Waratahs v Chiefs
-
<p>Good game from the Tahs. Folau is a class apart; Hooperr wasn't too bad, either, as well as a few others. They seem to have found their mojo, despite losing to the Crusaders last week. I hope they continue winning in the round robin, because I want them to keep the ponies out of the play-offs. I can't stand those brumboys.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Chiefs very disappointing, except Cruden, Retallick & Pulu. DMac has dropped a few levels since the first half of the season; I wonder why. Two weeks ago, I thought he needed a rest. But they had the bye last week, so can't have been the case tonight. Or maybe opponents have studied him well and know better how to defend against him.</p> -
The worry of Chiefs fans about their forward pack came to pass here - they got demolished up front as the game wore on. Tahs got a roll on and got the offloads going.<br><br>
I must say Cane was very quiet - you wouldnt know he is the AB 7 - on the other hand ALB for a 21 year old midfielder is a very good player. -
Pathetic. Smashed in the second half. The Chiefs mosquito squadron got found out. <br><br>
Great stuff to watch from the Tahs, big blokes running at small blokes offloading to other big blokes. Great rugby, brutally simple. <br><br>
That Chiefs team tonight is really lacking in talent. But there wasn't much effort either. Cane tried his guts out, not many went with him -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="583129" data-time="1464313933"><p>I think we can win this. As long as we don't have a 15 mins spell like we did to start the game last week, we'll do well. Particularly when you consider that the Crusaders forward pack is much better than the Chiefs.</p></blockquote><br>Nice to have the crystal ball work once in a while.<br> <br><blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="583373" data-time="1464349587"><p>I must say Cane was very quiet - you wouldnt know he is the AB 7</p></blockquote><br>He can't cover for all the donkeys in his team. Even GOAT wasn't Superman.<br><br>I'll tell you what the All Black selectors have known for a long time and will show come Sunday; you need to be exceptional if you're a tiny individual playing a big boy's game.
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="583373" data-time="1464349587"><p>The worry of Chiefs fans about their forward pack came to pass here - they got demolished up front as the game wore on. Tahs got a roll on and got the offloads going.<br><br>
I must say Cane was very quiet - you wouldnt know he is the AB 7 - on the other hand ALB for a 21 year old midfielder is a very good player.</p></blockquote>
<br>
Agree on all accounts Murph. Slickest hands I've seen from the Tahs for a long time. Hell when have we seen the likes of Dennis and Mumm actually run hard and straight like that??? Chiefs really got bullied at the collisions I thought. Cane and the rest of the backrow were anonymous. <br><br>
Thought both Chiefs midfielders weren't too bad tonight. ALB reminded me a little of a young Aaron Mauger, composed and well balanced. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="583309" data-time="1464345062"><p>WTF Cruden. Tackle him you muppet!</p></blockquote>
<br>
International teams are going to target Cruden's dodgy defence. Is he worth the risk at 10 in a post-McCaw All Blacks? -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="583390" data-time="1464368866"><p>International teams are going to target Cruden's dodgy defence. Is he worth the risk at 10 in a post-McCaw All Blacks?</p></blockquote>
As opposed to the tackling machine that is Barrett? -
<p>Great attacking and defensive game by the Tahs at home...The Chiefs have only beaten them at home a couple of times so the result is not all that surprising given the history between these two teams.</p>
<p>Especially considering how many Warratahs were playing desperately to retain Wallaby jerseys for the England test next month.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Looking at the table the Chiefs are still leading the competition so a loss is not by any means the end of the world. Crusaders will probably leapfrog them on the table tonight though..</p> -
Bit hard on Cane there boys. Through that tackling optional phase in the 2nd half he was the only one sticking a shoulder in. At one point he tackled 3 consecutive ball runners while his team mates watched. <br><br>
Of course, being the only tackler meant he couldn't affect their breakdown speed -
Yeah cane and retaillick were the only Chiefs forwards who looked to give a shit on defence<br><br>
Seu looks like a basketballer playing rugby, bird just wants to stand at centre and be passed the ball.<br><br>
Game was won by the big tahs forwards completely dominating the collision, they did the same to the crusaders in. Sydney last year. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="583390" data-time="1464368866"><p>International teams are going to target Cruden's dodgy defence. Is he worth the risk at 10 in a post-McCaw All Blacks?</p></blockquote>
<br>
Yep no point handing that guy who can't tackle his debut.... -
<p>Chiefs forwards were good for the most part. (77% territory in the first half).</p>
<p>They just had some lapses. Some major lapses.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Cane was good. Although the turnovers he won weren't picked up by the commentators so of course the casual fans would barely notice.</p> -
Does anyone else really dislike the tahs? Bunch of thugs.
-
<p>If Steve Hansen did have Damien McKenzie in his squad for tomorrow, I suspect he may have scratched his name off after watching last night's performance.</p>
-
<p>Bloody impressive win from the Tahs. Folau was excellent. Chiefs went a bit missing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I thought Harris & Teu put their hands up.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>McKenzie is still too raw. EOYT. Dagg for now for me.</p> -
Not a Tahs fan but have always rated Gibson based on what was, imho, a very slick backline. Must be difficult getting the job this year but he seems to be doing well.
-
<p>Watching the highlights - Chiefs tries skirted out wide. Tahs tries came up the middle. Both coaches have a shitload of work-ons for defensive drills, that's for sure. Some shitty reads in defence by the Tahs, and if it wasn't for that intercept the Chiefs would have had another one.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Speaking of which: Folau has never had a lightning top speed, though he's no slouch. Was quite impressed he managed to hold distance on McKenzie, having a couple of metres' head start.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>That try to Hooper just before halftime, there was no Chiefs forward within cooee of the ruck, besides the one who had to tackle Palu. When Skelton got the subsequent offload away, neither Cruden nor McKenzie put enough pressure on Hooper.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Will watch the replay with interest.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So are we now off for the next month? Shit that's a long time. All that mojo might just up and disappear.</p>
