Crusaders v Highlanders

[Ymx]

Agreed that Ennor is much better, and a fairly journeyman-looking Highlanders midfield is likely to be shown up, providing Goodhue finds just a bit of form.

For me, Goodhue at present is killing the move. He’s backing himself but then not breaking through.

But he’s not breaking the tackles as he used to.

The solution to Jack Goodhue's form slump is staring us all in the face. He needs a change of scenery to freshen up, and a move north to play alongside his brother at the Blues is the obvious fix.

[FujiKiwi]

Only half kidding.

Are some of Goodhue's problems to do with him playing 2nd Five rather than centre? I seem to remember the latter is where most of his career has been up until this year?

[Carter's Choice]

Are people high on meth? This has arguably been Goodhue's best season. He's been superb.

[FujiKiwi]

Yeah. A bit of drama about nothing. I think he’s had a couple of sub par games in a row.

[Carter's Choice]

Yeah. A bit of drama about nothing. I think he’s had a couple of sub par games in a row.

Yeah fair call, but his earlier form was brilliant. He's without a doubt the form 12 of the comp, and was also pre-covid lockdown.

[FujiKiwi]

We’ve taken his comparatively ordinary performances in the past couple of games as the opportunity for some banter and also as a talking point for what the ABs would do if he was out of form or unavailable in some way. Ennor seems the obvious next choice if Laumape were still injured. Some might advocate for Rieko.

[Gumboot]

We’ve taken his comparatively ordinary performances in the past couple of games as the opportunity for some banter and also as a talking point for what the ABs would do if he was out of form or unavailable in some way. Ennor seems the obvious next choice if Laumape were still injured. Some might advocate for Rieko.

Yeah, I'd take Ioane before Ennor.

[Ymx]

Yeah. A bit of drama about nothing. I think he’s had a couple of sub par games in a row.

Yeah fair call, but his earlier form was brilliant. He's without a doubt the form 12 of the comp, and was also pre-covid lockdown.

His post covid form has been average, certainly not to his previous heights, I’d suggest.

Like I say often killing attacking moves.

Lumpy has been the post covid form centre.

[Monkey Magic]

We’ve taken his comparatively ordinary performances in the past couple of games as the opportunity for some banter and also as a talking point for what the ABs would do if he was out of form or unavailable in some way. Ennor seems the obvious next choice if Laumape were still injured. Some might advocate for Rieko.

Yeah, I'd take Ioane before Ennor.

ALB surely

[Gumboot]

We’ve taken his comparatively ordinary performances in the past couple of games as the opportunity for some banter and also as a talking point for what the ABs would do if he was out of form or unavailable in some way. Ennor seems the obvious next choice if Laumape were still injured. Some might advocate for Rieko.

Yeah, I'd take Ioane before Ennor.

ALB surely

He'd be at 12.

[Kiwias]

Yeah. A bit of drama about nothing. I think he’s had a couple of sub par games in a row.

Yeah fair call, but his earlier form was brilliant. He's without a doubt the form 12 of the comp, and was also pre-covid lockdown.

His post covid form has been average, certainly not to his previous heights, I’d suggest.

Like I say often killing attacking moves.

Lumpy has been the post covid form centre.

Lumpy is a second five and yes, he is in great form but I would not write Goodhue off so easily.

[FujiKiwi]

Goodhue will come back into form sooner rather than later. It’s such as asset to the ABs that both he and ALB can play 12 or 13 if necessary.

Players like Ioane and Laumape who are more specialized can fit in around them.

[Carter's Choice]

Goodhue will come back into form sooner rather than later. It’s such as asset to the ABs that both he and ALB can play 12 or 13 if necessary.

Players like Ioane and Laumape who are more specialized can fit in around them.

I disagree that Goodhue is out form, but that's a subjective argument. However, it does seem to me that he is held to a higher standard than any midfielder we've ever had. Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu had years where their Super Rugby form was only average, but they were never criticised.

[FujiKiwi]

Right. Ma'a Nonu was never criticized.

[Carter's Choice]

Right. Ma'a Nonu was never criticized.

He was trolled for looking disinterested at SR level over many seasons, but his place in the AB's was not questioned for the final years of his international career regardless of how little effort he made at SR level.

[FujiKiwi]

Right. Ma'a Nonu was never criticized.

He was trolled for looking disinterested at SR level over many seasons, but his place in the AB's was not questioned for the final years of his international career regardless of how little effort he made at SR level.

There was at least one poster—they say that if you say his name three times in front of the mirror he comes back to life—who posted on a daily basis that Nonu should be dropped from the ABs for SBW.

[FujiKiwi]

But I agree. Goodhue's play at the moment hasn't really degenerated enough, or for long enough, to even be described as a form slump.

[Ymx]

One more sleep for me.

Silly am, but plan to watch it.

[Ymx]

But I agree. Goodhue's play at the moment hasn't really degenerated enough, or for long enough, to even be described as a form slump.

Hopefully for me, not so much you, he makes fools of our recent analysis

[FujiKiwi]

Oh yes boy.

Great pass from Snecky.

[Gumboot]

Anyone got a decent link please?

Edit: never mind, found one.

[FujiKiwi]

Ich bein ein Highlander.

[FujiKiwi]

Sorry, Gumboot. Watching it on TV today.

It’s a doozy so far.

[FujiKiwi]

Will avoid posting spoilers.

Yesterday all the links showed delayed coverage. Found it very frustrating.

[Gumboot]

All good, I missed the first try but it's been passable since then.

Er, why are the lights on at the ground? Is electricity free in Christchurch?

[FujiKiwi]

Ohhhhh. What a game.

[FujiKiwi]

Nareki you bloody legend.

[Gumboot]

Classic 14-point try that.

[FujiKiwi]

Frizell the new Kaino.

[Gumboot]

Frizell the new Kaino.

God I hope so. He's really come on in all facets of his game this year.

[FujiKiwi]

The Highlanders have been valiant but it’s slipping away now.

[Jb1981]

That should do it. A few minutes to go before Razor can chalk up another title.

[FujiKiwi]

Great game. Tarnished very slightly by a deserved but unlucky card. Commiserations, Highlanders. Played with so much passion.

Saders deserved winners of the whole thing. Congrats to them.

[Gumboot]

Yeah, thought the Highlanders got the rough end of quite a few calls today but full credit to the Saders. Such a quality outfit.

[Gumboot]

The Highlanders at least made a game of it. Didn't help that Aaron Smith had one of his more ropey games with the boot. His most effective kick was the instinctive fly hack into goal that he almost scored from.

[FujiKiwi]

He was great when he wasn't kicking it.

[Gumboot]

He was great when he wasn't kicking it.

Yep, he's in great nick. His passing is possibly the best it's ever been, as is his defence.

[Ymx]

Balls. I didn’t set an alarm.

Though pleased with result, and that I didn’t need to suffer the anxiety of being behind most of the match.

[Ymx]

He was great when he wasn't kicking it.

Too much box kicking ?

[FujiKiwi]

He was great when he wasn't kicking it.

Too much box kicking ?

Not so much as little chip kicks in attacking situations, one of which went out on the full after a quick tap and wasted a penalty.