@mariner4life said in Hurricanes vs Highlanders:

I'm not so sure that is true any more. There could be an argument that the way Read plays test rugby isn't as effective any more.

Read isn't the rangy, hard hitting number 8 he used to be. Even accounting for injury he should move to where his physical capabilities are best utilised to get a mobile number 8 in.

Small wonder the coaches are looking for those qualities in the merry-go-round that is the AB blindside. They're looking for the perfect player to replace Kaino and Read,

If the 6N has shown us anything, good backrows aren't taking the ball standing still. They're hard running.

@antipodean said in Hurricanes vs Highlanders:

@Nepia said in Hurricanes vs Highlanders:

@antipodean said in Hurricanes vs Highlanders:

@Nepia said in Hurricanes vs Highlanders:

@antipodean said in Hurricanes vs Highlanders:

@Nepia said in Hurricanes vs Highlanders:

He's been living up to some of the hype the selectors gave him last year - although he's been noticeable for the stuff another player they don't like does ....

Frizell runs onto the ball.

Oh yeah, I forgot that when all the other excuses were used up that running onto the ball was the new one.

Excuse for what? Frizell does run onto the ball rather than taking it standing still. And he has been a standout forward three rounds in.

Who said he wasn't?

But the other guy (who's name we can't mention) pretty much out ran everybody in last years Super comp yet not running on to the ball is an issue?

I'm as much a fan of Akira as the next bloke, but he's not what we look for in a blindside, so he's behind our captain who clearly doesn't want to move positions (although he should).

The other issue for Akira is the way he plays Super Rugby isn't anywhere near as effective in Test rugby.

I never said Akira should be ahead of Read either. Just pointing out the Tongan gets plaudits for the Akira style stuff. I'm happy to admit that the selectors punt last year on the Tongan is looking to be a good one but I don't think he plays the tight style of 6 that's implied.

I don't believe in the not effective for test rugby - this was said about Kaino and Messam etc.

@Nepia Canes at home will be very difficult for the southerners, the Cake Tin has been a fortress of late with the men in Yellow and Black winning 24 of their last 25 - I expect that to continue.

@Nepia it was generally said about Messam and Kaino's early playing styles. Both players weren't picked as regulars until they tightened their playing style.

Chase Tiatia, Jordie Barrett, Matt Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Ben Lam, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Ardie Savea, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Vaea Fifita, Liam Mitchell, James Blackwell, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Dane Coles, Chris Eves

Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Fraser Armstrong, Ben May, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Reed Prinsep, Richard Judd, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Vince Aso

Someone needs to nail that right wing spot for the All Blacks. Some height and a booming kick wouldn't go astray.

Jordie Barrett is too slow and too slow to turn to play on the wing.
Why the fuck does he get so many chances anyway????
He's just not that good.

@Frank said in Hurricanes vs Highlanders:

Jordie Barrett is too slow and too slow to turn to play on the wing.
Why the fuck does he get so many chances anyway????
He's just not that good.

The selectors watch too many wildlife documentaries

Jordie Barrett to be starting number 12 in 2020...for the Crusaders.

You heard it here first. (Unless you heard it somewhere else earlier).

@Frank said in Hurricanes vs Highlanders:

Jordie Barrett is too slow and too slow to turn to play on the wing.
Why the fuck does he get so many chances anyway????
He's just not that good.

Unfortunately we're not currently burdened with right wingers.

@antipodean said in Hurricanes vs Highlanders:

Someone needs to nail that right wing spot for the All Blacks. Some height and a booming kick wouldn't go astray.

Can’t recall if I’ve mentioned it before, but a guy that would make a decent right wing for the ABs is that kid George Bridge.

@Frank said in Hurricanes vs Highlanders:

Jordie Barrett is too slow and too slow to turn to play on the wing.
Why the fuck does he get so many chances anyway????
He's just not that good.

Wasn't he man of the match there against Italy? He's faster than you think.

In any case, he should be playing his natural position which is 12.

@Cyclops said in Hurricanes vs Highlanders:

Jordie Barrett to be starting number 12 in 2020...for the Crusaders.

You heard it here first. (Unless you heard it somewhere else earlier).

Get the Barrett-Goodhue combo back together. Sounds good to me.

@ACT-Crusader said in Hurricanes vs Highlanders:

@antipodean said in Hurricanes vs Highlanders:

Someone needs to nail that right wing spot for the All Blacks. Some height and a booming kick wouldn't go astray.

Can’t recall if I’ve mentioned it before, but a guy that would make a decent right wing for the ABs is that kid George Bridge.

Hell, everyone's mentioned that!

@Cyclops Hasn't he been quoted saying he doesn't want to be a traitor like his brother? Seriously though I think he said he would never leave the Canes in an interview last year... maybe I miss heard.

Out of all outside backs for the Canes the last person that gets the chop for me is Vince Aso, he is very consistent and has barely put a foot wrong for us since coming down from Auckland. I hope his benching is more of a rest and rotation thing than him being out of favour with Plum.

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Highlanders:

@Cyclops Hasn't he been quoted saying he doesn't want to be a traitor like his brother? Seriously though I think he said he would never leave the Canes in an interview last year... maybe I miss heard.

I went to see razor give a presentation last year and his words when talking about Jordie were “don’t worry, we will get him back here”

attack the set piece Highlanders!!!!

@SammyC Not sure how much you can read into that or the quotes in here -https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/105510831/jordie-barrett-and-ardie-savea-recommit-to-hurricanes-and-nz-rugby

Jordie is loyal to the swirl. Plus doesn't Ennor want to be a centre aswell, meaning Goodhue may even move in a slot which will black Barrett anyway.

@98blueandgold if we get front foot ball young T Umaga Jensen better step up his defence.

@Canes4life just ship him back to Wainui now!