oh good, we are so fucked We're playing the Roosters, who are suddenly up and about. Our form is absolute dogshit, and we couldn't score in a brothel with hundred dollar notes tied to our cocks And so the troops to rescue us: Fucking Jazz Tevaga, captain dick fingers, die with the ball himself. And that is it. TMM keeps his spot, somehow. He must be well rested, given he did approximately fuck all on the weekend. Our glacially slow attack is all there (though Capewell not being there probably increases the overall speed to "walk") Doooooomed

So the Highlanders currently have 19 losses in a row against NZ opposition. Almost catching Umaga's Blues who had 20 games in a row without a win (there was a draw against the Chiefs in there) Against the Crusaders its 10 losses, 1 win & a draw in the last 12 The last win was four matches ago: 33-12 back in 2021:

Regarding the game Blues had bad luck last time losing some key players. But the Canes should have won by a lot more. I thought a poor game by Cameron was a bit part of the reason for this TJ was disappointing in his last start so he needs to be much better for this game. Cameron hopefully (if he starts) finds form because he been mostly only adequate so far. The Canes need to have both these 2 performing well to have any hope of winning away from home. if they do find form I would expect the Canes to win in a close game The starting team will likely be fairly predictable. Its the outside backs reserves they need to get right. Judd will be one. I would include Higgins. Rayasi after last week may also make the team but he's a risk. Sullivan looked only Ok last week and possible needs longer to get back to top form Ive also been disappointed in IWL in recent weeks. After starting the year like a potential AB. Maybe a change here is needed. Start Sangster (or the tall Aussie) and IWL out or in the reserves

The Reds are good example of how much more competitive this year is They've played all NZ sides once. They've beaten the Chiefs, Highlanders & Crusaders. They pushed the other two NZ sides. The Canes needed extra time to win and the Blues won the game with a late surge The reason they are only in 5th is because they've been tipped over by sides they'd be expected to beat - the Force & Moana Pasifika.

I feel a bit of the fizz has gone out of the sevens this year with standards dropping quite a bit. I don't think the format has done the men's competition any favours, but the womens does seem improved. Countries like Fiji, South Africa and NZ just seem to be going through the motions quite a bit, knowing they can still be champs if they scrape into top 8. Quite a bit of luck in the 3 pool thing too. I feel it was far better with 16 teams and with a chance to blood newbies against a weaker team. All so sudden death now and maybe that is why the play is more conservative and less spectacular. And less colour on the sidelines. Where are the Fijians? How do others see it?

Starting this thread early noting that it's almost a double point game at this stage of the year. Winner will get a huge boost to their chances of finishing top at the end of the regular season. Plenty of key match-ups across the park but three I want to highlight are: Tu'ungafasi vs Lomax: two All Blacks go toe to toe up front, the latter in the form of his career. Whoever wins this battle will likely dictate which team gets parity up front and it will go a long way in helping their team get the right result on Saturday. Papali'i vs Lakai: an incumbent AB vs an AB in waiting. This match-up is one to saviour, both players have been in fine form this year and the breakdown is likely to be hotly contested in this game. If Lakai can outplay Papali'i in a game of this magnitude it could slingshot him further into AB contention. Perenara vs Funaki: assuming Funaki starts again for the Blues, this match-up will be fun to watch. Perenara will likely be selected by Razor but I also really like the look of Funaki. If Funaki can win this battle on Saturday night he's another exciting player that could propel himself into national selection later this year.

Maths nerds, how many more losses before the crusaders are done and dusted? As others have said, two wins probably get the crusaders there. Highlanders away and finishing with Moana Pacifica. Drua are 4 points away in 8th. They have a run home with force, red, Highlanders, rebels. Two wins look quite possible, one very likely. They are more likely than the Highlanders to get to the finals Highlanders have the crusaders, Blues, drua and canes. Currently six points clear off crusaders, so one win probably gets them home, and if it's this week then almost certain Moana Pacifica have chiefs canes Waratahs crusaders to finish. Two wins looks unlikely