The sevens is a bit farcical really. A few talented players, but would be a bigger drawcard to have some actual professional rugby players in the mix.
Beauden Barrett looks like a star in the making, but who knows, because he was only playing a bunch of Senior A club players.
Horror-canes - The Fever Union thread
With Southland Rugby in the red I hope Otago have tried to sign a couple of players. James Wilson would be a much better signing than Tony Brown. Bring back Chris King too.
Buxton Popali'i showed glimpses of individual brilliance at the sevens, I think he will be a very good signing for Otago.
Buxton Popali'i showed glimpses of individual brilliance at the sevens, I think he will be a very good signing for Otago.
Any one else going to the game this Friday?
I shall be there
Gonna be wearing my Nix shirt, but cheering for the Highlanders.
I hate Dickinson so much. Nonu's first sinbinning was bollocks, he had his hands on the ball before going to the ground and Otago didn't release.
The red card was completely justified, but every time we got to the opposition 22 they infringed (including a professional foul of not being back 10), but no card for the Highlanders as of yet.
I can't work out whether he is worse as a referee or as a linesman who always feels he has to get involved.
The red card was completely justified, but every time we got to the opposition 22 they infringed (including a professional foul of not being back 10), but no card for the Highlanders as of yet.
I can't work out whether he is worse as a referee or as a linesman who always feels he has to get involved.
very happy, a nix win would make me ecstatic 
Ryan's Rovers2011-02-18 22:49:23
Ryan's Rovers2011-02-18 22:49:23
OTAGO HIGHLANDERS! I love it when we win.
11k to the opening super 15 game of the season. Not very impressive.
11k to the opening super 15 game of the season. Not very impressive.
Particularly when the DP reported that they had sold 12,000 tickets by Thursday afternoon. And a beautiful day/night when you might expect quite a few walkups and late ticket purchases.
Porkies or apathy?
(or the population coming to its senses)
The crowd felt bigger than the one that turned up for the Nix/Fury game. The trains seemed to have more carriages. They were using hand held scanners, rather than the ones on the gates. Dunno if that would make a difference.
Apart from booing Cowen, they crowd never got into it. Not even one Hurricanes chant.
One thing I did notice, is the crowd seemed to be older than Nix games attract.
Apart from booing Cowen, they crowd never got into it. Not even one Hurricanes chant.
One thing I did notice, is the crowd seemed to be older than Nix games attract.
Bit sad, the Cheetahs are the best expansion team..... go back to 12
Yeah Highlanders!! Am heading along to the Blues game tonight with some other boarders, any Aucklanders going??
Go Southland Highlanders. Otago raus.
All these people going on about Dickinson are seriously deluded. He was consistant, he was clear to both teams, gave a number of final warnings and when the players went past that he went to the pocket. He wasn't going to let people slow down the ball, which was what coaches repeatatly ask.
As for Nonu, late, no arms. Lucky not to get a straight red. And for all this talk about Cowan thats just the kind of person he is. And why wouldn't you have a smile. Arguably the most dangerous player in the oppostion has been sent of. As for him, milking it, thats rubbish, no arms, and late. Makes no diference if he milked it or not.
11k to the opening super 15 game of the season. Not very impressive.
Particularly when the DP reported that they had sold 12,000 tickets by Thursday afternoon. And a beautiful day/night when you might expect quite a few walkups and late ticket purchases.
Porkies or apathy?
(or the population coming to its senses)
Or a third possibility - a heap of comps that didn't turn up were included in the figure.
Who knows. Pretty strange to lose 1000 fans in 2 days
All these people going on about Dickinson�are seriously deluded. He was consistant, he was clear to both teams, gave a number of final warnings and when the players went past that he went to the pocket. He wasn't going to let people slow down the ball, which was what coaches repeatatly ask.
�
As for Nonu, late, no arms. Lucky not to get a straight red.� And for all this talk about Cowan thats just the kind of person he is. And why wouldn't you have a smile. Arguably the most dangerous player in the oppostion has been sent of. As for him, milking it, thats rubbish, no arms, and late. Makes no diference if he milked it or not.
He wasn't consistent, Otago was on a final warning a long time before the 71st minute, yet nothing happened. Gave away a number of penalties in the 22, but no card till the end.
Agree completely on Nonu's 2nd card (I thought he had rights to the ball on his 1st), I never saw the yellow come out as I was out of the room when it happened, thought it was a straight red, and even so, I felt it was completely justified. Cowan didn't need to milk it, and why wouldn't you have a laugh when one of the opposing sides better players got himself sent off for doing something stupid - I probably would have given a sarcastic clap aswell as lauging.
Good comeback from Blues but a sh*te atmosphere.
GO CHIEFS oh, wait
Dear Hurricanes,
Sincere thanks for selecting Mark Hammett as your coach and leaving Jamie Joseph to us.
Much Appreciated.
Kind Regards,
The Highlanders
We looked much better once Sopoaga was taken off, I dont think he is up to this level yet. Thommo was awesome again.
We looked much better once Sopoaga was taken off, I dont think he is up to this level yet. Thommo was awesome again.
Last week, apart from his kicking, I thought he played well. But last night when Robbie came on the direction he gave was immense. Nasi Maun was brilliant, him and Cowan work bloody well together. Thommo did everything, Kaino must be gettign worried. Shaun Treeby ran hard and strong and looked good.
Kade Poki welcome back to the wing!
A season or two at center with the Makos mean't he was overlooked by the Crusaders. Going to be our top try scorer me thinks.
Manu
Thomson
Cowan
Robinson
Poki
Smith
All were outstanding.
Jamie Joseph for PM
A season or two at center with the Makos mean't he was overlooked by the Crusaders. Going to be our top try scorer me thinks.
Manu
Thomson
Cowan
Robinson
Poki
Smith
All were outstanding.
Jamie Joseph for PM
Kade Poki welcome back to the wing!
A season or two at center with the Makos mean't he was overlooked by the Crusaders. Going to be our top try scorer me thinks.
Manu
Thomson
Cowan
Robinson
Poki
Smith
All were outstanding.
Jamie Joseph for PM
A season or two at center with the Makos mean't he was overlooked by the Crusaders. Going to be our top try scorer me thinks.
Manu
Thomson
Cowan
Robinson
Poki
Smith
All were outstanding.
Jamie Joseph for PM
All played beyond themselves, Thought Treeby had a good game as well, as did both locks and MacIntosh. Only player who I was disppointed with was the prop Te Moana.
As for Poki, finally we've got a winger who has genuine pace and prepared to have a go.
And welcome back to old legend, Tony Brown, hes younger than Tana so why not? As long we dont start talking about a party at Tony's we'll be fine.
With Otago - how many of their players do you think are true Super 15 starters, and would play for most teams? They're the real overachievers, all I can count is Smith, Cowan, Thomson, Mackintosh, Rutledge, am I forgetting or underrating anyone?
With Otago - how many of their players do you think are true Super 15 starters, and would play for most teams? They're the real overachievers, all I can count is Smith, Cowan, Thomson, Mackintosh, Rutledge, am I forgetting or underrating anyone?
I'd say thats spot on. Gosh even Smith would struggle to make the 15 in another NZ side (Dagg, Jane, Mils, Toeava) as would Rutledge (Flynn, Hore, deMalmanche, Mealamu).
So realistically, thats 3, at most 5 + Donnelly when he returns, that would make other teams.
As I repeatatly said (not on here) preseason, if we're gonna win matches, we've got to dominate up front, at the breakdown and our tackling has to be superb. Tick. Tick. Tick.
Slade would start at any other team except the Crusaders. Graham Henry told my boss at a wedding on the weekend that he will be the second flyhalf at the world cup.
Slade would start at any other team except the Crusaders. Graham Henry told my boss at a wedding on the weekend that he will be the second flyhalf at the world cup.
And him, forgot about him. I think Donald showed everyone yet again on saturday that out him under pressure he won't win you games.
The fact they went for that penalty late in the game really summed it up for me.
yep, I'm sorry Stephen but coming within 7 points won't do anyone any good in October.
My biggest worry with the Highlanders, is if we can score enough tries to win games later in the season.
Last few years, we often started off with narrow losses, often finding ways to lose at the end. As the season went on, the margins got wider as we could not match the try scoring ability of the other teams.
So far we have won 2 close games, but I dont know if there is enough points in the team to win games later in the season.
Last few years, we often started off with narrow losses, often finding ways to lose at the end. As the season went on, the margins got wider as we could not match the try scoring ability of the other teams.
So far we have won 2 close games, but I dont know if there is enough points in the team to win games later in the season.
My biggest worry with the Highlanders, is if we can score enough tries to win games later in the season.
Last few years, we often started off with narrow losses, often finding ways to lose at the end. As the season went on, the margins got wider as we could not match the try scoring ability of the other teams.
So far we have won 2 close games, but I dont know if there is enough points in the team to win games later in the season.
Last few years, we often started off with narrow losses, often finding ways to lose at the end. As the season went on, the margins got wider as we could not match the try scoring ability of the other teams.
So far we have won 2 close games, but I dont know if there is enough points in the team to win games later in the season.
Agree. The type of game we're playing (flood the breakdown, tackle hard, keep it simple on attack) is one that, despite its effectiveness against waikato and welly, draws itself to fatigue and injuries. And the harsh reality is that in several key positions our depth is limited (Noteably the loosies and the front row in particular). Obviously we've gotta keep on keeping on and hope we can keep doing the trick but like you, I'm worried.
But hey the worry can wait until when we're not top three and unbeaten 
Crusaders game was great.
Photo I took of Dan Carter!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/57448021@N02/5496516715/
Photo I took of Dan Carter!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/57448021@N02/5496516715/
Congrats to the Highlanders, although I must say, the Bulls look dreadful so far
Isn't there meant to be a World cup rugby game coming out soon? Does any body know about this?
Isn't there meant to be a World cup rugby game coming out soon? Does any body know about this?
"The Rugby Forum is delighted to announce in a world exclusive, along with our new partners HB Studios, that their brand new Rugby 2012 is official and is coming to the current generation of consoles in summer 2011.
After a wait since Rugby 2008 I am sure that the rugby gaming community will be celebrating this news massively and we are all working in the same direction � to make the best rugby game possible.
Details will be coming thick and fast in the coming weeks, and HB Studios want to keep you all in touch via a series of developmental blogs and podcasts, which will be commencing later in the development of the game.
For now, all you need to know is that the game IS happening and that TRF IS the best place to hear the latest news and talk about the latest views as we enter a new era with our friends at HB Studios right alongside us."
Will need major improvements. Rugby 08 sucked ass compared to any other EA Sports game. You need a "manager mode" where you can start with any team through a number of seasons and buy players.
Stats need a major change! there's some players on the old game with stats that are 50 for everything.
You need to be able to edit players stats.
And you need to be able to do more as a forward, maybe a "player mode" where you are just one player would be quite cool.
In previous games, if you are a fast player you will dominate. Doesn't work like that in real life. They need to work their way around that problem too.
Kade Poki dropped for Stormers clash!!! Crazy