V Highlanders

[ALunpg]

Missed the match this morning
I know the result

Is it worth watching?

Yes...some good performances..

[BBD]

Thanks

[morepork]

Brilliant result for the Highlanders. Lions absolutely pathetic - in every game so far.

Why are you being such a little bitch?

[Lizard]

The kick pass is used a lot not because it is necessarily a scoring play every time, but because if it is obviously an option being considered all the time it forces the defence to be prepared for it and push out wide to begin with rather than only drifting out when the ball is passed to the wide channels. This makes a rush defence harder to deploy.

[fivepointer]

Thought the Highlanders kicked very smartly in attack. They actually kicked a great deal but usually with very clear intent and accuracy.
Lions again doing well at times, stringing some good play together but in 4 games they have hardly made a break. Losing 2 games from a winning position will disappoint them, as will making errors that turn the pressure back on them.

[Banquo]

The kick pass is used a lot not because it is necessarily a scoring play every time, but because if it is obviously an option being considered all the time it forces the defence to be prepared for it and push out wide to begin with rather than only drifting out when the ball is passed to the wide channels. This makes a rush defence harder to deploy.

yep, as I said, they've been watching and learning. Execution was the issue really

[Lizard]

I also wonder whether Shag has had a word to the Super Rugby coaches and asked them to send their sides out to play this sort of harum-scarum, low-percentage, headless chook rugby so they are not as prepared as they might be for a more disciplined All Blacks side?

Actually if Beauden, Jordie, Waisake etc are in the team it's going to be a circus anyway...

[Spy]

The kick pass is used a lot not because it is necessarily a scoring play every time, but because if it is obviously an option being considered all the time it forces the defence to be prepared for it and push out wide to begin with rather than only drifting out when the ball is passed to the wide channels. This makes a rush defence harder to deploy.

Agree. Equally, judicious use of grubbers/chips keeps a rush defence in 2 minds about whether they should wholeheartedly commit. It's a tactic that's easily overdone, but of great use against a fast flat line defence of the type that the Lions are operating. It was frustrating to see the Crusaders continually getting mowed down behind the gain line or booting aimlessly downfield without running any kick-through plays. A few shifty grubbers with a lucky bounce might have backed the Lions off a bit.

I enjoyed a lot about last nights game. but one thing in particular was Marty Banks effort. Always great to see a provincial stalwart produce the goods under pressure to tip over a fancied international team.

[Lizard]

I would much rather a team try a kick-pass than the good old Cruden-esque chip out of your own 22, or the mysteriously popular grubber kicked straight into the shin of a defender. Defensive bombs I don't mind purely for the potential comedy value.

[aotearoa]

Hugely frustrating that these useless buggers aren't playing Taranaki. Eh?

[Doorzetbornandbred]

Hugely frustrating that these useless buggers aren't playing Taranaki. Eh?

Is that you Bull?

[Numbers]

I would much rather a team try a kick-pass than the good old Cruden-esque chip out of your own 22, or the mysteriously popular grubber kicked straight into the shin of a defender. Defensive bombs I don't mind purely for the potential comedy value.

Dunno, the Highlanders had more success with the grubber than the cross kick, which was pretty ineffective throughout the match. The grubber is much easier to block though obviously.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

We weren't bad at all. Though we still lost to a provincial side shorn off its internationals. I thought Sopoaga was strangely out of sorts and if the Highlanders had stayed with Banks we'd have had much more of an issue.

I don't know that there's a single player from that Lions side that is now be looking at for the Test side apart from Warburton and Best. Best hasn't been less accurate than anyone else at the line out and is invaluable to our breakdown effort. I suspect he's a stronger scrummager than the other 2 as well. It's unlikely though that there will be an Irish lock in the game so there's an argument for leaving him out.

[Numbers]

We weren't bad at all. Though we still lost to a provincial side shorn off its internationals. I thought Sopoaga was strangely out of sorts and if the Highlanders had stayed with Banks we'd have had much more of an issue.

I don't know that there's a single player from that Lions side that is now be looking at for the Test side apart from Warburton and Best. Best hasn't been less accurate than anyone else at the line out and is invaluable to our breakdown effort. I suspect he's a stronger scrummager than the other 2 as well. It's unlikely though that there will be an Irish lock in the game so there's an argument for leaving him out.

I would imagine that McGrath will be on the bench for the tests at worst, also Sinckler, Rory Best won't be in the test mix as far as I can see as all he has really done is cement his reputation for choking on the throw, Stander has a decent chance of making the bench.

[Stom]

We weren't bad at all. Though we still lost to a provincial side shorn off its internationals. I thought Sopoaga was strangely out of sorts and if the Highlanders had stayed with Banks we'd have had much more of an issue.

I don't know that there's a single player from that Lions side that is now be looking at for the Test side apart from Warburton and Best. Best hasn't been less accurate than anyone else at the line out and is invaluable to our breakdown effort. I suspect he's a stronger scrummager than the other 2 as well. It's unlikely though that there will be an Irish lock in the game so there's an argument for leaving him out.

I would imagine that McGrath will be on the bench for the tests at worst, also Sinckler, Rory Best won't be in the test mix as far as I can see as all he has really done is cement his reputation for choking on the throw, Stander has a decent chance of making the bench.

I think it's quite even between the bench loosies. And I thought Stander did his chances no favours. In fact, I'd suggest we're more likely to see one of Tipuric or SOB in the 20 shirt.

I also think (hope) that 13 is still up for grabs, with Joseph hopefully getting a fair crack of the whip.

[Numbers]

We weren't bad at all. Though we still lost to a provincial side shorn off its internationals. I thought Sopoaga was strangely out of sorts and if the Highlanders had stayed with Banks we'd have had much more of an issue.

I don't know that there's a single player from that Lions side that is now be looking at for the Test side apart from Warburton and Best. Best hasn't been less accurate than anyone else at the line out and is invaluable to our breakdown effort. I suspect he's a stronger scrummager than the other 2 as well. It's unlikely though that there will be an Irish lock in the game so there's an argument for leaving him out.

I would imagine that McGrath will be on the bench for the tests at worst, also Sinckler, Rory Best won't be in the test mix as far as I can see as all he has really done is cement his reputation for choking on the throw, Stander has a decent chance of making the bench.

I think it's quite even between the bench loosies. And I thought Stander did his chances no favours. In fact, I'd suggest we're more likely to see one of Tipuric or SOB in the 20 shirt.

I also think (hope) that 13 is still up for grabs, with Joseph hopefully getting a fair crack of the whip.

I'd have SOB at 6 as it stands currently.

[Stom]

I would imagine that McGrath will be on the bench for the tests at worst, also Sinckler, Rory Best won't be in the test mix as far as I can see as all he has really done is cement his reputation for choking on the throw, Stander has a decent chance of making the bench.

I think it's quite even between the bench loosies. And I thought Stander did his chances no favours. In fact, I'd suggest we're more likely to see one of Tipuric or SOB in the 20 shirt.

I also think (hope) that 13 is still up for grabs, with Joseph hopefully getting a fair crack of the whip.

I'd have SOB at 6 as it stands currently.

Tempting, but I'd worry about balance in that backrow against NZ. SOB can be a great player to have, but he's not a POM, Robshaw, etc...

[Eugene Wrayburn]

I think it's quite even between the bench loosies. And I thought Stander did his chances no favours. In fact, I'd suggest we're more likely to see one of Tipuric or SOB in the 20 shirt.

I also think (hope) that 13 is still up for grabs, with Joseph hopefully getting a fair crack of the whip.

I'd have SOB at 6 as it stands currently.

Tempting, but I'd worry about balance in that backrow against NZ. SOB can be a great player to have, but he's not a POM, Robshaw, etc...

What is it you think he does less well than Robshaw?

[Eugene Wrayburn]

We weren't bad at all. Though we still lost to a provincial side shorn off its internationals. I thought Sopoaga was strangely out of sorts and if the Highlanders had stayed with Banks we'd have had much more of an issue.

I don't know that there's a single player from that Lions side that is now be looking at for the Test side apart from Warburton and Best. Best hasn't been less accurate than anyone else at the line out and is invaluable to our breakdown effort. I suspect he's a stronger scrummager than the other 2 as well. It's unlikely though that there will be an Irish lock in the game so there's an argument for leaving him out.

I would imagine that McGrath will be on the bench for the tests at worst, also Sinckler, Rory Best won't be in the test mix as far as I can see as all he has really done is cement his reputation for choking on the throw, Stander has a decent chance of making the bench.

I think it's quite even between the bench loosies. And I thought Stander did his chances no favours. In fact, I'd suggest we're more likely to see one of Tipuric or SOB in the 20 shirt.

I also think (hope) that 13 is still up for grabs, with Joseph hopefully getting a fair crack of the whip.

A fair crack of the app doesn't currently see JJ start. I'd currently have him behind JD2 and I'm no fan of his and very much a fan of JJ. Given I'd be starting Henshaw at 12 I'd pick Payne at 13 for the Maori if he's fit but it seems to me he isn't, or failing that Daly.

[Mikey Brown]

Daly and Payne are interesting ones given they could viably be the best back 3 options too.

[Banquo]

I would imagine that McGrath will be on the bench for the tests at worst, also Sinckler, Rory Best won't be in the test mix as far as I can see as all he has really done is cement his reputation for choking on the throw, Stander has a decent chance of making the bench.

I think it's quite even between the bench loosies. And I thought Stander did his chances no favours. In fact, I'd suggest we're more likely to see one of Tipuric or SOB in the 20 shirt.

I also think (hope) that 13 is still up for grabs, with Joseph hopefully getting a fair crack of the whip.

A fair crack of the app doesn't currently see JJ start. I'd currently have him behind JD2 and I'm no fan of his and very much a fan of JJ. Given I'd be starting Henshaw at 12 I'd pick Payne at 13 for the Maori if he's fit but it seems to me he isn't, or failing that Daly.

JJ had a good game going forward, but two bump offs haven't helped him. But if you are bothered by defence at 13, Daly isn't your man. Backline outside 10 all in the air for me; I'd likely have Teo at 12 at present.

[Banquo]

Daly and Payne are interesting ones given they could viably be the best back 3 options too.

Not sure you'd say that about Payne post Tuesday- put in a great tackle, but laboured a bit I thought. I do like Daly in the back three, but wing by preference,

[Stom]

I'd have SOB at 6 as it stands currently.

Tempting, but I'd worry about balance in that backrow against NZ. SOB can be a great player to have, but he's not a POM, Robshaw, etc...

What is it you think he does less well than Robshaw?

Organisational skills for one.
Defending the fringe (but SOB doesn't usually do this, does he, so I guess we don't really know...)

And as the selection proves, Gatland agrees, with SOB and POM together. I like glue at 6. If they also have a hard carrying game and linking hands, then of course I'd pick them, but primarily I want glue.

[Mikey Brown]

Why Stom? Why did you start this?

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Tempting, but I'd worry about balance in that backrow against NZ. SOB can be a great player to have, but he's not a POM, Robshaw, etc...

What is it you think he does less well than Robshaw?

Organisational skills for one.
Defending the fringe (but SOB doesn't usually do this, does he, so I guess we don't really know...)

And as the selection proves, Gatland agrees, with SOB and POM together. I like glue at 6. If they also have a hard carrying game and linking hands, then of course I'd pick them, but primarily I want glue.

Will if you agree with Gatland...

As for "glue" at 6, if that means anything then it's provided by Warburton at 7.