Highlanders for the Trophy

[Strathen]

Well, the season has kicked off and the losers have all played each other already. Wellington beat the hapless Blues playing percentage rugby. Whilst people may think the intercept try was the turning point, in my mind it was when the Blues went for the lineout 5m from the Canes try line, only for the Canes to blow their ensuing lineout back 10-15m. 30 seconds later and the Blues were clearing the ball from within their 22. Both teams look loose, but as they both were, it didn't matter in this game. Play like that against quality teams like the Highlanders, and expect many more turnovers and a territorial dis-advantage.

Speaking of the Highlanders. They're looking like competition winners already and they haven't even run out on the pitch yet. The team is fit, firing, and ready to go. There is an expectant feeling spreading through the deep south that this is going to be the year. In typical Southern Man fashion, the supporters just nod to each other over beers, a signal that speaks a thousand pictures, that in turn, speak a thousand words each. Never before have the Southern Men communicated so much. Must be becoming metro-sexual.

The word behind the scene is Robbie Robinson is going to be let slowly upon the opposition. There's some concern he is still a bit small to play 1st 5, and the hammering Cruden took with his first touch of the ball last night probably didn't help this AB in waiting's cause for more game time.

Good to see a lot more Southlanders in the team. They've been performing consistently for the last couple of NPC's, and previously, not being rewarded for their effort. This can only be good as the Highlanders look to be the only team that substantially draws on players from outside of their home city.

The Highlanders team is strong across the board. Looks as though Jayden Haywood is finally going to get regular starts (a year too late if you ask me), and the boys are going to man up.

Weaknesses... Yes, there are 2. Berquist at 1st 5. There's talk of moving Ben Smith to this position, but I'm not sure about that one. Then again, Berquist did lose us a few close games last year (as did Bowden, but he's gone) so maybe anyone is better. The other weakness is the love affair with Romans as the back-up half back. Scott Cowan is clearly the better player and would push his brother for the 9 jersey a lot harder.

Overall, I pity the fools that have picked Canterbury in tonight's mammoth clash. Tonight you'll see the passing of the torch. The last decade or so was dominated by the Crusaders, the next decade or so by the Highlanders. Tonight the Crusaders will once again feel the wrath of the Highlanders, just as the Stags trampled them for the Shield last year.

Tonight the Southern Men will look at each other over their Speights and nod twice. Signalling a good win, and a good season to come. Never before have the Southern Men engaged in such a talkfest.

[adykiwi]

Good man strath. Wiser words seldom spoken.

[Strathen]

How you doing Ady? Did you have a chance to catch up with Gil? I'm picking him up tonight and we're hading around to Penny's for dinner. I'm really looking forward to meeting both of them!  

Wasn't the result we wanted, and I lay the blame at Berquists feet, with the coach equally to blame for selecting him.

Apart from the obvious, I thought the boys played well. There's a lot of promise there, especially holding the Saders to 10 points after all that territory and possession in their favour, and to come back and not give up. It's looking good. Just over half way through the first half, the territory stats were 925-8% in favour of the Crusaders.

How good did Berkuhiusss'sss look! That boy can play! Reminds me of a young Strathen back in the hey day. 

[Penny]

HIghlanders training up players for the other teams for next year again??  Thanks!  

I am starting to wonder about teams that seem to go for ages holding their own against another team, when all the posession and territory stats are against them.  They seem to hold out and hold out, and they never win.  They get worn down. 

Then you are all sad because your team has lost, but hold out hope because they did so well.  But then they never seem to get there they never seem to be able to get there and it is very frustrating.  So I have stopped thinking its a good thing when my team does it.  I just get grumpy with them over it. 

[Strathen]

But your team has turned a corner Pennz. The old Canes would've rolled over and not even asked for cuddles at half time. This time they kept coming back with sensible rugby, even taking all of those penalty kicks! Phenomenal stuff! However, if your teams plays that loose against the Highlanders, expect a formulaic drubbing. We'll show you what we mean this weekend against the Blues. 

[Reformed]

Hmmm... against which team is my Sharkies losing this weekend... 

[Penny]

Cheetahs Reffie? 

One game does not equal a corner...

[Reformed]

Smashed my doubts in the teeth with a big axe... and tipped the Sharks for the win after all...

[Penny]

hahahaha you are just *trying* to get into the dungeon aren't you  

(I actually have no idea who I think should win or who I picked!)

[adykiwi]

Hey Strath. Gil was great and even brought along a bottle of plonk in tribute to my greatness. I recollected our superb whisky evening and we also all laughed at Foamer.

As for the match, the Highlanders were robbed by a blind and corrupt referee. I'm through with super rugby until it starts appointing real officials. FFS, is there some rule that you can through the ball forward against the Highlanders like it's gridiron??? Carnts.

[Strathen]

Hey Ady! Gil did tell me he caught up with both yourself and NZAB. When he mentioned that fateful night we enjoyed down at the Whisky Bar, he just looked at me and laughed. It appears you described it quite well.

We had a cracking night at Penny's on Monday! She was the hostess with the mostess, even if her husband Dan was the dutiful one cooking, serving the food, and bringing us drinks. It was a great night with the Penny's and Gil's family. Gil passed on some excellent presents to us as well. As a result, Stade Toulousian, (Toulouse) are now the team I support in Europe.

Penny informed me I had to give as 'bigg-a'  write up as I gave on our little meeting. I'm sure she's perusing these pages looking for it. I'll get her over to mine on the night the Highlanders drill the Canes to say thanks for the hospitality.   

[Penny]

It was a great night with the Penny's and Gil's family. Gil passed on some excellent presents to us as well. As a result, Stade Toulousian, (Toulouse) are now the team I support in Europe.

Biarritz all the way!!

Penny informed me I had to give as 'bigg-a'  write up as I gave on our little meeting. I'm sure she's perusing these pages looking for it.

of course I have even gone to the effort to compare :p 543 words to 115 ... you can do better next time    

I'll get her over to mine on the night the Highlanders drill the Canes to say thanks for the hospitality.  

Got it in the calendar  Prepare for the highlanders to go DOWN!

[adykiwi]

Hey Ady! Gil did tell me he caught up with both yourself and NZAB. When he mentioned that fateful night we enjoyed down at the Whisky Bar, he just looked at me and laughed. It appears you described it quite well.

We had a cracking night at Penny's on Monday! She was the hostess with the mostess, even if her husband Dan was the dutiful one cooking, serving the food, and bringing us drinks. It was a great night with the Penny's and Gil's family. Gil passed on some excellent presents to us as well. As a result, Stade Toulousian, (Toulouse) are now the team I support in Europe.

Penny informed me I had to give as 'bigg-a'  write up as I gave on our little meeting. I'm sure she's perusing these pages looking for it. I'll get her over to mine on the night the Highlanders drill the Canes to say thanks for the hospitality.  

Good man, Strath. I told Gil that I assumed his gifts were offered as a form of tribute, as is proper for weaker nations to pay to New Zealand in the hope that we won't decimate their rugby teams. For a terrorist with a girl's name from an uncivilised country, he's not doing as badly as one would suspect. I think we've all improved him mightily - something that I struggled in vain to do with Hemlock, who was simply a savage.

As for Penelope, the poor woman is delusional. I only ever see Hurricanes supporters in supermarkets these days, waving madly at drivers as they collect the trolleys from the car parks. They're all the same. I blame these trendy new policies that have seen hordes of them released back into the community...

ps - I hate you Foamer.

[ROAMER]

I aim to please

[internaut]

Hey all, just poppin in, hope u all ok, just a quick 2cent, go STORMERS! and
by the way the McCleods have the worst defence and offence against the best defending team
in the comp at the moment, just in case you haven't noticed. l8r.