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[2015 Super Rugby] The Run Home
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<blockquote data-quote="MotherRucker1" data-source="post: 725752" data-attributes="member: 72442"><p><u>Highlanders:</u></p><p></p><p><strong>Strength: Lineouts (3rd most successful in the comp) and try-scoring (3rd best)</strong></p><p><strong>Weakness: Tackling (12th in the comp)</strong> <strong>Running meters: Good at scoring tries, but come in at 8th when it comes to gaining meters</strong></p><p></p><p>I think the Highlanders are capable of a few more upsets this year and potentially could even make the final. They have claimed some pretty awesome scalps and shown us what they can do. The tour to South Africa was good, but it showed us that they need to keep focused at times for the full 80, and defend well when under pressure at set pieces (rolling maul for example). The Lions are a pretty good side compared to other years though to be fair. If you're qualifying finals are correct, I think the Highlanders could beat the Waratahs. In terms of their remaining games, I'd rest Fekitoa and Ben Smith against the Force tonight. While the 'Landers have shown they can beat big teams, they have also shown that they struggle without their All Blacks (see the Brumbies match). That means they could enjoy having a full AB contingent against the Chiefs and Hurricanes, and I'm sure they'd be capable of beating the Blues without Aaron Smith. That's just what I'd do.</p><p></p><p></p><p><u>Hurricanes</u></p><p></p><p><strong>Strength: Tackling (2nd in the comp) Try Scoring (equal first)</strong></p><p><strong>Weakness: Lineouts (12th the comp) Offloading in the tackle (6th in the comp - still ok)</strong></p><p></p><p>My expectation of the Hurricanes is that they will win at least three of their remaining matches. Blues and Crusaders are definitely winnable - unless the Crusaders lose tonight and pull a rabbit out of the hat next week. Despite the shocking season, I think the Crusaders have a big performance in the tank. I'm not sure whether it'll be tonight or next week; I'll take a gamble and say it'll be against the Tahs. Hopefully we can avenge the loss of last year's final. Highlanders in Wellington is a winnable match for the 'Canes because a home game at the cake tin for the in-form team of the competition? Should be a done deal. Don't the Canes also have players to rest? So it'll also depend on selection management. Last round - by this stage the Chiefs should have their locking options replenished and Retallick should be back? Maybe a victory to the Chiefs in that one.</p><p></p><p><u>Chiefs</u></p><p></p><p><strong>Strength: Attack rugby in general (1st in comp for carries, clean breaks, meters and offloads, fourth for tries)</strong></p><p><strong>Weakness: Ill-discipline (11 yellow cards this season - thats the most cards of any team)</strong></p><p></p><p>It could be a tight finish for second in the NZ conference between the Highlanders and Chiefs. Even if the Highlanders lose tonight, which I could see (the trip back to NZ is difficult as it is, but the Force can be a banana skin side), finishing within 7 for a bonus point would be helpful. At Forsyth Stadium the next week, with the enclosed roof, and two teams who can run - possible bonus point win for the Highlanders? Next week, Landers lose to the Canes - Chiefs beat the Reds. But the final round, Highlanders should be able to beat the Blues, and it'll all depend on whether the Chiefs can tip the Canes up. </p><p></p><p><u>Crusaders:</u></p><p></p><p><strong>Strength: Scrum success rate (2nd in the competition for this)</strong></p><p><strong>Weakness: Rucks (languishing at 14th)</strong></p><p></p><p>As for the Crusaders - while I think we are capable of winning at least two more of our remaining games, I don't hold out much further hope than that. Kind of pessimistic really. Unless the Chiefs and Highlanders have rough endings to their season, and unless we start winning each game with a bonus point then I can't see much happening. Hopefully Dagg can settle back into fullback tonight. At best I think we'll beat either the Warratahs, Hurricanes or Brumbies in an upset. Can't see more than that. Love to be proved wrong.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="MotherRucker1, post: 725752, member: 72442"] [U]Highlanders:[/U] [B]Strength: Lineouts (3rd most successful in the comp) and try-scoring (3rd best)[/B] [B]Weakness: Tackling (12th in the comp)[/B] [B]Running meters: Good at scoring tries, but come in at 8th when it comes to gaining meters[/B] I think the Highlanders are capable of a few more upsets this year and potentially could even make the final. They have claimed some pretty awesome scalps and shown us what they can do. The tour to South Africa was good, but it showed us that they need to keep focused at times for the full 80, and defend well when under pressure at set pieces (rolling maul for example). The Lions are a pretty good side compared to other years though to be fair. If you're qualifying finals are correct, I think the Highlanders could beat the Waratahs. In terms of their remaining games, I'd rest Fekitoa and Ben Smith against the Force tonight. While the 'Landers have shown they can beat big teams, they have also shown that they struggle without their All Blacks (see the Brumbies match). That means they could enjoy having a full AB contingent against the Chiefs and Hurricanes, and I'm sure they'd be capable of beating the Blues without Aaron Smith. That's just what I'd do. [U]Hurricanes[/U] [B]Strength: Tackling (2nd in the comp) Try Scoring (equal first)[/B] [B]Weakness: Lineouts (12th the comp) Offloading in the tackle (6th in the comp - still ok)[/B] My expectation of the Hurricanes is that they will win at least three of their remaining matches. Blues and Crusaders are definitely winnable - unless the Crusaders lose tonight and pull a rabbit out of the hat next week. Despite the shocking season, I think the Crusaders have a big performance in the tank. I'm not sure whether it'll be tonight or next week; I'll take a gamble and say it'll be against the Tahs. Hopefully we can avenge the loss of last year's final. Highlanders in Wellington is a winnable match for the 'Canes because a home game at the cake tin for the in-form team of the competition? Should be a done deal. Don't the Canes also have players to rest? So it'll also depend on selection management. Last round - by this stage the Chiefs should have their locking options replenished and Retallick should be back? Maybe a victory to the Chiefs in that one. [U]Chiefs[/U] [B]Strength: Attack rugby in general (1st in comp for carries, clean breaks, meters and offloads, fourth for tries)[/B] [B]Weakness: Ill-discipline (11 yellow cards this season - thats the most cards of any team)[/B] It could be a tight finish for second in the NZ conference between the Highlanders and Chiefs. Even if the Highlanders lose tonight, which I could see (the trip back to NZ is difficult as it is, but the Force can be a banana skin side), finishing within 7 for a bonus point would be helpful. At Forsyth Stadium the next week, with the enclosed roof, and two teams who can run - possible bonus point win for the Highlanders? Next week, Landers lose to the Canes - Chiefs beat the Reds. But the final round, Highlanders should be able to beat the Blues, and it'll all depend on whether the Chiefs can tip the Canes up. [U]Crusaders:[/U] [B]Strength: Scrum success rate (2nd in the competition for this)[/B] [B]Weakness: Rucks (languishing at 14th)[/B] As for the Crusaders - while I think we are capable of winning at least two more of our remaining games, I don't hold out much further hope than that. Kind of pessimistic really. Unless the Chiefs and Highlanders have rough endings to their season, and unless we start winning each game with a bonus point then I can't see much happening. Hopefully Dagg can settle back into fullback tonight. At best I think we'll beat either the Warratahs, Hurricanes or Brumbies in an upset. Can't see more than that. Love to be proved wrong. [/QUOTE]
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