2017 Super Rugby - Preseason games

[Stargazer]

Gareth Evans has replaced Whitelock.

[Stargazer]

Great try from Ben Smith, but the credit has to go to Naholo. Really good! Sopoaga converts: 11 - 33 Landers

[MajorPom]

Not a bad feed that. Lead commentator has been watching a fair bit of Ozzy Man Reviews.

[Stargazer]

Try Evans disallowed. Couldn't see why, probably off side.

[NTA]

Offside at the previous ruck.

@MajorRage BarTV are country lads who did the NRC games for a few clubs. Gotta say they were rusty as fuck to start with, as I think they'd mainly done local league. But they've got a decent business model now and are set to make a decent go of it.

[MajorPom]

@NTA yeah, they are doing a decent enough job of it - plenty of enthusiasm for the game thats for sure.

[NTA]

And no bullshit whining either.

(looking at you,Kearns)

[NTA]

Looks bloody warm.

33-18 at halftime

[Stargazer]

The officiating in this last minute has been terrible. Ref didn't penalise Hooper for tackling a player without the ball, then they missed a forward pass and a knock-on. Try Latu from a driving maul. Robinson converts: 18 - 33 Highlanders

It's half time.

[MajorPom]

@NTA yep, colours to the mast they are supporting the tahs, but not coming across biased or one-eyed in the commentary.

[NTA]

@Stargazer Hasn't penalised the Highlanders for running dummies into the Tahs chasing backline all night either. Could have penalised the Clan winger for running into Hooper's line then stopping, without showing any signs of going for the ball.

Swings and roundabouts.

[Stargazer]

@NTA I guess the refs need these games as warm-ups as well.

[Stargazer]

I wish the NZ teams arranged livestreaming of their preseason games. The Tahs and Reds (I don't know about the other Aussie teams) are much better at that.

[NTA]

@Stargazer its Angus Gardner - he needs more than a preseason.

Clan using the kick through very effectively tonight.

[Stargazer]

The Highlanders have almost completely changed the squad.

[MajorPom]

@NTA critical of Gardner? I thought was arguably top of the shelf last year.

[Stargazer]

@MajorRage I agree. One of the better refs in SR.

[Stargazer]

Try Kayne Hammington after a good break from another player (don't know who). Fletcher Smith converts the try: 18 - 40 Highlanders

[Stargazer]

Hmm, looked more punching than shoving there from Latu ...

[MajorPom]

Pretty average defence across the board - Hooper seems to make breaks at will, and the Clan backline is looking like they are covered in eel slime.

Gradner certainly being pretty liberal ... but pedantic refereeing in pre season is no good for anybody.