Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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. -
-
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. -
Really pleased that the Canes put together their best performance of the season in the Semi Final. So near and yet so far.
Amazing by the Crusaders to only concede three penalties in the whole game. Held their nerve, took their chances and stayed on the right side of the ref. Mo’unga has developed into an ace place kicker.
-
@Chris Barrett missed one conversion from the sideline.
-
So. The experts said the Crusaders would swat aside Saracens if ever they met and would easily account for the Canes.
Great game of rugby. The canes were unlucky not to win with Read going AWOL and TJP and BB pulling the strings. Thought Leaware-Walker made a real statement.
Can’t see the Jaguares overcoming the travel factor but we see.
-
@Billy-Tell you Ned to the re watch the game I think........
-
@Stag said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes:
@Billy-Tell you Ned to the re watch the game I think........
Tend to agree
Canes in 1st half were playing it very safe Kicking game was poor, they struggled to win aerial battles and their wingers were utter garbage
Lowe was getting attacked big time and Lam was lost in space as usual
WTF he was doing for Saders 1st try
Canes ultimately are a very good team but came up short about the two best teams in Super Rugby this year
Saders beat the Canes THREE times this season & Jaguares battered up the Canes in Wellington
In the likely event B Barrett leaves on a BBBR like deal returning in 2021
Canes are going to regress big timeThey have no one else as a backup
-
@Jaguares4real Our forwards will get better with the signings of Scrafton and Lomax. Yes we will lose Beaudy for a year but overall I think our squad gets stronger. One of those first fives will need to to step up for sure but we will be in the playoffs again and our young guys would have gained a massive amount from last night.
That was the final last night IMO. The Crusaders will deal to the Jaguares next Saturday.
-
will be Pumas best chance to notch up thier first W vs the ABs in a fortnight.
-
@African-Monkey yeah you are right from his best side
Mounga nailed 2 from the sideline from his harder side
Add JB missed a penalty, 5 points would have won the game or Mounga missed 2 different result -
Thought the ref didn’t call a lot last night which in a funny way made it a great game. It allowed the Canes to compete hard at breakdown which is what they needed.
Interesting that while the Crusaders had the dominant scrum they couldn’t get it going. The Hurricane cleared quickly or the Crusaders got their timing wrong. Great performance from Canes front five to nullify that weapon.
Two calls late in the game one each way that impacted- scrum collapsed when Crusaders hot on attack and going forward but then they were asked to clear it? And the hand of God at the end.
Wonder if Coles late shot on Mounga created an injury he carried through the game? Late with no arms with a guy who has opened himself up after passing. Hate that - even league have got tough on that. That stuff will cost you a World Cup. Love Coles and he was awesome last night but needs to get that out of his game.
Ardie is having great season. But I think the work of Read and Todd last night is under rated.
The ABS will use a Mounga and BB combination late in the game for the ABs. Mounga has that free running game that can open up defences and with BBs speed and intuition from full back they would make a great combination.
-
@Chris said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes:
@Stag and BB missed 2 easy kicks Mounga nailed all his even from the wrong side of the park and from the touchline which ended up being matching winning kicks
Would have lost the WC final missing those easy kicks.2 easy kicks. What the actual F?
-
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes:
@Chris said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes:
@Stag and BB missed 2 easy kicks Mounga nailed all his even from the wrong side of the park and from the touchline which ended up being matching winning kicks
Would have lost the WC final missing those easy kicks.2 easy kicks. What the actual F?
I thought all his conversions were on the sideline 🤔. Richie M needs to work on his defence but he'll get there. I am hesitant to automatically anoint any Saders backs as the FAB when they play behind that pack
-
@Rancid-Schnitzel Easy from his side of the field for the AB top goal kicker should he not kick ? it, its his job
Mounga nailed 2 on his lesser side from the sideline my point nail your kicks WC coming and it fucking crucial it has been at every WC.
-
