Highlanders V Crusaders Round 2 (2012)

[AngrySeahorse]

Tom Donnelly returns to play his old team on their turf. Looking forward to this game. Full house apparently.

Just a note on the other games, did anyone see Lions v Hurricanes Rd2 (sounded like a cracker), & the Chiefs surprised me against the Blues (very good bounce back from them).

Now, the Southern Darby begins!

 

[AngrySeahorse]

3-0 Highlanders.

 

[AngrySeahorse]

Excellent counter ruck from the Saders after a charge down.

Not the best pass to Fruean afterwards though. Highlanders very physical early.

Scrum penalty. Tyler misses the attempt. 3-0 Highlanders 7min in.

8min in Crusaders look good ball in hand but Tyler gets caught a bit without strong support & turns the ball over. Good shut down & counter by Highlanders.

Great pace in this game. Highlanders trying the counter a bit but gets caught not supporting body weight properly (use of knees). Tyler lines up for another penalty kick.

 

[spooony]

It was a ding dong battle. Lions thought they snatched it with a late try from Butch James only to denied in the end by a Barret kick to steal the win. It was a humdinger going back and forth where both sides swap the lead through the match.

Happy slap session between Thomson and Sam Whitelock haha

 

[AngrySeahorse]

The slap is in fashion it seems Spooony, lol.

Poor Lions they must have been gutted. Credit to the Hurricanes though they have a tough start being straight over in SA & with the players they've lost. Hopefully I'll get to see a replay of that game.

3 all Highlanders v Crusaders.

 

[AngrySeahorse]

Dagg is in! Great try!

Question if Freuan pass to Todd was forward, very hard to pick up for the ref at pace. As a Saders supporter I'll call it a line ball

10-3 Saders

 

[spooony]

Fruean looks really up for it today. Smells like a lot of fantasy points coming from him in this match

Bleyendaal did not miss this time

Just check his wrist

 

[AngrySeahorse]

Was just thinking I should put Robbie into my fantasy team.

Now, Andrew Hore is over! Wow, we are in for a game if the opening is anything to go by!

10-all.

 

[AngrySeahorse]

Boosha! Big tackle from Franks. Highlanders kick nearly charged down. Great jinking run from Marshall. Saders go too close to line & are in touch. Bekhuis with a knee issue I think.

Tom Donnelly gets a big 'welcome back' tackle there.

Around 21min in Highlanders with a great run up the guts but last pass didnt go to hand, good scramble from Saders. Good Sader scrum & good dart & clearing kick from Ellis.

Great defence Saders but a player is offside, Highlanders adv. Gear nearly though! Adv. is over. Good touch finder Highlanders. Highlanders are at a higher gear (no pun intended) at the moment. Saders starting a bit slow again.

 

[spooony]

Welcome back to Dunedin Tom Donnelly

One 22 to the other good game Nice dart from Hardy there

 

[AngrySeahorse]

Saders in touch again. We are fine with the ball in hand but our usual brick wall defence has been penetrated a few too many times. Credit must go to the highlanders on that front they have executed well in attack.

 

[spooony]

Hardie is having a cracking game.

 

[AngrySeahorse]

Some big defence from the Saders but penalised again, Ben Franks off his feet.

13-10 Highlanders, penalty successful.

Tyler overcooks the restart.

Saders get scrum penalised (screwing it apparently) to me the Saders were pushing the Highlanders back & dominating the scrum. Tough call. Penalty kick is wide & misses.

 

[spooony]

He got pinned for trolling lol

 

[p.Tah]

How good is this stadium.

 

[AngrySeahorse]

Highlanders very much in control of this game but as they did against the Blues the Crusaders are hanging tough. Scrum penalty against Highlanders. And now a BIG HIT!!!! on Marshall who had to catch the ball from up high which left him extra vulnerable to a huge hit.

 

[spooony]

How good is this stadium.

Why you looking to rent it?

 

[AngrySeahorse]

The stadium looks great.

 

[AngrySeahorse]

Brilliant tackle from the Saders, dont know who it was though.

 

[p.Tah]

Why you looking to rent it?

Give my kids somewhere to play when it's raining.

That was a massive hit.