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Round One: W Force v Highlanders
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<blockquote data-quote="The TRUTH" data-source="post: 98333"><p>What better way to kick off the opening day of the season then with a blockbuster match between two of the worlds best teams, the Otago Highlanders and the mighty Western Force <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> </p><p></p><p>Well the Highlanders will head to Perth without the services of only two of Henry's rested AB's, but those two men make up two thirds of the worlds best provincial front row, the cornerstone of this Otago team. Thats a massive loss right there!, they only have 8 AB's as it is.... and most of those are fringe players.</p><p></p><p>But on the bight side, Nick Evans is back. Last year, it was no coincidence that when Evans went down with an injury, the Highlanders went from looking like a possible finals contender to a bunch of pretenders. You can never underestimate the importance of a quality fly-half in the Super14... just look at all the previous winners.... it's key that he stays injury free.</p><p></p><p>So they're without Hayman and Oliver, but they have Evans back....</p><p></p><p>They've picked up Waqa, but they let Blair and Kahui go...</p><p></p><p>They did manage to keep hold of all their talented young forwards... but, all in all, i dont see much improvement in their squad from last year.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>The Force on the other hand have added some serious class to their team, signing guys like Giteau,Mitchell and Cross, without losing anyone of any worth.</p><p></p><p>All the players we lost to injury last year(like half our bloody team)are fit and ready to play this weekend(with the exception of MacKay).</p><p></p><p>The big question is what will Mitchell do with all the quality backs he has at his disposal....... which combination suits the team best?.</p><p></p><p>Is it...</p><p></p><p>A.</p><p>9.Henjak</p><p>10.Hilgendorf</p><p>11.Ioane </p><p>12.Giteau</p><p>13.Staniforth</p><p>14.Mitchell</p><p>15.Shepherd</p><p></p><p>B.</p><p>9.Henjak</p><p>10.Giteau</p><p>11.Ioane</p><p>12.Stani</p><p>13.Cross/Pelesasa</p><p>14.Mitchell</p><p>15.Shepherd</p><p></p><p>C.</p><p>9.Henjak</p><p>10.Hilgendorf</p><p>11.Stani</p><p>12.Gitz</p><p>13.Cross/Pelesasa</p><p>14.Mitchell</p><p>15.Shep</p><p></p><p>The only selections that seem certain are Henjak@9,Shep@15 and Mitchell on the wing.</p><p></p><p>I'd prefer lineup B but i wont be too dissapointed if it's A</p><p></p><p>I just dont wanna see Staniforth on the wing, he was a revelation in the centre for us last year, plus i think he lacks the pace to be a threat from way out there anymore. Ioane is the man for that last wing spot.... this is his year to shine.</p><p></p><p></p><p>No points for guessing who i'm tipping in this game.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="The TRUTH, post: 98333"] What better way to kick off the opening day of the season then with a blockbuster match between two of the worlds best teams, the Otago Highlanders and the mighty Western Force ;) Well the Highlanders will head to Perth without the services of only two of Henry's rested AB's, but those two men make up two thirds of the worlds best provincial front row, the cornerstone of this Otago team. Thats a massive loss right there!, they only have 8 AB's as it is.... and most of those are fringe players. But on the bight side, Nick Evans is back. Last year, it was no coincidence that when Evans went down with an injury, the Highlanders went from looking like a possible finals contender to a bunch of pretenders. You can never underestimate the importance of a quality fly-half in the Super14... just look at all the previous winners.... it's key that he stays injury free. So they're without Hayman and Oliver, but they have Evans back.... They've picked up Waqa, but they let Blair and Kahui go... They did manage to keep hold of all their talented young forwards... but, all in all, i dont see much improvement in their squad from last year. The Force on the other hand have added some serious class to their team, signing guys like Giteau,Mitchell and Cross, without losing anyone of any worth. All the players we lost to injury last year(like half our bloody team)are fit and ready to play this weekend(with the exception of MacKay). The big question is what will Mitchell do with all the quality backs he has at his disposal....... which combination suits the team best?. Is it... A. 9.Henjak 10.Hilgendorf 11.Ioane 12.Giteau 13.Staniforth 14.Mitchell 15.Shepherd B. 9.Henjak 10.Giteau 11.Ioane 12.Stani 13.Cross/Pelesasa 14.Mitchell 15.Shepherd C. 9.Henjak 10.Hilgendorf 11.Stani 12.Gitz 13.Cross/Pelesasa 14.Mitchell 15.Shep The only selections that seem certain are Henjak@9,Shep@15 and Mitchell on the wing. I'd prefer lineup B but i wont be too dissapointed if it's A I just dont wanna see Staniforth on the wing, he was a revelation in the centre for us last year, plus i think he lacks the pace to be a threat from way out there anymore. Ioane is the man for that last wing spot.... this is his year to shine. No points for guessing who i'm tipping in this game. [/QUOTE]
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Round One: W Force v Highlanders
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