
I actually thought IWL was close to being red carded for that tackle. And to top it off seeing him smiling as he left the field for the YC, I would of been happy to see it upgraded, or he stood down for a couple of weeks.
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@Dan54 said in Highlanders v Hurricanes - round 5:
@Canes4life said in Highlanders v Hurricanes - round 5:
@Bones said in Highlanders v Hurricanes - round 5:
It's funny on IWL, I feel he'd been really ramping up since the middle of last year and was easily playing his best footy this year, definitely more noticeable in the tackle and ball in hand. Then his ill discipline returns with a vengeance and he's written off. I'd persist with him, his upside is definitely starting to show, just needs to keep his head in the game.
I agree but he deserves to be benched for this game. Rewarding such a poor and ill-disciplined game with another start would have been a horrible move by the coach. His size and mobility are a big plus though so if he pulls his head in, he could reach quality heights.
I actually thought IWL was close to being red carded for that tackle. And to top it off seeing him smiling as he left the field for the YC, I would of been happy to see it upgraded, or he stood down for a couple of weeks.
Same here, looked like a right mug. Discipline has always been an issue for him.
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The Hurricanes have won their past seven matches against the Highlanders, including an emphatic 47-12 victory on their last visit to Dunedin in 2024, a fixture best remembered for the season-ending knee injury halfback Cam Roigard suffered.
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@Canes4life Well I have actually taken Highlanders in tipping comp this week, with how my picks are going, I hope that will guarantee the Canes a win.
I genuinely can't decide who will win it! One of the reasons I loving the comp this year. -
@Canes4life said in Highlanders v Hurricanes - round 5:
The Hurricanes have won their past seven matches against the Highlanders, including an emphatic 47-12 victory on their last visit to Dunedin in 2024, a fixture best remembered for the season-ending knee injury halfback Cam Roigard suffered.
Just looking at the two sides from that night. It is amazing how different they are to the squads lining up tonight.
Highlanders
Lowe at 13, Gilbert 12, Patchell in there, Sanders at 8, Max Hicks at lock. Only players starting in the same positions they were in last year are Nareki, Holland and the two props.
While for the Canes it is Love, Naholo, Roigard, Delany and Numia. Are the guys who remain.
Some are in similar roles such as Withy at seven not six, and Lakai swapping loosie roles.
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Far too much sitting on the fence in this thread to help inform me of a tip
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@ACT-Crusader said in Highlanders v Hurricanes - round 5:
Far too much sitting on the fence in this thread to help inform me of a tip
Don't have to look past this line "Canes have the better front row (overall)." (Redbeard TM).
Then again I am jinx central. -
@ACT-Crusader Landers 13+
