Crusaders v Reds

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dan54" data-cid="577539" data-time="1462569738">
Only thing I can say is How good is Scott Barrett, he was m MOTM for me, I know we all like to look at the Tafuas, Daggs etc who were bloody good I know ,but that Barrett kid is everything I want in a lock, tackles like hell, never seems to shirk the tight stuff, and every now and then will pop up in support, seems to scrum ok too, actually reminds me a bit of Brad Thorn.</blockquote>
 
Agree, he's turning into a real hard man ala Brad thorn. Great to see from such a young player

Chris B.

Yeah - it's interesting that the backline is going significantly better this year and the key personnel changes are Mo'unga and Havili in for Slade and Danny. Quite a bit of it I put down to the forwards playing with a lot more intent - some of it down to us not actually having played any of the really top teams since Round 1. But pretty much everyone is looking better.
 
Agree on Barrett, the only reservation I have about him is that, at 1.97 metres, he's short for an international lock. He's probably in a similar boat as Taufua, who's playing some outstanding footy. Jordy's big problem is that he doesn't offer the genuine lineout option that guys like Kaino and Luatua do. He might be able to pick up the Masoe/Vito/Messam bench role, though. Aside from his height, he's going at All Black standard.
 
I think I was most pleased with Macilai - towards the end he was knocking people over and slinging them about, where previously he's looked a bit timid. If he can keep that attitude we'll have genuinely scary options on both wings.

Billy Tell

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dan54" data-cid="577539" data-time="1462569738">
<div>
Only thing I can say is How good is Scott Barrett, he was m MOTM for me, I know we all like to look at the Tafuas, Daggs etc who were bloody good I know ,but that Barrett kid is everything I want in a lock, tackles like hell, never seems to shirk the tight stuff, and every now and then will pop up in support, seems to scrum ok too, actually reminds me a bit of Brad Thorn.
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I think he's overtaken Romano. But all the AB threads on this forum seem to keep favouring Romano. We see when the squad is announced. Crusaders forward pack has been awesome all season. Now that Dagg is back, Mounga is playing better, and even my favourite player Fonatia has actually been not too bad, I'm starting to think the Crusaders can go deep into the competition.
 
I really don't see Taufua ever being an AB (or at least not more than a token cap on an EOYT), not least because he's just not a lineout option.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="577544" data-time="1462574662">
<div>
I think he's overtaken Romano. But all the AB threads on this forum seem to keep favouring Romano. We see when the squad is announced. Crusaders forward pack has been awesome all season. Now that Dagg is back, Mounga is playing better, and even my favourite player Fonatia has actually been not too bad, I'm starting to think the Crusaders can go deep into the competition.
 
I really don't see Taufua ever being an AB (or at least not more than a token cap on an EOYT), not least because he's just not a lineout option.
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<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Taufua'>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Taufua</a>
 
Jordy's had a growth spurt on Wiki today. He's no longer 2cm tall, but he's been on a crash diet and has that BMI well under control at 91kgs. :)

Toddy

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="577548" data-time="1462575407">
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<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Taufua'>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Taufua</a>
 
Jordy's had a growth spurt on Wiki today. He's no longer 2cm tall, but he's been on a crash diet and has that BMI well under control at 91kgs. :)
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It's 108kgs now That sounds about right.

taniwharugby

maybe he might be 120kg in an hour....
 
agree on Barrett, has that Thorn style of game

leytonandamanda

Slightly off topic but what's happened to jack goodhue? Is he injured or just can't get into a super rugby squad? 
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

broughie

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="577542" data-time="1462573743">
<div>
Agree, he's turning into a real hard man ala Brad thorn. Great to see from such a young player
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That's a bit rich. Brad Thorn was a monster. While Barret is impressive not even close to what Brad Thorn offered.

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="broughie" data-cid="577558" data-time="1462579326">That's a bit rich. Brad Thorn was a monster. While Barret is impressive not even close to what Brad Thorn offered.</blockquote>
 
Back in 2003 Thorn wasn't a 'monster' but grew to be a great player. All signs is that Barrett is better than when Thorn first played super rugby.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Toddy" data-cid="577552" data-time="1462577347">
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It's 108kgs now That sounds about right.
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Mrs C4L Savea has been rumbled. Rumour has it that Matt Todd briefly transformed into a slender Tyrion Lannister overnight.
 
Stop fucking about with those vital statistics - Steve Hansen doesn't them from Wikipedia! :)

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="broughie" data-cid="577558" data-time="1462579326">
That's a bit rich. Brad Thorn was a monster. While Barret is impressive not even close to what Brad Thorn offered.</blockquote>
 
He's considerably better than Brad thorn was early in his career, plenty of development left in Barrett yet. Apples with apples

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="577544" data-time="1462574662">
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I think he's overtaken Romano. But all the AB threads on this forum seem to keep favouring Romano. We see when the squad is announced. Crusaders forward pack has been awesome all season. Now that Dagg is back, Mounga is playing better, and even my favourite player Fonatia has actually been not too bad, I'm starting to think the Crusaders can go deep into the competition.
 
I really don't see Taufua ever being an AB (or at least not more than a token cap on an EOYT), not least because he's just not a lineout option.
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</blockquote>
 
I'm not sure Barrett and Romano are entirely competing for the same spot. I think Romano is more up against Tuipolotu as the heavy, tight lock back-up to Retallick. Barrett as the lighter more mobile back-up to Sammy - and against Bird.

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="leytonandamanda" data-cid="577557" data-time="1462578789">
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Slightly off topic but what's happened to jack goodhue? Is he injured or just can't get into a super rugby squad? 
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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</blockquote>
Got injured for Canterbury last year. Playing club rugby for Lincoln Uni today.

taniwharugby

he is part of the squad but was always gonna miss a decent chunk of the season.
 
Be good when he comes back up here and links up with is brothers....

broughie

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="577561" data-time="1462580354">
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Back in 2003 Thorn wasn't a 'monster' but grew to be a great player. All signs is that Barrett is better than when Thorn first played super rugby.
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So you are comparing the physicality of Barret to Thorn? Accept your point about Thorn becoming a great player because he swapped codes at an older age and had to learn a different game essentially. I still can't see the comparison between the 2 but oh well.

Frank

Thorn certainly wasn't the finished product when he came on the scene - but he was always immensely physical. 
Barrett is not near him yet in that department as far as I can see, but he is better at rugby at the same stage of development.

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="577572" data-time="1462587492">
<div>
he is part of the squad but was always gonna miss a decent chunk of the season.
 
Be good when he comes back up here and links up with is brothers....
</div>
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He wants to doesn't he? He was very reluctant to turn out for Canterbury in the first place due to his Northland roots.

taniwharugby

Reluctant probably isn't the right word, but he really wants to play for Northland, especially alongside his brother, shame his older brother Cam was forced into retirement, I watched Josh and Axel Goodhue turn out for Kawakawa last weekend, and both managed to shine in a side that leaked 60+

leytonandamanda

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="577589" data-time="1462596862">Reluctant probably isn't the right word, but he really wants to play for Northland, especially alongside his brother, shame his older brother Cam was forced into retirement, I watched Josh and Axel Goodhue turn out for Kawakawa last weekend, and both managed to shine in a side that leaked 60+</blockquote>
Axel goodhue? Is he younger? What position?

taniwharugby

Think he is older than Jack and Josh but younger than Cam, he played 8 last week, with Cam coaching, if their family weren't at Kawakawa the club would die.

The Silver Fern

Crusaders v Reds