SF: Crusaders (Good) v Blues (Evil)
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@Steve said in SF: Crusaders (Good) v Blues (Evil):
@MiketheSnow said in [SF: Crusaders (Good) v Blues (Evil)](/post/8462
Blues midfield made Ennor look like Philippe Sella
Two horse race now for the ABs number 10 shirt
Based on this performance, RM in pole
Jordan is a thoroughbred
The people saying Jordan was a marginal call for the Allblacks squad d to delete their accounts.
A batshit mental opinion.
The boy is a freak.
You are fighting a straw man. There was a discussion about whether to pick him if his form didn't return. Who suggested dropping him if he was fit?
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I think the Crusaders style is probably the best suited to knock out and test footy, they have those subtle plays (sure some maybe less than subtle) most similar to what we see the NH teams do and get away with.
I dont think they get the free ride with refs as some say, IMO they are simply smarter about what they do to win those 50-50 calls.
While the Blues I think have a bit of a mental block for the Crusaders and especially at finals time, they lose a bit of composure and struggle with that upped intensity so all those 50-50 balls and calls that normally fall right, dont.
I dont think the gulf between the 2 is as big as the score, but I do think the preparation and big game experience (not necessarily from many of the players obviously) is where the Crusaders are a gulf apart and then getting them to play as a team with so many of the better parts missing is huge.
I am actually a little bit excited to see what Razor can do with the ABs in the next couple of years.
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I can honestly say I can't remember a team getting so soundly at the contact area, Crusaders hit everything hard whether it was tackle or ruck/mauls, and Blues looked gun shy to me. And on a dream ride the backs rightly did what they wanted, and when people talk about who went well out in backs I would add Brayden Ennor, he has looked pretty good the last few games.
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Now that I think about the Blues’ shellacking this morning, I was struck by the Sky interview with Beauden Barrett ahead of the game. Asked about the game day ritual he sounded exceedingly chilled - talking about a nice lie-in and the extra space granted by being away from home and the kids. There was time for a leisurely breakfast and catchup with the US Open on TV before a team chat around lunch. Maybe this was their way of not being overawed by the occasion. But from what we saw on the field the result was they came on so ‘underawed’ and mentally unprepared they had no answer for the Crusaders’ intensity.
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Leon Mcdonald is the new Ian Foster. The cycle repeats.
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I’ve barely watched any super rugby this year including this game. So I can’t comment except to say Robertson with a squad riddled with injuries just handed out a paddling. So that bodes well for the ABs next year. Appointing foster was the worst call ever regardless of what happens in France (I think we get out of our pool but after that I have no idea: could be the horror show of losing to Ireland vs actually winning the thing). I think I’ll watch the final of super rugby and maybe just maybe a replay of this game, despite knowing the result.
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Possibility he is trying everything to give himself a chance.
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The line speed was considerably quicker from the Crusaders last night than what they had shown throughout the regular season, and the Blues couldn't cope with it. I don't know why most NZ teams, including the ABs are so reluctant to employ a full on rush D system. It's clearly the best way to defend atm.
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@akan004 disipline? To get it right, you need really good disipline, somethign we have struggled a bit with in the past few years.
The Irish line is so impressive, all up in line, if they are a foot or so off side, it isnt always picked up as they are all up together.
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I am looking forward to when Razor does a book. I think he will really give the All Blacks even more of a presence on the global stage, he has that kind of personality. I think the Aussies will be kicking themselves that they couldn't sign him, probably the English as well.
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@Machpants said in SF: Crusaders (Good) v Blues (Evil):
@SBW1 said in SF: Crusaders (Good) v Blues (Evil):
Razor has real xfactor, listening to him talk he is a really dynamic character.
Aww c'mon Fozzie is such a dynamic speak... zzzzzzzzz
He can’t breakdance for shit either
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@Dan54 said in SF: Crusaders (Good) v Blues (Evil):
I can honestly say I can't remember a team getting so soundly at the contact area, Crusaders hit everything hard whether it was tackle or ruck/mauls, and Blues looked gun shy to me.
Once again perplexing tactics from MacDonald, having two loose forwards out wide when the Crusaders game is breakdown domination...
