Lions v Crusaders

Stargazer

It's very interesting to see how the media bombarded the Chiefs as the title favourites as soon as they were on top of the NZ Conference, or the Highlanders likely to defend their title after a few wins, overlooking that the Crusaders had played one game less. Now, the Crusaders are only one point behind the Chiefs, and the Chiefs and Highlanders haven't had their bye yet.
 
I think the media (and others) underestimating the Crusaders is all due to the fact that they have lost McCaw and Carter, but has the retirement/departure of these players really had such an impact? I think the injuries of Dagg, Fruean, (initially) Crotty have had more influence on the Crusaders' game. McCaw and Carter haven't played that many games the last few years due to injury or sabbaticals, and weren't playing that well when they did. I think the Canes are suffering the most from losing Nonu and Smith. When most injured players have returned (where possible) to the NZ teams, I expect there will be three teams fighting for top spot: Chiefs, Crusaders and Highlanders (in no particular order). And the only Aussi team that can potentially come close are the Brumbies. I don't know about you, but I think four out of the five Australasian spots in the play-offs will go to NZ teams, with the Blues the mostly likely to miss out.
 
Current standings in Australasian group (NZ and Aussi conference leaders automatically placed for play-offs; next three in the group also go through: Wildcards): <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/#ladderstab'>http://www.sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/#ladderstab</a>

Gunner

Oh, so we don't have a stand alone NZ conference? 
That does make it easier for more NZ teams to make the finals then doesn't it. 
Edit: Fcuk spellcheck

Dan54

No would make it harder to get more kiwi teams in finals, they would knock each other out of contention.

kiwiinmelb

although I think it's unfair , Im really not fussed about the finals system now , 
What i am smiling about is the gulf between the nz teams and the rest , which has been helped by the conference system I believe . 
So what they initially thought would be good for teams like the Aus sides has come back to bite them . It's starting to look like first division second division.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gunner" data-cid="569086" data-time="1459554724">
<div>
Oh, so we don't have a stand alone NZ conference? 
That does make it easier for more NZ teams to make the finals then doesn't it. 
Edit: Fcuk spellcheck ;)
</div>
</blockquote>
 
There is a stand alone NZ conference, but that's only relevant for determining the conference leader, which qualifies automatically (regardless of points) for a home play-off match.
 
All conference leaders from the NZ, Aus, Africa1 and Africa2 conferences have a home-playoff match (amongst each other, they are ranked 1-4 according to points total, which is relevant for determining their opponent in the play-offs and for who gets to play at home in SF and F).
 
Wildcards are ranked 5-8 according to points total, and play their first play-off match away from home as follows: 1 v 8, 2 v 7, 3 v 6, 4 v 5.
 
Australasian group has two conference winners and three wildcards.
African group has two conference winners and one wildcard.
 
From Sanzaar website:
 
<img src="http://www.sanzarrugby.com/sanzar/assets/File/Screen Shot 2016-02-18 at 9_50_04 am.png" alt="Screen%20Shot%202016-02-18%20at%209_50_0"> <img src="http://www.sanzarrugby.com/sanzar/assets/File/Screen Shot 2016-02-18 at 9_50_27 am.png" alt="Screen%20Shot%202016-02-18%20at%209_50_2">

Unco

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dan54" data-cid="569088" data-time="1459556048">
<div>
No would make it harder to get more kiwi teams in finals, they would knock each other out of contention.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
No, it's easier because they're competing with Aussie teams for wildcard spots and there's less games against NZ teams.
 
Super 15 - 18 Rounds:
8 NZ games
8 non-NZ games
2 byes
 
Super 18 - 17 Rounds:
6 NZ games
9 non-NZ games
2 byes
 
I really didn't like the conference idea before but while I still think the travel sucks and that the Sunwolves shouldn't be in the SA conference, I think this format is much better than the one we had before.

pukunui

Don't know what scrums the ref was looking at. A couple of times the crusaders smashed the lions scrum and he just reset. Then when crockett goes backwards, while keeping the scrum up, he blow the penalty to lions.
Lost count of the times the lions had a dummy runner causing obstruction. Never got called. He also seemed to police the mauls differently, giving the lions an age but calling use it really quickly when the crusaders had the ball.
 
Anyway good win for the Crusaders. Good to see Crotty playing well. Still not a fan of Fonotia.

ACT Crusader

Was a very stop start sort of game despite being high scoring. 
Good to see us playing more direct with runners off the shoulder. 
What's up with some of the grounds this season? They are getting torn up badly at every scrum.

broughie

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="569084" data-time="1459553519">
<div>
 
I think the media (and others) underestimating the Crusaders is all due to the fact that they have lost McCaw and Carter,
 
I think the Crusaders have been underestimated because their backline, except for Nadalo, has sucked for the past 3 years and possibly because Blackadder has been at the helm during this time and is still there. I personally have not considered the loss of Carter or McCaw as a factor. The Crusaders have a great cohesive pack. Put a good backline in place and they are competing for the title.
 
 
 
</div>
</blockquote>

Rancid Schnitzel

Watching game now. McNichol was bloody impressive.

Bones

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rancid Schnitzel" data-cid="569114" data-time="1459577581">Watching game now. McNichol was bloody impressive.</blockquote>
First time I recall him not looking like a boy amongst men at super level! Still pretty funny when he got turfed outta that ruck about 5 from the end. 
Crusaders showing excellent organisation with ball in hand. Looked a bit like a game vs previous years cheetahs though.

Cantab79

Very happy to take two wins from the SA road trip, especially given the supposed quality of the two teams. I hope we don't stumble against the Force in Perth now, who have been somewhat of a bogey team for the Crusaders over the years and who played well for 60 minutes against the Highlanders in Dunedin.
 
I hate people who harp on about the referee after a game, but I found Stuart Berry's officiating at scrum time extremely frustrating to watch.

taniwharugby

THe canes were looking like getting into thier stride the last couple of weeks leading into thier bye, the Highlanders are trucking on and both the Crusaders and Chiefs have been looking very sharp....tough pool this Australasian one!!

Rancid Schnitzel

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="569517" data-time="1459636976">
First time I recall him not looking like a boy amongst men at super level! Still pretty funny when he got turfed outta that ruck about 5 from the end. 
Crusaders showing excellent organisation with ball in hand. Looked a bit like a game vs previous years cheetahs though.</blockquote>
 
Thing is I saw him live against the Reds (yes yes they are shit) in 2014 and you could see the potential. He's big and incredibly quick. Tore Qld a new arsehole that day. Hope he finally lifts this year.

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="569535" data-time="1459642940">
Very happy to take two wins from the SA road trip, especially given the supposed quality of the two teams. I hope we don't stumble against the Force in Perth now, who have been somewhat of a bogey team for the Crusaders over the years and who played well for 60 minutes against the Highlanders in Dunedin. 
I hate people who harp on about the referee after a game, but I found Stuart Berry's officiating at scrum time extremely frustrating to watch.</blockquote>
 
Got to agree. Appeared to be some feedback that he was pretty much blatently biased. So I was deliberately looking for it in his decisions. 
Frankly i think it was more he was out of his depth. 
The only call I think was super glaringly wrong was the tip tackle on Romano (?). Had to be a penalty if not a yc. Went with the scrum ... ??? 
Oh. And when he penalised the Saders for the Ellis Park grass being shit. That was poor.

The Silver Fern

Lions v Crusaders