The Highlanders have suspended All Blacks backrower Adam Thomson and flyhalf Michael Hobbs for a Super 14 rugby match after both broke a team curfew in South Africa.

Thomson and Hobbs were not considered for selection for Saturday’s match against the defending champion and competition-leading Bulls for breaching curfew after last weekend’s 33-0 loss to the Stormers.

Highlanders coach Glenn Moore said the breach was the only offense committed by the players.

“Each week you have to earn the right to play for this team.

This slip-up, albeit out of character for these two guys, means they don’t get the opportunity to play this week,” Moore said.

Thomson has played 15 tests for New Zealand while Hobbs is the son of New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Jock Hobbs.

One cannot help but feel that these 2 players have been the 2 stand-out players for the Highlanders so far, Hobbs having already scored 4 tries in addition to his rather large contribution with the boot. Thompson was the big thorn in the Bulls flesh in 2009 when the Highlanders beat the Bulls in New Zealand.

The Highlanders squad is:

Highlanders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Kenny Lynn, 12 Jason Shoemark, 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo, 10 Matt Berquist, 9 Sean Romans, 8 Steven Stephano, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Tim Boys, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Chris King, 2 Jason MacDonald, 1 Jamie Mackintosh.
Replacements: 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Hayden Triggs, 19 John Hardie, 20 Scott Cowan, 21 Robbie Robinson, 22 James Paterson.

16 Responses to Landers squad to be trampled by Bulls

  • 1

    I have not seen that the Bulls won this match as yet.

  • 2

    Brave decision to suspend those two I reckon.

    But then rools is rools….

  • 3

    Fender

    & consequences are what makes rules worth paying heed to 😉

  • 4

    bulls to slaughter the landers goooo bulls

    and here is a article on sportingo , a fox journo

    Poor referees and commentators turning Super 14 into a comic opera

    Penalty try against the Lions – no sure try. Deliberate knockdown with no one to beat – no penalty try for the Sharks. It doesn’t make sense.

    by tim foster-greenwood on 08 March 2010

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    Luke Burgess of the Waratahs in action (gettyImages)
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    Example number one – Lions v Brumbies: Steve Walsh gives a penalty try for the Lions scrum-half coming offside. OK, so it was a definite a professional foul but there was no certainty a try would have been scored so why award the score?

    Compare and buy Rugby Union tickets

    Example number two – Waratahs v Sharks: Kurtley Beale palms down a ball as he was the only person to beat – definite try avoided – NO penalty try, just a yellow card.

    Simple equation: Australain referee = Australian team win.

    It’s only week four of the season and it is already glaringly obvious that we must have neutral referees in Super 14 to preserve whatever integrity is left.

    And get rid of Phil Kearns as a commentator. He is so biaised it is unpleasant and pathetic.

    When Ryan Kankowski scored his try Kearns was shouting “a mile offside”. To their credit and his shame, both his co-commentators then corrected him and said it WAS a try, as the new rule dictates.

    As a commentator, if you don’t know the rules Keansey, get off the air because you’re a disgrace.

  • 5

    Amen, sister RP!!

  • 6

    Sharky,

    I can’t agree about Kearns. Biased yes, but show me who isn’t? I find him entertaining particularly his principled commitment to the frontrow club! Its often hilarious.

    And he’s not scared to offer an insight even if it is misplaced like was the case with the Kanko try.

    No broer, I’d rather listen to him and Mex than our bunch who have mastered the art of the mundane and the pleasant platitude.

    Let me ask you this, broer: who would you rather have at your braai: Kearnsey or Blades?

  • 7

    Fender

    Mwahahaha 😆

  • 8

    fender uhm neither????? 😆

  • 9

    Sharky, when you putting the Sharks team up?

  • 10

    I would feel the Landers know they will lose this one, so when your stars step out of line, punish them properly, so when you do have a game you could win, they will obey the rules.

    Good clean message to everyone, and the team are not really punished.

  • 11

    6@ fender – Blades is a hoot in real life and a very pleasant fella… took part in a golf day where Blades, Tappe Henning and Andre Watson also took part, they played just behind us and there were nice chirps and quips…. and Tappe, Blades & Wattie handled the Auction later that night…

    Tappe swears like a trooper, Blades likes his dop and Andre is a very nice chap.

    I would not mind having Blades at my braai at all….

  • 12

    Bulls will smash them, just watch… 😎

  • 13

    #11 I’m going to have to take your word for it, GBS.

  • 14

    Just dont invite old Blades and then throw the party on the second story… 😆

  • 15

    Should be “second storey”…sorry. 😎

  • 16

    Blouste,

    Ja, Blades on the second floor could be another storey, hehe!

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