Preseason - Bristol v Crusaders
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https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350174492/crusaders-fight-back-impressive-win-over-bristol-bears-finish-pre-season-tour
At Ashton Gate, Bristol: Crusaders 31 (Macca Springer 2, Jack Gray 2, Noah Hotham tries; Rivez Reihana 2, Taha Kemara con) Bristol Bears 14 (Fred Davies, Kieran Marmion tries; AJ MacGinty 2 con). HT: 7-7.
Seeems to be an I.D. problem re: Jack Gray/Levi Aumua. -
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Preseason - Bristol v Crusaders:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350174492/crusaders-fight-back-impressive-win-over-bristol-bears-finish-pre-season-tour
At Ashton Gate, Bristol: Crusaders 31 (Macca Springer 2, Jack Gray 2, Noah Hotham tries; Rivez Reihana 2, Taha Kemara con) Bristol Bears 14 (Fred Davies, Kieran Marmion tries; AJ MacGinty 2 con). HT: 7-7.I think it was Amua that scored the 2 tries not Jack Gray they called that wrong
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G gt12 referenced this topic on
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I've rewatched the game in full, now.
It was actually Fihaki (rather than Rova) that set up Springer for his second try.
Crusaders best players were Bell and Springer. Reihana looked good - he was taking the ball to the line and passing quite late, and was able to put players into gaps multiple times. A few loose passes, though.
Moananu made an impact off the bench with some powerful runs, though he needs some tackling practice.
Hannah had a nice involvement for a try at the end, but made too many errors (missed tackles, dropping the ball, penalties). Gardiner and Rova also had a few too many errors.
Scrum was solid - maybe slightly better than Bristol's overall. The lineout throwing was perfect.
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@gt12 said in Preseason - Bristol v Crusaders:
Looks like the Evil Empire's maul defense is missing Jason Ryan.
Aumua's power will be really nice for them, I imagine he's going to be a weapon for them.
No Williams,Newell,Moody,Barrett,Blackadder,Christie,Grace,Plus Bower wasn't on the field when the maul try was scored.
I think we will be ok when the real shit starts. -
I was at the game, first time at Ashton Gate. Really nice 27k seat stadium. Nice steep stands so really good views, good facilities and really clean.
It had been raining most of the morning but there was heavy drizzle from 10mins before kick off until about 5mins into the first half. First half handling reflected this (sometimes quite comically).
Scrums very solid although bristols scrum isnt particularly strong without Genge (although Sinkler played). First half was just played slow. Virtually no one ran onto the ball not helped by slow arrival to rucks by Heinz with a matching slow pass. Heinz decision making was good and experience on D was also good but the ball would go to a standing still Rehana who would pass to any of 5 players around him who would remain stationary until they got the ball.
Rush defence was rescued by some good wide scramble (Rova and Fihaki did well there) so a bit of work to do there.
Fihaki remains a bit of a 'not sure' player for me. Good kicker, good athlete but hands and decision making still let him down too often for a guy whose been there or there-abouts for a few years now, would have liked to see more improvement in those areas by now.
For conditions that would be ideal for someone with the size +speed of Manassa out wide I think he only got the ball once.
I had no idea someone got a yellow card.
Bristol used a lot of short chip kicks in the first half which was good to get go forward for them in the slippery conditions.
Big screen and announcements of who was replacing who was poor (and not helped that I didnt recognise so many of the players names) but the second half was a different game.
Pace really picked up. Hothams passing was lightyears away from Heinz, really quick and long and a really nice dummy and blind side run from a scrum but not tested as much defensively. So still inexperienced but with game changing skills. It got some movement forward so some momentum.
Overall it was a game where there was a lot of dropped ball that meant a score for either side was on the cards at any point.
Cant say I felt that we 'dominated the second half' as the stuff writer said but for a second pre-season game with new coach and systems they will be better for the experience.
