Rebels vs Highlanders - AAMI Park - 2011R09

[dobduff11]

Holy crap that was an awesome try from thompson

 

[Moses]

Jesus Cipriani, was that a tackle or were you just feeling Thomson up?

 

[Victorian Reds Fan]

Jesus Cipriani, was that a tackle or were you just feeling Thomson up?

Lol, good description. Useless defender and dropped the high ball.

 

[James Buchanan]

Not sold on hilgendorf

 

[James Buchanan]

That was due. They've been better at the breakdown all night.

 

[darkhorse]

Ugly... I couldn't take it after halftime. Lineout was shit, defence was worse and the backs looked disorganised in attack. Can't quite pick why but I knew it wasn't going to be their night by the 15min mark.

I think the loss of Morty really hurt them. Gerrard is definitely better at the back as well. I think the new centre combination was responsible for alot of the defensive problems. Hopefully with a bit of time it'll improve. It better, or they ought to hope Morty gets back quickly.

 

[Moono75]

Jeez I like the way the Highlanders guts it out. Adam Thompson is an inspiration. Need to check out the Highlanders winger (14), that was a great try. Their hooker Rutledge was gutsy....I saw he had a head clash with a Rebels player who was split open and he kept on playing. He also had a massive collision with Rodzilla and kept on ticking.....love the commitment.

 

[Scotty]

I don't think Gerrard completed a tackle all night. Shocking midfield defense. Just did his chance of sneaking into the RWC squad a lot of harm.

 

[ChargerWA]

This Higlanders team is screaming fucking proof that we need a comp equivalent to the ITM Cup. They have bought the form they were showing all through the domestic comp, built around the core group of players, who play together all year. What an advantage.

 

[qwerty51]

Heh Gerrard was never going to make the WC squad. Love this Highlanders side, tough bunch of forwards and very serviceable backs.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

They're a great bunch of battlers, aren't they? Hats off to them.

 

[DPK]

This Higlanders team is screaming fucking proof that we need a comp equivalent to the ITM Cup. They have bought the form they were showing all through the domestic comp, built around the core group of players, who play together all year. What an advantage.

Same with the SBW-Freuen combination; the partnership was forged in the ITM Cup for Cantebury.

 

[Bullrush]

This Higlanders team is screaming fucking proof that we need a comp equivalent to the ITM Cup. They have bought the form they were showing all through the domestic comp, built around the core group of players, who play together all year. What an advantage.

Maybe....I think the biggest difference in the Highlanders this year though is the coach - Jamie Joseph. He coached the unbeaten Maori team last year which included wins over England and Ireland (I think).

He seems to have a knack for taking the 'left-overs' and giving them real pride and passion in their play.If you look at the Highlanders backline - NO-ONE thought they would be anywhere as good as what they have been.

I'm a big Pat Lam fan but Jamie Joseph could be building a case to be a great AB coach in the future.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

And he played rugby over here in WA

 

[ACT Crusader]

Jeez I like the way the Highlanders guts it out. Adam Thompson is an inspiration. Need to check out the Highlanders winger (14), that was a great try. Their hooker Rutledge was gutsy....I saw he had a head clash with a Rebels player who was split open and he kept on playing. He also had a massive collision with Rodzilla and kept on ticking.....love the commitment.

The no14 is Kade Poki. Played for the Saders the last couple of years but was injured for most of last year. Plays for Tasman in the ITM cup @ centre, but he is clearly an out and out winger. No room for him in the Saders this year

 

[James Buchanan]

I think the only positive thing to come out of this game for the Rebels is the no-nonsense noise that is being given to the press about how disappointing they believe they were. That is only a good thing if it prompts some response from the players. That being said, given the team's history this season I wouldn't be surprised to see them start to pick themselves up again. However, the rest of the season is not as forgiving as what has come before now, so it could be a very tough second half.