Crusaders v Highlanders
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Went along today. Must say daytime footy is great! Great effort from the Highlanders. Their back row, Smith, Ioane and Nareki were outstanding I thought and they never stopped going right to the end.'
Well done Crusaders (again). They always find a way like the true champions they are. Something I'd suggest the Blues do next week is kick high instead of long. Jordan and Reece running it back at will began to suck the energy out of the Highlanders forwards in particular as they began to struggle kick chase wise leaving holes in their defense. Havili made a difference when he came on too I thought as did Romano and although I don't think he's the answer at test level, Mo'unga continues to shine at this level.
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On the game itself. Good entertaining game. Highlanders will be kicking themselves for not taking all their opportunities and the bottling it a bit at the end once the Crusaders got in front. Stupid from Sio T to get himself carded like that. I was hoping they would cause an upset and keep the comp alive for next week.
Friz and Ioane were good and both should go close to AB selection if there is an AB team this year.
Congrats to the Crusaders for 4 titles in a row.
Pretty impressive given this years team hardly looked unbeatable on paper. Especially in the forwards.
Backs were quality even with Goodhue being below his best all year and Havili getting injured.
Mounga must be their mvp. Has surely earned first crack at the AB 10 spot.Hopefully if they run Super Rugby Aotearoa again next year they will add a finals series with 2v3 playing to meet 1 in the Final so there can be a bigger finish.
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@Bones said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
Anyone see the foot in touch?
The Crusaders foot in the lead-up to that last try? Yeah, Disgusting that didn't get picked up, goddamn ref bias bullshit. It's outrageous, WWF/WWE level reffing. Turned the game, really... took the contest out of it.
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@Kruse said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@Bones said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
Anyone see the foot in touch?
The Crusaders foot in the lead-up to that last try? Yeah, Disgusting that didn't get picked up, goddamn ref bias bullshit. It's outrageous, WWF/WWE level reffing. Turned the game, really... took the contest out of it.
Have another look mate it was the highlanders foot in touch
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@Duluth said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
Who else do you have ahead of him? Black?
Yes
Edit: And in all honesty Trask.
I reckon Ioane is at all considered is because he was the next best option in a year (2019) when he was the least worst back up.
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@Chris said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@Kruse said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@Bones said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
Anyone see the foot in touch?
The Crusaders foot in the lead-up to that last try? Yeah, Disgusting that didn't get picked up, goddamn ref bias bullshit. It's outrageous, WWF/WWE level reffing. Turned the game, really... took the contest out of it.
Have another look mate it was the highlanders foot in touch
Have to agree here.
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@Crazy-Horse said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@Chris-B pity Blackadder got injured, it was a real chance for him to show what he's got at this level. I liked his cameos before the injury, he seemed more abrasive than I had previously thought.
Grace is a good one too. I didn't think too much of him in the NPC, but he was playing lock every time I watched him. Liked him way more as a six. Hit hard in the tackle and very handy in the lineout.
Blackadder was excellent for the Mako last year - the talisman for the forward pack and outplayed Squire and Taufua. The only time we were really in trouble was in the semi when he got injured early. Super rugby is a different kettle of fish, but I'd be surprised if he didn't do well once he gets a decent run at it.
Grace is hugely promising given his age - misses out by 12 days on being the first NZ player born in the new millennium to play Super rugby.
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@Canerbry said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@Nepia said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
I notice the ref defending brigade is out in force. He made some howlers, are we not allowed to say that anymore? This PC rugby culture ... 😜
You're allowed to say what you like.
But you do you need to be ready for people to point out that you do often seem to invent "ref howlers" based on the team you support, or in this case the team you seem to hate with a pathetic bitter jealous rage that manifests itself in you going "WAAAAH IT'S NOT FAIR" whenever the Crusaders win.
You know I didn't actually mention anything specific aside from suggesting the ref was playing under Wayne Barnes forward pass rules? But carry on with your ranting.
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@Chris-B said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@Crazy-Horse said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@Chris-B pity Blackadder got injured, it was a real chance for him to show what he's got at this level. I liked his cameos before the injury, he seemed more abrasive than I had previously thought.
Grace is a good one too. I didn't think too much of him in the NPC, but he was playing lock every time I watched him. Liked him way more as a six. Hit hard in the tackle and very handy in the lineout.
Blackadder was excellent for the Mako last year - the talisman for the forward pack and outplayed Squire and Taufua. The only time we were really in trouble was in the semi when he got injured early. Super rugby is a different kettle of fish, but I'd be surprised if he didn't do well once he gets a decent run at it.
Grace is hugely promising given his age - misses out by 12 days on being the first NZ player born in the new millennium to play Super rugby.
Good to see you back, I was a bit worried you'd disappeared for good after you didn't join the discussion on your latest cheque book acquisitions on the wing.
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@Chris-B said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@Nepia You missed me, darling!
I'm back from vacation - just in time for the Chiefs down-trou!
The down-trou was not fun, but well deserved.
Such is your love of cabbage coaches I expect some heroic defending of Gats from you over the next few months.
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@Chris-B said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@Nepia You missed me, darling!
I'm back from vacation - just in time for the Chiefs down-trou!
you got a holiday? fuck you!!
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@Nepia Poor old Gats is not one of ours. Have to leave him to be defended by the Waikato-ites - along with Mitch...and Fozzie....
I was trying to find exactly what he said prior to the first round game vs The Highlanders, when he was trying to wind Aaron Mauger up - something about the game being a must win.
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@mariner4life It was great!
Ski-fields and even the cruise on Milford Sound were very uncrowded!
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@Chris-B said in Crusaders v Highlanders:
@Nepia Poor old Gats is not one of ours. Have to leave him to be defended by the Waikato-ites - along with Mitch...and Fozzie....
I was trying to find exactly what he said prior to the first round game vs The Highlanders, when he was trying to wind Aaron Mauger up - something about the game being a must win.
I doubt there's any Waikato-ites ready to wade in - you blokes have still got a lock on all the trusty steeds, shields and swords.
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