Highlanders versus Blues MATCH THREAD Sunday, August 2

[FujiKiwi]

WHEN:
Sunday August 2nd

KICK OFF:
Local - 3.35 pm NZ

WHERE:
Dunedin, NZ



VENUE

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin , Auckland




MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee: Mike Fraser

Assistant Referee 1: James Doleman

Assistant Referee 2: Brendon Pickerill

TMO: Chris Hart

TEAMS:



Highlanders: 1-Ayden Johnstone, 2-Ash Dixon (cc), 3-Jeff Thwaites, 4-Pari Pari Parkinson, 5-Jack Whetton, 6-Shannon Frizell, 7-Dillon Hunt, 8-Marino Mikaele Tu’u, 9-Aaron Smith (cc), 10-Josh Ioane, 11-Scott Gregory, 12-Patelesio Tomkinson, 13-Michael Collins, 14-Josh McKay, 15-Mitch Hunt

Reserves: 16-Liam Coltman, 17-Ethan De Groot, 18-Siate Tokolahi, 19-Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20-Jesse Parete, 21-Folau Fakatava, 22-Bryn Gatland, 23-Jona Nareki





Blues: Matt Duffie, Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane, TJ Faiane, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie; Akira Ioane, Blake Gibson, Dalton Papalii, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Karl Tu’inukuafe.

Reserves: Luteru Tolai, Alex Hodgman, Sione Mafileo, Josh Goodhue, Tony Lamborn, Sam Nock, Otere Black, Harry Plummer.

[FujiKiwi]

Apologies if as an away fan, I am stepping on any toes. Will take down if necessary.

Will find some better photos. These ones are naff.

[Ymx]

Apologies if as an away fan, I am stepping on any toes. Will take down if necessary.

Will find some better photos. These ones are naff.

Mate. I think everyone is just delighted for you; you’re not up your 17th edit on the OP.



Anyone else feel the laugh emoticon is a bit unnerving and frantic??

[FujiKiwi]

Apologies if as an away fan, I am stepping on any toes. Will take down if necessary.

Will find some better photos. These ones are naff.

Mate. I think everyone is just delighted for you; you’re not up your 17th edit on the OP.



Anyone else feel the laugh emoticon is a bit unnerving and frantic??

Well thanks for the coaching. You were the wind beneath my wings. Is there any way to make the pictures larger. Yours are (ahem) so much bigger than mine.

[FujiKiwi]

Dan Carter unlikely to play this weekend—or at all this season—with a lingering calf muscle problem.

Hoskins Sotutu also not considered this week due to his foot injury.

Barrett expected to start at 10 with Black on the bench.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/a ... d=12352008

[Gumboot]

Hoskins Sotutu also not considered this week due to his foot injury.

I hope he gets to play again before the Supe season finishes.

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

Landers loosies and inside backs, up fast on Mr Barrett please. You do not want to give him time and space.

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

Dan Carter unlikely to play this weekend—or at all this season—with a lingering calf muscle problem.

Hoskins Sotutu also not considered this week due to his foot injury.

Barrett expected to start at 10 with Black on the bench.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/a ... d=12352008

Our famous ornamental RWC-winning former All Black is Nehe Milner-Skudder.

[Biffer]

I think this might be a belter. The Highlanders have been close to having it all come together a few times this season, and they don't have many opportunities left to do it at home, to get themselves lined up for the opportunity to bring the Cursaders down a peg in the South Island clash next week. Blues defence has been tremendous though. Looking forward to it.

[FujiKiwi]

Newshub article suggests Josh Goodhue might be on track to make the ABs.

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/20 ... nours.html

He himself modestly suggests he is the next Brodie Retallick.

"I've always prided myself on work rate. I guess that's similar to Brodie in a way. I bring a bit of stuff everywhere, and I'm a good ball-playing lock as well."

Having the world's new best lock (Maro who?) we are bound to win this weekend.

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

Newshub article suggests Josh Goodhue might be on track to make the ABs.

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/20 ... nours.html

He himself modestly suggests he is the next Brodie Retallick.

"I've always prided myself on work rate. I guess that's similar to Brodie in a way. I bring a bit of stuff everywhere, and I'm a good ball-playing lock as well."

Having the world's new best lock (Maro who?) we are bound to win this weekend.

It will be interesting to see how FIGJAM Goodhue goes against Pari Pari Pari Parikinson

[FujiKiwi]

Newshub article suggests Josh Goodhue might be on track to make the ABs.

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/20 ... nours.html

He himself modestly suggests he is the next Brodie Retallick.

"I've always prided myself on work rate. I guess that's similar to Brodie in a way. I bring a bit of stuff everywhere, and I'm a good ball-playing lock as well."

Having the world's new best lock (Maro who?) we are bound to win this weekend.

It will be interesting to see how FIGJAM Goodhue goes against Pari Pari Pari Parikinson

I don't get the FIGJAM reference, but I agree that it'll be a battle. Pari Pari would spring to mind as a future AB lock for me before Goodhue would.

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

Newshub article suggests Josh Goodhue might be on track to make the ABs.

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/20 ... nours.html

He himself modestly suggests he is the next Brodie Retallick.



Having the world's new best lock (Maro who?) we are bound to win this weekend.

It will be interesting to see how FIGJAM Goodhue goes against Pari Pari Pari Parikinson

I don't get the FIGJAM reference, but I agree that it'll be a battle. Pari Pari would spring to mind as a future AB lock for me before Goodhue would.

Fuck I'm Good. Just Ask Me.

[FujiKiwi]

That's very good.

Goodhue isn't bad. In fact, after his twin's performance last week, he is the Good Goodhue.

But Pari Pari is more of an exciting player at this stage.

What might play into Goodhue's favor—if Fozzie is shallow enough—is that he fits the kiwi traditional look for locks as wild mountain men. Pari Pari has sensitive facial features, which make him look a little delicate. Which he isn't.

[Monkey Magic]

Going to be high octane game, Parsons saying during the week that they know they need a bonus point to try and pressure the crusaders.

Would be hell of an ask given the way highlanders have been able to turn it on.

Benches will be key as there will be a lot of guys blowing at the 70min mark, and an average read on defense and all of a sudden you you Aaron Smith, BB or Ioane on the loose

[FujiKiwi]

This could have been arguably the two best loose forward units in the competition going up against each other: Papalii, Sotutu and Ioane up against Hunt, Mikaele-Tu'u and Frizell.

Unfortunately, the injury to Sotutu has meant we don't quite get to see that. But it will still be an intriguing battle.

[JM2K6]

Newshub article suggests Josh Goodhue might be on track to make the ABs.

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/20 ... nours.html

He himself modestly suggests he is the next Brodie Retallick.

"I've always prided myself on work rate. I guess that's similar to Brodie in a way. I bring a bit of stuff everywhere, and I'm a good ball-playing lock as well."

Having the world's new best lock (Maro who?) we are bound to win this weekend.

It will be interesting to see how FIGJAM Goodhue goes against Pari Pari Pari Parikinson

My girlfriend coined "Nandos" as a nickname for old Peri Peri Parkinson, which is decent.

[Gumboot]

Highlanders: 1-Ayden Johnstone, 2-Ash Dixon (cc), 3-Jeff Thwaites, 4-Pari Pari Parkinson, 5-Jack Whetton, 6-Shannon Frizell, 7-Dillon Hunt, 8-Marino Mikaele Tu’u, 9-Aaron Smith (cc), 10-Josh Ioane, 11-Scott Gregory, 12-Patelesio Tomkinson, 13-Michael Collins, 14-Josh McKay, 15-Mitch Hunt

Reserves: 16-Liam Coltman, 17-Ethan De Groot, 18-Siate Tokolahi, 19-Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20-Jesse Parete, 21-Folau Fakatava, 22-Bryn Gatland, 23-Jona Nareki

[Amethyst]

Geezuz, WTF is that trophee?

[FujiKiwi]

Highlanders: 1-Ayden Johnstone, 2-Ash Dixon (cc), 3-Jeff Thwaites, 4-Pari Pari Parkinson, 5-Jack Whetton, 6-Shannon Frizell, 7-Dillon Hunt, 8-Marino Mikaele Tu’u, 9-Aaron Smith (cc), 10-Josh Ioane, 11-Scott Gregory, 12-Patelesio Tomkinson, 13-Michael Collins, 14-Josh McKay, 15-Mitch Hunt

Reserves: 16-Liam Coltman, 17-Ethan De Groot, 18-Siate Tokolahi, 19-Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20-Jesse Parete, 21-Folau Fakatava, 22-Bryn Gatland, 23-Jona Nareki

Thanks, Gumboot. OP updated. .

[Monkey Magic]

Highlanders: 1-Ayden Johnstone, 2-Ash Dixon (cc), 3-Jeff Thwaites, 4-Pari Pari Parkinson, 5-Jack Whetton, 6-Shannon Frizell, 7-Dillon Hunt, 8-Marino Mikaele Tu’u, 9-Aaron Smith (cc), 10-Josh Ioane, 11-Scott Gregory, 12-Patelesio Tomkinson, 13-Michael Collins, 14-Josh McKay, 15-Mitch Hunt

Reserves: 16-Liam Coltman, 17-Ethan De Groot, 18-Siate Tokolahi, 19-Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20-Jesse Parete, 21-Folau Fakatava, 22-Bryn Gatland, 23-Jona Nareki

Interesting to watch Ioane and see what kind of balance they strike with mitch hunt coming into first receiver. That loose forward trio is going to cause damage

[Ghost-Of-Nepia]

Newshub article suggests Josh Goodhue might be on track to make the ABs.

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/20 ... nours.html

He himself modestly suggests he is the next Brodie Retallick.



Having the world's new best lock (Maro who?) we are bound to win this weekend.

It will be interesting to see how FIGJAM Goodhue goes against Pari Pari Pari Parikinson

My girlfriend coined "Nandos" as a nickname for old Peri Peri Parkinson, which is decent.

Not-so-thinly-veiled "I have a girlfriend" post.

[Ymx]

I don’t blame him after yeebs attack on him.

Mate, Bulldog is getting laid more than you

[Turbster]

Interesting that Parkinson is preferred to Thompson, and double interesting that Tei Walden has slipped so far down the midfield pecking order for the Clan. Also, nothing I've seen of Gregory so far convinces me he's a Soup class player.

[ell]

Were you thinking Thompson in the second row, or Parkinson to play in the midfield?

[Turbster]

Were you thinking Thompson in the second row, or Parkinson to play in the midfield?

Yeah sorry mate, I meant Tompkinson over Thompson :)

[FujiKiwi]

I’ve got an outstanding record in predicting these game results. No one can match me at consistently getting it wrong.

Blues by 7.

[Monkey Magic]

I’ve got an outstanding record in predicting these game results. No one can match me at consistently getting it wrong.

Blues by 7.

That means in reality the blues win by 10 right?

[FujiKiwi]

I’ve got an outstanding record in predicting these game results. No one can match me at consistently getting it wrong.

Blues by 7.

That means in reality the blues win by 10 right?

Let me be very clear: It’s not just the margin I’ve been wrong about every single time. It’s the head to head result.

[Monkey Magic]

I’ve got an outstanding record in predicting these game results. No one can match me at consistently getting it wrong.

Blues by 7.

That means in reality the blues win by 10 right?

Let me be very clear: It’s not just the margin I’ve been wrong about every single time. It’s the head to head result.

As a blues fan, I'll just ignore your clarification and look forward to an exciting game withe Blues ending up a deserved 10 points clear at the end.

[Hong Kong]

I’ve got an outstanding record in predicting these game results. No one can match me at consistently getting it wrong.

Blues by 7.

That means in reality the blues win by 10 right?

I’m with FK on this. Blues to sneak in a tidy but convincing win, if by a small margin

[FujiKiwi]

Oh, I’m as Blue as the waters of the Waitemata Harbour on a summer’s day.

I just think we’re one Old Man Snecky trick, one yellow card or one late Bryn Gatland droppie away from defeat.

[Ymx]

Blues by 15

[Kiwias]

Hoskins Sotutu also not considered this week due to his foot injury.

I hope he gets to play again before the Supe season finishes.

He needs at least two more weeks for that to heal properly.

[Auckman]

Blues haven't won here since 2011 on Carisbrook.

[FujiKiwi]

Snecky you jammy bastard.

[Zig]

That's enough Ice Hockey for me. Time for some proper sport.

[FujiKiwi]

Blues scrum too dominant. The Gordon Hunter trophy will be coming home.

[the cursed]

great try Blues..

amazing what confidence can do to a side

[Zig]

Devastating stuff from the Blues.