Crusaders vs B&I Lions
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Todd was everywhere I thought. Probably our best player with Goodhue.
Lions played an excellent defensive game tonight. You could see the quality as opposed to the rabble that were selected against the Blues...
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@Tim said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
If the Lions can finish a couple of tries they're a good chance against an AB team with a few "underdone" players.
I think Hansen & co can't afford to go with more than one underdone player. Especially given first (full on) Test rust that often seems to plague them...
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that rush defence will be interesting v BB, who is pretty handy at getting the ball behind the line, obviously part of that defence relies on the ref allowing them that extra half yard of space over the line too
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I don't think the Lions looked too good considering how they only scored four penalties against a team that took every available option to not build any pressure.
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@Donsteppa said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@taniwharugby said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
wtf...you cant lose the game, but you just kick it out, see a NZ team in that situation would have had a crack
They're here to win, not entertain. The Crusaders couldn't figure that out in front of the posts in the first half.
This
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@No-Quarter said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@Tim said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
Dagg looks shit this year.
I'm actually thinking Ioane on the right wing is our best option.
Nope - he should be our left wing.
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@Donsteppa said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@Tim said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
If the Lions can finish a couple of tries they're a good chance against an AB team with a few "underdone" players.
I think Hansen & co can't afford to go with more than one underdone player. Especially given first (full on) Test rust that often seems to plague them...
I'm not sure we have a choice. No BBBR then it's Romano or Barrett. No Kaino then it's Squire, also underdone and relatively unproven. No Read then it's.... Ardie? I'm happy for Ioane to take one of the wing spots but not sure if they'll go with that either.
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@taniwharugby said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
that rush defence will be interesting v BB, who is pretty handy at getting the ball behind the line, obviously part of that defence relies on the ref allowing them that extra half yard of space over the line too
He dealt with it poorly against the Crusaders. Obviously he will take the line on a lot more.
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@ACT-Crusader Yep, that was definitely why they could only score three points, and were an incompetent, bungling mess.
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Lions attack was very stagnant and they struggle to quickly align after 1st and 2nd phase. Also when they make a break, I agree with @MiketheSnow they just get over excited and weren't clinical.
Defensively though they were very active and up and in all night.
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@taniwharugby Blues in second half showed how forward momentum can neuter the rush.
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@Tim said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@ACT-Crusader Yep, that was definitely why they could only score three points, and were an incompetent, bungling mess.
As I said a far better Lions team selected tonight and we couldn't match it when it counted. No problem there.
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Well that was fucking dire.
Ref was dog shit but the crusaders were worse. Did Blackadder come back to coach the team for this game?Taufua, Mounga, Havili and Bridge were probably the worst. Was Seta even playing? Romano pretty poor too.
Even Sam Whitelock and Todd were below par and the front row may have pushed the Lions around but they failed to adjust to the nutty ref so may as well have been getting beaten.The kick to the line ignoring 3 points or the scrum right before half time was killer. Why the hell were they trying to out maul the Lions? Surely that is one of their strengths. Reminds me of the Brumbies thinking a lineout drive is the only way to score. The knock on from Bridge from the Goodhue break was extremely costly. Could have totally changed the game. It sat up perfectly for him too.
Think they really missed Crotty and Read tonight. Both guys who can get over the advantage line and create something. Instead they just went side to side and kicked aimlessly.
Goodhue probably the best player for the Crusaders. Dagg started ok but tailed off.
As for the Lions, They will be happy about the win but fuck me they play some dull rugby. Springboks 2008/2009 stuff without the pace or long distance drop goals. Just kicking high ball after high ball and having no idea what to do once the line is wide open. 2 tries in 3 games against non international sides is shit.
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@No-Quarter said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@Donsteppa said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
@Tim said in Crusaders vs B&I Lions:
If the Lions can finish a couple of tries they're a good chance against an AB team with a few "underdone" players.
I think Hansen & co can't afford to go with more than one underdone player. Especially given first (full on) Test rust that often seems to plague them...
I'm not sure we have a choice. No BBBR then it's Romano or Barrett. No Kaino then it's Squire, also underdone and relatively unproven. No Read then it's.... Ardie? I'm happy for Ioane to take one of the wing spots but not sure if they'll go with that either.
I'm thinking that BBBR has missed one week - and may play against Samoa?
No Kaino or Read then I'd almost be tempted to go with Todd at 7 and Cane at 6. No both of them and it gets fun.
I'd also go with Ioane.
I'm unimpressed that an underdone Squire is in the mix ahead of an in-form Luatua. I was a vocal critic of Luatua especially after the first Chiefs vs Blues game this year, but he's currently the sort of cover you want in the squad with several players otherwise underdone.
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Tough conditions made for a tough watch.
The only thing on the minds of the Lions players was win.
The Crusaders wanted to play their brand of rugby when the conditions, the opposition and the referee's interpretation didn't allow them to. And they had no Plan B. Was like watching Wales. Competitive, glimpses of winning, but ultimately falling short.
From a Lions perspective Farrell Senior earned his place on tour tonight. Borthwick and Rowntree too.
Howley is still out of his depth.
The forwards went well against what was supposed to be the best Super Rugby pack.
The combinations worked for the most part.
Barring injury it's George and Owens for the Test Hooker spot. Who starts depends on the game plan.
Furlong and Vunipola are our Test props.
AWJ confounded his critics with a great 80 minute display. Second lock spot is between Kruis and Itoje and who starts once again depends on the game plan.
O'Mahoney was Richard Hill esque this evening. Looked like he was doing nothing but watch the tape back and he was doing all the right things.
If Warburton is fit, the it's O'Mahoney, Warburton, Faletau for me with Tipuric / O'Brien on the bench.
Murray cert
Farrell cert
Te'o cert
Davies cert
North certWilliams needs a run at 15. If he doesn't set the world on fire then Halfpenny to 15 and three way shoot out for the other wing spot between Williams, Watson and Daly.
Onwards and upwards 👍
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Predictable result. Chch were never going to get upper hand in tight. (BTW their starting front row were clearly superior to Lions, who seemed to have picked up the French translation of Ben Alexander playbook). Irony is that the Sader's lack of x-factor in the backs has been apparent but none of the Super teams have been able to take advantage, although the Blues and Chiefs went close. Lions team fielded today are a quality side and can close down the Chch structured style in their sleep. Early subs of front row and Romero makes me wonder if under some AB instruction. Razor's face at 65 made it obvious it was a hopeless cause.
