Round 3: Waratahs v Highlanders - Friday 8 March 2024

[Derpus]

shouldn’t be missing those really…

 

[Pokinacha]

Vailanu got a nut from Renton and Damon, blinded by the occasion, snuffs it.

 

[Prodigy]

Go back to where Murphy calls the advantage and note the spot on the ground. Ended takes the kick about 5 meters back and 3-4 meters wider

 

[molman]

.. well that sucks. That was a very winnable game. They looked somewhat gassed. I feel that they played a lot for not enough reward in that first half. Chasing those early 10pts was the undoing.

 

[Wilson]

Not sure they could've stopped the try, but letting him in field for an easier conversion might be telling in this game

Called it

 

[KOB1987]

The thing that is embedded in my memory from that game was that last short 45 degree lineout throw by the highlanders. Wasn’t necessarily the difference between winning and losing but that was just poor, with the touchie literally right there.

 

[Wilson]

Not really sure what to make of the tahs or highlanders at this point. Both look a bit too variable but should be competing for the 8 at the end.

I am firming on my opinion of the Crusaders though, they're looking well off the pace

 

[Wilson]

tahs backrow well below where they needed to be, struggled to compete where it was available and gave away too many penalties when it wasn't. Didn't bring much on the carry either. Complete 180 from last week where they were largely excellent, particularly as a unit.

 

[rugbyAU]

.. well that sucks. That was a very winnable game. They looked somewhat gassed. I feel that they played a lot for not enough reward in that first half. Chasing those early 10pts was the undoing.

Exactly too shit a start, in a short season that is the type of game that we just have to win

 

[Derpus]

Absolutely not blaming the result on the refs, Tahs were atrocious in that second half.

BUT, and I noticed this last week at super duper magic round, the refs miss shit you’d pick up in park footy. Really really low quality.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

NSFW had a bit more verve in possession but it went a bit rudderless in the last 20.

Landers not really treasuring the seed pill gilbert rugby football as much.

Starting to think Barkays Fakatava high risk highwire style might not be suited to test match rugby football..........

Meh, he still has other talents

 

[KOB1987]

.. well that sucks. That was a very winnable game. They looked somewhat gassed. I feel that they played a lot for not enough reward in that first half. Chasing those early 10pts was the undoing.

Also don’t underestimate the energy expended last Saturday night v Cru and then a 6 day turnaround.

 

[TSR]

tahs backrow well below where they needed to be, struggled to compete where it was available and gave away too many penalties when it wasn't. Didn't bring much on the carry either. Complete 180 from last week where they were largely excellent, particularly as a unit.

Interesting. I saw it differently. I thought Hanigan was excellent. Gamble & Gleeson not so much excellent but I thought they got through a lot of work. Won’t be surprised if Gambles tackle count is way up there as he seemed to be getting around a lot. Gleeson probably another step down but I noticed he was first cleaner a lot.

As a team though they did turn a bit of ball over, maybe they have something to answer for there.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Tahs socials don't care what the ref says

 

[molman]

Also don’t underestimate the energy expended last Saturday night v Cru and then a 6 day turnaround.

... I don't. Which is why you need to be smart as a team how you approach a game. It's something that has undone a lot of AU teams over the years, going hard for a half and looking good, only to taper off and get blown away in the second half.

That didn't happen, but you saw how much that second half slowed down.

 

[Marce]

I can't believe

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

View attachment 18372
Tahs socials don't care what the ref says

English cricket team vibes.

 

[Wilson]

Interesting. I saw it differently. I thought Hanigan was excellent. Gamble & Gleeson not so much excellent but I thought they got through a lot of work. Won’t be surprised if Gambles tackle count is way up there as he seemed to be getting around a lot. Gleeson probably another step down but I noticed he was first cleaner a lot.

As a team though they did turn a bit of ball over, maybe they have something to answer for there.

Gamble let a lot of opportunities to get on the ball go begging, Murphy was paying good contest and the highlanders got good pay where Gamble couldn't mostly because he folded over without really attacking the ball. Hanigan was a bit the same but would then give away the penalty by latching afterwards. He did get one good steal but more generally his (and Gleeson's) error rate was too high. Vailanu was much better at the ruck than any of the backrow. Additionally, if you can't secure your own ball it probably means your back row is doing something wrong.

 

[shanky]

Oh well, annual hope-blip done with.


back to Shute Shield!!!!

 

[Marce]

.. well that sucks. That was a very winnable game. They looked somewhat gassed. I feel that they played a lot for not enough reward in that first half. Chasing those early 10pts was the undoing.

Those 10 points in the first 10 minutes. We lost the game there