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Super Rugby: Highlanders vs. Chiefs in Dunedin (22/02/2013)
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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 552309" data-attributes="member: 24910"><p>I don't know if they should be kicking themselves (as I'm sure most of them weren't happy to see him de-listed!) - I think they would be better kicking John Kirwan <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>As has been mentioned Cruden had a slight groin injury. In any case Anscombe is probably a better goal-kicker than Cruden - both are very accurate from close range, but Anscombe probably has better distance than Cruden.</p><p></p><p>Right, now the dust as settled a bit I thought I would add a few of my thought on the game. The key moment in the game was really Nanai-Williams second try. The Highlanders butchered a golden try scoring opportunity and the Chiefs scored at the other end - it really was the definition of a 14 point try. What made it a great game was the attacking attitude that both sides brought with them. Both teams made a few errors, but you have to expect that in such a high-octane game (especially one early in the season).</p><p></p><p>For the Chiefs I thought Afeaki played well, holding his own against Woodcock at scrum time. Manu actually looked good at scrum time, but did get penalised a bit. One of the surprise packages was Rhys Marshall. This was his first game of professional rugby (having not played any ITM Cup), and he didn't look out of place in the least - indeed he was all over the place making tackles, and looked very sharp with ball in hand. The locks were solid (as always), while Messam continued his outstanding form from last season. Lee had a solid game at 8, while Cane was all over the park at openside. He really throws himself into everything and has a massive work-rate, but does still need to improve his accuracy.</p><p></p><p>Kerr-Barlow was pretty quiet, but Pulu made a great impact when he came on, especially with his snipping running around the base of the breakdown. Cruden actually had one of his poorer games in a few seasons. He was good with ball in hand, but his tactic kicking was very disappointing - I can only assume the groin injury was affecting him. Aki looked sharp on debut, and was pretty reliable on defense. As others have mentioned Nanai-Williams had a mixed game. He was devastating with ball in hand, but a couple of obviuos defensive errors cost the Chiefs. Tikoirotimu was pretty solid, while Osbourne had some good moments on attack, but struggled on defense (which was no surprise). I thought Anscombe had an excellent game at fullback, especially as it was an unfamiliar position. His goal-kicking was outstanding, his positioning was solid, he entered the backline well on occasions, and though he was a bit passive at times on defense he did make a couple of crucial tackles (one in particular on Hosea Gear stands out).</p><p></p><p>The Highlanders did ok up front, but they will be much better off once Hore and Thorn are back. Fia did a solid job at tighthead, while I was slighty disappointed with Woodcock, who I expected to be slightly more dominant. Mitchell was ok at hooker, but his lineout throwing was very average at times - unfortunately Coltman (who I rate) was much worse when he replaced him, giving away a couple of silly penalties. Hoeata was solid, but I was very impressed with Bekhuis's work around the field. Wheeler did a good job at 6, and provides the same aerial skills that Adam Thomson brought to the side (particularly at kick-off). Hardie looked good at openside, and carried the ball a lot. He really fits the style of player the AB's selectors want at 7, so he is certainly a chance to make the AB's squad for the mid-year tests while McCaw is out. The injury to Nasi Manu (broken ankle/foot?) is a serious blow to the Hgihlanders, as he has been one of the most consistent players for them over the last two seasons. Elliot Dixon has the potential to provide the similar physical game that Manu brought, but is still very raw, while I'm not sure what to expect out of Paringatai.</p><p></p><p>Aaron Smith was ok, but as others have mentioned still needs to work on his box-kicking, while I was happy Sopoaga's play. He can really set the backline going at times, and his goal-kicking was good this match - my only concern is his tactical kicking game (or lack there-of). Nonu had a bit of a mixed debut. He was physical on attack, but made a couple of obvious defensive errors (running out of the line on Nanai-Williams first try was the most obvious one). Burleigh was ok on attack but struggled on defense, missing a number of tackles he probably should have made. Gear had his moments on the wing. He scored an outstanding individual try, but still isn't backing himself enough at times. One good example was when he was put into space with only Anscombe to beat, and rather than try and run round/inside/over Anscombe, he instead passively allowed Anscombe to tackle him. If he had instead pictured Anscombe as Keith Earls it would have been 5 (or 7) points to the Highlanders <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /> I was very happy with the performance of Poki, who looked like the player he was in 2011 (after a very average 2012 season). I love the way he just bouncing out of contact when you think he is going to be tackled. As has been mentioned Ben Smith was outstanding (no surprise there). What really impressed me was the way he linked up with support after he broke the line this match (if only his support players could finish off his breaks...). I can only assume this is something he has developed after spending a lot of time in the AB's environment (training with Conrad Smith is sure to help!), as too often last season he would die with the ball after making a clean break. The only mistake he made all match was get burned on the outside by Nanai-Williams - he needs to learn he can't always afford to give the opposition players the outside, as there are some players you just can't catch!</p><p></p><p>Overall a bit of a disappointing result for the Highlanders, but there were plenty of positives to come out of the game, which bodes well for the rest of the season.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 552309, member: 24910"] I don't know if they should be kicking themselves (as I'm sure most of them weren't happy to see him de-listed!) - I think they would be better kicking John Kirwan ;) As has been mentioned Cruden had a slight groin injury. In any case Anscombe is probably a better goal-kicker than Cruden - both are very accurate from close range, but Anscombe probably has better distance than Cruden. Right, now the dust as settled a bit I thought I would add a few of my thought on the game. The key moment in the game was really Nanai-Williams second try. The Highlanders butchered a golden try scoring opportunity and the Chiefs scored at the other end - it really was the definition of a 14 point try. What made it a great game was the attacking attitude that both sides brought with them. Both teams made a few errors, but you have to expect that in such a high-octane game (especially one early in the season). For the Chiefs I thought Afeaki played well, holding his own against Woodcock at scrum time. Manu actually looked good at scrum time, but did get penalised a bit. One of the surprise packages was Rhys Marshall. This was his first game of professional rugby (having not played any ITM Cup), and he didn't look out of place in the least - indeed he was all over the place making tackles, and looked very sharp with ball in hand. The locks were solid (as always), while Messam continued his outstanding form from last season. Lee had a solid game at 8, while Cane was all over the park at openside. He really throws himself into everything and has a massive work-rate, but does still need to improve his accuracy. Kerr-Barlow was pretty quiet, but Pulu made a great impact when he came on, especially with his snipping running around the base of the breakdown. Cruden actually had one of his poorer games in a few seasons. He was good with ball in hand, but his tactic kicking was very disappointing - I can only assume the groin injury was affecting him. Aki looked sharp on debut, and was pretty reliable on defense. As others have mentioned Nanai-Williams had a mixed game. He was devastating with ball in hand, but a couple of obviuos defensive errors cost the Chiefs. Tikoirotimu was pretty solid, while Osbourne had some good moments on attack, but struggled on defense (which was no surprise). I thought Anscombe had an excellent game at fullback, especially as it was an unfamiliar position. His goal-kicking was outstanding, his positioning was solid, he entered the backline well on occasions, and though he was a bit passive at times on defense he did make a couple of crucial tackles (one in particular on Hosea Gear stands out). The Highlanders did ok up front, but they will be much better off once Hore and Thorn are back. Fia did a solid job at tighthead, while I was slighty disappointed with Woodcock, who I expected to be slightly more dominant. Mitchell was ok at hooker, but his lineout throwing was very average at times - unfortunately Coltman (who I rate) was much worse when he replaced him, giving away a couple of silly penalties. Hoeata was solid, but I was very impressed with Bekhuis's work around the field. Wheeler did a good job at 6, and provides the same aerial skills that Adam Thomson brought to the side (particularly at kick-off). Hardie looked good at openside, and carried the ball a lot. He really fits the style of player the AB's selectors want at 7, so he is certainly a chance to make the AB's squad for the mid-year tests while McCaw is out. The injury to Nasi Manu (broken ankle/foot?) is a serious blow to the Hgihlanders, as he has been one of the most consistent players for them over the last two seasons. Elliot Dixon has the potential to provide the similar physical game that Manu brought, but is still very raw, while I'm not sure what to expect out of Paringatai. Aaron Smith was ok, but as others have mentioned still needs to work on his box-kicking, while I was happy Sopoaga's play. He can really set the backline going at times, and his goal-kicking was good this match - my only concern is his tactical kicking game (or lack there-of). Nonu had a bit of a mixed debut. He was physical on attack, but made a couple of obvious defensive errors (running out of the line on Nanai-Williams first try was the most obvious one). Burleigh was ok on attack but struggled on defense, missing a number of tackles he probably should have made. Gear had his moments on the wing. He scored an outstanding individual try, but still isn't backing himself enough at times. One good example was when he was put into space with only Anscombe to beat, and rather than try and run round/inside/over Anscombe, he instead passively allowed Anscombe to tackle him. If he had instead pictured Anscombe as Keith Earls it would have been 5 (or 7) points to the Highlanders ;) I was very happy with the performance of Poki, who looked like the player he was in 2011 (after a very average 2012 season). I love the way he just bouncing out of contact when you think he is going to be tackled. As has been mentioned Ben Smith was outstanding (no surprise there). What really impressed me was the way he linked up with support after he broke the line this match (if only his support players could finish off his breaks...). I can only assume this is something he has developed after spending a lot of time in the AB's environment (training with Conrad Smith is sure to help!), as too often last season he would die with the ball after making a clean break. The only mistake he made all match was get burned on the outside by Nanai-Williams - he needs to learn he can't always afford to give the opposition players the outside, as there are some players you just can't catch! Overall a bit of a disappointing result for the Highlanders, but there were plenty of positives to come out of the game, which bodes well for the rest of the season. [/QUOTE]
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Super Rugby: Highlanders vs. Chiefs in Dunedin (22/02/2013)
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