Highlanders - Blues Game

This certainly was the most spectacular game this Round - with the Highlanders showing some real class - there best players being Ben Smith, Aaron Smith and Lima Sopoaga,]]

On the Blues side the only really outstanding players were Braid, Luatua and Piutau.

Despite the hype by members - the Blues did not look at all convincing.   Both sides were rather poor in line outs and their tight fives will not last the distance.  They are going to meet stronger teams in future and they will have real problems in those cases.

Unlike the scrappy and poor quality game of the Crusaders and Chiefs, this really was a better show and the Highladers definitely deserve their place at the top of the New Zeal amd conference log.     

 It was the weather mate, lol Blues v Highlander was inside stadium. Nothing to do with the players (ability to kick penalties) or how evenly matched the teams are, i.e. the Saders v Chiefs.

Mike as the Cheetahs showed the strongest tight five does not alway win. Do the Canes have an outside chance against the Sharks? All pressure is on the Sharks

Hakwa

I refer to both the Crusaders and Chiefs - as well as some of the SA teams.   The  forwards of both the Blues and Highlanders caved in last year and I can see no difference this year. 

The Cheetahs showed last year that they do have a strong forward pack - at least they whipped the one of the Highlanders and Blues - like they were not there.

The Canes have no chance against the Sharks - and my estimate is a loss for them by 24 points.   You cannot play NX teams with crinkle paper forwards against SA teams.