Crusaders vs Canes

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="597371" data-time="1468671909">
You're missing that Todd is the 6th best open-side flanker in NZ. Cane, Savea, Pryor, Pryor, and Gibson are all ahead of him.</blockquote>
 
Probably add Christie who starts at 7 over Pryor when fit...so 7th now. 
Quality btw

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Mattasaurus" data-cid="597069" data-time="1468652594">
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Great game from canes. Dominated up front. And quite possibly their best game of the year. 
9 10 was key difference for me. S whitelock massive loss for home team. 
Role on the next game
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9,10,12 I think.
 
Drummond, Mo'unga, Havili would be a reasonable ITM Cup combo, but three rookies doesn't cut it at the business end of Super rugby. e.g. Chiefs second string i.e. Weber, Donald, ALB is significantly better.
 
Losing both Whitelock and Ellis were huge - probably the world's best lineout forward and the organizer of the backline. Agree with ACT that Drummond has a faster pass than Ellis, but is otherwise much worse (despite that he's doubtless faster around the park, as well). Perhaps Mo'unga's biggest problem was that he was getting no distance clearing the ball in the second half. We should have perhaps used Dagg more, but he had a shit game - the first Canes try came from him kicking the ball out on the full and the try he butchered was worse than Savea - so there's 14 points at your door Israel (and another 7 at Drummond's, and another 7 at Todd's).
 
Scrum went remarkably well. Lineout started fine until Taylor started overthrowing. Second half was basically just a disaster from start to finish.
 
Biggest problem is that we seem to have about 16 good players - when you need at least 23 - and only one of them is a midfield back and none of them is a first five (which is slightly harsh on Mo'unga and Havili).
 
Notes for Toddy:
 
Team: Moody, Taylor, Franks, Romano, Whitelock, Taufua, Todd, Read, Ellis, Mo'unga, Nadolo (seems to be too late to work on his fitness, but he's increasingly anonymous after 30 minutes), Crotty, Fucked if I know at centre - presumably Fonotia unless Freuan magically becomes available, McNicol - he's actually been remarkably good, Dagg.
 
Reserves: Crockett, Ged Robinson - Fuck the Funnel, Alafuckingalatoa since there is no alternative - Owen must play 80 minutes, Barrett, Tupou, Drummond for 10 minutes at the end, Hunt I suppose, though I'm tempted to say Volavola or even just risk having no first five reserve and stick Macilai in there, Havili.

reprobate

blackadder does so many things that i don't understand. unless franks was injured, pulling him off was ridiculous. this was an important game.
 
in line with my comments on fekitoa in the highlanders game, i don't understand why newer guys aren't give more limited roles as they learn the ropes. drummond can genuinely pass - arguably quicker and more accurate than our 2nd string ABs - but that's all he can do at this stage. just tell him to stick to that until he has mastered the other skills to an appropriate level to use them. sure it makes it a bit more difficult having rookies at both 10 and 12 outside him too, but then that is at toddy's door too.
 
and yeah chris, you're spot on with using dagg more. the ABs have been guilty in the past of under-utilising his punt too, when cruden was struggling for distance at times. dagg has a massive boot. you have phase play with secure ball near your line, you fucking use that rather than the guy who kicks it half as far, it isn't complicated and there's just no reason not to. brainless.

Immenso Rapido

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="reprobate" data-cid="597085" data-time="1468653564">
crusaders absolutely smashed. going on the last few weeks i think that west vs mounga debate is pretty easily answered. nadolo has looked off his normal standard the last couple weeks, maybe injured? actually thought drummond was okay apart from the inexcusable charge down; fukofuka on the other hand was panicky andconstantly passed high. blackadder pulled drummond and shouldn't have. likewise franks. seemed to be subs by the numbers. tactics were shit, suffered from a total lack of possession, then when they did get it, kept kicking it back to the canes, just stupid. 
canes were really good. barrett is still improving which is nice to see, controlled the game nicely. thought shields was more influential than vito or savea. mr T played a blinder. coles is good eh - a really good lineout thrower, that move for the gibbins break was sweet to watch. fifita is a cock. jules. wake up mate, for everyone's sake.</blockquote>
 
Surely it takes extra effort to start every sentence with a lower case? So, why inflict this on us? 
I just typed this with the thumb only on my wrong hand, and it is perfect. Almost.

reprobate

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Immenso Rapido" data-cid="597422" data-time="1468706389">
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Surely it takes extra effort to start every sentence with a lower case? So, why inflict this on us? 
I just typed this with the thumb only on my wrong hand, and it is perfect. Almost.
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nah it doesn't do it automatically for me - look for the positives though mate - sure that part of the orthography is shithouse, but my spelling is pretty much error free.

Immenso Rapido

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="reprobate" data-cid="597431" data-time="1468707634">
nah it doesn't do it automatically for me - look for the positives though mate - sure that part of the orthography is shithouse, but my spelling is pretty much error free.</blockquote>
That was 50% teasing, and 50% genuinely interested in what system doesn't automatically cap sentences. 
Been using phone only for so long now not sure how it works anymore outside of this.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="reprobate" data-cid="597418" data-time="1468706132">
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blackadder does so many things that i don't understand. unless franks was injured, pulling him off was ridiculous. this was an important game.
 
and yeah chris, you're spot on with using dagg more. the ABs have been guilty in the past of under-utilising his punt too, when cruden was struggling for distance at times. dagg has a massive boot. you have phase play with secure ball near your line, you fucking use that rather than the guy who kicks it half as far, it isn't complicated and there's just no reason not to. brainless.
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Toddy has been the architect of his own demise in Super rugby. I can't really think of anything innovative he's done in eight years at the helm - he really does seem to coach on autopilot a lot of the time.
 
He can, however, put together a good forward pack - though I suspect he's wasted most of his money on forwards, without really twigging that it's backs who win Super rugby these days. His backs' coaches seem to have been a bit woeful for the most part - in either recruitment or in getting the best out of players.

No Quarter

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="597439" data-time="1468708821">
Toddy has been the architect of his own demise in Super rugby. I can't really think of anything innovative he's done in eight years at the helm - he really does seem to coach on autopilot a lot of the time. 
He can, however, put together a good forward pack - though I suspect he's wasted most of his money on forwards, without really twigging that it's backs who win Super rugby these days. His backs' coaches seem to have been a bit woeful for the most part - in either recruitment or in getting the best out of players.</blockquote>I think the main thing holding the Crusaders back on Friday wasn't so much missing certain players, but that they have a far inferior coach. Toddy has made baffling selections throughout his tenure, regularly makes poor substitutions that don't make sense (I cheered when Franks went off), and doesn't seem to have any identifyable game plan to limit opposition stengths and maximise theirs. Compare that to Boyd, Rennie and Joseph and it's light and day. The Canes, Chiefs and Landers all have very distinct styles of play and you can see the players buy into it even when the heat is on. The Saders, particularly the backs, often look like headless chooks when the heat is applied. 
I don't want to be too harsh on Toddy as overall the Saders have been a strong team under his reign, but there is some pretty obvious mistakes he repeatedly makes which has limited their chances of taking the title despite having the best pack in the business.

Cyclops

I feel bad saying this, but Toddy coaches like he plays - workmanlike, honest and loyal with a fair amount of leadership but lacking that extra 10-15% that just makes the difference.
 
Took a squad that was just about the best in the competition and got just about the best results - but couldn't convert those key moments (i.e. finals) that make the difference between good and great.

mimic

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Immenso Rapido" data-cid="597422" data-time="1468706389">Surely it takes extra effort to start every sentence with a lower case? So, why inflict this on us? 
I just typed this with the thumb only on my wrong hand, and it is perfect. Almost.</blockquote>
What do u expect from a guy with a name that starts with a lower case?

reprobate

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Immenso Rapido" data-cid="597437" data-time="1468707976">
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That was 50% teasing, and 50% genuinely interested in what system doesn't automatically cap sentences. 
Been using phone only for so long now not sure how it works anymore outside of this.
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i dictate my posts to my PA.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cyclops" data-cid="597462" data-time="1468712354">
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I feel bad saying this, but Toddy coaches like he plays - workmanlike, honest and loyal with a fair amount of leadership but lacking that extra 10-15% that just makes the difference.
 
Took a squad that was just about the best in the competition and got just about the best results - but couldn't convert those key moments (i.e. finals) that make the difference between good and great.
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I think that's an accurate summary.
 
Only thing I disagree with a bit is that he took over a team that was about the strongest. In 2009 (and 2010), the Bulls were unquestionably the best team and Toddy probably did quite well to make the play-offs. Crusaders lost some notable players for 2009 - Carter (sabbatical), Somerville, Ali Williams, Reuben Thorne, Mose Tuiali'i, Bubbles Hamilton. 
 
2011 was easily his best year and I think he was probably a bit robbed by the earthquake.
 
Subsequently, he's stuck to the side-to-side gameplan for far too long, been slow to recruit improvements to obvious deficiencies, and struggled to motivate his ABs.

broughie

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="597446" data-time="1468710097">
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I think the main thing holding the Crusaders back on Friday wasn't so much missing certain players, but that they have a far inferior coach. Toddy has made baffling selections throughout his tenure, regularly makes poor substitutions that don't make sense (I cheered when Franks went off), and doesn't seem to have any identifyable game plan to limit opposition stengths and maximise theirs. Compare that to Boyd, Rennie and Joseph and it's light and day. The Canes, Chiefs and Landers all have very distinct styles of play and you can see the players buy into it even when the heat is on. The Saders, particularly the backs, often look like headless chooks when the heat is applied. 
I don't want to be too harsh on Toddy as overall the Saders have been a strong team under his reign, but there is some pretty obvious mistakes he repeatedly makes which has limited their chances of taking the title despite having the best pack in the business.
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Todd Blackadder was a plodder as a rugby player. No understanding of flare. Maybe it is hard for him to think outside of the box and embrace the 15 man game. Maybe he would do better in England.

Cantab79

Not sure why people are attacking Todd Blackadder's ability as a player? I can only assume there are a few former All Black captains who frequent this forum. I'd have killed to have had Blackadder's Rugby career, and certainly wouldn't describe him as a "plodder".

broughie

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cyclops" data-cid="597462" data-time="1468712354">
<div>
I feel bad saying this, but Toddy coaches like he plays - workmanlike, honest and loyal with a fair amount of leadership but lacking that extra 10-15% that just makes the difference.
 
Took a squad that was just about the best in the competition and got just about the best results - but couldn't convert those key moments (i.e. finals) that make the difference between good and great.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Should have read the thread before posting.

broughie

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="597505" data-time="1468718115">
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Not sure why people are attacking Todd Blackadder's ability as a player? I can only assume there are a few former All Black captains who frequent this forum. I'd have killed to have had Blackadder's Rugby career, and certainly wouldn't describe him as a "plodder".
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When he was playing there were plenty of people outside of Canterbury asking if this is the best we have? Impressive heart but I think there mainly because Canterbury was so good.

antipodean

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="597488" data-time="1468715415">2011 was easily his best year and I think he was probably a bit robbed by the earthquake.</blockquote> Yeah the travel killed them in the end. Easily the best team all season. If the Reds didn't have Quade that year, it was all Crusaders.

Tim

<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://gfycat.com/ShockingPlumpDuck'>https://gfycat.com/ShockingPlumpDuck</a>

SammyC

Heard Blackadder on radio sport this morning. 
Apparently we can't get a flight to South Africa until Tuesday. 
Astounding lack of planning and foresite from crusaders management. As I would expect

Cantab79

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="597533" data-time="1468721769">
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Heard Blackadder on radio sport this morning. 
Apparently we can't get a flight to South Africa until Tuesday. 
Astounding lack of planning and foresite from crusaders management. As I would expect
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I heard we're on the same flight as the Chiefs. So they're management is incompetent as well?

The Silver Fern

Crusaders vs Canes