The Highlanders will be looking for their first win in 2013 when they play Queensland Reds tonight at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Join us for live scores and commentary this Good Friday from 5.30pm AEDT.
Three out of four losses for the Highlanders have been at home, in a season where they’ve got all the talent and none of the results.
Expectation is a new thing for the Highlanders, however they will need to get used to it with nine All Blacks in their starting team.
That’s right, nine All Blacks. And yes, they’re last on the log.
Ma’a Nonu is playing average for the Highlanders, a phenomenon you might come to expect from a player who did nothing with the Hurricanes and Blues in about 25 seasons.
Brad Thorn is coming back into form with the captaincy and imposed himself well last week against the Chiefs.
Colin Slade looked solid in the field albeit a little shaky with the boot. He gives off a nervous vibe when he’s lining up a kick and looks more like a sunflower swaying in the wind than an indestructible All Black.
It’s not a good look for the bloke. But when he’s on he’s on, so let’s hope he can get back into the swing of things.
Hosea Gear had an uncharacteristically quiet night against the Chiefs and will be looking to throw his thighs into a couple of chests and see what comes of it.
Ben Smith is the form fullback in world rugby so let’s hope he sees plenty of ball, along with Kade Poki who has to be one of the outside backs of the tournament so far.
With all this fire power in the backs they’ve only managed eight tries this year in seven games, the third lowest in the competition.
Curiously, they have the second highest number of defenders beaten at 16 per game.
It appears they can’t finish off their opportunities.
On to the Reds, who are four wins from six games.
Last week they looked average at home against the Bulls, but a win against the marauding bovines is always a good win.
Quade Cooper appears to be developing maturity this season, less of the tricks but more consistent and conservative gameplay has provided a bit of stability at the back.
What’s most impressive is his defense, which last week was superb.
The Reds have the second highest offloads count, the highest number of carries, the greatest running meters and most defenders beaten of any team in the comp this year.
That’s some pretty impressive reading in a tournament defined by its ballistic pace.
We’re likely to be in for a treat tonight. Join us at 5.30pm AEDT tonight on The Roar, the place to be for live scores and where you can have your say on the go.
Spikhaza
Roar Guru
No, he was just saying the Brumbies current form isn't as good as you say it is. You insinuated their current form is something of amazing, he pointed out that you lost to the stormers and conceded four tries on the weekend and therefore that is false.
Spikhaza
Roar Guru
I'd say this game is analogous to Reds V Canes 2011 - Canes had plenty of attacking firepower, bottom of the log, game played in NZ. Reds lost 28-27, and the Canes were a massive rabble. So I'd say they wouldn't have put 20+ on them
Jiggles
Roar Guru
It's arched when he sets Also. Just poor technique all round.
jeznez
Roar Guru
sure but once that outside shoulder drops it is impossible to keep your back straight - it is certainly worth trying him on the otherside, if he is worse there then hooker is the only place I can see him going.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
His back looks like the Sydney harbour too. I doubt he has the strength for 3 tbh...
jeznez
Roar Guru
Shop - some just won't have the skill to master it. In many cases it would just be a matter of time, to learn, master and keep current in the craft. If they are capable of throwing then pretty much all the shorter forwards - be they props or backrowers cannot hurt themselves if they add it as a skill. I didn't do it that frequently but I certainly played some games up the grades as both prop and as openside because I was a bit part thrower (and earlier in my playing days a bit part jumper).
Marley
Guest
Really Justin insulting people is that the best you can do?
Wii
Guest
The Reds of 2011 would have put 20+ points on this rabble and they (Reds) would not have fallen to sleep when they went to the Bench. I think they are still a wee while away from hitting their straps , question in my mind however is will the dead certainties for the Lions e.g Horwill, Genia, Cooper, Ioane etc start stepping off a little closer to the Lions arrival to protect their bodies to prevent injury and possibly missing the tour? This could be asked for all the Australian SR teams, also how will the lions tour affect the conference, surely a team like the force who aren't playing too badly at the moment will fancy their chances against depleted conference teams. Last night alone there were 12 Wallabies in the Reds team and I would expect them to supply a large chunk to the Wallabies for this tour along with the Brumbies, then again seems Deans has a penchant for NSW so who knows
Wii
Guest
Your own comment hints of a bit of boasting Hightackle. After that performance you make such a claim, surely it was in jest?
Wii
Guest
So the original comment here stating the Reds having a good win over a team with 6 ABs and Genia being outstanding isn't getting a little smug? By the way Genia is coming back well but he was hardly outstanding but boy watch out when he hits top gear. I wouldn't say it was a good win at all after amassing a healthy lead they nearly lost to a team who hasn't won all season and are surely certainties for the wooden spoon, with any hope of making the top 8 let alone the top 6 all but gone already unless their is a major turn in form and an unbeaten run here on in and reliant on the top teams ala the Reds, Brumbies, Chiefs etc stumbling badly along the way.
Wii
Guest
Interesting you find the need to just insult the guy as opposed to debate his argument. Come on Justin grow up a bit mate, I don't see anywhere that Lippy has stated anything about the Reds title from years ago. Another poor troll attempt by someone looking to start a blog fight.
Justin2
Guest
Great to see loopy had got over the reds winning the comp a few years ago easily
Dan
Guest
Errrr that should be 'nor a Cooper fan'. Of course I'm a Genia fan. It would pretty hard to not be.
Dan
Guest
Have to agree with high tackle there Lippy. I'm not a reds, nor a genia fan either. However, your comment seems a bit strange. I can't find any comments on the reds being world beaters. There's a few along the lines of them starting to find some form... which they are. This can only be good for the comp (and the wallabies).
Shop
Guest
Jez, why don't all props learn how to throw? No rule states that the no.2 must throw and I think it would be a good asset for any no1 or 3 to have.
Hightackle
Guest
But nobody is raving about the win, nobody. Dont pretend you are reacting to people saying that the Reds were amazing or overplaying the win becuz nobody was.
Lippy
Guest
Not at all Ben just keep it in Perspective is it that hard to.understand. Just read this thread alone and the comments on how poor the Highlanders were/are yet in.Ty same thread people are trying to blow wind up the Reds ar ses at the same time. Reality is the Highlanders are in a major rut suffering their 5th consecutive loss in a row against one of the competition leaders stacked full of international. For petes sake the competition newcomers would surely fancy their chances against the Highlanders based on their current form.
jeznez
Roar Guru
He needs to find another position. I'd like to see him try the other side of the scrum or switch to hooker if he can throw. A lot of his scrumming issues are with keeping his left shoulder up, that wouldn't be an issue at tight head. Not sure if he is strong enough to manage at THP but his body shape with relatively small shoulders would actually suit the three jumper.
elevenyearold
Guest
Almost the reds of old! Will Genia and Quade Cooper are finally clicking but Quade has to re-learn to take the line on without losing possession. He was doing it well before the injury but still hasn't recovered hes old abilities. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Jiggles
Roar Guru
I used to like Daley for the work he put in around the park, but since his shoulder injury his scrum has gone backwards so much so that it's now a genuine liability. I think the Reds need to find another prop option.