The Highlanders-Chiefs game

I will just do a quick assessment in respect of the game and give some of my thoughts.  I will write more later on - that is after the next game.

Backline

Beautuful backline attacks - most enjoyable to watch.   I would say that the defence at times on both sides were rather poor   That helped to create a running showpiece.   The Highlanders had too many balls lieing around at the back - allowing for counter-attacks.  Cruden had a nightmare game - one he would rather forget about.

Scrums

A real nightmare - too many penalties against the Chiefs and the Highlanders also had a few real disasters.  Both teams have serious problems in the relevant regard.

Line-outs

At times was also messy and not really convincing.  

Retallick

I had the misfortune of picking him for my TestRugby team.   Unlikely to get too many points - I gather about 200 points - had a reasonably good game - nothing to write home about.

Summary

Any opposing teams who wish to beat these two teams would have to make sure  that -

*    they do not leave loose balls lieing around;

*    their defence is very good;  and

*   They do not give away kickable penalties.

The advantage opposing teams would have is that both teams do not have forwards that could be regarded as gamebreakers and the forward play was in fact are very average.

The Chiefs definitely deserve the win - the Highlanders faded out towards the end of the game - too many old players to keep the Highlanders in contention.

Summary

a fantastic exciting game to kick off the NZ conference, no shortage of entertainment and if this mtach was anything to go by, then NZ look set to be the benchmark on attacking rugby AGAIN.

despite the scoreline, the game really was a lot closer then scorline would indicate. it was a 50/50 game until the 65th minute when tim nani william scored his 2nd try going against the grain of the highlanders attack. that really broke the highlanders mentally IMO.
the last 15 mins from the highalnders, saw them under the pump as they pushed 50/50 passes one after the other. instead of holding onto the pill. experienced players were needed to keep composure.

chiefs look set to have another awesome year and im even wondering if tim nani williams should remain at 13 even when kahui returns??? im sure kahui could play 12 with the same level of awesomness hes played on the wing and at 13.

hihglanders can expect big things too for 2013, the main weaknesses in their game were from positions that their top dogs are missing. hore and thorn will be awesome when they return next week, they can then bump hoeata out to No6.
sopoaga was pretty solid too, but a few too many errors for this level and he needs to sharpen up his goalkicking.

ben smith and gareth anscombe were my players of the match, i would probably split it between the two. anscombes goal kicking plus genreal play was a massive foundation for the chiefs win, but ben smith was easily
the best player om the field, with his constant linebreaks, offloads and tacklebreaks, plus one of the best trys ever to showcase just how strong he is.

nice work NZ teams, way to show the rugby world how to attack with ball in hand, :o)

Sasue

It was indeed a spectacular game to watch - but I have serious reservations about forewards play in general and there were shortcomings in defence.   Both teams has the ability to go far in the competition - but I would not say either is unbeatable.

I always favoured the Chiefs to win this game - and I would say that the match was very interesting and could have gone either way, until the Highlanders folded in the last 20 minutes of the game.   In essence I looked at some of the players and would like to provde a summary:-

Highlanders

  *   Ben Smith - a real star that one.   The best try scored todayy was by him.   He really is top class.

  *   Ma'a Nonu - did very little in the first half and was strong in running in the traffic.   Very effective - but not really a gamebreaker.

  *   Hosea Gear -  nice try, but why was four defenders standing around and not defending?

  *   Aaron Smith - he does not look good under pressure and had a very average game

  *   Tony Woodcock - part of the scrummaging problems

Chiefs

  *    Gareth Anscombe - excellent goal kicker - but is his defence solid enough?   Not sure about that one.

  *    Tim Nanai-Williams -  outstnding attacking center - but his defence let him down on two occassions.   The Chiefs can bebefit it to play him at center.

  *     Aaron Cruden - other than the one bugger-up releiving kick of his, was he in fact playing.   This must be one of his worst performances I have ever seen of him - the backline functioned well despie him rather than because of him..

  *    Tawera Kerr-Barlow - good on average (on the night better than Smith);

  *    Sam Cane - like this guy he is really a hard trier and in the battle continuously.   I think he was the most promising loosie tonight.

  *    Brodie Retallick - slightly above average - not too solid in the line outs and made some good tackles and two above-average ball carries.   Craig Clark showed more than he did.

Summary

Obviously two very strong teams - but there is a substanial degree  of homework to be done still insofar as -

  *   scrummaging;

  *   line-out performances;

  *   ball passing (too many lose balls lieing around); and

  *   defence,

 are  concerned

 Really fun to watch. A lot of loose balls, but only because they are always trying to push the envelope and pull off one miraculous pass after another. Some of those passing sequences were just outstanding and ball handling of the highest level in rugby. Just emphasizes the great contrast in styles between Bok and All Black rugby - both of which can be successful if executed correctly. All Black execution last year was top notch, Boks was below par especially in the goal kicking department.

No one would ever threaten the All Blacks if it was touch rugby - they have by far the best readers of the game - fortuanetly for us this is a contact sport and it is at those points of contact that the flow can be disrupted.

not so clever mike , Aaron Cruden was nursing a groin injury last night so a reserved game from him with no goal kicking but what a great goal kicker we have thanks to the Blues dumbarse decision to let Anscombe go, not to mention the try he set up in the corner - Blues coach JK must be kicking himself as we speak.

Despite a makeshift understrength team missing four top guns and utilising players like Rhys Marshall that havent even played an ITM game, the Chiefs secured a bonus point win away from home so great start for the Mighty Chiefs.

Nanai Williams was impressive and will have learnt from the tackle he missed resulting in a Highlander try that you can't go high unless you want to be fended so all goods.

As is being reported - the Chiefs have made a good strong opening statement and the Chiefs machine keeps rolling...

Brycy

Cruden had an extremely poor game yesterday - groin injury or not.  Don't they have fitness testsin New Zealand to determine whether a okayer is fit to play?   If he was injured - what the hell was he on the foield of play for.

Problem is that Cruden under pressure is not a nice sight to see,   But you are indeed lucky - you have Crudebn 0 the poor Stormers have Jantjies. . 

 Best Match of the SuperXV so far. The Highlanders fullback was the the try of the year so far. Then in the very next play he got stepped by the Chiefs Outside center and beaten on the outside for pace.

Really good match, just goes to show the rubish about modern day defences can't be beaten. 

The Bulls vs Stormers match was poor in comparision. 

I think the Sharks -Cheetas match will be much better. 

not so clever mike for Aaron Cruden to play despite being injured speaks volumes for the guy. In his pivotal position at standoff he would have been dictating the plays even if he was'nt making his usual forays , steps and razzle dazzle.

So in answer to yr question Cruden was calling the shots being the great visionary he is and is smart enough not to write himself off this early in the season so did'nt become as heavily involved as you're used to seeing. Kapeesh ?

What was the score again? If a bonus point win 41 -27 to the Chiefs is extremely poor what scoreline would be acceptable in yr books not so clever mike ?