Highlanders v Crusaders : MATCH THREAD : Fri 26th Feb

[Ymx]

WHEN:
Fri 26th Feb

KICK OFF:
Local - 7.05pm

WHERE:
Dunedin, NZ



VENUE:
Forsyth-Barr Stadium, Dunedin



MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant 1: Mike Fraser
Assistant 2: James Doleman
TMO: Brendon Pickerill

TEAMS:




Highlanders:
Solomon Alaimalo,
Connor Garden-Bachop,
Ngantungane Punivai,
Sio Tomkinson,
Jona Nareki,
Mitch Hunt,
Aaron Smith (co captain),
Marino Mikaele-Tu’u,
Billy Harmon,
Shannon Frizell,
Jack Regan,
Josh Dickson,
Siate Tokolahi,
Ash Dixon (co-captain),
Daniel Lienert-Brown

Reserves: Liam Coltman, Josh Hohneck, Jeff Thwaites, Bryn Evans, Folau Fakatava, Josh Ioane, Hugh Renton







Will Jordan,
Sevu Reece,
Jack Goodhue,
Dallas McLeod,
Leicester Fainga’anuku,
Richie Mo’unga,
Bryn Hall,
Cullen Grace,
Tom Christie,
Ethan Blackadder,
Samuel Whitelock,
Scott Barrett (c),
Michael Alaalatoa,
Codie Taylor,
Joe Moody.

Reserves: Brodie McAlister, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Quinten Strange, Sione Havili Talitui, Mitchell Drummond, Fergus Burke, Chay Fihaki.

[Ymx]

Its that time again.

Although, I must admit I've not yet checked if we have it in the UK yet !!

[stemoc]

nope, ppl are being told to get Stan sports in UK via a VPN

[ASMO]

Its that time again.

Although, I must admit I've not yet checked if we have it in the UK yet !!

it will be here i am sure as i can see a link to the game there already

https://www.vipbox.lc/rugby-live

[Dan54]

Looking forward to game obviously, be interesting to see how Clan go, they may get beaten a bit in tight forwards, but supect their loosies and 9 will make thing a bit tough for Saders. You would think Sader's backs in general will have a little too much gas, although Clan seemed to have unearted a good un in Garden-Bachop at 15.

[Gumboot]

Highlanders: Solomon Alaimalo, Connor Garden-Bachop, Ngantungane Punivai, Sio Tomkinson, Jona Nareki, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith (co captain), Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Billy Harmon, Shannon Frizell, Jack Regan, Josh Dickson, Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon (co-captain), Daniel Lienert-Brown

Reserves: Liam Coltman, Josh Hohneck, Jeff Thwaites, Bryn Evans, Folau Fakatava, Josh Ioane, Hugh Renton

[mrbrownstone]

It's a strong Highlanders team. I had forgotten they signed Alaimalo. That certainly makes their backline look better as fullback seemed to be a bit of a problem last year (to be expected trying to replace B Smith).

Hunt starting over Ioane is interesting, although not totally surprising as I thought Ioane was average last year. Not sure I see the hype there to the same extent as others. Also good to see that Fakatava has rightly leapfrogged Hammington in the pecking order. I hope Punivai gets a good run in the midfield as I think he has some talent, although a shame it comes at the expense of the injured Paea. Hopefully Tompkinson has been working on his tackle technique alongside him.

The forward pack looks relatively settled, with some explosive ball-running loosies. I still don't rate Harmon though and wouldn't start him ahead of Lentjies.

The bench is certainly stacked with experience with former All Blacks in Coltman, Squire, Ioane, and the returning Bryn Evans, plus a future All Black in Fakatava. Should be no lack of impact.

These southern derbies are always great games, especially when played in Dunedin, so let's hope for more of the same. It's certainly a challenging first up prospect for the Crusaders.

[JPNZ]

Crusaders:
Will Jordan,
Sevu Reece,
Jack Goodhue,
Dallas McLeod,
Leicester Fainga’anuku,
Richie Mo’unga,
Bryn Hall,
Cullen Grace,
Tom Christie,
Ethan Blackadder,
Samuel Whitelock,
Scott Barrett (c),
Michael Alaalatoa,
Codie Taylor,
Joe Moody.

Reserves: Brodie McAlister, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Quinten Strange, Sione Havili Talitui, Mitchell Drummond, Fergus Burke, Chay Fihaki.

[mrbrownstone]

Crusaders:
Will Jordan,
Sevu Reece,
Jack Goodhue,
Dallas McLeod,
Leicester Fainga’anuku,
Richie Mo’unga,
Bryn Hall,
Cullen Grace,
Tom Christie,
Ethan Blackadder,
Samuel Whitelock,
Scott Barrett (c),
Michael Alaalatoa,
Codie Taylor,
Joe Moody.

Reserves: Brodie McAlister, George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Quinten Strange, Sione Havili Talitui, Mitchell Drummond, Fergus Burke, Chay Fihaki.

No complaints. I think that is full strength. I like that backline - everyone in their best position. No shuffling Goodhue to 12 and Faiinganuku to 13.

[JPNZ]

Yes, two very strong teams. This will be another cracker under the roof.

Also forgot to add David Havili is out this week with Concussion protocols, expected to return next week.

[Certain Navigator]

It's a strong Highlanders team. I had forgotten they signed Alaimalo. That certainly makes their backline look better as fullback seemed to be a bit of a problem last year (to be expected trying to replace B Smith).

Hunt starting over Ioane is interesting, although not totally surprising as I thought Ioane was average last year. Not sure I see the hype there to the same extent as others. Also good to see that Fakatava has rightly leapfrogged Hammington in the pecking order. I hope Punivai gets a good run in the midfield as I think he has some talent, although a shame it comes at the expense of the injured Paea. Hopefully Tompkinson has been working on his tackle technique alongside him.

The forward pack looks relatively settled, with some explosive ball-running loosies. I still don't rate Harmon though and wouldn't start him ahead of Lentjies.

The bench is certainly stacked with experience with former All Blacks in Coltman, Squire, Ioane, and the returning Bryn Evans, plus a future All Black in Fakatava. Should be no lack of impact.

These southern derbies are always great games, especially when played in Dunedin, so let's hope for more of the same. It's certainly a challenging first up prospect for the Crusaders.

Along with Drummond, Harmon was pretty easily Canterbury's player of the year in the ITM Cup, so I wouldn't be writing him off just yet.

The interesting selection to me is that of Regan ahead of Selby-Rickett, who hasn't even made the 23 after looking like a real comer last year.

[JPNZ]

Man I'm excited for this game, 1st of the season and under the roof. Its also very good to see Friday night games back so I will have something to look forward to after a week in the office.

Crusaders by 3

[Ymx]

Just one sleep for me.

Now if I can figure out RugbyPass

[Ymx]

Ok anyone else signed up?

Click on sign up to RugbyPass and said I couldn’t, and could only join mailing list.

But app had a link to liverugby.net and so signed up there.

https://www.liverugby.net/


But it’s a site not an app or anything. Can still stream by the looks

[Ymx]

Some of the app links don’t work

https://www.rugbypass.com/signup/

And follow the Supe join link which takes you to liverugby.net

Better than nothing but how do you chromecast it?

[stemoc]

Will Jordan scratched, Fihaki at 15, McKay on bench

[Trapper]

Here we go! Go Saders!

[Monkey Magic]

Fakatava still hasn't made it to a mirror or a barber

[Trapper]

Fisticuffs already, Irish prick deserved it.

[Ymx]

Balls, missed first half. Any good?

[Enzedder]

Yes, a very good watch. Sadists had a lot of penalties against them to even it up

[Enzedder]

On-field call will stand for a Sadists try

[Jerome_Kaino]

Some of the app links don’t work

https://www.rugbypass.com/signup/

And follow the Supe join link which takes you to liverugby.net

Better than nothing but how do you chromecast it?

Shame none of the old rugbypass functions are available, play from starts, 15 second forward etc.
Hope they will add this at a later stage

[Kiwias]

Fakatava still hasn't made it to a mirror or a barber

The scary thing is that he probably went to a barber to get that done.

[Ymx]

Scooter the card magnet.

First use of the held up was certainly a massive favour for the defence

[Gumboot]

meh

[Sandstorm]

Some match thread......

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

QQ: Anyone know when the Landers will stop playing pre-season tens style rugby and actually take a game seriously?

P.S. Someone take the ball off the only slightly undersized prop Liam Coltman. Thx.

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

Any truth to the rumour "Heartland" Hammington has signed on to be South Canterbury's reserve halfback?

[Dan54]

Scooter the card magnet.

First use of the held up was certainly a massive favour for the defence

Starting to go off Scooter! Razor needs to sort him out! That was stupid.

[Biffer]

Quite enjoyed that.

[Tichtheid]

Quite enjoyed that.

Where did you watch it?

[Tichtheid]

Not where, you were in yer ain hoose, but via what media?

[Ymx]

Not where, you were in yer ain hoose, but via what media?

https://www.liverugby.net

It’s part of RugbyPass cost £38 for the Supe season

[Tichtheid]

Not where, you were in yer ain hoose, but via what media?

https://www.liverugby.net

It’s part of RugbyPass cost £38 for the Supe season

Cheers, it's more than a bit disappointing that there isn't a one stop shop for rugby.

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

Scooter the card magnet.

First use of the held up was certainly a massive favour for the defence

Starting to go off Scooter! Razor needs to sort him out! That was stupid.

Scott Cardett? It's what he does.

[Biffer]

Not where, you were in yer ain hoose, but via what media?

https://www.liverugby.net

It’s part of RugbyPass cost £38 for the Supe season

Cheers, it's more than a bit disappointing that there isn't a one stop shop for rugby.

Yeah, that's where I watched. Full game on demand us useful given time zones. Haven't watched this morning's game yet