Highlanders v Reds
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My money will be one of Howden or Stodart starting at lock.
Plus, as you mentuon some change in the backs
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
My money will be one of Howden or Stodart starting at lock.
Plus, as you mentuon some change in the backs
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
My money will be one of Howden or Stodart starting at lock.
Plus, as you mentuon some change in the backs
As you said yesterday, I believe Stodart is at lock, and Hurley is back in 15. Fakatava was back last time I heard, though he may have had a set back in his recovery... hamstrings are niggly.
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'Opta facts' on this game
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The Queensland Reds defeated the Highlanders 31-0 in their most recent Super Rugby Pacific game, their biggest ever won against them; they had previously lost six consecutive games to the Highlanders and will be looking for back-to-back wins against them for the first time since May 2014.
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The Highlanders have won their last five Super Rugby Pacific home games against the Queensland Reds and have scored at least 35 points in each of their last four games in that span.
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Three of the Highlanders’ last four Super Rugby Pacific games have been decided by a margin of two points or fewer on the day, with the Highlanders earning two wins and two losses in that stretch.
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The Highlanders have won only one of their last six Super Rugby Pacific games against teams from Australia and have lost their last two in a row; indeed, their only win in that frame was a 7-6 triumph against the Western Force in Round 10 last season.
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The Highlanders have won four of their last five Super Rugby Pacific games at Forsyth Barr Stadium but were defeated 18-20 by the Hurricanes in their most recent game at the venue; though, they’ve not conceded 30 points or more in any of those five games.
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The Queensland Reds have won five of their last seven Super Rugby Pacific games including a 35-15 win against the NSW Waratahs in their most recent game; however, each of their last two defeats in the competition have come at the hands of New Zealand opposition.
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The Queensland Reds have won only two of their last 26 Super Rugby Pacific games in New Zealand and have lost their last two in a row there; in fact, they’ve conceded exactly 43 points in each of their last two games in New Zealand.
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Nathan Hastie (Highlanders) has made 16 pick and go carries this Super Rugby Pacific season, more than any other player in the competition and seven more than any Queensland Reds player (Tate McDermott, 9).
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Caleb Tangitau (Highlanders) has made dominant contact on 72% of his 29 carries this Super Rugby Pacific season, the highest proportion of any player to have made at least 15 carries this campaign.
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Queensland Reds trio Harry Wilson (44), Fraser McReight (36) and Ryan Smith (36) have made more tackles behind their own 22m line than any other players this Super Rugby Pacific season, with Smith making the most of any player yet to miss a tackle in this zone.
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Hurley back
Jim to the wing
TUJ at 12
Two fetchers in the loose
TK Howden at lock
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@SouthernMann ive liked it because it has potential to be good....BUT....Jim has done so well at 12....i kind of want to see him say there, TUJ to the bench maybe and JIM can go out to the wing for the final 25mins
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Team to play the reds. Some rotation, well deserved rest for Holland. Nice to see Umaga Jenson back. Backline has serious X Factor so if we can get front ball it could be a very fast and exciting game. Looking forward to this one.
Starting XV:
Ethan de Groot
Soane Vikena
Saula Ma’u
Te Kamaka (TK) Howden
Mitch Dunshea
Sean Withy (VC)
Viveni Lasaqa
Nikora Broughton
Nathan Hastie
Taine Robinson
Timoci Tavatavanawai (C)
Thomas Umaga -Jensen
Tanielu Tele’a
Caleb Tangitau
Finn HurleyImpacts:
- Jack Taylor
- Josh Bartlett
- Sefo Kautai
- Fabian Holland
- Will Stodart
- James Arscott
- Ajay Faleafaga
- Sam Gilbert
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whats up with manson? injured, i feel he'd done enough to be coming off the bench
edit: mush be injured, guaranteed bench spot and all
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I think Joseph is running a philosophy for 12 through to fullback of you pick your five best players, and then work out who goes where.
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders v Reds:
whats up with manson? injured, i feel he'd done enough to be coming off the bench
edit: mush be injured, guaranteed bench spot and all
Not injured. Unfortunately for him he can only cover winger at this level, not ideal for the bench.
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Sef Fa'agase, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Angus Blyth, Seru Uru, John Bryant, Harry Wilson (c), Kalani Thomas, Tom Lynagh, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Heremaia Murray
Replacements: George Blake, Alex Hodgman, Massimo De Lutiis, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Louis Werchon, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Dre Pakeho
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders v Reds:
I think Joseph is running a philosophy for 12 through to fullback of you pick your five best players, and then work out who goes where.
i cant stand that approach, there have been heated debates about 13's not being able to play 12...and then elsewhere..."backs are backs"
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@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders v Reds:
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders v Reds:
I think Joseph is running a philosophy for 12 through to fullback of you pick your five best players, and then work out who goes where.
i cant stand that approach, there have been heated debates about 13's not being able to play 12...and then elsewhere..."backs are backs"
Well luckily in this team we have specialists in at 11, 12, 13,14 and 15. Probably with the exception of Tavatavanawai, who is more of a right winger than a left winger. Tangitau certainly prefers the right.
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As long as they match them up front and our breakdown doesn’t get killed, feeling confident the Highlanders will take this. The Reds don’t look capable of pulling off two big games in a row
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The big Dutchie dropped to the bench after being unable to get home after a weekend of fun.
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@SouthernMann Sunday morning flight cancellation meant he couldn't get home for Monday morning? The sooner NZ gets more than 2 airports and some rental car companies, the better. Maybe even branch out and see if we can find some passenger boats to go between the islands....
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@Bones said in Highlanders v Reds:
@SouthernMann Sunday morning flight cancellation meant he couldn't get home for Monday morning? The sooner NZ gets more than 2 airports and some rental car companies, the better. Maybe even branch out and see if we can find some passenger boats to go between the islands....
Air NZ is making it quite difficult due to its regional cuts. I've got a trip down for a game later in the year. The options to get home from Dunedin on the Sunday were either a 10 AM flight, or a 4 PM two flight journey via Christchurch. Doesn't make it very appealing to just pop down for the weekend. Choose between a hungover shuttle ride and early flight. Or a 9 PM arrival home and a shit layover at Chch Airport.
You are bang on about the rest of the infrastructure. A bit stuffed.
Harry Wilson To Captain Queensland Reds in Dunedin
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