<p>As has been said, northland going to the lineouts really cost them any chance of victory. Forgettable game of rugby, good to get 5 points but that was about it. Concerned with our midfield as we are missing Moala badly from last season. Forwards went ok, and Renata looked a lot better than Tu'ungafasi when he came on.</p>

<p>Goodhue had practically everything stacked in his favors. Great front foot ball, better players inside him, more time training with the team, and he has been able to focus solely on 15s, whereas Rieko had been out of 15s for a few months.</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="608649" data-time="1472023418">
<div>
<p>Yes, that's for sure but this does not explain the missed tackles from Ioane.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Jet lag? Rieko just got back to NZ on Wednesday.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="608389" data-time="1471937197">
<div>
<p>How did Kautai fare ? It is usually very hard for a 19 y.o. prop to make his debut at the provincial level. Atu Moli struggled a lot last year but has made big strides forward since.</p>
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</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I thought Kautai went OK in the scrum vs Perry when he replaced the injured Moli.  He will probably start vs NH if Moli can't play.  Hoeft must rate him despite his age and lack of experience at this level.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="607743" data-time="1471754128">
<div>
<p>Maybe it was just me, but I thought Southland gave away a lot of penalties by putting their hands in the ruck and trying to jackle. The scoreline was a fair reflection of the game I thought. Otago will definitely be pushing for promotion.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Must say Southland lost the game in the second half. Their defence was good in the first and because Otago gave away all those penalties, Hawera made sure Southland were leading at HT. I didn't have the impression Southland gave away that many penalties; if they did, it didn't do any damage (not close enough to the sticks for Otago to score penalty goals).</p>

<p>Only recently made it back to the flat and still reeling in abject disappointment. Glad to see I am not the only one to think the Bay were on the wrong end of some blantantly poor (from my point of view) crap calls, or non calls in too many instances. Having said that my guys were their own worst enemies with some somewhat diffident tackling (especially in the first half) amd interesting inability to contest lineouts, not helped by some of the interesting referring interpretations, or clear non calls on obvious infractions. No doubt I will be lablled a bitter loser but some of the calls were met with derision by even totally loyal Wellington supporters in the mob I watched the game with. We (all three of us) were hopelessly outnumbered but at least making up a decent component of the winning boat race team in a fiercely contested elimination challenge! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>All in all the visitors were slightly better on the day but it could have been different had the rub of the green gone the other way.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gunner" data-cid="606818" data-time="1471600450"><p>
More chat over in the Taniwha forum.<br><br>
Rucks were a free for all, the poo got away with coming through or around the ruck all night and booting the ball.</p></blockquote>
<br>
Not sure about that. "Side entry" has been redefined. So long as you come from your side of the halfway point of the breakdown you are ok.

<p>I thought Harbour looked a little bit better than Counties in this one. The stats seem to back that up too.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If August Pulu played this game, I think Counties get the W. Judd was just really bad and held the team back(Vaka didn't help either). I would've brought on Taumateine a lot earlier.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Li is just all comedy these days.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>TJ  was doing his best Nisbo impersonation with how many times he got player names wrong.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="606695" data-time="1471580408">
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/83281094/longserving-hooker-jason-rutledge-summonsed-to-stags-training'>Long-serving hooker Jason Rutledge summonsed to Stags training</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Awesome :)</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="603950" data-time="1470613550">
<div>
<p>I'm really looking forward to the 4N. Barrett looks, to me, like he's done enough to get the 10 jumper. However, with SBW back, it'll be interesting to see if he can use the tools in the back line as well as Cruden.<br><br>
One really interesting part will be how this affects McKenzie. If Barrett gets the start, McKenzie's chances rise also - but at whose cost?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Did you just call SBW a tool?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Very harsh.</p>

My point is more that with a better culture he would be less inclined to make such a rash heat of the moment decision.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="602548" data-time="1470140921">
<div>
<p>Yeah not exactly a silly point. Dominant teams are dominant in defence. Going forwards = good, going backwards = bad, it's pretty simple.<br><br>
I do like how if you make any criticism of Ardie the fanboys think you must be a Cane/Todd fan.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>This is a very dated comparison but it always sticks in my head when I think about defenders.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Back when our back three was JC, Richie and Rodders, I always wondered what would happen if we had a prop YCed and had to drop a loosie for the next scrum - who would you drop? My feeling at the time was always rodders, with the rationale that keeping McGod is a no brainer and with the choice between JC and Rodders, JC is the guy who is more likely to put a big hit in and break up a move, get the defence on the back foot whereas Rodders was more of a relentless scrambler who would keep on making tackles but not necessarily driving them back like JC could.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Of course a defence has to have guys who are scramblers, but if that's all your defence does then you'll eventually get broken down.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="602585" data-time="1470158058">
<div>
<p>Bok backline could be more than handy.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>9 De Klerk</p>
<p>10 Jantjes</p>
<p>11 Habana?</p>
<p>12 Van Rensburg</p>
<p>13 Mapoe</p>
<p>14 Combrink</p>
<p>15 Kriel?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>De Allende looks out of form so a call up for Van Rensburg looks inevitable.</p>
<p>Although that backline only has three quota players....</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Though other Habana that backline has something like 20 caps between them  :think: .</p>
<p> </p>
<p>An exciting option from next year might be to play Pollard at 12 outside Jantjes and rotating Van Rensburg and Mapoe at 13.  Also can't see De Allende's poor form continuing forever.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Wing remains a concern, but I hope they look at Senatla (sheer speed) and Trevor Ismail (some size) going forward.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I like the idea of Kriel at fullback, but he is still prone to making bad mistakes, Lambie might be useful as a send play-maker at this stage.</p>

Been here since 2005 , I tend to come and go a bit, usually becoming more interested in some rugby discussion as things on field get more interesting

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="599663" data-time="1469323330">
<div>
<p>Who did they lose? Canes lost Nonu, Smith, Thrush and Franks off the top off my head. NMS out injured for the entire season too. Are they in a "rebuilding" year as well?<br><br>
What a cop out of an excuse. They just needed a semi compenent game plan with their pack, but Toddy proved how shit he is as a coach yet again. I feel for Saders fans putting him with him for so long.<br><br>
On the Chiefs - bloody well played! Squad ravaged by injuries but Rennie has made no excuses and has them firing at the business end of the season. D Mac looks back to his best following the break, think his time in the AB camp has really helped.<br><br>
Canes v Chiefs is going to he a cracker if both teams play like they did this weekend.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> You may add Broadhurst to this list.</p>

<p>Anyone who says the Crusaders weren't rebuilding this year is fucking kidding themselves IMO. Maybe Mccaw and Carter weren't at their best for them for a while now but they would add a huge amount off the field with their experience and leadership.</p>
<p>To remove that and the next level (of 1st fives particularly) in Slade, Taylor, Laulala and Bird leaves a massive hole. They had to fill that hole with Mounga, Volavola, Mckenzie and Alaalatoa FFS.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Todd Blackadder staying this year has definitely slowed/delayed any building for the future IMO. I couldn't identify any new game plan and he didn't bring in any decent talent to address their weaknesses. The only positive from their backline that has provided variation from "give it to Nadolo" has been Dagg returning to form.</p>
<p>The Blues have definitely come along further from where they started the year despite having less talent in the forwards and the Canes despite a few speed bumps along the way have hardly looked like they have missed Nonu, Smith, Thrush, Franks, NMS, Motu'u or Broadhurst, who arguably left a bigger hole than the Crusaders had to fill. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Next year won't be much easier and Robertson will need to come up with something good to make use of that forward pack. I hope he can make a difference, the Crusaders used to be one of my favourite teams but they are just bloody frustrating to watch now.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So in summary the Crusaders did pretty well to make the playoffs after losing the guys they did and having a rubbish coach.</p>
<p>Probably benefitted from the Waratahs sucking arse this year. </p>
<p>But should have done better with the forward pack they have.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nostrildamus" data-cid="599695" data-time="1469328273"><p>Considering he played for the ABs would he technically be a bolter?</p></blockquote><br>I guess in discussions who might take over from Nonu and Conrad his name was very rarely mentioned , and was initially named as injury cover only, so in that sense he has come from the back of the field .

Haven't read the thread and spent the weekend avoiding all media to make sure I could watch this without knowing the score.<br><br>
My thoughts from the game as I was watching are a bit random and very Chiefs focused.<br><br>
First half<br><br>
Early, we are very direct and were rewarded with a good try. Using the space around the ruck well. <br><br>
Second part of the half though, and just too much territory for Landers mainly from the Chiefs inability to clear the ball and exit well (plus the Landers continuing to put pressure on and make good decisions to kick and keep the territory).<br><br>
A series of stupid decisions to play the halfback within here to not help, plus 4 handling errors - two of them were crucial for fucking up an exit (Taimanivalu) and when finally on attack in the Landers 22 (ALB).<br><br>
It fucking took until the 38th minute for the Chiefs to get a good exit and I'm worried we used too much energy on D in the first 40..<br><br>
First half half-time comments<br><br>
Moli looks like a big pussy - almost stops when he runs into contact.<br><br>
Second half<br><br>
Handling fucking things up again whenever we have territory. Highlanders pressure is fantastic. But hold on, weren't the Chiefs on advantage 5 out there Jacko? We went for a speculator kick and that's it over? Was the ruling in the first half Jacko or was it only a KO ad?<br><br>
Oh fuck. Sanders you idiot. That's going to be the game. You stupid sack of shit. Should have been our penalty as he was way round the side, because you know the Landers will make us pay. And they do, with one of the best tries of the year. 10 points and I'd say that's that.<br><br>
James Lowe you muppet. Don't think you would have got there though.<br><br>
Hometown really is a bit hometown. We break through Cane and go close - Landers clearly slowing it down right on their line but no penalty advantage. We finally get there via Boshier but it's a free ride for the last 3 minutes for the Landers to slow it down whenever they're under pressure. Big ups to Cane throughout this movement and well done for getting back into it. Think we're just holding them out though...<br><br>
And, there it is. Landers try with a rule I can't quite understand and needs clarification. Is it ok to knock a ball out? But it's off his chest so no knock on? Is that ok when I lose the ball back on my chest when I'm running? Even if the other guy touches it? He was actually holding the ball? It's a different ruling every game now. I can understand why it's given but I'm really confused about this law and how it is implemented. Anyway, no bonus point now (and I didn't know it at the time, but there also goes the NZ conference).<br><br>
On attack trying get at least a BO. Wtf is the Asst. ref doing? We break and Dmac passes it backwards but it comes off a lander and that's ruled a knock on?!?? Fuck you hometown and Asst. ref. That's quite possibly the season there. <br><br>
Now, on the other hand, it's also one more example of handling and trying to push the pass under pressure that has been the major factor in removing pressure on the landers. To be effective going forward, the Chiefs really need to understand that we don't need to score off every possession...<br><br>
Final minutes. Chiefs have it back and are attacking. Landers pouring men in - but hold on, where's the taking out the halfback penalty Jacko? Fuck you they totally played the man playing HB there and that's the game you fucking hometown loving muppet.<br><br>
Final thoughts<br><br>
Landers are a fantastic team who I'll support when we inevitably get knocked out in the next couple of weeks due to ongoing problems with decision making under pressure. I love the Chiefs but I think they made their life too difficult by making a series of shitty decisions in the first half which essentially took them out of the running for any points and provided the landers with possession and territory. It was like the Lions game again without any break-out tries. Trying too much against a team with a clear plan. <br><br>
Things were compounded by Sanders card which changed the game - because the Landers are far too good to not take advantage of those kind of opportunities. His stupid fucking decision. Can't argue it.<br><br>
Looking at the other side, the landers have such a great spine from 9,10, and 15 with great support and a clear plan to use pressure to creat points. They're a great fucking team and if we can't get our shot together, I'll be supporting them ahead of other kiwi teams I think.<br><br>
Fantastic game of footy, but <br><br><br><br><br>
fuck, fuck, fuck!

<p>See Moody not travelling to Jo'berg for quarters -- nerve damage.</p>

<p>All a bit helter-skelter there at the end.</p>

<p>Looking for video of Harris' head-high tackle/throw at ~65minutes. Can anyone point me to a vid?<br><br>
Not that I'm saying our players SHOULD un-necessarily pick up opposition players by the head and throw them around like rag dolls. Just I'd like to see it again.</p>