[2015 Super Rugby] Highlanders vs. Crusaders (Round 2) 21/02/2015

[Jaguares]

15 Ben Smith
14 Waisake Naholo
13 Malakai Fekitoa
12 Shaun Treeby
11 Patrick Osborne
10 Lima Sopoaga
9 Aaron Smith
8 Nasi Manu
7 John Hardie
6 Elliot Dixon
5 Joe Wheeler
4 Tom Franklin
3 Ross Geldenhuys
2 Liam Coltman
1 Josh Hohneck


Substitutes:


16 Ash Dixon, 17 Kane Hames, 18 Ma'afu Fia, 19 Mark Reddish, 20 Dan Pryor, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Jason Emery, 23 Marty Banks

15 Israel Dagg
14 Robbie Fruean
13 Kieron Fonotia
12 Ryan Crotty
11 Johnny McNicholl
10 Colin Slade
9 Mitchell Drummond
8 Luke Whitelock
7 Matt Todd (c)
6 Richie McCaw
5 Scott Barrett
4 Luke Romano
3 Owen Franks
2 Ben Funnell
1 Wyatt Crockett


Substitutes:


16 Codie Taylor, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Dominic Bird, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Tom Taylor, 23 Nafi Tuitavake

Date : Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Venue : Saturday 21 February 2015
Kick Off local: 19:35 local, 17:35 AEDT, 08:35 SAST
Referee: Chris Pollock
Assistant Ref 1:Ben O'Keeffe
Assistant Ref 2:Mike Lash
TMO : Chris Wratt​

 

[Shaggy]

Got to back the Crusaders out of blind loyalty, but it's a home game for the Highlanders, and I believe they one the preseason match also ... and then there's that pathetic game from the Crusaders against the Rebels

... It looks like Dan Carter might be a none starter for this match http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...d-to-miss-highlanders-game-with-leg-complaint ... I never thought I'd ever say this, but it might not be a bad thing ... anyway, plenty of time for him to prove he's up to it, and press for RWC selection

 

[Gena_ZA]

@Shaggy, what do the Highlanders look like this year, any decent hope for them?

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

@Shaggy, what do the Highlanders look like this year, any decent hope for them?

I'll just butt in here...

The Highlanders haven't really made any big pick ups in the off season, though arguably they also haven't lost many important players (Bekhuis to the Blues being the biggest one). A lot depends on which players Joseph decides to put on the field - particularly in the centres and in the loose forwards.

They'll knock over a bunch of good teams, but it would take quite an optimist to suggest that they could win the competition. It would be a good season for them if they could make it to the play offs again!

 

[Gena_ZA]

Tx Mr Fish, appreciated

 

[Kiwiwomble]

i'll be happy with another play off appearance

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Highlanders v Crusaders, Forsyth Barr, Dunedin – Saturday 21st Febraury 7.35pm (NZT)
1. Josh Hohneck
2. Liam Coltman
3. Ross Geldenhuys
4. Tom Franklin
5. Joe Wheeler
6. Elliot Dixon
7. John Hardie
8. Nasi Manu (c)
9. Aaron Smith
10. Lima Sopoaga
11. Patrick Osborne
12. Shaun Treeby
13. Malakai Fekitoa
14. Waisake Naholo
15. Ben Smith (c)
16. Ash Dixon
17. Kane Hames
18. Ma’afu Fia
19. Mark Reddish
20. Dan Pryor
21. Fumiaki Tanaka
22. Jason Emery
23. Marty Banks

interesting to see Banks ahead of Quasie (Parker) on the bench and Fia and hames straight to the bench

hoping that is actually a sign we have real depth int he front row and they will get more time come the business end

pretty good team with some big names (christie and buckman) still to come

 

[TRF_heineken]

Here are both the teams named:

Highlanders

15 Ben Smith (co-captain), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu (co-captain), 7 John Hardie, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Tom Franklin, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Josh Hohneck

Substitutes: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Kane Hames, 18 Ma'afu Fia, 19 Mark Reddish, 20 Dan Pryor, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Jason Emery, 23 Marty Banks

Crusaders

15 Israel Dagg, 14 Robbie Fruean, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Johnny McNicholl, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Matt Todd (captain), 6 Richie McCaw, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Wyatt Crockett

Substitutes: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Dominic Bird, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Tom Taylor, 23 Nafi Tuitavake

 

[Ossau]

Highlander's backline seems very strong and it's not changed a lot. We'll see Naholo playing after his very good ITM Cup season with Taranaki.
Looking forward to seeing Ben Smith at fullback!

 

[Draggs]

Ben Smith and no Darwin around to cheer him on

 

[austingtir]

Ben Smith and no Darwin around to cheer him on

I'll do it in his absence.... Ben Smith is the best fullback in the world by miles!

Im convinced there was something not right with him on the end of year tour last year even the first 10 minutes of this game its like watching a different player!

 

[Amobokoboko]

Was a very entertaining game. Pity the highlanders lost grip on the game in the middle and only came back a bit near the end.

 

[Ossau]

Disappointing! Poor decisions making and so many handling errors from the Highlanders.
Not the best way to start the season.

 

[Jaguares]

Scott Barrett is a very interesting player, a future All Black IMHO

I'm the only who bet for Saders, where is my prize?

:lol:

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Please tell me franks is going to get sited for the forearm!

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Please tell me franks is going to get sited for the forearm!

Don't worry, he has been (which is great because he certainly won't be playing against the Chiefs next week)! So has Kames, actually.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

yeah, i missed Hames' foul, he deserves if it was as bad as franks

 

[Icemn]

missed my fantasy deadline for the transfers, wanted to get both smith's in and they both scored

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Ben didn't score

 

[Draggs]

Ben didn't score

That's what he wants you to think.