[2018 Super Rugby] Round 2: Highlanders vs. Blues (23/02/2018)

[TRF_heineken]

Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium
Time: 08:35 CAT (SA, GMT+2)
​

Teams

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (co-captain), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Tei Walden, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Jackson Hemopo, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Ash Dixon (co-captain), 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown

Substitutes: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Dan Pryor, 20 Elliot Dixon, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Fletcher Smith, 23 Matt Faddes


Blues: 15 Michael Collins, 14 Matt Duffie, 13 George Moala, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Bryn Gatland, 9 Augustine Pulu (captain), 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Murphy Taramai, 6 Glenn Preston, 5 Scott Scrafton, 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 2 James Parsons, 1 Alex Hodgman

Substitutes: 16 Leni Apisai, 17 Pauliasi Manu, 18 Michael Tamoaieta, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Sione Havili/Antonio Kiri Kiri, 21 Jonathan Ruru, 22 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 23 Melani Nanai

 

[Gena_ZA]

Lot's of hype around the Blues it seems but have to little local knowledge to know whether it is hype or hope?
Care to fill us in please?

 

[The Jones Boy]

The Highlanders are an excellent team. Going away to play them is a tough game.
If the Blues are going to climb off the bottom rung of the NZ Conference then they have to start winning games like this fixture.
It's not enough to get within 7 points, they have to win them and back it up with a strong showing at home games.

 

[Brigantine]

The Blues always get their hopes up like this though. I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[SomeOke]

Looking at the line up I wouldn't have too much hope for the Blues:

1. Alex Hodgman, 2. James Parsons, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 4. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 5. Scott Scrafton, 6. Glenn Preston, 7. Murphy Taramai, 8. Akira Ioane; 9. Augustine Pulu ©, 10. Bryn Gatland, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 13. George Moala, 14. Matt Duffie,15. Michael Collins.

Backline is heat but the loosies look thin, can't help but think that Tana is a little out of his depth, his selection always seems skewed.

 

[unrated]

I expect the Blues to win this one away from home and to make a statement of intent in the NZ conference.

 

[smartcooky]

Jeezus, what a cracking match. I can't believe it hasn't been discussed.

The lead changed eight times.... Highlanders win 41-34

 

[Captain_Az]

What a game. Free flowing with so many lead changes.

Blues looking very good if the can get healthy they'll be a decent team this year. Highlanders had the deeper bench in this one which really made a difference.

That yellow although deserved (under the laws) really sunk them otherwise I think they could have definitely won that game.

Up the Landers!

 

[Captain_Az]

Lot's of hype around the Blues it seems but have to little local knowledge to know whether it is hype or hope?
Care to fill us in please?

Post this game I'd be optimistic for them Health will be the biggest factor if they can get to the playoffs. Wouldn't think they'd be really contending for the title or anything but they seem to have the attacking ability to open up any team.

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

Very entertaining game to watch. If this is the notm we re in for an amazing season.

 

[Gena_ZA]

Great game, they didn't seem rusty at all like the Saffa's did.

 

[SomeOke]

Great game, they didn't seem rusty at all like the Saffa's did.

Yeah didn't seem rusty at all, seemed like two teams at the top of their game, which is worrying.

 

[Gena_ZA]

Just goes to show you in NZ skills are focused on at school level, and kept sharp till top level
We are just 3 decades behind and now only waking up (at top level)
We have the South African natural ability and thousands of players to choose from
Hopefully they will come together in our lifetime still

 

[Zero]

I expect the Blues to win this one away from home and to make a statement of intent in the NZ conference.

Strange thing to 'expect' since the Blues haven't beaten an NZ team away from home since 2012, or haven't won vs an NZ team since 2016.

 

[SomeOke]

The days when I see a strong Blues line up before the season and claim they will be good are over, I've been burned before. For like the last 8 years.
They also just suffer for being in a brutal conference but they are still under achievers, this year might still be different if they can pick up a few Kiwi scalps at home.

Mathematically though it seems one Kiwi franchise will always lose out. Technically it doesn't have to be the case anymore but you still suspect it's a tall order.

 

[Hound]

I don't know that they are underacheivers so much as they have had less talent than the other 4.

Could be alright this year though... a season under Bryn Gatland's belt (mark my words, I reckon that kid will wear an All Blacks jersey some day before it's all said and done) and a few other younger players getting more time to develop next to one another.

 

[SomeOke]

I don't know that they are underacheivers so much as they have had less talent than the other 4.

Could be alright this year though... a season under Bryn Gatland's belt (mark my words, I reckon that kid will wear an All Blacks jersey some day before it's all said and done) and a few other younger players getting more time to develop next to one another.

Have to disagree, pound for pound they have outrageous talent available, the Highlanders pack certainly doesn't have as many big names as they do (Tuipulotu, Kaino, Ioane, Tuungafasi), and their back line is literally star studded in every position other than 10.

 

[unrated]

Strange thing to 'expect' since the Blues haven't beaten an NZ team away from home since 2012, or haven't won vs an NZ team since 2016.

It was just my own prediction. Turned out to be false as they lost a very narrow game. But its my right to speculate isn't it? Or does predictions that does not align with the favourites offend you?
And yes i was aware that they have been one of the weakest NZ franchises over the last few years, But that does not mean anything. Let me remind you the Lions went an entire season without beating a team in Super rugby before they rebuilt and is now one of the strongest SA sides.

There will be many games this season where i will "expect/predict/believe" a underdog will take it and if you want to abuse the dislike system everytime i do that then be my guest.

 

[Zero]

Have to disagree, pound for pound they have outrageous talent available, the Highlanders pack certainly doesn't have as many big names as they do (Tuipulotu, Kaino, Ioane, Tuungafasi), and their back line is literally star studded in every position other than 10.

Do you look at the coaching or are some of the players overrated? Because I agree their supposed talent is outrageous, but if we look deeper, are these players we are rating really better than some of the other NZ franchise players? Personally, I'd rather L.Whitelock and L.Squire. over A.Ioane I would also pick Tom Franklin over P.Tuipolotu too. I think a lot of Blues players are overrated, George Moala being another one.

 

[Zero]

It was just my own prediction. Turned out to be false as they lost a very narrow game. But its my right to speculate isn't it? Or does predictions that does not align with the favourites offend you?
And yes i was aware that they have been one of the weakest NZ franchises over the last few years, But that does not mean anything. Let me remind you the Lions went an entire season without beating a team in Super rugby before they rebuilt and is now one of the strongest SA sides.

There will be many games this season where i will "expect/predict/believe" a underdog will take it and if you want to abuse the dislike system everytime i do that then be my guest.

Sorry to come across as rude, it's just a tiring hearing the same hype for the Blues season after season only for them to fail year after year, that's why I wouldn't 'expect' anything at this stage.

 

[SomeOke]

Do you look at the coaching or are some of the players overrated? Because I agree their supposed talent is outrageous, but if we look deeper, are these players we are rating really better than some of the other NZ franchise players? Personally, I'd rather L.Whitelock and L.Squire. over A.Ioane I would also pick Tom Franklin over P.Tuipolotu too. I think a lot of Blues players are overrated, George Moala being another one.

I do blame coaching yeah, just stylistically and selection wise I don't feel like the Blues are that well managed.
A couple years ago they were running from their own 22 into danger, since Tana has taken over they seem to have gotten better but I still think they lack a cohesive and consistent style.

The Saders, Highlanders, Chiefs and Crusaders all have a very specific style that has a Kiwi flair but is different for each franchise. Crusaders are more set piece focused, Highlanders are a kicking team, Hurricanes are a counter attacking team, they all have the basics right, but every team has a cohesive strategy. This is what the Bokke has lacked recently and in my opinion the Blus too.

Maybe I'm wrong, and it's possible the players are just overrated, but a potential counter to that argument is the kind of players they bring in.
When they brought in Nonu he just failed to fire, same goes with SBW who was part of a championship winning Chiefs side previously. Why do these players fail at the Blues specifally?

 

[Zero]

Fair comments, the Highlanders looked better coached and composed in the 2nd half. I thought the lack of leadership in the Blues is ultimately what cost them the match too, whereas the Highlanders had a number of composed senior players out there that got them over the line. I think if the Blues had younger Kaino out there it might have been the difference and as you said were slightly better coached, they've lost so many games in the 2nd half vs NZ opposition.

 

[Radsy]

What a great game! Pulu and SBW were the most disappointing for me. First time in a long time that Akira was more impressive than Rieko IMO. Naholo was sllllooowwww in this one. Parsons looks better without the captaincy weight.

I can't blame Tana for any of his selections, as they really are lacking options with Kaino, and especially Gibson out. They are a much better and more composed side with him in charge. They hung in very well with an impressive Highlanders team and the yellow card was the turning point.

 

[The Jones Boy]

Ohhh... the Blues.

 

[mania]

WOW. a game where ' a try every 5 mins and the lead kept kept changing .
if blues are the worst NZ side then derby's are gonna be epic.
i thought the only thing separating these teams was the yellow card.
game played in awesome attacking spirit.
despite the loss, blues are finally back imo. tana has earnt his paycheque. blues need to keep up this pace. not all teams will be able to keep up with them and they wont be yellow carded every game....one hopes.

 

[The Jones Boy]

Sonny Bill has been told he's not required for the 2019 RWC so he has signed for Easts in the NRL as soon as the Super Rugby season is over for the Blues.

 

[mania]

Sonny Bill has been told he's not required for the 2019 RWC so he has signed for Easts in the NRL as soon as the Super Rugby season is over for the Blues.

theres spin on that i'm just not sure what. i doubt hansen wouldve told SBW this far out of the WC the he was unwanted.
u only do that (ala bradThorn and quadeCooper) if you just dont like the player and dont see any worth in him going forward.
hansen is a real SBW fan, overly much at times.

 

[The Jones Boy]

No mate, he's been told, it's in the news.
He wouldn't have signed for Easts post season on the cusp of the next RWC if he wasn't in the picture particularly as he is an incumbent and a RWC winner.
They want young blood and I am a fan of SBW, and I have to admit he hasn't been firing on all cylinders since he came back from injury. He also has some 'league' moments that counter act his brilliant offloads.

 

[mania]

No mate, he's been told, it's in the news.
He wouldn't have signed for Easts post season on the cusp of the next RWC if he wasn't in the picture particularly as he is an incumbent and a RWC winner.
They want young blood and I am a fan of SBW, and I have to admit he hasn't been firing on all cylinders since he came back from injury. He also has some 'league' moments that counter act his brilliant offloads.

thats still rumour and unsubstantiated by anyone in position to confirm or deny
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...set-to-return-to-nrl-after-super-rugby-season

 

[mania]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...bill-williams-isnt-going-anywhere-before-2019