Few thoughts from the game
1. The Brumbies ability to retain possession was appalling. In the second half they only once got past two phases (and that was three phases) before turning it over you kicking it into the arms of the Highlanders.
2. Kicking for field position or a to get off their line was similarly shocking. Lilo is a great goal kicker (at long last!!) but the vast majority of their kicks from the field just gifted possession back to the Highlanders.
3. Haven't seen official stats but possession must have been 70:30 to Highlanders. Great breakdown work by Hooper and others gave the ball to the brumbies but they either couldn't or did not want to retain the ball. That the Highlanders lost with that much possession must be a worry to them.
4. Overall a game where basic skills in many areas were lacking by the Brums - but the fact that they still managed to win was actually a positive sign. It was a game that could have gone either way and I don't think it was in any way a great win by the Brumbies - they had the potential to slaughter the Highlanders if they had been capable of retaining possession.
5. Slade's injury was a turning point - the Highlanders did not have the same organization in the backs
Some observations from the game.
It wasnt that cold - whoever mentioned that earlier must have been dreaming.
That's the thing about tipping and predictions though, very far from a perfect science. Who would have thought that the Tahs would be 1 from 4 before yesterday, and that the Blues and Highlanders would be in their respective ladder spots in the NZ conference after five rounds?It's interesting that those alleged 'experts' outside of Canberra who have never seen this team of young guys at training instantly assume they'd come last and tipped them to do so in their respective publications season predictions section.
But hey, nobody's perfect.
Well done Brumbies! Top of the OZ conference after Round 5, who'd a thunk? After watching them in the Trial v. the Reds I didn't really hold out much for their chances in 2012, but they are playing very positively as a team, good to see. Big game at Suncorp in a fortnight.
I'll save you nothing Newter. Stick to your own guidelines for your own work, and I'll stick to mine.
Just as it should be on an open forum permitting free expression not subject to the instructions or stylistic imposition of any one person.
Hooper also made 26 of his 31 attempted tackles...
Apparently he's the fittest guy in the team...