Highlanders vs Fijian Drua: Super Rugby Pacific live scores

Blimmin cheating Highlanders...

Yeah across the entire world right, for close on 20 years and they are getting worse. It is now a feat just to beat a NZ super side anywhere on any ground let alone NZ. You guys can bring your own ref.. doesnt really help. When you are crap, you are crap right, regardless of ref. I wonder whether Austtalia should forego internationals and just try to beat a NZ SR side :stoked:

I think what you mean to say is be good if the ref threw the rule book out and used your instead. It's ok, most losing sides play this card. All they really need is a hug and a box of tissues.

Its ok, dont need them. Check tge record books. I love it when people whinge… means we are winning and them… not so much. Unfortunately many Aussies have become really proficent in the art of whinging… 20 years is it? :happy: Not ro say kiwis dont do a good impression at whinging as well, just not as practiced in the art.

Eloquently put Ray.

Nikora Broughton was outstanding for BOP West and has stepped up to SRP very well.

For the first time in the season their attacking phase moves of many seasons stuck. And their defence went up a notch even if Drua do telegraph that expecting their athleticism to work one on one. Just didn't this time around just off the plane from the island and about to get back on one.

Especially because they've had many injuries over two last seasons.

Wow!! How good was that! Vintage Highlanders rugby, the team has been hammered with injuries, even before the Drua game more injuries, it’s getting ridiculous the injury list. But that didn’t stop the Highlanders, almost looked like the team took all their frustrations onto the field. The whole team was excellent! Aaron Smith, dialling back the years with one of his best performances for a long time. Sniping runs, passing like a machine, it was epic! Ethan de Groot! He’s a tough physical player, the opposition defenders know when he’s on the field. Leni Apisai, was awesome too, strong ball carrier puts everything into his game How wicked was Sean Withy! Massive work ethic especially around the rucks, but got involved anywhere he could to make a difference. Awesome on defence as well. Nikora Broughton.. Gees, this is a dude worth watching. BOP player with a big future, a gift for rugby. He’s got a lot of natural talent, only 21. Hope he keeps it up Last but not least Sam Gilbert!! Geezas! Impressive, very exciting to watch Gilbert, switching to the midfield without any problems. He’s wicked. Great stuff Highlanders, getting through the Blues, Crusaders and the Chiefs was always going to be a huge task, now they can get into a roll with some of the.. let’s just say lesser teams.

Just as long as you can take your own referee with you ;-)

to be fair, there' only a small number of unqualified observers, but they do a lot of moaning.

Wishful thinking Doc. The ABs and SR sides actually travel better than any other team... so I figure we will ok, but thanks for your concern.

Nothing wrong with the reffing, those Drua thugs blindside hits, tried to intimidate the highlanders, they got what they deserved!

I’ll give you a quick breakdown of last nights and todays game, based on the roar comments: crusaders v Brumbies , ref bad, NZ players ‘ institutionalised cheats, Brums hard done by Tahs v Chiefs, ref bad, NZ players institutionalised cheats, Tahs hard done by Drua v Clan, ref bad, NZ players institutionalised cheats, Drua hard done by Can’t wait to see what pops up for the Canes v Moana, but I suspect the Rebels v Reds is going to be hard to place comments on, unless an NZ ref is involved which then makes it a bit easier to apportion blame for whichever side you support losing and dishing up dross.

I came here to get a sense of the match and the TL;DR is that perhaps the qualified referees could help matters by declaring themselves in the comments? Otherwise this thread comes across as a large number of unqualified observers bemoaning the qualified refereeing team, with little else to guide the interested rugby enthusiast who is not near a television. There also is some bemoaning about the refereeing driving away spectators, which I find odd in a match which had 13 tries (count 'em!). Perhaps it is us who are the problem. I will wait for the after-match reports to find out what happened, and if there's a qualified ref who watched the match, could they leap on board please?

Great to see the Highlanders in full flight. New players seemed to slot in seamlessly. What about that back up Hooker? Looks like he should be first year first xv. Good on him. Shut the Drua down with great smothering defence. That breakdown seemed poorly policed clearing out past the ruck. Never mind. Great entertainment.

Absolutely.

This is closer to the Highlanders I know. So worrying the injuries.

I wonder if it will hurt nz come World Cup with northern hemisphere refs who seem to be focused on ruck speed. Don’t think they will allow a wild free for all .

It hasn't yet. There is no accountability in refereeing.