Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes
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Hurricanes were the better team by some distance for about 41 minutes minus two plays. And although their game plan didn't look quite right for the first 39 they were equal to everything the crusaders could through at them.
Amazing grit from the crusaders to cling on for the win. Robertson has a gift for building never say die mentalities in squads. I'm a bitwworried about Read and Goodhue. Both are still solid, but well down on their peaks.
Feel for the canes, did everything except win in the second half.
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@Cyclops long season for many of All Blacks, I want them at their best in Japan..if you were worried about Read & Goodhue ..I was staggered by how poor Beauden Barrett’s first half was ,but you know what I will cut them some slack..!
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Well played Crusaders. Proud of our boys for putting in a big shift. All our big names stood up, especially Perenara. Fantastic performance.
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What a game! Worthy of a Final! The right team won, but geez, that was close! Great effort from the Canes until the final minute.
Mo'unga miles better than BB.
Perenara impressive.
Ardie couldn't do his thing in this game.
Laumape was outstanding.
Coles took too many angry pills before the game; according to the radio commentators he was involved in a lot of off-the ball stuff (esp in first half). Didn't sound good.
This game also showed how important Crotty is defensively; I hope he's okay (esp for the ABs).This was the best of the two semi-finals. More entertaining and better quality and intensity rugby.
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@canefan well said,gee after the first 38 minutes I thought the Saders were gonna strangle the life out of the Canes
But they came out in the 2nd half with a bit of momentum..,holding on to the ball but more importantly getting on the outside of the Saders midfield ..just a couple of occasions when they switched off defensively..
On saying that I was impressed with the Canes pack standing up..but it was the Saders evening and I think based across the 80 minutes ,it was deserving..! -
Awesome game in the end. That should have been the final. The end of this bullshit conference format can’t come soon enough.
Whitelock’s hand of god robbed the Canes of one last crack at winning but that isn’t the reason they lost. The way they played in the first half was pathetic. I hope BB remembers this game for the rest of the year. Good BB takes on the defence and sets others away like in the 2nd half. Rubbish BB endlessly kicks away possesion hoping for some miracle play like in the 1st half.
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Should I start a Who should be AB 10 v.8.0 thread? 🙂
TJP will be one of our most important players at the RWC. I’m predicting close games and his finishing will be critical.
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Re: Crotty
His defensive importance lies with the combination, allowing Goodhue to defend where he is most effective. As long as Goodhue defends at 13 the midfield is solid. Ennor is not (yet) a good 13 on defence.
Any AB combo of Crotty/Goodhue, ALB/Goodhue or SBW/Goodhue would be fine IMO. Next best options for 13 are ALB and Crotty although ALB offers more on attack in that jersey.
It’s a given that Goodhue goes to Japan. As for the rest of the midfield options it will be a tight call. -
@ACT-Crusader I'd take the defensive tight grit of TJ against the likes of Ireland vs Smith. But any space, and tendency to be beaten by speed (e.g. Boks) I'd take Smith. Horses for courses
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Hurricane's were a lot more competitive than I thought they would be.
Ardie was immense and completely outplayed Todd. Easily has the bench openside role and there is now quite a decent gap 2nd and 3rd.
BB was pretty bloody bad in the first half but came right in the second. Not enough to win the crown though. RM was great throughout.
Thought James Marshall was mud. But it was good to see Lumpy stand up in an important game.
TJ was just brilliant. Kept the Canes in the game in the first half. Will be interesting to see who wins Canes player of the year between him and Savea.
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I really don't think Beauden's chip kicks are purely of his own accord. It seems to be a clear tactic to try and unsettle smothering defense systems - chip it a fair bit early to get them in two minds and then look to keep the ball in hand more.
Given how unlikely it is to blow good teams off the park in the first 40 I can understand the logic.
That said, I think it's too risky and I'd far prefer the ABs shelve that tactic and look to dominate possession throughout.
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BB took the line more in that 2nd half than in the entire season. That's the way he should play, not this kicking bullshit.
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Early injury update
The Crusaders could be without a couple of key All Blacks for next weekend's Super Rugby final against the Jaguares. No sooner had the red and blacks pipped the Hurricanes 30-26 in a belter of semifinal in Christchurch on Saturday night, and lock Scott Barrett and midfielder Ryan Crotty were being assessed for hand injuries. Crusaders coach Scott Robertson will now sweat on pending x-rays to check whether Barrett (finger) and Crotty (thumb) suffered breaks during the humdinger at Orangetheory Stadium.There was better news regarding prop Joe Moody and first-five Richie Mo'unga, who were both nursing sore shoulders after the Crusaders eliminated the Hurricanes in a home semifinal for the second year running. Moody left the match early in the second half, while Mo'unga played on after being clobbered by Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles early in the match. -
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Great game Canes played very well really should have been the final
To be fair a lot of shit missed by the officials on both sides.too many to list here
Can’t really blame the ref for losing
Mounga 100% with the boot
BB missed 2 easy conversions and JB a penalty
That also helped to influence the outcome.
I have seen some pathetic responses on other sites by Canes fans how they were robbed,not on the Fern where I think we have posters who have great Rugby knowledge.
Ignorant fans I would call them no Rugby sense what so ever.
