Hurricanes vs Highlanders
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<p>There was only 1 point in it down in Dunedin at the beginning of the season and we had just conceded 50 to the Bumbies. Very close this one in my eyes. </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hurricane" data-cid="582624" data-time="1464164238">
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<p>Lads, any news on why Wheeler is out of the 23? He will be missed from a Landers point of view.</p>
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<p>Does his replacement franklin do well in the set piece?</p>
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<p>Reddish apparently returning to the bench could be a useful half time replacement.</p>
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<p>Wheeler's discipline was pretty disappointing lately. I suppose this is why he isn't considered for this big occasion. Moreover, it gives Reddish the opportunity to play against his former mates, back on his own turf.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="582671" data-time="1464171755">
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<p>So your saying the Highlanders are going to win by 14 or more. That's a bit insane wouldn't you think. Canes at home at nearly full strength bar Broadhurst and Skudder are not going to go down without a fight. They have a fair chance of winning this game. You only have to go back to Napier last year where the Canes put 56 points on the Highlanders pretty comfortably. If they get it right it could be 14 or more the other way.</p>
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<p>Currently overseas and havent seen every game I must admit but the form the Highlanders are in I honestly cant see the Canes getting close. I wouldnt put my money on the Canes taking this but the way the Highlanders dismantled the Chiefs and Crusaders they should make easy pickings of the Canes.</p>
<p>If they were playing in dunedin I would expect a 20 point margin</p> -
<p>I think the Crusaders/Highlanders/Chiefs/Canes are all very evenly matched teams. You can say "if the Highlanders play like they did against the Chiefs/Crusaders then they will dismantle the Canes". But what if the Canes play like they did against the Lions? And what if the Highlanders play like they did against the Reds?</p>
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<p>Games between these teams come down to who puts it together on the night, can go either way IMO. Landers should be slight favourites but I wouldn't put my house on either result.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="crusadersfan" data-cid="582703" data-time="1464198866">
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<p>Currently overseas and havent seen every game I must admit but the form the Highlanders are in I honestly cant see the Canes getting close. I wouldnt put my money on the Canes taking this but the way the Highlanders dismantled the Chiefs and Crusaders they should make easy pickings of the Canes.</p>
<p><strong>If they were playing in dunedin I would expect a 20 point margin</strong></p>
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<p>As opposed to the 1 point margin when they <em>did </em>play in Dunedin?</p>
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<p>Should be a cracking game - all of the NZ derbies this year have produced some fantastic rugby.</p> -
<p>For me, the Highlanders are the smarter and better coached team, so they're the ones who'd come out on top when the pressure is on and things matter, like in a final. But for a regular season game, anything can happen, especially with the June tests coming up and the squad naming on Sunday.</p>
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<p>The last 2 games before the bye the Highlanders were in top form and I expect them to carry that on. Since the lions game the Canes have not been playing that well (from game reports I have read)</p>
<p>Will definitly be finding a bar to watch this game on Friday afternoon should be a great game and if anyone is in Shenzhen tommorow wants to meet for the game I will buy the beers if the canes get within 14</p> -
<p>This is a big issue with Boyd. Barrett is kicking poorly (goal and line) yet Boyd hasn't given it a thought</p>
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<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/80424406/Nothing-between-Hurricanes-and-Highlanders-in-Friday-blockbuster'>http://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/80424406/Nothing-between-Hurricanes-and-Highlanders-in-Friday-blockbuster</a></p>
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<p>Along with the goalkicking battle between Beauden Barrett of the Hurricanes and the Highlanders' Lima Sopoaga. Barrett has kicked 1/6 and 2/5 in his last two appearances at Westpac Stadium, but Boyd's not perturbed.</p>
<p><span style="color:#ff0000;">"I haven't given it a thought and we haven't got a back-up plan. </span>I know he's worked really hard, it's a part of his game he wants to improve and he's done some extra work on it," said Boyd.</p>
<p>"I've got a lot of faith in him. He's a natural goalkicker and I think he's certainly going to start the kicking for us. The decision that happened a few weeks ago [in the 28-27 loss to the Chiefs] when Woody [Jason Woodward] took over from him was a decision that they made on the field, so I would be surprised if I had to force my hand on this and say that 'you're not going to kick anymore'."</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="crusadersfan" data-cid="582943" data-time="1464235958"><p>The last 2 games before the bye the Highlanders were in top form and I expect them to carry that on. Since the lions game the Canes have not been playing that well (from game reports I have read)<br>
Will definitly be finding a bar to watch this game on Friday afternoon should be a great game and if anyone is in Shenzhen tommorow wants to meet for the game I will buy the beers if the canes get within 14</p></blockquote>
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You are probably reading Hamish Bidwells articles. He is the Wellington version of Rattue. If te Canes play like they did against the Lions they will be tough to beat. I expect the naughty five will come out with something to prove. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="582988" data-time="1464245073">
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<p>You are probably reading Hamish Bidwells articles. He is the Wellington version of Rattue. <strong>If te Canes play like they did against the Lions they will be tough to beat</strong>. I expect the naughty five will come out with something to prove.</p>
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<p>What a ridiculous thing to say.</p> -
<p>The big question with the canes is the "if"</p>
<p>You never know which one your going to get with them.</p>
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<p>I will back the side with consistant form anytime hence I dont back the Canes very often</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="crusadersfan" data-cid="582995" data-time="1464246837"><p>The big question with the canes is the "if"<br>
You never know which one your going to get with them.<br><br>
I will back the side with consistant form anytime hence I dont back the Canes very often</p></blockquote>
I hope you weren't betting against them last year or you'd be flat out broke right now :)<br><br>
Agree this year though, they've been pretty up and down. You could say the same about all of the NZ teams though to a degree. -
<p>I am talking since the super comp started, the Canes have been consistant only in being inconsistant.</p>
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Oh, right, you must have missed last year then.<br><br>
The only team in the history of Super rugby that has put 5+ years of consistent performance together is the Crusaders. -
<p>Proves my point, the Crusaders would certainly be the most consistant side in Super Rugby and also hold the most titles.</p>
<p>The Canes are known as a very inconsistant team and are the only NZ team to not have won a title.</p>
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<p>I am not saying that the Canes are a bad team, they can beat any other team in this comp when they play to their potential the problem is getting them to play to their potential consistantly.</p>
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<p>Last year was by far the best they have played and they were worthy finalists but they are not replicating that this year so far</p> -
<p>Going to the game tomorrow straight after work. Picking out what I will wear tonight. We are in the uncovered part of the stands and it is supposed to start raining just before half time so want something waterproof.</p>
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<p>Most pubs that sell tables are sold out tomorrow after work. The game hasn't necessarily captured the imagination of the public but it has captured the imagination of the wellington rugby public and people are talking.</p>
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<p>Will cheer the home team but have money on the Landers.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="crusadersfan" data-cid="583008" data-time="1464250587"><p>Proves my point, the Crusaders would certainly be the most consistant side in Super Rugby and also hold the most titles.<br>
The Canes are known as a very inconsistant team and are the only NZ team to not have won a title.<br><br>
I am not saying that the Canes are a bad team, they can beat any other team in this comp when they play to their potential the problem is getting them to play to their potential consistantly.<br><br>
Last year was by far the best they have played and they were worthy finalists but they are not replicating that this year so far</p></blockquote>
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It doesn't prove your point because the Canes are playing the Highlanders (who lost to the Reds and Blues THIS season), not the Crusaders in their golden years.<br><br>
You are saying the Canes won't get close because the Highlanders are such a consistent team. They are no more consistent then the Canes, both this year and in their entire Super rugby history. -
<p>In a short term basis Highlanders are playing better rugby than the Canes hence I believe the Highlanders will win Understand me now?</p>
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<p>Good point the Highlanders were far better then the Canes last week.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="crusadersfan" data-cid="583038" data-time="1464259759">
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<p>In a short term basis Highlanders are playing better rugby than the Canes hence I believe the Highlanders will win Understand me now?</p>
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<p>Not really, because you started off by saying that you were talking about their consistency since the start of Super Rugby. </p>
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<p>Edit: In general, I agree though. From a short-term look at their performances, the Highlanders should have this.</p>