Highlanders vs Cheetahs, RD 4 2013

[Bairdy]

Just caught the last 10 minutes of the first half, and looks like they are going wide too often, and Cheetahs just intercepting seemingly at will.

Score at half time is 7-30 to the Cheetahs!

 

[Tangawizi]

Is Nonu some sort of Super Rugby jinx?

 

[Hugh Jarse]

All the euphoria of tipping Canes over Crusaders could disappear pretty soon if the second half continues along the same lines as the first half.

 

[Bairdy]

Poki in 3 minutes into the second half, after several phases of direct, hard running. 12-30

 

[Bardon]

Sopoaga had a nightmare. Kicked out on the full twice including at the very start, threw intercept for a try, charged down for another try. He did set up the Highlanders try when he spotted the Cheetahs had no one sweeping and put a well weighted kick in behind close to the line. Finally hooked with 2 minutes to go. Colin Slade is on for the first time since getting injured in the RWC, almost his first act was to throw an intercept which would have been a 7 pointers under his own posts if the Cheetahs winger didn't take his eye off the ball for a second.

Highlanders have made yards and found gaps when they've attacked the Cheetahs but their own mistakes gave them a big lead. Wouldn't be surprised if the Highlanders come back to make this one at least close if not snatch it.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

If Cheaters play some disciplined and patient (and simple) rugby they will win this game comfortably.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

If Cheaters play some disciplined and patient (and simple) rugby they will win this game comfortably.

Highlanders it is then

 

[Bairdy]

Ben Smith is all class in attack and has shown some glimpses in defence, shutting down a 2 on 1 certain try a few minutes ago

 

[ACR]

Highlanders are playing schoolboy rugby. Just awful. Have to say, and don't call me biased because I'm a Highlanders fan, the ref is pretty bloody liberal with the offside line, not rolling away and the goddam jersey pulling.

James Haskell got 5 weeks for punching one of these cheating hoohas last year for the same thing.

 

[No4918]

5 second rule at the rucks is hopeless. Highlanders told twice to use it and still took an eternity.

 

[Bardon]

Nice try from Poki to complete his hat-trick.

 

[Bairdy]

Kade Poki over again in the 72nd minute but too little too late it seems. Cheetahs dominated the gain line. 19-33

 

[FrankLind]

The Highlanders bought a whole heap of older players and haven't invested in new talent. They have a journeyman coach (much like Canterbury). In summary, they kind of suck.

The Blues and the Chiefs are the strongest sides in NZ.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

NZ Commentators "...effervescent display from the Cheeters ...."

Somehow I just can't imagine that from Rabbits Warren and Gus Gould in mungoland.

 

[Tangawizi]

Highlanders were about $1.05 to win that. Luckily I thought that was a bit short.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Cheeters thoroughly deserved their victory.

They took their chances when offered, got in the Highlanders face when on defence and denied them time and space.

Great effort from a team who have often struggled to perform away from home.

Curtain Raiser is over, Now for the Main Course at Canberra Stadium.

 

[ACR]

The Highlanders bought a whole heap of older players and haven't invested in new talent. They have a journeyman coach (much like Canterbury). In summary, they kind of suck.

The Blues and the Chiefs are the strongest sides in NZ.

Agreed, Thorn 38, Woocock, 32, Nonu, 30, Hore 34. They're nearly discards (maybe not Hore) and they're starting to show their age. Thomson gone, Croswell gone, Nasi Manu out of the forwards and Tamati Ellison out of the backs, both injured for the year. Persisting with two locks (not Thorn) with the combined IQ of a rugby ball, we're looking pretty meh.

And people suggested we would be title contenders this year, tut tut.

Oh.. and well done to the Cheetahs. They played well.

 

[Bardon]

Cheetahs were very good today. Signs of brittle confidence when they went for the 3 instead of the bonus point try towards the end. Can't really blame them with the start they've had to the season and the fact it's their first win over the Highlanders.

Poki's performance, some flashes from Ben Smith and the fact that Slade got 40+ minutes of rugby under his belt are the only real positive for the Highlanders.

 

[boyo]

Based on that performance the Cheetahs will claim several well-favoured scalps this season.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Stats from the Phone Ap

Otago 19 – Cheeters 36

Tries
Otago: 3
Cheeters: 3

Conversion
Otago: 2
Cheeters: 3

Penalties
Otago: 0/1
Cheeters: 5/5

Possession OTAGO 71% Cheeters 29%
% Time in Op 1/2 OTAGO 49 Cheeters 51
Total Phases OTAGO 48 Cheeters 38
7+ Phases OTAGO 0 Cheeters 0
Penalties Conceded OTAGO 10 Cheeters 11
Total Runs OTAGO 123 Cheeters 38
Turnovers OTAGO 19 Cheeters 10
Line Break OTAGO 4 Cheeters 1
Missed Tackles OTAGO 4 Cheeters 27
Handling Error OTAGO 14 Cheeters 7
Scrum Wins OTAGO 7 Cheeters 7
Lineouts OTAGO 14/0 Cheeters 7/1

With stats like that you would think that the Highlanders should have won by about 20 points.