NPR

My match thread generator actually worked !!

http://robot-150.getforge.io/

This game is being eclipsed a bit here on NPR by the interest in the Crusaders/Blues game.

But this is still a fascinating match. I predict a Highlanders win. My impression is that they’re being better coached.

The kick off is at 15:35 not 16:30.

Prior to last week's game I would've said the Highlanders to romp it in, would still give them the game but only by a narrow margin.

Yeah, the Hurricanes could go close, or sneak a win. But for me they're the second least impressive team in the comp so far. The score in their game versus the Crusaders belied how solid a team the Highlanders are. Shannon Frizzell was a revelation. Smith and Hunt are proving a pretty sound combination in the halves.

Sadly for the Landers, one of their star players, Josh Dickson is out for the season.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/a ... d=12346627

That's not going to help their cause.

The Canes certainly exceeded my expectations last weekend, so this is a tough one to pick for me.

There's obviously the home ground advantage, but personnel wise they also compete well against the Landers in key areas.

Jimmy Smallsteps wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:56 pm The Canes certainly exceeded my expectations last weekend, so this is a tough one to pick for me.

There's obviously the home ground advantage, but personnel wise they also compete well against the Landers in key areas.

Where? I see the Highlanders as equal to or better across nearly every position, player for player. The back three might be where Hurricanes hold an advantage, especially with Jordie being in some good form.

Coles is obviously a better player than Dixon or Coltman, but the Canes' lineout and scrum hasn't been great.

the landers could use a decent fullback, that has been their only weakness in the backline, is ben from accounts allowed to play?

FujiKiwi wrote: ↑Thu Jul 09, 2020 2:08 am

Jimmy Smallsteps wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 12:56 pm The Canes certainly exceeded my expectations last weekend, so this is a tough one to pick for me.

There's obviously the home ground advantage, but personnel wise they also compete well against the Landers in key areas.

Where? I see the Highlanders as equal to or better across nearly every position, player for player. The back three might be where Hurricanes hold an advantage, especially with Jordie being in some good form.

Coles is obviously a better player than Dixon or Coltman, but the Canes' lineout and scrum hasn't been great.

Coles v Coltman/Dixon
Journeyman pack v Journeyman pack
TJ v Smith
Laumape v Tomkinson
Back 3 v Back 3

Right, Coles is better, and the Canes probably have the edge with Laumape and their back three.

I see the Landers pack as having an edge. The Canes have looked flakey.

And TJ and Snecky cancel each other out.

FujiKiwi wrote: ↑Thu Jul 09, 2020 7:06 am Right, Coles is better, and the Canes probably have the edge with Laumape and their back three.

I see the Landers pack as having an edge. The Canes have looked flakey.

And TJ and Snecky cancel each other out.

I'm concerned about the Hurricanes being potentially out-muscled by the bigger, heavier Highlanders pack. Landers have some big loosies. Makaele Tuo, Frizell, Parkinson, with Selby-Rickett and Parete on the pine. Although the Hurricanes forwards are smaller, the key advantage this gives them is increased mobility and dynamism on attack, with players like Savea, Kirifi, Flanders, this characteristic suits the Hurricanes desired style of play under Holland.

hurinui wrote: ↑Fri Jul 10, 2020 10:29 am Although the Hurricanes forwards are smaller, the key advantage this gives them is increased mobility and dynamism on attack, with players like Savea, Kirifi, Flanders, this characteristic suits the Hurricanes desired style of play under Holland.

They're just all flash and not much grunt.

Teams added.

Blimey, it’s going to be hard eclipse the last game.

Highlanders by 2

Should be a good game with both sides able to play at pace.

Todgers in front of the firing-squadgers:

Highlanders by 7.

anyone else watching the classic highlanders-canes game of 2001 on PRIME... miss the paekariki express..

Gameday let's get it on

Buckle up lads, it's going to be a doozy.

Weather looks a bit shit, should suit the Canes I guess but I’ll go with the Clan and hope they can continue the South Island dominance.

The Reign of Jane falls mainly on the Canes...

Lunch done, coffee brewed, all set for a cracker match for a neutral viewer.

That’s bullshit, try all day long...

Trapper wrote: ↑Sun Jul 12, 2020 3:41 am That’s bullshit, try all day long...

At least he was consistent in his calls. I actually don't think the defender would have made the tackle in either case.

You don't want to be chipping the ball to Ben Lam in those positions today.

Jordie Barrett should have stayed with the Saders, he’d be a more complete player...

Trapper wrote: ↑Sun Jul 12, 2020 3:57 am Jordie Barrett should have stayed with the Saders, he’d be a more complete player...

no place for him, lets not forget they also have fainganuku and mataele

Trapper wrote: ↑Sun Jul 12, 2020 3:57 am Jordie Barrett should have stayed with the Saders, he’d be a more complete player...

How would he achieve that when he would be lucky to be in the match 23?

Jordie's flourishing there at the Canes.

I'm sure that Canes steal at the ruck was from the side.

Aumua living his dream as a centre :P

nearly 30 mins and no points, what is this........ Super Rugby AU?

damit TJ

The Hurricanes have more shape and cohesion than I thought they would. The Highlanders have less.

TJ just 3 tries away from equaling the aussie shithjead's record..

stemoc wrote: ↑Sun Jul 12, 2020 4:10 am TJ just 3 tries away from equaling the aussie shithjead's record..

Should these games count?

Mr Bungle wrote: ↑Sun Jul 12, 2020 4:11 am

stemoc wrote: ↑Sun Jul 12, 2020 4:10 am TJ just 3 tries away from equaling the aussie shithjead's record..

These games shouldn’t count.

why not?, its a much stronger competition that the actual super rugby, most of Fallafel's tries were against the shit aussie and saffer teams..

frizell has been in great form...an AB return?

the irony is that the most under performing AB in Soup Aotearoa has been their new captain.

Great try. The Barrett pass.