Waratahs v Highlanders - Super Rugby round 3

[waratahjesus]

The highlanders are playing with so much pace, they have to run outta energy sometime surely.

 

[AngrySeahorse]

Tahs scrum looked good.

Having said that Highlanders are winning the battle of the breakdown.

Lovely stepping from Kingston after that Tahs scrum (about 30min in)

 

[I like to watch]

The 10/12 channel in that blues game was a liability. Hangers especially.

Why is playing with width, something that has been talked about as a tactic due to the Highlanders narrow defense instantly an illustration of foley conceding the forward battle. Shouldn't the plan be to win the forwards and play wide?

Yeah, conceding is the forward battle is not the correct description, it is hard to go wide behind a beaten pack in any event. But playing to the edges is easier with BB at 12 than Carter

 

[tigerland12]

Tatafu's throwing is way off tonight

 

[AngrySeahorse]

I agree with the Kiwi commentators that both throwers have been poor so far.

 

[Spewn]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. McCutcheon is no 7 and is no good. Great bloke though, Joeys old boy, and good chops. I suppose that makes up for the deficiencies.

 

[AngrySeahorse]

He just put on a pretty good hit though, some more of those would be nice. It is quite amazing the highlanders havent had another try.

Small victory to the Tahs to still be ahead all things considering. Expect the Highlanders to win it in the second half if they take their opportunities & if both teams come out with much the same intent again as the first half.

 

[Bowside]

Labeling bryce lawrence a shithouse ref doesn't do justice to how bad he is at times.

 

[waratahjesus]

Tahs really need a fetcher.

 

[#1 Tah]

Labeling bryce lawrence a shithouse ref doesn't do justice to how bad he is at times.

Anyone else notice that he gave advantage for not releasing, then called back play for a different penalty altogether? (might have been going off feet.)

 

[mark_s]

I think Bryce has been ok, its been a fast game and not easy to ref

 

[AngrySeahorse]

I'm happy to be proved wrong after watching a replay of the game under closer scrutiny but so far I'm giving Bryce a pass mark.

 

[waratahjesus]

The highlanders breakdown play is employing someone coming in from the side every second ruck, there actual pushing diagonally, last week I thought they did so less but still saw it but tonight they are deploying it constantly. Hopefully the Tahs have a word to he ref at halftime. The Highlanders don't need to do it, there strong enough to meet head on.

 

[kiap]

Landers dominating except on the scoreboard

 

[waratahjesus]

Landers dominating except on the scoreboard

View attachment 2084

Would be interesting to see a comparison about possession so far this year, especially first halves, most I have seen, the team leading Leeds on has been behind.

 

[Spewn]

Tahs really need a fetcher.

That's what I'm saying.

 

[Lior]

Lawrence has been okay, but he is killing the contest at the breakdown. Both teams afraid to contest it due to his pedantic style of reffing. Phil Waugh is in the stand cringing I bet.

 

[AngrySeahorse]

Holy flerking smit! McCuthoen charge down & over!!!!

 

[Spewn]

Looks like egg on my face after that. But still not a 7.

 

[tigerland12]

Just a winding? Uhhhhh.....