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

@gt12 i think its a NZ issue more like.

Red V Highlanders game thread carrying on the Chiefs Vs Highlanders thread with more all black coach and player selection discussion. How good.

Been riverting chat about the Reds Landers

STARTING XV

Ethan de Groot
Jack Taylor
Rohan Wingham
Will Stodart
Mitch Dunshea
Te Kamaka Howden
Sean Withy (CC)
Lucas Casey

Adam Lennnox
Cameron Millar
Jona Nareki      
Timoci Tavatavanawai (CC)
Jonah Lowe            
Caleb Tangitau
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

IMPACT: 16. Soane Vikena, 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18. Sosefo Kautai, 19. Oliver Haig, 20. Veveni Lasaqa, 21. Folau Fakatava, 22. Reesjan Pasitoa, 23. Tanielu Tele'a

Unavailable due to injury: Saula Ma’u (shoulder - 5 weeks), Finn Hurley (foot - 6 weeks), Andrew Knewstubb (quad - 1 week)

In:

Vikena, Stodart (starting), Lennox (starting), DLB.

Out: Bell, Bartlett, Haig (bench), Fakatava (bench),

Tito-Harris off the injured list should play for the Bravehearts

Aidan Ross, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c), Harry Wilson, Louis Werchon, Carter Gordon, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell

Replacements: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Filipo Daugunu

Cam Millar should really own his opposite this game, what I'm just meaning is Millar has played plenty of rugby lately started in 13 straight npc games and is clearly the landers only viable 10, Gordon on the other hand only recently returned to Union and does have internal competition at the Reds

@Grooter said in Reds v Highlanders:

Cam Millar should really own his opposite this game, what I'm just meaning is Millar has played plenty of rugby lately started in 13 straight npc games and is clearly the landers only viable 10, Gordon on the other hand only recently returned to Union and does have internal competition at the Reds

Haha.

Come on dude.

An international experienced 10 v a decent NPC 10. Gordon everyday

@grooter
9 international caps to 0.
46 Super games to 21.
25yo vs 23yo.
Probably got about 10kg+ on him too.

He should best him off the tee, but this is the great and very expensive Aussie WC hope we're talking about here!

yeah, even those of us that like Millar arn't expecting him to boss many other, kick his goal, dont shovel too much shit, play it safe, dont aim too high

@Grooter said in Reds v Highlanders:

Cam Millar should really own his opposite this game, what I'm just meaning is Millar has played plenty of rugby lately started in 13 straight npc games and is clearly the landers only viable 10, Gordon on the other hand only recently returned to Union and does have internal competition at the Reds

Didn’t take long for even more similar discussions around Millar to start up either. Jesus Christ these highlanders related threads are getting repetitive

@Landers92 just doing my part to stay on topic earlier there was something about some random Hurricanes midfielder being in the sights of Scotland, god knows how that even came about in a Reds v Highlanders thread

@Grooter totally relevant. They'll all be off overseas once the first highlandablacks squad gets selected.

DLB for Bartlett is a real puzzler for me... and I just don't like Stodart at lock.

@frugby said in Reds v Highlanders:

DLB for Bartlett is a real puzzler for me... and I just don't like Stodart at lock.

Seems like Stodart is pigeonholed as a lock. If they saw him as an eight you would have expected to have seen him replace Casey at halftime last week.

Lavanini must have arrived in absolutely shit nick. Still unseen in the main side.

@SouthernMann said in Reds v Highlanders:

@frugby said in Reds v Highlanders:

DLB for Bartlett is a real puzzler for me... and I just don't like Stodart at lock.

Seems like Stodart is pigeonholed as a lock. If they saw him as an eight you would have expected to have seen him replace Casey at halftime last week.

Lavanini must have arrived in absolutely shit nick. Still unseen in the main side.

From what I’ve heard, they seriously underestimated how unfit he’d be. I think his last professional game was last June? He is 33 and probably has what, 1-2 more good years if he’s lucky?

@jimmyb said in Reds v Highlanders:

@SouthernMann said in Reds v Highlanders:

@frugby said in Reds v Highlanders:

DLB for Bartlett is a real puzzler for me... and I just don't like Stodart at lock.

Seems like Stodart is pigeonholed as a lock. If they saw him as an eight you would have expected to have seen him replace Casey at halftime last week.

Lavanini must have arrived in absolutely shit nick. Still unseen in the main side.

From what I’ve heard, they seriously underestimated how unfit he’d be. I think his last professional game was last June? He is 33 and probably has what, 1-2 more good years if he’s lucky?

I'm ok with it as long as he is working as a behind the scenes mentor for our other locks.

Someone with that much test experience will be invaluable for Josh Tengblad and even Fabian. If he is providing it the advice. I thought Oli Haig was great at lock last week.