Ben Smith (co-captain), Waisake Naholo, Rob Thompson, Tei Walden, Tevita Nabura, Lima Sopoaga, Kayne Hammington, Luke Whitelock, James Lentjes, Elliot Dixon, Tom Franklin, Alex Ainley, Tyrel Lomax, Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown

Reserves: Ash Dixon (cc), Aki Seiuli, Kalolo Tuiloma, Josh Dickson, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Josh Renton, Josh Ioane, Sio Tomkinson

Interesting thing about that article is apparently confirming that ABs need to miss two matches BEFORE the France tests. That's what I thought, but there's been a few recently that seem to have speculated on people missing games after the French tests.

Based on who the Highlanders are still to play before June then the Reds looks likely to be the other match he misses. BFA also needs to miss a match too doesn't he?

Edit: Reading the story BFA needs to miss 2 of the next 3 games (NSW, Reds, Canes).

@bovidae That article seems to be saying Ben still has two games to miss. EDIT: Snap.

They'll have co-captain and fullback Ben Smith, who is yet to sit out a match this season, in the mix at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

On the plus side for the Highlanders and Chiefs, after last weekend's losses the odds of them topping the NZ conference have receded a fair bit.

I think they were at $12 and $17 - now they're $21 and $31, so their more realistic target is to qualify for the play-offs and maybe come fourth.

Resting players and potentially dropping a game has probably become a bit less of an issue.

It will be a tough game for the Highlanders as they come back from a long trip. The Lions have the advantage of a home side but without the popular support.

How does Sopoaga manage his time between rugby and starring in Ballers?

Lima!!!!

What ever happened to the 5 second rule at rucks? And the bloody borking by the halfback? WTF?

Going to be 14-3 after 15.

Looking pretty easy so far for the Landers.

That was some weird shit - wonder if it will be a try.

Nope. That was weird - I thought a charge down puts every one on side, so wouldn't a lazy runner touching the ball put them onside as well?

I’m shocked that the Lions lock has got out that with not even a penalty.

Can’t understand how that wasn’t a try.

Doesn’t matter if he didn’t play at it, this isn’t rugby league.
The prick was also offside and prevented a certain try. Where is the yellow card?

He refs have well and truly bottled that

@gunner said in Highlanders vs Lions:

He refs have well and truly bottled that

Sounded like the TMO had no clue what to do, and just told the ref what happened. I've no bloody idea if an inadvertant touch puts people in front of the kicker onside -- but they just ruled that if you don't play at it, it doesn't~

@Damo will probably be able to clear this up, but I think the falcon ruling is right, if the player is not playing at it.

However, it should have been a penalty and YC.

@gt12 said in Highlanders vs Lions:

@Damo will probably be able to clear this up, but I think the falcon ruling is right, if the player is not playing at it.

However, it should have been a penalty and YC.

When did not playing at it start creeping into rugby?

@nzzp it’s just a complete balls up.

Minimum it’s a penalty for offside.
Doesn’t matter if he didn’t play at it, he’s interfered with the play from an offside position.

@nepia said in Highlanders vs Lions:

@gt12 said in Highlanders vs Lions:

@Damo will probably be able to clear this up, but I think the falcon ruling is right, if the player is not playing at it.

However, it should have been a penalty and YC.

When did not playing at it start creeping into rugby?

The laws state that:

A player offside under Law 10.4c cannot be put onside by any action of an opponent, apart from a charge down.

Except if an opponent intentionally touches the ball (which is the same thing).

This is no the 2nd game in a row I am watching and it appears that the referees either don't know fairly simple rules, or don't know how to apply it

@gt12 said in Highlanders vs Lions:

@nepia said in Highlanders vs Lions:

@gt12 said in Highlanders vs Lions:

@Damo will probably be able to clear this up, but I think the falcon ruling is right, if the player is not playing at it.

However, it should have been a penalty and YC.

When did not playing at it start creeping into rugby?

The laws state that:

A player offside under Law 10.4c cannot be put onside by any action of an opponent, apart from a charge down.

Except if an opponent intentionally touches the ball (which is the same thing).

Oh right, cheers. Does being offside and running into the path of the ball constitute 'intentionally touching the ball'?

This Highlanders game is a lot better for my blood pressue. Great try.

@gt12 if the TMO was happy that the lions player did not intentionally play at the ball then the call was correct. An offside player can be put onside in a number of ways, one of which is an opponent intentionally touching the ball.

@nepia Exactly he was intentionally offside, so if he plays the ball even inadvertently its still intentional as he put himself there

@damo thats a bullshit explanation, its not like the halfback passed the ball intentionally into the offside player. The offside player had plenty time to get out of the way. If the ball hits him its intentional because he got there intentionally

Terrible last couple of minutes of the half from the Landers. Fucking terrible.

Highlanders should have finished the game off on attack but instead have let the Lions back in with some braindead penalties. Leinert-Brown coming in from the side with time up on the clock and with the Lions in their own half is just bloody stupid.

That whole play was Hammington's own fault. If Hammington had not passed the ball into the Lions player he would have got the penalty anyway. He tried to milk the penalty and did not get it. It's unsportsmanlike to deliberately play for a penalty IMO so I don't have much sympathy when you don't get the call. If the other team are offside play proper rugby and let the ref make the calls. Otherwise half backs do that sort of thing all night.

@hydro11
No
The Lion was solely responsible and did so with purpose.
There was a huge overlap and the pass reflected that.

We witnessed a tmo melt down

He gave no recommendation and replaying the grounding over and over, then agreeing no try was telling

@gt12 said in Highlanders vs Lions:

@nepia said in Highlanders vs Lions:

@gt12 said in Highlanders vs Lions:

@Damo will probably be able to clear this up, but I think the falcon ruling is right, if the player is not playing at it.

However, it should have been a penalty and YC.

When did not playing at it start creeping into rugby?

The laws state that:

A player offside under Law 10.4c cannot be put onside by any action of an opponent, apart from a charge down.

Except if an opponent intentionally touches the ball (which is the same thing).

10.4 c relates to the 10m law, which is not the case here. However that's not really relevant here.

Harrington is playing well. He's a bit of an Aaron Smith clone.

@damo yes agreed, he’s having a great game.

The clan are getting away with forward passes all over the show .... then that lineout wasn't straight ....

@majorrage said in Highlanders vs Lions:

The clan are getting away with forward passes all over the show .... then that lineout wasn't straight ....

Yep, although, you could possibly give the TMO a pass for that not stepping on the line that Sumo keeps going on about - he was obscured by Sopoaga a bit and probably looked like a foot would have to be out from that.

@nepia said in Highlanders vs Lions:

@majorrage said in Highlanders vs Lions:

The clan are getting away with forward passes all over the show .... then that lineout wasn't straight ....

Yep, although, you could possibly give the TMO a pass for that not stepping on the line that Sumo keeps going on about - he was obscured by Sopoaga a bit and probably looked like a foot would have to be out from that.

I thought the right foot was grounded over the touchline. Looked like the right call to me.

Highlanders have turned down 9 points, gone for three drives and got nothing from them. Poor rugby.

@damo said in Highlanders vs Lions:

@nepia said in Highlanders vs Lions:

@majorrage said in Highlanders vs Lions:

The clan are getting away with forward passes all over the show .... then that lineout wasn't straight ....

Yep, although, you could possibly give the TMO a pass for that not stepping on the line that Sumo keeps going on about - he was obscured by Sopoaga a bit and probably looked like a foot would have to be out from that.

I thought the right foot was grounded over the touchline. Looked like the right call to me.

Didn't look like it on any of the 3 or 4 replays to me (or Sumo).

I have a new pet hate. Blockers running in front of the ball carrier.
Have you noticed every time the Lions have the ball, a blocker will run at a right angle across the line of the ball carrier deliberately shielding their path. WTF good are the AR's if they don't pick this kind of negative play up?

Quality try.

The Highlanders run in tries that make it look like they should be easily ahead in this game.

Fuck me knock-on city currently

They're throwing it around inside their own 22, leaving the door open for the Lions.