Chiefs v Highlanders
-
@kiwiwomble said in Chiefs v Highlanders:
think he’s got in his own head with his kicking
Most of his clearances were under 12 level. Might as well have just handed the ball to the opposition as we would have made more ground. One was truly bizarre, had all the time in the world and went sideways.
-
I was happy with the way Iaone played. If he kicks on he could be a huge plus for the Chiefs.
Those long passes worked on Saturday, some of them were sweet to see. It will be interesting to see if he has the vision to know when to throw them against teams waiting for the long pass.
-
@crazy-horse he does...
-
@taniwharugby said in Chiefs v Highlanders:
@crucial well thats a learning for the inexperienced Frizell then...still bloody slow reaction to allow the 8 to pick up and run 3-5m and start hurdling someone before you even detach.
Frizzle was lying on the ground or at least in hands and knees. That’s all the extra split second needed.
Who leaves a 5 metre blind unattended and expects the flanker to block it? You only need to promote that side to have an easy run at the line. -
@crucial that gif doesnt show alot of him, but he didnt look like he was lying on the ground...your defence is marginally better than his was!
It was a shit read by the Highlanders, Smith included, but Frizell should be better than that.
-
@taniwharugby maybe the new scrum "laws" are doing their job?
-
@taniwharugby said in Chiefs v Highlanders:
@crucial that gif doesnt show alot of him, but he didnt look like he was lying on the ground...your defence is marginally better than his was!
It was a shit read by the Highlanders, Smith included, but Frizell should be better than that.
Considering that you can’t see him it’s hilarious that you are judging him.
I’ve had another look and when the scrum collapsed his left knee was down and he immediately threw his right leg forward and pushed himself up and off. The speed of the pick and go from PGS was just too good.
I assume you are imagining a scenario where he isn’t fully committed to the scrum (which was under pressure) and is waiting to jump into the gap. -
@crucial i had also gone back and watched him, Smith was in line with their 8 moving left when he realised he was going the wrong way, yes Frizells left knee went down, but Smith still managed to get himself across into a position to attempt a tackle (although in that space he'd unlikely have made it)
2 ABs, lack of comms really, which largely falls on Smith, but Frizell was hugely slow in reacting to the situation.
-
@dice said in Chiefs v Highlanders:
I do love the fact smith just owns shit like that, would prefer if hadn’t happened but no hiding
Two more thought maybe after finishing the reply
1 ) how stupid is not having a crowd when there are load of people jammed in around the ground watching through the fence
2 ) how good is the maroon jersey, white shorts and all, about time
-
Chiefs looked quite impressive, especially defensively and at the breakdown, they certainly have the squad in 2022 to go all the way & under McMillan I wouldn't be surprised if they did it.
Predicting that it's going to be a three-way shootout between Chiefs, Blues, Saders for the inaugural SRP title, think they all have sufficient forward depth to weather some inevitable seasonal injuries.
Highlanders to qualify for Semi's and go down valiantly to one of those 3.
-
@kiwi_expat I think Brumbies and Reds will push for top 4 at play-offs with Crusaders, Blues and Chiefs. It is a big ask for 4 NZ teams to make semis.
-
@arhs said in Chiefs v Highlanders:
It is a big ask for 4 NZ teams to make semis.
Not really, as it occurred in the final four seasons of proper Super Rugby (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019).
-
@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs v Highlanders:
@arhs said in Chiefs v Highlanders:
It is a big ask for 4 NZ teams to make semis.
Not really, as it occurred in the final four seasons of proper Super Rugby (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019).
The 12 participating teams will not be divided into geographical conferences, instead playing 14 regular season games: the 12 teams facing each other once in a home-and-away format for 11 games, and the remaining 3 games to be played with an emphasis on derby matches.
The top eight teams at the conclusion of the regular season qualify for the play-offs. For the quarterfinals, the first-ranked team play the eighth-ranked team, the second-ranked team play the seventh-ranked, the third-ranked play the sixth-ranked and the fourth-ranked team play the fifth-ranked. The Quarterfinal winners will progress to the Semifinal, and the winners of the semifinals will advance to the final. The higher ranked team will host each playoff match
I'll be surprised to see it happen.
It will really depend on who makes the top eight in which order, as we could easily have all 6 (5) kiwi sides make it but still have an OZ semi finalist due to different match ups.
-
@kiwi_expat said in Chiefs v Highlanders:
@arhs said in Chiefs v Highlanders:
It is a big ask for 4 NZ teams to make semis.
Not really, as it occurred in the final four seasons of proper Super Rugby (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019).
Those were quarter finals not semi finals
-
The more I think about that try the more I think it was a planned option from the Chiefs.
Chiefs first try they had a wider blind and they put two players there. Aaron Smith stays on that side but PGS traps the ball until told to use it and breaks with an 8/9 to the open. Smith is stuck on the wrong side of the scrum and can't get around to help the defence.
Second try Chiefs initially put the winger behind the scrum with body turned toward the first open channel. Landers winger moves over to add to the line there and if you watch Smith he looks at their set up about three times . Chiefs backs act ready to run a move and he gets sucked into running to the back of the scrum. PGS picks and runs immediately while the scrum is still pushing hard. He is already well on the move before any break is called. Having the 9 run back is an indication to the blindside flanker that his side isn't in danger as well.
Smith does actually realise quickly (he changes direction back as soon as he is behind his 8 but the open door plus the pressure from the Chiefs scrum on their loosehead side has also meant that Frizzel is compromised.
I actually wonder if anyone called that PGS had lifted the ball because the whole Landers scrum keeps scrummaging.Up to that point the Chiefs had worked 8/9s to the open as their standard. The change up worked.
-
seriously? they jump to catch the ball...is that going to be considered illegal? maybe smith should have been carded for trying to tackle someone off the ground...thats the same thing isn't it?
“We got an email from the referees saying that’s now illegal,” Highlanders head coach Tony Brown said on Wednesday. “Dangerous play I think is the ruling. Even though it’s not a law it’s being deemed as dangerous now.”
at least browny is taking it the right way
Brown, however, was not bitter that referee Paul Williams did not penalise Sowakula, instead light-heartedly pinning the blame on his captain Smith. “I’m more disappointed with Aaron Smith really,” he said. “I’m not disappointed with what happened at the weekend, I just want to make sure Aaron does his job.”