SF: Chiefs vs. Brumbies
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Bit of a nail biter. I could not follow a number of Nick Berrys decisions and do wonder if the Chiefs tactics reflected the same. A lot of obvious infringements were let go and the calling on lineouts seemed quite inconsistent.
Brumbies defence was great but I thought it looked probable they got across before halftime but no replays to check. But the amazing thing was how few missed tackles and dropped balls by the Chiefs.
I thought Narawa Jacobson and DMac were best on the park but so many others on both sides played well. -
@akan004 said in SF: Chiefs vs. Brumbies:
Larkham blaming the ref. Always been a whinger.
Haven't seen or heard but he has form in that regard.
Did he thank the ref for last week's result?
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Obviously, the final call will be based on what happens in next week's final but it's been a remarkable season from the Chiefs.
Despite suggestions that they've let the pedal off the gas a little bit in recent times, they've actually not given up a bonus point since they played the Blues on April 1 - the only bonus point they've given up all season.
Even with the close recent games, neither the Brumbies nor Reds came within 7 points in the finals - and then the likes of the Crusaders, Hurricanes and Brumbies only got within 10 points during their regular season matches with the Chiefs.
They won't want to again find themselves in an arm wrestle with the Crusaders next weekend, but they're certainly battle-hardened and have found ways to win more than their fair share of games. It's very similar to the way the side performed under Dave Rennie in 2012 and 2013.
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So because everyone's interested, to summarise Vaai watch. I decided to really try hard to see what I was missing, but all that happened was I came out with a lesser opinion than when I went in.
Gets around the field fairly well, but I don't know whether it was the brumbies pattern or not, he seemed really accomplished at setting up in a spot where he could get away with doing nothing if he really wanted.
Tackling, definitely tends to favour getting right around the ankles, but that's not what I want to see from my locks. Don't recall any solid hits or dominant tackles (unless you include pulling a guy down from 6 feet in the air).
Carts it up, but is very light on impact - showed some nice footwork a couple of times but still didn't get him far. I'd be surprised to see he wasn't the forward with the least metres post contact.
If he gets to a breakdown, it seems half the time he just inspects and lays one hand on a back. Mixed in with a handful of missed cleans, going straight to ground or a hit and hold.
Throws a handy unders ball, wins his lineout ball.
I just don't get it. Put simply, the only thing Vaai does better than Blackwell is be tall.
Change my mind?
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@Steven-Harris said in SF: Chiefs vs. Brumbies:
@kev Wright had played well for 70 minutes just a couple of mad headed moments that proved very very costly
Wallabies have a bit of a problem at 15.
Wright is well known for these brain fades - Jorgensen is the future but is young as hell (and injured for a while). Jock Campbell at times looks useful but doesn't scream test class. Hodge is probably the safest bet but is more steady than game breaking. Banks as an overseas option is injured again I think.
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@akan004 said in SF: Chiefs vs. Brumbies:
@Donsteppa said in SF: Chiefs vs. Brumbies:
Hell of a game, and a great win.
Crusaders are perennial favourites as always. But... those expecting the Crusaders to walk it in next week have read both semi finals differently to me. The Blues would have been beaten up by both teams out there tonight too. Likely because they'd have given up in contact much quicker.
Yeah, having almost the perfect game like the Crusaders did is not ideal imo. It's never easy reaching even close to that same level the following week. Will be a very tight final and could go either way.
Crusaders didn't have a perfect game, the Blues were awful. Next weekend we will see another away for home finals win for the saders. They are a cut above on attack that the chiefs are
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@booboo said in SF: Chiefs vs. Brumbies:
@akan004 said in SF: Chiefs vs. Brumbies:
Larkham blaming the ref. Always been a whinger.
Haven't seen or heard but he has form in that regard.
Did he thank the ref for last week's result?
Aren't there official channels for coaches & captains to comment on refereeing & decisions?
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Thought you might be interested:
" Tupou Vaa’i: Caught the eye with his outstanding lineout work but made his biggest contribution on defence as he finished with 12 tackles made. 7"
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@Victor-Meldrew I didn't notice anything outstanding about his lineout work, I only saw a couple of standard wins and the penalty, think I missed a steal later in the game after I'd stopped watching him?
I'd also be interested to see how they count tackles.... and how many missed.
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@Nepia said in SF: Chiefs vs. Brumbies:
WTF has happened to the Chiefs attack in the last two weeks? They've gone from slick to ponderous.
Slickly ponderous?
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@Jailbreak7 said in SF: Chiefs vs. Brumbies:
Cane MOM for me. BBBR not far away. Jeez the ABs could do with J Ioane, useful to have a utility like that. Bench was huge and won it for us, plenty of impetus.
Expect Narawa and SS to be named tomorrow. Jury still out on Vaai.Thought Jacobson was really good too and Weber is clearly ahead of Christie at 9.
DMac is a different player from 2 years ago - way more mature, can control a game, great defence - yet pick his time to rip a team apart. If it's a penalty to win a knock-out game in RWC2023, I want him kicking it
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OK, quick match report. Haven't ploughed through the thread so apologies if this repeats what's been said.
Rolled down to see the game with an old friend from overseas. Overall good fun, good arm wrestle, a tense game to watch, and some real physicality. Kicking generally superb.
DMac was outstanding - just did what was needed, but showed intelligence and control all night. Chose his attacking time and was tough as a rooster - and drilling at 50 m kick was ridiculous! Otherwise Stevenson stood out for his size and occasional boot, and the forwards just fronted up and did their job.
Brumbies are anti-rugby. They offered very little; if they had won it would have been a travesty. Chiefs the better team all night, but struggled to convert into points.
Berry was equal parts relaxed, and random. I was blowing up about the random lineout calls - letting some 'not straigh' go, but pinging others. Offsides just ignored (and TJ/AR didn't help). Overall favoured the Brumbies I reckon.
It's a kiwi thing, but Nic White was continuously in his ear, while the NZ sides jus tlet the refs get on it. Same with the wingers; Aussies tlaking to the AR all the time, NZ just play. It's cultural, but arguably we should change what we do as every other bastard yaps. Would love to see refs walk 10 m at the drop of a hat for arguments.
Chiefs looked well drilled. Kicking was intelligent - they won their share of the kicking duels. Brumbies just played by the numbers, with no inventiveness or creativity.
Crowd was fun; I like FMG as it's a proper rectangular stadium. NH, FMG and Dunners are the top three rugby watching grounds in the country in my opinion. Brodie's try at tne end sent the place widl; otherwise it was pretty quiet, typical of NZ crowds. Like Eden Park it was more disco than rugby game - but a shout out to the halftime laser show; was suprrisingly fun to watch.
All in all, a bloody good fun night out, and I didn't even have to drink a Waikato Draught.
