Round 3: Moana Pasifika v Rebels - Friday 8 March 2024

[Highlander35]

It's funny, I completely disagree with those calls.

Strachan is a journeyman at best, but our backs look substantially better when Kellaway isn't being obligated to spend time at first receiver, and without Proctor I don't think we should be forcing it.

I'd definitely prefer to see Glen given another opportunity to start ahead of Anderson though, he's started the season off much more slowly than he has in the last two.

 

[Shiggins]

If the rebels don't let Moana get off to a good start they can win this game. It's clear from the force game that they are a confidence side and when they are in the game they are competitive. I still think last week's win has more to do with the intercept try, kick off try against the run of play that got them back into the game making them switch on. Not so much the benches like everyone is saying. If they are in the game they have a good very chance of winning. If Moana get off to a good start they will lose by many

 

[Hawko]

12 months ago we had Hodge doing all that.

Fair point. But given the disastrous kicking for Mr Jones, why did he start this year? (Is my wider point).

 

[Dctarget]

I genuinely think there's more players on the ground than fans in the stands.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

This game will have bugger all atmosphere as it is being played in Hamilton as the field at Albany isn't ready

Big Tongan & Samoan communities here in the Tron plus Auckland's not much more than an hour away now so I think they'll go OK crowd-wise c.f. Albany.

Got that waaay wrong, may as well be playing behind closed doors

 

[Dctarget]

Poor Robbie, great break into space and now off within the first two minutes. Hurts with Wilkin off too.

 

[Dctarget]

Kemeny good steal in the LO, looked like Salakai-Loto got the ball over but reliable Kellaway eventually scores it with still a bit to do.

 

[Dctarget]

Why start Strachan and leave Gordon kicking?

 

[Dctarget]

Hmm Rebels bit sneaky bringing Rob back on for blood bin...

 

[Dctarget]

Only been 10 minutes but Uelese has been good. Nailed his throws and set up a good try for Louwrens, happy to see the Rebels start a bit faster.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Hmm Rebels bit sneaky bringing Rob back on for blood bin...

Massive wound under all that strapping that's holding his leg on

 

[Dctarget]

Pickerill fluffed that call on Talakai, wasn't even the tackler.

 

[Dctarget]

Kellaway getting a cross field kick off is surely use of our knock on advantage, rough on MP (Moana Pasifika).

 

[rugbyAU]

What happened to Leota?

 

[Wilson]

Getting away with taking the man out there. It was big man on small but it looked like a clear deviation from the rebels player to throw a shoulder in.

 

[Dctarget]

What happened to Leota?

Made a great break then did something to his lower leg in running through. Went off, came back on a bit later for 5 minutes then got pulled again.

 

[Wilson]

A bit of a nothing option for the Rebels with that little chip over the top from Gordon there, would like to see them put the foot on the throat and not let up.

 

[Wilson]

Again with the silly kicks wasting field position. The pack the Rebels have they should just play phases and brutalise Moana for a while when they're down near the red zone, the holes will open up for them pretty soon afterwards.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Record-breaking try for The Bus.

 

[Wilson]

Hell yeah, no more Folau at the top. Never liked a Savea try more.