Tahs played pretty averagely tbh, blowout score in the end but a pretty terrible 1st 50 mins. Landers v Chiefs basically the game of the quarters tbh. Can't see the Brumbies travelling too well against the Stormers, that being said you never know, if the Brumbies did beat them it would suit the Canes (playing a tired SA bound Brumbies outfit) than playing a Landers/ Chiefs outfit. Quite unfair that the Canes will actually end up playing the better side (points wise) and the Tahs getting to play the Stormers if they do win.
Force have Alby. I'd put Pulu and Phipps ahead of Genia tbh, haven't rated him at all this season. He's making shit decisions. Apart from that I'd probably agree, maybe Ellis ahead of Weber but that comes down to experience. Cowan's been a lil inconsistent as well tbh, alright in recent weeks.
Ffs, getting someone to go with me to the ruggers if the Canes make the finals is proving harder than thought - people would but everyone's fucking busy FUCK. I would go to the semis as well but have a 50th to attend. Meh I'll go alone if I have to.
Yeah you'd have to say Landers have this one over the Cheifs now - Horrell at 10 and Damian at 15 is weird. Marty to the bench which is deserved after the shit he produced last week. Ngatai and Tom Marshall out for the Chiefs is a harsh blow, highly rate Ngatai - a good balanced player, really a player I was hoping we (Canes) had post Smith/ Nonu. Regardless I want the Landers to win this one. They've been playing the better code.
Aaron Smith had his foot around the touch line and it got confusing. I Couldn't make out myself what was happening.
Having to watch the replay :/ pretty gutted I wasn't able to watch this one live. Am stuck at the gf's due to the intense rain/ flooding and she has a mate over watching movies on her laptop (I don't have my laptop, so couldn't watch).
Just watched the game. Tomane played well yes, as did so many others. Fardy was a standout for me (before the yellow). On the other hand, the Stormers played terribly. Their lineout was worse than 5 year olds on a Saturday morning, serious problems. They kicked too much pill away and just had no structure/ made poor choices all game. Brumbies by far the better team.
Kind of glad the Brumbies won - Canes vs Highlanders semi is finals worthy so I'm glad that's not the semi. Canes playing the Brumbies coming back from SA is probably an easier game for us too but gee they played well. Tahs vs Landers will be epic too!
Gutted that the Stormers were so poor. Was hoping that they would at least put up some sort of a fight.
Canes have sold 32000 tickets so far!!! only 3000 left. So awesome it's gonna be a sellout, even if it is mainly bandwagon fans. Hopefully encourages bigger crowds for regular season games in years to come
Canes lineup released. Jane the only notable missing starter which means Milner-Skudder is at 14, Marshall at Fullback. Which is alright. I do feel as though Milner-Skudder is a better fullback (still good on the wing nevertheless) but I think I'd rather that combination than Proctor (who's on the bench) on the wing, Milner-Skudder at FB and Marshall on the bench. In lesser news, Matu'u is out as well which means Mitchell fills the 16 spot. Not sure if Gibbins is injured or not but feel really sorry for him not to be in the lineup - Shields, Savea, Vito is logically your starting trio and Thomson is on the bench spot - who is probably the right decision, shows our awesome depth. If Jane had been fit, it would have been a complete All Blacks backline - maybe not necessarily a complete starting one but an All Black backline nevertheless. Marshall the only non All Black. The lineup: 1. Reg Goodes 2. Dane Coles 3. Ben Franks 4. Jeremy Thrush 5. James Broadhurst 6. Brad Shields 7. Ardie Savea 8. Victor Vito 9. TJ Perenara 10. Beaudan Barrett 11. Julian Savea 12. Ma' Nonu 13. Conrad Smith 14. Nehe Milner-Skudder 15. James Marshall 16. Brayden Mitchell 17. Chris Eves 18. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen 19. Mark Abbott 20. Blade Thomson 21. Chris Smylie 22. Rey Lee-Lo 23. Matt Proctor
Was just having a think to myself - Highlanders is the place unwanted Canes go to thrive..... Ex Canes players: Richard Buckman Mark Reddish Ash Dixon Marty Banks Play for a Canes territory ITM Cup side: Lima Sopoaga (Southland now but use to be Wellington - born and raised too) Shaun Treeby (Wellington) Kurt Baker (Taranaki - was a Canes territory side when Baker debut for the Landers) Waisake Naholo (Taranaki - Canes territory when he debuted for Blues) Ryan Tongia (Hawkes Bay) Ma'afu Fia (Manawatu) Jason Emery (Manawatu) Brendon Edmonds (Hawkes Bay) Gareth Evans (Hawkes Bay) Aaron Smith (Manawatu) Born in a Canes region: Kane Hames (Wellington) Liam Coltman (New Plymouth) - logically Canes territory most of his early rugby days Shane Christie (Palmy) That's 17 players!!!!! Just goes to show that a lot of talent is in and around the Canes territory - I'm not calling the Landers poachers - they have only 4 ex Canes players and for the most part were better off with the move. I'm not saying the Canes are at fault here either as such - are team is also very good too and there's only so many players a team can have - although in recent years Manawatu, Naki and HB for example has been neglected a lil over Welly players, not so much anymore though. I wonder if Southland/ Otago players feel a bit aggrieved. Does back up why those 2 regions traditionally have struggled in NPC. TLR: The Landers are my 2nd supported team behind the Canes due to a lot of Canes ties.