Highlanders v Reds
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@cgrant said in Highlanders v Reds:
@Canes4life said in Highlanders v Reds:
the scrum wasn’t functioning
Maybe Howden is not a lock after all.
Was Howden still on with Holland?
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@antipodean said in Highlanders v Reds:
Hurley was bog average but the game was lost by the second half performance of the Highlanders props.
Harley reinjured the quad, pretty badly too apparently
That might be his season -
Three points without reading the thread.
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Interesting how scrums are still relevant. Very test match like by the Reds. Found a weakness and just hammered at it. Former poster's assertion about THPs very relevant.
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Crikey Tangitau is quick.
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Same play ... back in the day I'm pretty certain you were not offside if the player behind didn't attempt to play at the ball. Not 100% if that applied to accidental offside. Has this changed, and/or am I mis-remembering?
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@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders v Reds:
Slug out it out for this season. Then two words. Better Recruitment.
The Recruited players the last 12 months I've personally mostly happy with Tele'a, JRK, Dunshea, Tavatavanawai, Robinson, Howden, Tangitau all add some value at this level. If anything It's been the like of Te hiwi. Arscott and Gilbert yesterday that fail to add impact. Joseph also seemingly doesn't trust other local guys Bell, Wingham & Michaels.
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Highlanders breakdown work is their key problem over last couple of weeks. Committing too many to one ruck, turned over the next, vulnerable to counter-rucking and ineffective cleanouts galore. Opposition teams seemed to have picked up on this as well. Not sure whether it's a personnel or coaching problem.
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Yup the breakdown is a big concern but I think that the lack of consistency in the loose forwards isn’t helping that at all. We are really missing Renton, especially in that department, he’s a dominant tackler and a strong carrier which always helps come ruck time. Renton also has that leadership we are lacking at the moment in the forward pack in my opinion, if he’s fit he needs to be straight back in. Play Withy at his best position which is 7 and TK(Haig when fit) at 6 and all of a sudden it’s a much better balance in the loose forwards.
This is no knock on Broughton or Lasaqa, they are just young guys still finding their feet at this level. Both are on the smaller side when it comes to size as well. There are a multitude of reasons of course, but after letting yesterday’s loss sink in, those to me are the obvious ones to me.
It was nice to see Umaga Jenson back and thought he played ok but again, the balance just didn’t quite seem there. Robinson and Jim have developed a nice 10 - 12 combo and I think we roll with that moving forward. Umaga Jenson can force his way in with good performances off the bench.
One thing I’d like to point out that hasn’t been mentioned, Taine Robinsons goal kicking was great which means there is no need to start Gilbert if you feel you’re better off with someone else at either 11,14,15.
On to next week now, huge ask against the Brumbies but a good chance to write the wrongs and get some momentum back. Had that Tangitau try at the start of the game counted and the ball not hit the line we could have a completely different mindset and outlook going into next week. Fine margins.
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@booboo said in Highlanders v Reds:
back in the day I'm pretty certain you were not offside if the player behind didn't attempt to play at the ball. Not 100% if that applied to accidental offside. Has this changed, and/or am I mis-remembering?
If that's the case it's before my day.
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@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders v Reds:
Slug out it out for this season. Then two words. Better Recruitment.
Our recruitment is miles better than what is has been. We have actually recruited players who have made a difference.
Good recruitment is not bringing starting players in. It is bringing the right young guys through.
Seems we were quick to sign U20 talent. Some may have not been the right guys.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders v Reds:
@KiwiInLondon said in Highlanders v Reds:
Slug out it out for this season. Then two words. Better Recruitment.
Our recruitment is miles better than what is has been. We have actually recruited players who have made a difference.
Good recruitment is not bringing starting players in. It is bringing the right young guys through.
Seems we were quick to sign U20 talent. Some may have not been the right guys.
Yes in retrospect I didn’t quite make my comment clear. The recruitment this year has been good and getting some players with actual super rugby experience has been incredible beneficial.
It was more a reflection on the past 2-3 years. I’m just incredibly frustrated that a group that has largely been together at NPC and super rugby has made very little progress. Everyone was very confident 2-3 years ago that we had a lot of up and coming talent and it really hasn’t resulted in many gains
