NPR

No Perenara for the Canes is a big loss to them, congrats to him & his wife for their upcoming arrival, so I'd probably give advantage to the Highlanders given the momentum Perenara can give the Canes at times and the Highlanders are no slouches.

I hope they have the fake crowd sound that the used in the NRL and AFL, otherwise this will be like watching a training session.

Carter's Choice wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 7:27 am I hope they have the fake crowd sound that the used in the NRL and AFL, otherwise this will be like watching a training session.

Has it been confirmed no crowd for the match, I've not seen anything about it??

** EDIT *** Ah crap it was in the article re the Blues v Crusaders match

Highlanders team graphic if you want it for the OP.

Carter's Choice wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 7:27 am I hope they have the fake crowd sound that the used in the NRL and AFL, otherwise this will be like watching a training session.

There is such a strong echo in the For Barr Stadium that even the water boy and reserves' bench yelling can make it sound like a crowd.

Maniototo Man wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 7:39 am Highlanders team graphic if you want it for the OP.

Carter's Choice wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 7:27 am I hope they have the fake crowd sound that the used in the NRL and AFL, otherwise this will be like watching a training session.

Yep I thought it was shite for a start now I'm fully behind it.

I'm a dead keen Jays fan in the baseball too so been used to empty stadiums for a while.

Should be a great contest, even without spectators. I'm really looking forward to the following contests;

Halfback: Aaron Smith vs TJP. The two most credentialed and in-form 9's in the comp going head to head. Both teams have led their teams around the field from halfbck and will be hugely influential.

Backrow: These are the two form backrows in the comp. The Hurricanes have a great balance of hard work, power and mobility, whilst the Highlanders have arguably the best performing backrow in N. Shannon Frizell is also the form loose forward in NZ. The contest at no.8, Savea vs Mika'ele-Tu'u, would be worth the price of admission alone, if anyone was allowed to be admitted.

Paripari Parkinson vs Scott Scrafton: There is a chance that both these players will make an extended AB squad later in the year. Whilst they are very different player, they are both in form and have been hugely important to their teams' set piece success.

There have been mutterings about wanting to see more of Booth. It's good he's getting to start, though TJ would be undoubtedly a loss if the Canes were playing for anything besides keeping the Clan in their box.

Hopefully the Canes can execute with that 9, 10 pairing which is on paper the weakest in SRA. Really wanting to see more of what has driven the Cane's game plan the last few games.

It'll be tight as always.

Flockwitt wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 11:29 pm Hopefully the Canes can execute with that 9, 10 pairing which is on paper the weakest in SRA. Really wanting to see more of what has driven the Cane's game plan the last few games.

I think we will see Jordie Barrett used a lot at first receiver, do lots of the play-making and all almost the general playing kicking in the Canes defensive half. I forgot that TJP is missing and Booth is in, will be good to see Booth start. We really do all of a sudden have a bunch of good young 9's across NZ.

This will undoubtedly be the match of the round.

Jb1981 wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 11:40 pm This will undoubtedly be the match of the round.

Team of the Week won;t be as hotly contested as usual :)

Carter's Choice wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 11:07 pm Halfback: Aaron Smith vs TJP. The two most credentialed and in-form 9's in the comp going head to head. Both teams have led their teams around the field from halfbck and will be hugely influential.

Perenara's missing the game coz his mrs is expecting their first child so Jamie Booth will start..

Fakatava looks very promising, but I don't know anything about the Canes' reserve halfback, Jonathan Taumateine. Any Counties supporters able to provide any info on him?

Carter's Choice wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 11:40 pm

Jb1981 wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 11:40 pm This will undoubtedly be the match of the round.

Team of the Week won;t be as hotly contested as usual :)

The entire Crusader and Blues squads could be listed as unlucky omissions.

Carter's Choice wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 11:40 pm

Jb1981 wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 11:40 pm This will undoubtedly be the match of the round.

Team of the Week won;t be as hotly contested as usual :)

I'm sure you'll still find a way to squeeze a Sader or two in there somewhere.

Gumboot wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 11:47 pm

Carter's Choice wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 11:40 pm

Jb1981 wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 11:40 pm This will undoubtedly be the match of the round.

Team of the Week won;t be as hotly contested as usual :)

I'm sure you'll still find a way to squeeze a Sader or two in there somewhere.

That would be hard to do, but favourable consideration will be given to ex-Cantabs/Crusaders. Don't be surprised to see Mitch Hunt, Josh McKay, Jordie Barett, Rob Thompson and Reed Princep feature prominently ;)

Carter's Choice wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 11:32 pm

Flockwitt wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 11:29 pm Hopefully the Canes can execute with that 9, 10 pairing which is on paper the weakest in SRA. Really wanting to see more of what has driven the Cane's game plan the last few games.

I think we will see Jordie Barrett used a lot at first receiver, do lots of the play-making and all almost the general playing kicking in the Canes defensive half. I forgot that TJP is missing and Booth is in, will be good to see Booth start. We really do all of a sudden have a bunch of good young 9's across NZ.

I've always rated Booth. He provided some cover for the Clan a few seasons back and impressed.

Seems to read the game well and always add something as an impact player.

Ymx wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 7:49 am

Maniototo Man wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 7:39 am Highlanders team graphic if you want it for the OP.

No problem. Besides, your handiwork helped give me a head start with a match thread 'elsewhere'.

My friend is somewhat concerned that all the usual streaming sites are still showing kick-off as 7 or 7:30pm.

I wonder if they are going to do the crowd noise thing the NRL and AFL did with no crowds? Seemed to work but I like being able to hear the calls out on the field when there was silence.

http://www.usagoals.video/c/rugby-union ... ricanes/2/

My friend says it's working.

C'mon the Clan!!!

Will they check the pass to Jordie?

Edit: No.

Ha. Are you not entertained?

Canes turn on the razzle-dazzle for the first try

Jb1981 wrote: Sat Aug 15, 2020 3:09 am Will they check the pass to Jordie?

Flat-ish.

Nice. Good first 10 minutes.

Nice, Hurricanes not even bothering to get onside there.

Fun game. 7-7.

Jordie Barrett...

3rd good touch from Aso...

Take that, Archduke Ferdinand!

Forward Shirley

Taranaki Snapper wrote: Sat Aug 15, 2020 3:28 am Take that, Archduke Ferdinand!

It took Gavrilo two tries to get it right so don’t worry too much about that being ruled out.

The Hurricanes are finding breaks far too easily.

2020 - Year of the Ginger Ninjas...

Get in!

Whose bright idea was it for them to both wear the same uniforms?