Crusaders v Blues
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@bones said in Crusaders v Blues:
@crazy-horse said in Crusaders v Blues:
It's weird, I hardly ever notice Papali'i even when I am looking out for him. Maybe he needs a hair cut that stands out.
That is pretty weird when anytime there's a big defensive play, he's there!
I know! I see him on replays. I like the guy, but I have a hard time spotting him. He must have a generic looking head or something. Or maybe Richie's invisibility cloak.
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@crazy-horse said in Crusaders v Blues:
@bones said in Crusaders v Blues:
@crazy-horse said in Crusaders v Blues:
It's weird, I hardly ever notice Papali'i even when I am looking out for him. Maybe he needs a hair cut that stands out.
That is pretty weird when anytime there's a big defensive play, he's there!
I know! I see him on replays. I like the guy, but I have a hard time spotting him. He must have a generic looking head or something. Or maybe Richie's invisibility cloak.
Similar to Cane in that regard?
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Just got back from the game......absolutely stoked to finally win down here for once! Credit to the Crusaders for the way they fought back especially when they were down to 14, showing how hard they are to beat no matter the situation, but also credit to the Blues for digging deep especially with a few desperate bits of defending from Rieko on Jordan which led to our first try, and his effort on Gardiner in the corner to win it for us, and also for big Luke Romano and his effort charging down the wing in the 70th minute to attempt to make a cover tackle after the shift he put in. Yes, they ended up with a 5 meter scrum, but its moments like that which live long in the memory. I put my hand up, I thought he shouldn't be playing so many minutes and was well over the hill, but his carries are invaluable and he really gives us a hard edge. Well played big fella.
Everyone really stepped up in the forwards tonight, especially our loose trio led by Dalton Papalii. A superb shift from him and well complemented by Sotutu and Robinson as well as big Ofa who was everywhere.
Hope Hodgman is OK. An awful shot put on him by Barrett. No excuse for it and needs a lengthy suspension for it. Gallagher and Gardiner did well under the circumstances.
Was disappointed with our kicking game just giving it back to Jordan. I wanted to strangle Barrett after that chip which led to the Reece try but in general play he was decent, just his kicking game was poor, and Perofeta didn't have a great night either especially that missed kick on half time. Mounga and Jordan began to drive us back and all we did was hand it back to them instead of putting it in the stands, or going to the air, but we did enough to hold on!
Must say i let a huge celebration on fulltime, with a few glares but they all came and congratulated me which was nice and were generally in good spirits apart from the booing when Barrett got sent off. A great night to be a blues fan, wins in chch dont come everyday thats for sure!
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@bones said in Crusaders v Blues:
@tim said in Crusaders v Blues:
@bones This is getting rather tedious.
I agree, not sure why Barrett is getting a pass for poor play.
The two trys he set up and good goal kicking? You know, stuff that won us the game.
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@machpants said in Crusaders v Blues:
@antipodean said in Crusaders v Blues:
Surely Jordan has to be the All Black fullback? He needs to get his hands on the ball more in Test rugby.
Not decent international teams ten are going to kick it to him as much as beaudy did
BB's kicking and/or the Blues tactics in the last quarter were awful.
Apart from that, dunno who was the better 10 tonight - BB or Ritchie.
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@kirwan said in Crusaders v Blues:
BB played well.
For the first 50-60 minutes he was outstanding I thought. No so much after that.
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What a game.
The intensity level was something else.
Unfortunately Perofeta, Telea and Leicester probably didn't push their cases forward for higher honours
At what point do ABs cut loose the likes of Scott Barrett and Laulala? The discipline issue is a huge problem.
Very happy to break the streak.
Jordan wants that AB 15 shirt.
Rieko wants that AB 13 shirt.
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@victor-meldrew said in Crusaders v Blues:
@machpants said in Crusaders v Blues:
@antipodean said in Crusaders v Blues:
Surely Jordan has to be the All Black fullback? He needs to get his hands on the ball more in Test rugby.
Not decent international teams ten are going to kick it to him as much as beaudy did
BB's kicking and/or the Blues tactics in the last quarter were awful.
Apart from that, dunno who was the better 10 tonight - BB or Ritchie.
BB was better in first 55, but then seemed to stop attacking, and kicked indiscriminately.
Blues probably started to tire, game became looser, and Ritchie, Willie and Steevie came to fore.
Didn’t really notice it at time, but on reflection substitution of Christie (T) by Matera seemed to coincide with Chch getting more change in loose.
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@kirwan said in Crusaders v Blues:
@bones said in Crusaders v Blues:
@tim said in Crusaders v Blues:
@bones This is getting rather tedious.
I agree, not sure why Barrett is getting a pass for poor play.
The two trys he set up and good goal kicking? You know, stuff that won us the game.
Cheeky sky UK! Knew it was too good to be true they were actually showing SRP. The game they showed here had most of that occuring before Perofeta went off. Uk version had the crusaders storming back into contention from bizarre blues play.
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@victor-meldrew said in Crusaders v Blues:
@machpants said in Crusaders v Blues:
@antipodean said in Crusaders v Blues:
Surely Jordan has to be the All Black fullback? He needs to get his hands on the ball more in Test rugby.
Not decent international teams ten are going to kick it to him as much as beaudy did
BB's kicking and/or the Blues tactics in the last quarter were awful.
Apart from that, dunno who was the better 10 tonight - BB or Ritchie.
Only take away for me is (from the first 50) Beauds still has it and when both on form, has less weaknesses (Mounga has opposition plays dedicated to his defence).
Mounga against a tiring defence has the tip over Beauds though for me.
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@kirwan said in Crusaders v Blues:
FC must be the form halfback in the country too.
He looked pretty much at home in the black jersey after stepping up last year.
Be great if he carries that form into the ABs.
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@kiwimurph said in Crusaders v Blues:
@dan54 said in Crusaders v Blues:
I am prepared to say I pretty keen to see Dalton have a run at 6 sometime, in saying that he was brilliant tonight at 7.
Agreed. ABs need to try Dalton at 6. Thought Robinson shaded Blackadder.
I want him at 7. Cane on the bench.
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@victor-meldrew said in Crusaders v Blues:
@machpants said in Crusaders v Blues:
@antipodean said in Crusaders v Blues:
Surely Jordan has to be the All Black fullback? He needs to get his hands on the ball more in Test rugby.
Not decent international teams ten are going to kick it to him as much as beaudy did
BB's kicking and/or the Blues tactics in the last quarter were awful.
Apart from that, dunno who was the better 10 tonight - BB or Ritchie.
Mixed bag from both, but Mounga's defensive issues were glaring tonight with him missing tackles for two Blues tries. Worst of all, they came down the short channel where he was defending in order to hide his obvious defensive issues, which means of course that they simply can't be hidden.
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@bones said in Crusaders v Blues:
@victor-meldrew said in Crusaders v Blues:
@machpants said in Crusaders v Blues:
@antipodean said in Crusaders v Blues:
Surely Jordan has to be the All Black fullback? He needs to get his hands on the ball more in Test rugby.
Not decent international teams ten are going to kick it to him as much as beaudy did
BB's kicking and/or the Blues tactics in the last quarter were awful.
Apart from that, dunno who was the better 10 tonight - BB or Ritchie.
Only take away for me is (from the first 50) Beauds still has it and when both on form, has less weaknesses (Mounga has opposition plays dedicated to his defence).
Mounga against a tiring defence has the tip over Beauds though for me.
Yeah, this game again reinforced that Beauden is our starting 10 with Mo'unga on the bench. I don't think either can control a test match, but Beauden is very solid on defense and can create something from nothing, and Mo'unga only ever thrives when the game opens up and he has a bit more space - in test matches that's the final 10 - 15 mins.
