<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Winger" data-cid="564750" data-time="1458041392">
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<p>It clearly wasn't a knock on based on the rules above. Criticize a video ref when he gets it wrong. But for once two obvious calls were called right</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Savea never lost possession. Not even close</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>A knock-on occurs when a player loses possession of the ball and it goes forward,</strong></p>
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<p>I can see why you cop so much grief at times Winger. You stop reading at the point it suits your argument.</p>
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<p>The rest of the law reads..</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote"><strong> or when the ball hits the hand or arm and goes forward</strong>, and (B ) the ball touches the ground or another player before the original player can catch it.
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<p>At no time (until he picked the ball up) was Savea 'in possession' so the first part (the bit you point to) doesn't apply.</p>
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<p>As I have said, I have no problem with the TMO deciding that if there was a KO it wasn't clear and obvious to him and therefore he wasn't going to call it. If that is what he meant though, he should have said it that way not confuse matters with talk of 'real time'.</p>
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<p>I gave an extreme example earlier of how it may be possible that separation isn't required but here is a slightly more possible one to think over.</p>
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<p>The ball has been kicked down field and has pulled up a metre or so short of the line. An attacking player reaches down to the ball and while still moving forward reaches down and rolls the ball forward along the ground with one hand, over the try line and drops on it to score. On replay there is no clear and obvious separation between hand and ball, yet he never picked it up either.</p>
<p>Would you be OK with the try being awarded or would that all look wrong to you?</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="564275" data-time="1457794428">
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<p>To be fair, the ref is very clear and precise, I quite like his methods. Jaco Van Heerden I think his name is. Perhaps one to look out for</p>
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<p>I thought the ref was very good.  He reminded me of Joubert with his communication to the players. </p>
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<p>I recorded the game and watched it this morning.  The Chiefs' kickoff receptions weren't very accurate but I wonder if the large shadow across the field was part of the problem.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Barnes and Hoeft still have some work to do with the forwards but I thought the scrum was OK considering 3 of the first choice T5 aren't playing (4 if you include Hika from the starting XV).  Seu impresses me more with every game, in fact the loose forward trio all played well.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As mentioned earlier, Cruden needs to start goal kicking if he wants to be considered as the AB 1st 5.  Ngatai showed those subtle touches of class like Conrad with his ability to find space where it appears there isn't any and provides a good kicking option.</p>
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<p>An interesting final decision by Leitch to kick at goal.  It helps the PD.  5 pts banked.</p>

<p>I wasnt impressed with the changes or the way they played on the weekend, but I think its a bit early to judge him , </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Before the season started , and he  studied the  draw , current champions first game , followed by  the Crusaders away ,  if you offered him 1 win from 2 , Im sure he would happily take that , </p>
<p> </p>
<p> lets see what happens next , Blues vs Canes ,  Canes should be desperate , will be interesting </p>

<p>JTA had a storming game in the loose. Unfortunately, he can't scrum. It must be a question of technique because he is really huge.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="562908" data-time="1457287446">
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<p>Didn't they have a couple of cards in week one also?</p>
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<p>Yes, two yellow cards and one player - Tomas Lavanini - suspended for a week.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="562889" data-time="1457251206"><p>I seem to recall Breyton Paulse doing some impressive post try celebrations, but I've never thought he came across as arrogant because of them.<br><br>
Each to thier own.</p></blockquote>
But hey Habana was ever the stern, humble player on the field, same with Matfield and especially Botha. Not some of the most arrogant fellas around at all, they would've been shit otherwise. I mean, who was that git who raced a cheetah? Never heard from him again.

<p>If we lose to the Reds in 2 weeks time (which is a high possibility as we have some sort of phobia playing away from home), the players shouldn't be allowed back in the country.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="562461" data-time="1457092110">
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<p>TPN broken wrist - 8 weeks minimum<br>
Hegarty ACL - season<br>
Horne knee - no diagnosis this stage</p>
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<p>Just read that Horne is okay and will be able to play against the Highlanders. Tahs already had a few injuries, hadn't they? Foley?</p>

<p>Surprised to see Burger's name in the teamsheet. He's not going to make the next world cup and his body has already taken a ferocious battering. Put your feet up son. Or go earn some easy money somewhere at least.</p>

<p>Article from Sumo about Cruden. A bit OTT, but pretty much also what we witnessed as well.</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<p>There was a moment on Saturday night in all the heat and the noise and the nor-west wind at AMI Stadium when Aaron Cruden simply vanished, only to materialise seconds later so far from where he was last spotted that it was all you could do to rub your eyes and wonder how he did it.</p>
<p>There is a subtlety to Cruden's game that is made possibly only by a supreme confidence in his one-on-one ability. He starts games in much the same way as a prize-fighter starts a bout; he works his way into the contest through process and orthodoxy; he jabs and feints, defends, and retreats. He is conscious of landing a few early punches but he is thinking rounds ahead, noting deficiencies and patterns.</p>
<p>He began this way against the Crusaders on Saturday night. It was his first game since his knee - and his world cup dreams - disintegrated on this very same ground back in April last year. He stood in the pocket, made a couple of darts at the line, and cleared the ball when required.</p>
<p>
He took the first pass early and often, a safe pair of hands for Tawera Kerr-Barlow, a calm head in the early storm.</p>
<p>In the first ten minutes he did the things we all expect a fly half to do. He stood in the places we expect a fly half to stand. He watched and waited and for the ball and showed glimpses of his undeniable brilliance. And then he did what Aaron Cruden does best: he evaporated. One minute he was at first receiver, the next he was in midfield, then he trailed back behind the attack line and, all of a sudden, he was back where he began, four phases later.</p>
<p>From those early touches, he had gleaned all the intelligence he needed to remote control the game. Such is his presence on the field that even when he had no direct involvement in the play, he was still pulling the strings. His team mates filled whichever space he had just vacated, and made room for him whenever and wherever he reappeared. When the Chiefs attacked, watching Cruden in the line was akin to playing a game of human whack-a-mole.</p>
<p>There is a science at play here; a mastery of illusion and sleight of hand. At 80 kilograms dripping wet, Cruden is not the kind of player who will knock over defenders. Instead he bounces out and lets his wingers hit first phase ball from the lineout, or Charlie Ngatai bend the line inside. He takes the pass at odd angles and holds defenders. He hides behind screens and re-emerges on an outside mismatch. You half expect him to yell 'surprise!' as he glides through a gap.</p>
<p>And even while all this is happening, even while he was happy to roam the backline and job share with his blindside wingers and his second five and the impressive Damian McKenzie - as precocious a player as this country has ever produced - he still managed to piece together more touches than all but one other fly half in the opening round of Super Rugby. It was a masterclass of deception and decision making.</p>
<p>There was one play in particular, a Crusaders short lineout just inside their own half, in which it was impossible not to discern Cruden's dominion over the game. He lined up three wide in defence, only to watch Andy Ellis despatch the ball from the box. He turned to see Damian McKenzie slot calmly into the first receiver spot from the resultant ruck and so he simply kept his width. Two passes later, he took the ball inside his own 22, carved inside the slide and peeled off 40 metres.</p>
<p>It was the kind of play that reminded you of just why Aaron Cruden is so valuable to this Chiefs team, and just why he is so hard to defend against. The reality is that he is the great illusionist, a side-stepping, shape-changing amusement park shaman. And he announced his return to Super Rugby by sprinkling his own brand of magic dust around AMI Stadium, leaving us rubbing our eyes, and wondering how he does it.</p>
<p>- NZ Herald</p>
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<p>Yep. Palu is back on the bench this week, so it may have been a passing comet in terms of fantasy rugby scoring. Shame really - I don't know why we've got Palu back who has been a great servant for us, but is hardly going to help with generational change.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="561785" data-time="1456813234">
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<p>although that is probably more to do with Kaino coming back isnt it, <strong>would be Pryor to drop out of the match day squad.</strong></p>
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<p>I would say it would be more likely to be Edwards. In that scenario 6 and 8 would already be covered by Luatua, Kaino and Ioane (and even Gibson), whereas Pryor provides cover for 7.</p>

<p>Christian Lloyd has been in the same boat for Wellington over the last two seasons. Seems to be always injured. Hopefully they can come back soon and give this Canes side the grunt they need.</p>

<p>Ha ha! Is does too!!! Just needs more coke round the nose</p>

<p>Good game to watch. The Jaguares will be better and better. Their scrum is a concern though, which is a bit surprising for an Argentinian team.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="561245" data-time="1456525961">
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<p>Go Beauden was once.<br><br>
Psychic Energy was sustained moronity</p>
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<p>Once was more than enough. Murray was pure genius.</p>

<p>Yes, what was I thinking. Making a separate topic for this game  :wacko2:</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mimic" data-cid="559755" data-time="1455937674">
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<p>Feeling optimistic about the Blues this season..</p>
<p>Will be interesting to see what team Umaga goes with against the Highlanders</p>
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<p>Don't know what to make of pre season tbh. Will Kaino cop a suspension?</p>