Crusaders v Chiefs
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@african-monkey said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
@bovidae Yeah something I can't stand watching is the pre match for games. They all annoy me tbh except Jeff Wilson and yeah
Wilson has really improved as a presenter, probably coinciding with hosting Breakdown. Maybe I have too high expectations but most of these ex-players don't come across as natural speakers and add little value.
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@crucial I thought Roe played pretty decent, especially considering he was injured. His quietest game this season though and yeah Ratima, how did they clone Duggan?
Most pleasing was Sowakula, really grown into himself and is an absolute bully, busy and hitting hard everywhere, as well as those pretty ball skills. That abrasive, throw himself around AND hurt the opposition is pretty rare in NZ rugby these days.
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@bones I think Sowakula really should have scored that try. My only criticism of him is that I wish he'd run with more intent when he receives the ball from deeper positions. He's a big unit so would be much harder to stop with some speed up.
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@bovidae said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
@bones I think Sowakula really should have scored that try. My only criticism of him is that I wish he'd run with more intent when he receives the ball from deeper positions. He's a big unit so would be much harder to stop with some speed up.
I haven't finished the game yet so maybe haven't seen the bit you're talking about. Know what you mean about his intent, but he's improved out of sight in that regard in the close channels over the past year, so hopefully he'll get there soon from deep too.
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@bones said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
@bovidae oh yeah the one where Havili ripped it? Definitely but was some great defence
He'll be pissed off he didn't get that down and will make sure next time. That's the type of thing that will sit in your head and make you determined to fix.
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@bones Don't think Roe gets enough credit for his kicking game. Great hang time and length. Protection from forwards was sketchy under Crusaders pressure so was a good option well taken. Sowakula has moved up a notch but his ball control and pace into oncoming defence could still be better. Watch out when they improve.
Great to see the inexperienced Chiefs look at home at this level. Ratima Narawa Florence and Dyer all looked good. Just need Finau or Jacobson back at 6 and hopefully an improved Trask on bench. -
Yeah I think Roe is best as a starter and Ratima adds so much from the bench. I hope McMillan gives both opportunities behind Weber for the rest of the season. They have different strengths, and Ratima is definitely more combative. I also think Roe is still troubled by the elbow injury he sustained against HB last year.
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@crucial said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
Ratima looked comfortable at this level and was better than the over hyped Roe. Much better.
Gatlands best game for the Chiefs except for those hideous clearing bombs.
The midfield settled into being solid and accurate. ALB had to get used to the “new” interpretation of jackling pretty quickly though.
I thought that Narawa did enough good stuff to deserve a few games on the trot at 15
Nankivell shaded the other (over hyped) Ta$man winger on display even though he doesn’t play wing.
Chiefs created enough chances to win the game five times over but credit has to go to the Saders defence. It was only a matter of time though.Obviously a team tactic, an odd one (which admittedly didn't backfire), but you can't blame Garland for that.
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@booboo said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
@crucial said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
Ratima looked comfortable at this level and was better than the over hyped Roe. Much better.
Gatlands best game for the Chiefs except for those hideous clearing bombs.
The midfield settled into being solid and accurate. ALB had to get used to the “new” interpretation of jackling pretty quickly though.
I thought that Narawa did enough good stuff to deserve a few games on the trot at 15
Nankivell shaded the other (over hyped) Ta$man winger on display even though he doesn’t play wing.
Chiefs created enough chances to win the game five times over but credit has to go to the Saders defence. It was only a matter of time though.Obviously a team tactic, an odd one (which admittedly didn't backfire), but you can't blame Garland for that.
I don’t think they were meant to be quite that short. He said in a post match interview that they put themselves under pressure with poor clearances.
Or maybe he was having a dig at the instructions? -
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@bovidae said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
The bombs had to be high enough to contest so couldn't be too long, and as I mentioned they negated any threat from Jordan to run back from open play. A risky tactic nevertheless.
Yep the Chiefs did that very well,they took Jordan and Leicester F out of 90% of the game.
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Gatland managed the game really well. His game management was in stark contrast to Mounga's.......
And why didn't the Crusaders compete at the breakdown? Was the ref not allowing a contest? The Chiefs managed to disrupt the Crusader's pill so ..... -
@old-samurai-jack said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
Gatland managed the game really well. His game management was in stark contrast to Mounga's.......
And why didn't the Crusaders compete at the breakdown? Was the ref not allowing a contest? The Chiefs managed to disrupt the Crusader's pill so .....Because their amazing incredible 7 is too occupied wracking up tackle stats to be useful at competing for the ball. Their 8 is auditioning for his next acting gig and their 6s are too “busy”
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@crucial I have to agree regarding Christie. He makes a lot of tackles but is very ineffective at breakdown. I've said it before on here, he's like Luke Braid from years back at the Blues, his stats look good but his ability to fetch isn't there especially when there already are plenty of workhorses in that Crusaders pack.
