Highlanders v Sharks
I don't think anyone had very high expectations from this young, inexperienced Highlanders side, but the way the Highlanders lost was disappointing.
Disappointing
Coltman's line-out throwing was very bad (not that it was ever good, but it was just very noticeable in this game). Ill-discipline was costly (Curwin Bosch kicked 3 penalty goals). The Sharks conceded way more penalties (15; the Highlanders conceded 7), but not where they could lead to successful kicks at goal (and the Landers chose the line-out anyway).
Rob Thompson - the most experienced back on the field - didn't lead by example, displaying a poor kicking game and making several other, uncharacteristic mistakes. Both Mitch Hunt and Josh Ioane couldn't get the backline firing and both produced wide passes that were almost intercepted by the speedy Sharks' backs. I don't know the reason for this 10-12 experiment, but it didn't work. Next game, they should try Ioane at 10, possibly with Hunt at 15 instead of McKay. Stat: Hunt missed two of his four kicks at goal (50%). Curwin Bosch's kicking percentage was 88% (he missed one kick).
The inexperienced back three of Jona Nareki, Tima Fainga'anuku and Josh McKay couldn't get past the big South African defensive line: small men trying to run through big men usually doesn't work, but they tried it anyway. Gutsy, but not effective. Trying to catch the high ball with a big opposition player chasing, also wasn't a success. The back three also displayed the poor kicking game that we saw from Thompson. Not sure what the game plan was, but it either wasn't a good game plan, or it was poorly executed.
The most disappointing stat of the night was that of turnovers: the Highlanders conceded 21 against the Sharks' 8.
Positives
Full credit should be given to the Sharks, with their powerful, big backline. Particularly, Makazole Mapimpi and Aphelele Fassi, who were running great lines with speed, were outstanding. The Sharks managed to turn many opportunities into tries - often feeding of Highlanders' mistakes. The Highlanders had no answer to the Sharks incredible line-speed.
It was not all doom and gloom for the Highlanders though. The scrum went reasonably well; the Highlanders won 100% of their own scrums (the Sharks only 57%), especially Siate Tokolahi deserves a mention in this respect. The line-out improved considerably when Ash Dixon came on and there was a short Highlanders resurgence in the second half that could, and should, have made the score closer, if it wasn't for some soft tries given away at the end of the second half.
Marino Mikaele-Tu'u was outstanding at number 8 and, by far, the best Highlander of the night. Most running metres of all players (105m), 3 clean breaks and 7 defenders beaten. Aaron Smith, despite a few bad passes, also had a very good game, both with his crisp passing and fast running.
My MVP: Aphelele Fassi Best Highlanders player: Marino Mikaele-Tu'u Best Highlanders forward: Mikaele-Tu'u Best Highlanders back: Aaron Smith Most disappointing: Liam Coltman and Rob Thompson Greatest worry: the lack of size in the backs (especially the back three) and the team's inability to deal with the opposition's line-speed (I think we're going to reach that conclusion more often this season)
(write-up based on detailed notes of the game and ESPN stats)
Plenty of endeavour by the Highlanders, but lacking a bit of accuracy.
In the end they've been burned by a poor 15 minutes in the first half where they leaked tries - and another soft try in the second half (and yet another while I'm typing).
Sharks backs with a bit more size and speed - and more clinical when given their chances.
Highlanders lineout pretty poor. Tactic of trying to go around the rush defence - by going wide - hasn't worked.
Back to the drawing board.
Turns out it's the Sharks with the can of whoop ass!
@Dolamite said in Highlanders v Sharks:
Who’s the other commentator? He keeps telling us how good Rob Thompson is everytime he makes a mistake lol
He's from the soccer blind commentary team. Thompson was dreadful.
Some great signs for South African rugby, so much size in the forwards which is nothing new, but the flair that is coming through especially in the outside backs is amazing ..I thought the Highlanders forward pack was systematically bullied off the paddock ...
Every Highlanders player seemed to be man handled like it was men playing boys ..
Very convincing win to the Sharks in the end, I thought the final score actually flattered the Highlanders ..
Could be the Sharks year ..!
@Steven-Harris yeah across the board the Sharks players just seemed bigger and more robust in the exchanges.
So Landers did the right thing in that 2nd half to speed the game up. Looked good, but then a couple of times when they had to score they coughed it up.
@Stargazer said in Highlanders v Sharks:
Best Highlanders forward: Mikaele-Tu'u
Best Highlanders back: Aaron Smith
By a long, long way unfortunately.
BOOM. Fucken take that naysayers. That's how you shit the bed.
Highlanders appear to have spent the extra week taking etiquette lessons in how to curtsey and smile meekly whilst waving visitors in.
Mixed bag from Fainganuku, who seemed to get better but will forever be judged by me on his biggest run. Nothing makes my blood boil more than watching a winger with the corner open decide he'd rather run into the cover.
Matchbox 20 stone, what an atrocious performance. Too much weights not enough basic skills work.
Something finally goes right for a SG special! Take a bow Mikael...Mika...Marino!
Backline looked better with Ioane leading it last year than what I saw tonight. Although we probably missed Walden more than anything.
That performance at the breakdown and general forward performance reminded me of the last time I was a canes supporter. Wonder what the link is?
Don't really get the fuss about McKay. Think I'd rather see Collins given a bash.
Dickson went well, good to see Hunt back out there and Lentjes actually starting to look like he's earnt his spot.
Onwards and upwards.
For me we just do not have enough firepower and need our best 15 on the field at all times to get close to a result.
In backs I think we need Walden and Tomkinson (even Nabura dear I say it) Just need to be able to match teams physically and for speed.
In forwards the biggest disappointments were our locks, I thought they would really step up this year. Dickson played ok but Parkinson was anonymous and looked to avoid contact. There were a couple of times he could have won turnovers and he backed away.
Next week In Canberra could be even worse!
About the only positive for me is there's a chance teh Blues wind up 3rd, without playing much better than last year.
Worrying how our NZ teams have fallen off a cliff. Fundamental skills missing in players - it's like we're optimising for size, and forgetting speed/skill is just as important. Saffers production line is back - they are going to be a hell of a force if they dont' destroy their team with politics (again)
@nzzp said in Highlanders v Sharks:
About the only positive for me is there's a chance teh Blues wind up 3rd, without playing much better than last year.
Worrying how our NZ teams have fallen off a cliff. Fundamental skills missing in players - it's like we're optimising for size, and forgetting speed/skill is just as important. Saffers production line is back - they are going to be a hell of a force if they dont' destroy their team with politics (again)
Not sure who you're talking about, but it was exactly size that the Highlanders were lacking in the backs, and the big lump in the forwards - Mikaele-Tu'u - was one of the best players on the field and showed plenty of skills.
The Hammettuer effect is in action. That was painful watching if you're a Highlanders fan, as an almost neutral who wanted the Highlanders to win there was some good attacking play from the Sharks.
Good to see TBN get a run ... even if it was on the wing.
Good to see Tu'u show what he's made of with decent minutes on the park.
@Nepia said in Highlanders v Sharks:
The Hammettuer effect is in action.
How does he keep getting gigs or are we expected to believe the counterfactual. I.e. how bad they'd be without him?
@antipodean said in Highlanders v Sharks:
@Nepia said in Highlanders v Sharks:
The Hammettuer effect is in action.
How does he keep getting gigs or are we expected to believe the counterfactual. I.e. how bad they'd be without him?
I guess he’s like those guys in any corporation who continue to fail their way up.
Pretty decent indication of the depth of NZ rugby I'd have thought.
Highlanders and nz lost a lot of intellectual property last year. Can't replace players with 10 years super rugby experience with a body the same size and expect the same results.
Landers were decimated in a player turnover year like seldom (never) seen before. If you lose 2 thirds of your 1st 15, 500+ caps of experience you aren't going to be the same in anything but appearance, so I can't see how people expected too much.
The Highlanders 2020 is as much a story about nz player depth as it is anything else
@Nepia said in Highlanders v Sharks:
The Hammettuer effect is in action.
And is, apparently, stronger than the Tony Brown effect.
@Stargazer said in Highlanders v Sharks:
@nzzp said in Highlanders v Sharks:
About the only positive for me is there's a chance teh Blues wind up 3rd, without playing much better than last year.
Worrying how our NZ teams have fallen off a cliff. Fundamental skills missing in players - it's like we're optimising for size, and forgetting speed/skill is just as important. Saffers production line is back - they are going to be a hell of a force if they dont' destroy their team with politics (again)
Not sure who you're talking about, but it was exactly size that the Highlanders were lacking in the backs, and the big lump in the forwards - Mikaele-Tu'u - was one of the best players on the field and showed plenty of skills.
Sorry, yeah I expressed that badly. I was trying to say I think we've got a bunch of people out there who are physical specimens, but lack rugby (and often life) 'nous'. You see it at the Blues - great players, but just not skilled or rugby smart. I think chickens are coming home to roost in pro rugby here, and we're seeing one dimensional, narrow individuals playing the game.
@nzzp said in Highlanders v Sharks:
About the only positive for me is there's a chance teh Blues wind up 3rd, without playing much better than last year.
Worrying how our NZ teams have fallen off a cliff. Fundamental skills missing in players - it's like we're optimising for size, and forgetting speed/skill is just as important. Saffers production line is back - they are going to be a hell of a force if they dont' destroy their team with politics (again)
Fuuuuucken hell buddy. Are you alright?
I hardly get that from watching the Highlanders play largely shit in their first game, against a very good sharks team.
@Bones said in Highlanders v Sharks:
@nzzp said in Highlanders v Sharks:
About the only positive for me is there's a chance teh Blues wind up 3rd, without playing much better than last year.
Worrying how our NZ teams have fallen off a cliff. Fundamental skills missing in players - it's like we're optimising for size, and forgetting speed/skill is just as important. Saffers production line is back - they are going to be a hell of a force if they dont' destroy their team with politics (again)
Fuuuuucken hell buddy. Are you alright?
I hardly get that from watching the Highlanders play largely shit in their first game, against a very good sharks team.
It's been building for a while for me. Let's see a few rounds in if this is a temporary thing, or representative. our play against England - for instance - was brain dead. It's becoming more prevalent throughout our structure, and not balanced by experienced heads making good decisions.
Or maybe I'm just becoming a grumpy old man. Either is fine of course 
Oh who on earth was the co-commentator? He was awful and got pretty much every tactical comment 100% wrong.
Sharks score a try off a great contestable kick. He then says the sharks are kicking too short and need to kick longer (while they're walking back from the try ffs). Cut to second half and a brilliant territorial long kick from the sharks...what's that? Oh they're kicking too long and need to do more contestable kicks (nevermind the massive lead).
Happened throughout the whole game.
@KiwiMurph said in Highlanders v Sharks:
@Bones Kane Hames I think?
I agree he was really bad.
Geez I thought he was supposed to be good? He started off the match by moaning about how the ref was wrong for the scrum penalty. Oh great, love that ref negative commentating, it's so good for the game.
@nzzp said in Highlanders v Sharks:
@Bones said in Highlanders v Sharks:
@nzzp said in Highlanders v Sharks:
About the only positive for me is there's a chance teh Blues wind up 3rd, without playing much better than last year.
Worrying how our NZ teams have fallen off a cliff. Fundamental skills missing in players - it's like we're optimising for size, and forgetting speed/skill is just as important. Saffers production line is back - they are going to be a hell of a force if they dont' destroy their team with politics (again)
Fuuuuucken hell buddy. Are you alright?
I hardly get that from watching the Highlanders play largely shit in their first game, against a very good sharks team.
It's been building for a while for me. Let's see a few rounds in if this is a temporary thing, or representative. our play against England - for instance - was brain dead. It's becoming more prevalent throughout our structure, and not balanced by experienced heads making good decisions.
Or maybe I'm just becoming a grumpy old man. Either is fine of course
That started with the coach and filtered down.
@Nepia said in Highlanders v Sharks:
@nzzp said in Highlanders v Sharks:
@Bones said in Highlanders v Sharks:
@nzzp said in Highlanders v Sharks:
About the only positive for me is there's a chance teh Blues wind up 3rd, without playing much better than last year.
Worrying how our NZ teams have fallen off a cliff. Fundamental skills missing in players - it's like we're optimising for size, and forgetting speed/skill is just as important. Saffers production line is back - they are going to be a hell of a force if they dont' destroy their team with politics (again)
Fuuuuucken hell buddy. Are you alright?
I hardly get that from watching the Highlanders play largely shit in their first game, against a very good sharks team.
It's been building for a while for me. Let's see a few rounds in if this is a temporary thing, or representative. our play against England - for instance - was brain dead. It's becoming more prevalent throughout our structure, and not balanced by experienced heads making good decisions.
Or maybe I'm just becoming a grumpy old man. Either is fine of course
That started with the coach and filtered down.
screw it, thread hijack time.
Selections turned to shit in world cup year. He went from valuing experience, to just throwing them all unde rthe bus - Smith, Ioane, Cane, etc. FFS. I'm still angry about it. Not sure we would have won, but by god we would have gone down fighting.
@nzzp said in Highlanders v Sharks:
@Nepia said in Highlanders v Sharks:
@nzzp said in Highlanders v Sharks:
@Bones said in Highlanders v Sharks:
@nzzp said in Highlanders v Sharks:
About the only positive for me is there's a chance teh Blues wind up 3rd, without playing much better than last year.
Worrying how our NZ teams have fallen off a cliff. Fundamental skills missing in players - it's like we're optimising for size, and forgetting speed/skill is just as important. Saffers production line is back - they are going to be a hell of a force if they dont' destroy their team with politics (again)
Fuuuuucken hell buddy. Are you alright?
I hardly get that from watching the Highlanders play largely shit in their first game, against a very good sharks team.
It's been building for a while for me. Let's see a few rounds in if this is a temporary thing, or representative. our play against England - for instance - was brain dead. It's becoming more prevalent throughout our structure, and not balanced by experienced heads making good decisions.
Or maybe I'm just becoming a grumpy old man. Either is fine of course
That started with the coach and filtered down.
screw it, thread hijack time.
Selections turned to shit in world cup year. He went from valuing experience, to just throwing them all unde rthe bus - Smith, Ioane, Cane, etc. FFS. I'm still angry about it. Not sure we would have won, but by god we would have gone down fighting.
I feel the same, I think I've made peace with it, see Cane smashing someone, then realise I haven't.
@Nepia love the Fern and NZ eh. 8 months on, and we're carrying a farking big chip still. Love it.
It was such a huge turn around from 11 years of experiences wins RWC, with stats that back it up, to let's Chuck more than the one noob in. Tied to the, let's never play key players out off position, to Chuck beaudy at the back cos DMac is injured. I was willing to trust, but they really got it wrong
@Machpants said in Highlanders v Sharks:
It was such a huge turn around from 11 years of experiences wins RWC, with stats that back it up, to let's Chuck more than the one noob in. Tied to the, let's never play key players out off position, to Chuck beaudy at the back cos DMac is injured. I was willing to trust, but they really got it wrong
that DMac injury really hurt us. Was key player up with BBBR (oh yeah, he got injuered too), and BB and Aaron.
Edit: Some cups, you eat the bear. Some cups, the cup eats you
@Machpants said in Highlanders v Sharks:
SA teams looking pretty darned good, even with their huge exodus. Should be an interesting tighter comp this year, hopefully
I had to double check that we were only one and a half rounds in....