Think we could see the Highlanders trusting their squad this week. Forecast is not too hot, but it is quite wet.

Assuming Casey is out, I think we could see them bring in Tengblad. I would also not be surprised to see a 6-2 split and Lavanini involved.

Potential 23:

1. de Groot
2. Taylor
3. Wingham
4. Tengblad
5. Dunshea
6. Howden
7. Withy
8. Stodart
9. Fakatava
10. Millar
11. Lowe
12. Tavatavanawai
13. Tele’a
14. Tangitau
15. Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
16. Bell
17. Bartlett
18. Kautai
19. Lavanini
20. Haig
21. Lasaqa
22. Lennox
23. Solomon

Ben Smith seems hopeful Lucas Casey will be available. If he can play, I think he should. Although, the weather is looking a bit stodgy for Friday. Might be a wet track. If Casey is 50/50 Renton might be the right man at 8 for the conditions. Providing he is fit.

I'd like to see the tight five maintained, the lineout functioned quite well for the first 50 minutes. Same with the scrum.

While Pasitoa was shithouse off the tee. His play in the lead up to the final try shows he is worth persevering with. He adds something with ball in hand. He just needs to do a lot of kicking during the week.

I'd prefer to do some rotating against the Force at home. Let's go to Brisbane, bag the points and work on some rotations the week after.

For the 23 against the Reds, I'd make two changes. Lavanini and Solomon in come onto the bench with Stodart and Tele'a droping off.

@frugby said in Reds v Highlanders:

Think we could see the Highlanders trusting their squad this week. Forecast is not too hot, but it is quite wet.

Assuming Casey is out, I think we could see them bring in Tengblad. I would also not be surprised to see a 6-2 split and Lavanini involved.

Potential 23:

1. de Groot
2. Taylor
3. Wingham
4. Tengblad
5. Dunshea
6. Howden
7. Withy
8. Stodart
9. Fakatava
10. Millar
11. Lowe
12. Tavatavanawai
13. Tele’a
14. Tangitau
15. Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
16. Bell
17. Bartlett
18. Kautai
19. Lavanini
20. Haig
21. Lasaqa
22. Lennox
23. Solomon

Only issue is with rotating the squad is that this is a must win game. These mid table Aussie teams are teams they must beat.

Also that backrow will get rinsed at the breakdown

Renton still looked way short to me for the Bravehearts.

If they are worried about the ruck, then simply play Withy closer to the ruck. As much as it was dumb he dropped the ball, I find it even more odd that you’d have Casey tight to ruck and Withy hanging wide.

Casey didn’t look to train today, so I’d keep him on ice.

As for rotation, this is only slight rotation based off an injury… Nareki looked way off the pace on the replay.

Pasitoa can’t be an option at 10 if he can’t kick, and I want to see Solomon involved.

@frugby said in Reds v Highlanders:

Renton still looked way short to me for the Bravehearts.

If they are worried about the ruck, then simply play Withy closer to the ruck. As much as it was dumb he dropped the ball, I find it even more odd that you’d have Casey tight to ruck and Withy hanging wide.

Casey didn’t look to train today, so I’d keep him on ice.

As for rotation, this is only slight rotation based off an injury… Nareki looked way off the pace on the replay.

Pasitoa can’t be an option at 10 if he can’t kick, and I want to see Solomon involved.

Agree re. Pasitoa. I don’t think his general play is good enough to warrant leaving 12-15 points on the field. If your 10 doesn’t kick goals at NPC level, you can’t justify playing him at 10 in super.

Edit: also the fact he had zero try assists last NPC season makes me think we are overstating his ability to run a backline

I liked what I saw in the lead up to the final try.

If Solomon is on the bench he can have a go as the back up goal kicker.

@SouthernMann said in Reds v Highlanders:

I liked what I saw in the lead up to the final try.

If Solomon is on the bench he can have a go as the back up goal kicker.

I always find it odd when a 10 can’t kick or a hooker cant throw at this level. Have to question what the hell they’re up to during off/pre season

@jimmyb said in Reds v Highlanders:

@SouthernMann said in Reds v Highlanders:

I liked what I saw in the lead up to the final try.

If Solomon is on the bench he can have a go as the back up goal kicker.

I always find it odd when a 10 can’t kick or a hooker cant throw at this level. Have to question what the hell they’re up to during off/pre season

I'd like that too.

We just don't have much in the 10 jersey.

Millar is the default as he can goal kick.

I wouldn't mind seeing if Solomon or eventually, once returned from injury Hurley can still kick goals off the bench.

I don't want to push Muliaina too early. Would prefer he has a full campaign for the Bravehearts and NZ U20s.

@jimmyb said in Reds v Highlanders:

@SouthernMann said in Reds v Highlanders:

I liked what I saw in the lead up to the final try.

If Solomon is on the bench he can have a go as the back up goal kicker.

I always find it odd when a 10 can’t kick or a hooker cant throw at this level. Have to question what the hell they’re up to during off/pre season

There's no really good reason for your 10 to be your goal kicker. They must be good at kicking in play, but kicking for goal can be done whatever number is on your back and there have plenty of good ones playing 9, 12 and 15 for example.

@reprobate said in Reds v Highlanders:

@jimmyb said in Reds v Highlanders:

@SouthernMann said in Reds v Highlanders:

I liked what I saw in the lead up to the final try.

If Solomon is on the bench he can have a go as the back up goal kicker.

I always find it odd when a 10 can’t kick or a hooker cant throw at this level. Have to question what the hell they’re up to during off/pre season

There's no really good reason for your 10 to be your goal kicker. They must be good at kicking in play, but kicking for goal can be done whatever number is on your back and there have plenty of good ones playing 9, 12 and 15 for example.

If you old enough you will remember when Auckland had (I think it was) Steve Watts a prop who did their goal kicking back in the 70's. As you say anyone an do the job. I also remember when it was really only fullback who kicked, now it sems to be 10.

The other elephant in the room, is Reesjan Pasitoa simply isn’t that good, and if you think he’s you’re kidding yourself.

@frugby said in Reds v Highlanders:

The other elephant in the room, is Reesjan Pasitoa simply isn’t that good, and if you think he’s you’re kidding yourself.

The elephant in the room is that none of our 10 options are that good. We are making do with what we have. We are arguing over who is the dumbest kid in the special class.

Pasitoa was at 12 in the NPC, I think he was only named to start 10 in 1 game, then pulled out injured, plus Reihana did all the kicking.

As a Northland fan, while happy he picked up a super gig, I was a bit surprised he did, while he showed some glimpses of his talent and potential ceiling, he also had some average moments.

@SouthernMann said in Reds v Highlanders:

@frugby said in Reds v Highlanders:

The other elephant in the room, is Reesjan Pasitoa simply isn’t that good, and if you think he’s you’re kidding yourself.

The elephant in the room is that none of our 10 options are that good. We are making do with what we have. We are arguing over who is the dumbest kid in the special class.

And the good thing is we get to do it everyday for the next 4-5 months!

You guys are way too down on Millar. Yeah he's taken a few poor options, but he's done some good things too, and he looks a better player than last year and at least somewhat more able to cope with the physicality.
Perofeta is not exactly god's gift to the 10 jersey, the Canes are down to Harkin, Kemara can't kick goals, and Jacomb played pretty shit against you guys too.

@reprobate said in Reds v Highlanders:

You guys are way too down on Millar. Yeah he's taken a few poor options, but he's done some good things too, and he looks a better player than last year and at least somewhat more able to cope with the physicality.
Perofeta is not exactly god's gift to the 10 jersey, the Canes are down to Harkin, Kemara can't kick goals, and Jacomb played pretty shit against you guys too.

The part I am perhaps most critical of is that he’s pretty much been the same size for the past 2-3 years. One of his biggest issues is that he gets swallowed up when he carries. Wasn’t hasn’t he or the SC coach had the awareness to put 6-7kgs on him? That’s is not difficult at all at his age

@jimmyb said in Reds v Highlanders:

@reprobate said in Reds v Highlanders:

You guys are way too down on Millar. Yeah he's taken a few poor options, but he's done some good things too, and he looks a better player than last year and at least somewhat more able to cope with the physicality.
Perofeta is not exactly god's gift to the 10 jersey, the Canes are down to Harkin, Kemara can't kick goals, and Jacomb played pretty shit against you guys too.

The part I am perhaps most critical of is that he’s pretty much been the same size for the past 2-3 years. One of his biggest issues is that he gets swallowed up when he carries. Wasn’t hasn’t he or the SC coach had the awareness to put 6-7kgs on him? That’s is not difficult at all at his age

I do agree, but I think he may have actually put 6-7kg on - he just needed more like 20kg to start with...

@reprobate said in Reds v Highlanders:

@jimmyb said in Reds v Highlanders:

@reprobate said in Reds v Highlanders:

You guys are way too down on Millar. Yeah he's taken a few poor options, but he's done some good things too, and he looks a better player than last year and at least somewhat more able to cope with the physicality.
Perofeta is not exactly god's gift to the 10 jersey, the Canes are down to Harkin, Kemara can't kick goals, and Jacomb played pretty shit against you guys too.

The part I am perhaps most critical of is that he’s pretty much been the same size for the past 2-3 years. One of his biggest issues is that he gets swallowed up when he carries. Wasn’t hasn’t he or the SC coach had the awareness to put 6-7kgs on him? That’s is not difficult at all at his age

I do agree, but I think he may have actually put 6-7kg on - he just needed more like 20kg to start with...

he's reasonably tall for a 10, 1.85m.

I don't mind Millar at all, think he's probably the best ten for the landers at the moment especially with "strike weapons" everywhere else in the backline.

It just irks when some goose comes on and says his kicking is underestimated when that's literally the only recognised skill of his and then he shows that's far from perfect.

@Bones said in Reds v Highlanders:

I don't mind Millar at all, think he's probably the best ten for the landers at the moment especially with "strike weapons" everywhere else in the backline.

It just irks when some goose comes on and says his kicking is underestimated when that's literally the only recognised skill of his and then he shows that's far from perfect.

I think you’ll find I’m that goose. And I said underestimated, as in people underestimate how important that is to the game.

And the idea that he is far from perfect because he missed one conversion, when it is generally accepted he is the best goal kicker in the country speaks to the fact people hold him to different standards to others.

@frugby oh so kicking only includes conversions? Guess people under estimate Beauden Barrett's importance to the ABs then.

Great call.

First live rugby game of the year, looking forward to it! A burger and a couple of beers at Remy’s before and a short walk to the ground.

@frugby If you check the landers recent social post, Jamie still doesn't seem worried about having proper height at lock, seems to be nearly the same pack as last week only Stodart replacing Haig

@Grooter said in Reds v Highlanders:

@frugby If you check the landers recent social post, Jamie still doesn't seem worried about having proper height at lock, seems to be nearly the same pack as last week only Stodart replacing Haig

Jesus Jamie, we do not want a future AB pack full of fucking hobbits.

@gt12 said in Reds v Highlanders:

@Grooter said in Reds v Highlanders:

@frugby If you check the landers recent social post, Jamie still doesn't seem worried about having proper height at lock, seems to be nearly the same pack as last week only Stodart replacing Haig

Jesus Jamie, we do not want a future AB pack full of fucking hobbits.

I can't see a decent coach employing the same selection tactics in Test Vs SR.

@Bones said in Reds v Highlanders:

@gt12 said in Reds v Highlanders:

@Grooter said in Reds v Highlanders:

@frugby If you check the landers recent social post, Jamie still doesn't seem worried about having proper height at lock, seems to be nearly the same pack as last week only Stodart replacing Haig

Jesus Jamie, we do not want a future AB pack full of fucking hobbits.

I can't see a decent coach employing the same selection tactics in Test Vs SR.

Hope not, but the ABXV were small at lock too weren't they?
Checked and only 3 selected in Beehre, Ah Kuoi and IWL, with Flanders/Howden from the loosies covering...
Played alright though.

@reprobate all 3 of those locks selected, played lock all super season I thought (maybe a slight dabble elsewhere by NAK). Were there many other options?

Ah Kuoi is not an international lock and should be a 6.
Beere should be a 6, possibly with a black jersey on.
It's a fucking issue for Jamie.

@gt12 said in Reds v Highlanders:

Ah Kuoi is not an international lock and should be a 6.
Beere should be a 6, possibly with a black jersey on.
It's a fucking issue for Jamie.

Due to injuries and the lack of options, those guys were literally the only options available. Can’t blame him for that.

@gt12 said in Reds v Highlanders:

Ah Kuoi is not an international lock and should be a 6.
Beere should be a 6, possibly with a black jersey on.
It's a fucking issue for Jamie.

Yeah plus Millar and Reihana aren't going to do well leading the ABs around the field either.

Ah Kuoi was injured and was replaced by Delany. Darry was promoted to the ABs.

If we think we've got midfield issues now, it's going to be dismal when JJ selects Havili, Ennor, Rona, Lowe and McLeod. Disgusting. Sack him now.

@Bones said in Reds v Highlanders:

If we think we've got midfield issues now, it's going to be dismal when JJ selects Havili, Ennor, Rona, Lowe and McLeod. Disgusting. Sack him now.

Dw, a midfield of proctor and Higgins will solve all our issues

@jimmyb said in Reds v Highlanders:

@Bones said in Reds v Highlanders:

If we think we've got midfield issues now, it's going to be dismal when JJ selects Havili, Ennor, Rona, Lowe and McLeod. Disgusting. Sack him now.

Dw, a midfield of proctor and Higgins will solve all our issues

He's going to play for Scotland though

@MN5 said in Reds v Highlanders:

@jimmyb said in Reds v Highlanders:

@Bones said in Reds v Highlanders:

If we think we've got midfield issues now, it's going to be dismal when JJ selects Havili, Ennor, Rona, Lowe and McLeod. Disgusting. Sack him now.

Dw, a midfield of proctor and Higgins will solve all our issues

He's going to play for Scotland though

Oh no

@Dan54 said in Reds v Highlanders:

If you old enough you will remember when Auckland had (I think it was) Steve Watts a prop who did their goal kicking back in the 70's. As you say anyone an do the job. I also remember when it was really only fullback who kicked, now it sems to be 10.

https://www.rugbyhistory.co.nz/player/stephen-lindsay-watt this one?

@MN5 said in Reds v Highlanders:

He's going to play for Scotland though

@Bones said in Reds v Highlanders:

@gt12 said in Reds v Highlanders:

Ah Kuoi is not an international lock and should be a 6.
Beere should be a 6, possibly with a black jersey on.
It's a fucking issue for Jamie.

Yeah plus Millar and Reihana aren't going to do well leading the ABs around the field either.

I'll bookmark my post, and if Joseph becomes the AB coach and starts selecting a bunch of fucking midgets, I choose your avatar.

@gt12 said in Reds v Highlanders:

@Bones said in Reds v Highlanders:

@gt12 said in Reds v Highlanders:

Ah Kuoi is not an international lock and should be a 6.
Beere should be a 6, possibly with a black jersey on.
It's a fucking issue for Jamie.

Yeah plus Millar and Reihana aren't going to do well leading the ABs around the field either.

I'll bookmark my post, and if Joseph becomes the AB coach and starts selecting a bunch of fucking midgets, I choose your avatar.

But what about when Siale Lauaki and Rohan Wingham are the AB props? What then?

@gt12 said in Reds v Highlanders:

@Bones said in Reds v Highlanders:

@gt12 said in Reds v Highlanders:

Ah Kuoi is not an international lock and should be a 6.
Beere should be a 6, possibly with a black jersey on.
It's a fucking issue for Jamie.

Yeah plus Millar and Reihana aren't going to do well leading the ABs around the field either.

I'll bookmark my post, and if Joseph becomes the AB coach and starts selecting a bunch of fucking midgets, I choose your avatar.

They can join the midgets at 7,8,10 and 11