Sharks V Highlanders

Thank you...

That is all!!!!

thebluesmancometh wrote:Thank you...

That is all!!!!

I assume it was good?

Excellent mate, Slade with possibly the team try of the season, Sharks with one almost as good, there was ferocious defences and sublime skillls in attack.

Sharks denied 3 shots at goal in the Highlanders 22 in the 80th minute to tap and score for the win, and lost by 3, Gear with a match saving smash in the 83rd minute on his own tryline and Highlanders get their first W of the season...

Just wow!!

This whole S15 season has had games like that!

The gap between SH and NH is widening.

The Great Aukster wrote:This whole S15 season has had games like that!

The gap between SH and NH is widening.

Disagree, theres been some real chuff this year too, this game was standout!

There have been plenty of games with handling errors and low scoring etc. but even then they are trying to play continuity far more with the ball is in play longer - it doesn't always come off but at least they are trying to play 15-man rugby.

I still much rather HC rugby

I agree leinster, HC is unrivalled for me, but that is probably partly due to my emotional investment.

Ye Super games are far more open, and there are far more linebreaks etc, but as a forward I want to sometimes see the arm wrestle, I want to see the tempo slowed down at times, then quicken up, instead of the pass pass pass mentality down south, I understand the asthetics are better but I'm not sure thats the most effective way to play the game, and it isn't what NZ, SA and Aus try to do!!!

thebluesmancometh wrote:I agree leinster, HC is unrivalled for me, but that is probably partly due to my emotional investment.

Ye Super games are far more open, and there are far more linebreaks etc, but as a forward I want to sometimes see the arm wrestle, I want to see the tempo slowed down at times, then quicken up, instead of the pass pass pass mentality down south, I understand the asthetics are better but I'm not sure thats the most effective way to play the game, and it isn't what NZ, SA and Aus try to do!!!

Totally agree.

There are plenty of arm wrestles in Super XV, the quality of the matches were much tighter this year, there is a misconception that it is only helter skelter matches, but the average tries per team per match is only 2.25

Of 72 matches only 28 matches have been won by more than 7 points, and only 16 have been won by more than 14 points.

Only the Chiefs average more than 3 tries per match out of the 15 teams

To give you an idea how competitive it has been 16 matches have been within 3 points.
The average points per match has been 46, I am sure it isn't much different from the HC or any other European competition.

The only difference is our grounds are harder, which encourages quicker rucks and more running.

Biltong its not about how close games are. Its hard to explain but there is just nothing like the HC. To me nothing comes close not even international rugby.

I'm sure you along with all SH rugby fans much rather watching Super 15 rugby which is completely understandable.

thebluesmancometh wrote:

The Great Aukster wrote:This whole S15 season has had games like that!

The gap between SH and NH is widening.

Disagree, theres been some real chuff this year too, this game was standout!

Are you sure? I think I agree with the Great Aukster. You need only look at the chuff dished up by the 4 Welsh teams this season.
I also thought that Highlanders vs Sharks was a good game.

Parts of the game were good - but there was a lot of messy rubbish in the game as well.

nganboy wrote:Parts of the game were good - but there was a lot of messy rubbish in the game as well.

Still makes for an exciting watch for a neutral!!!

I thoroughly enjoyed that game as a spectical, it had everything, if I was a fan of either side I wouldve been pulling my hair out at times, then dribbling at times, but as a neutral it was great to sit back and watch the fireworks!!!

Oh and Biltong

I wasn't meaning game winning margins when I mentioned the arm wrestle, I was talking more the forward battle, the long hard slog in the mud, the wingers pushing onto the back of mauls, the defences on top and the set peice importance being key...

Theres just something about HC rugby on a cold, dark friday night in the extreme conditions of Galway, Glasgow, then the southern French sun the afternoon after, followed by the chill of a return to Newport and London, billionaires watching their teams being outplayed, Champions being done over by minnows, GS winners getting 50 points put on them etc...

I know exactly what you mean mate, and that is what I referred to as well, not every match is open, there are some tense defensive orientated matches where teams are battling for every inch.

Biltong wrote:I know exactly what you mean mate, and that is what I referred to as well, not every match is open, there are some tense defensive orientated matches where teams are battling for every inch.

Theyre just not in Galway...

LeinsterFan4life wrote:I still much rather HC rugby

Does Brad thorn play different rugby when he's playing Heineken cup, as opposed to last Saturday when he was playing for the Highlanders?

aucklandlaurie wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:I still much rather HC rugby

Does Brad thorn play different rugby when he's playing Heineken cup, as opposed to last Saturday when he was playing for the Highlanders?

Yes!