The Silver Fern

There was plenty of talk about them taking it out in their first season. Or at least people putting money on them because of the good odds. Whether that means they actually thought they were a chance or were just worth a punt i don't know. They should definitely have been better than the handful of wins they have being largely international players.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="580002" data-time="1463348832">
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<p>Anyone catch the Sunwolves vs Stormers game? Massive choke at the end by the Sunwolves.</p>
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<p>I am scratching my head at the decision by the Sunwolves to turn down the possible 3 points when they're up 17 - 10 with 3 minutes left on the clock. Pisi is kicking 83% this season too, which makes the decision even more baffling. Not the first time the Sunwolves have made a dumb decision in crunch time this year.</p>
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<p>Probably a Hammett masterpiece.  If you are only slightly ahead, then there is an argument is that you can keep the ball for three minutes with modern rules, so you have upside of a try and if you don't cock up you own the game and run the clock.</p>
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If you kick the pen, then the oppo get the ball back and/or field position.  So your control of the game is less.</p>
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<p>However, if you are 7 up and kick the goal, then it is game over. So, yeah.  Stupidity all round.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="572687" data-time="1460779278">
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<p>I'm very happy with the result, after being worried all week that this could have been a banana skin game for the Crusaders given the travel.</p>
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<p>In saying that, if I'm brutally honest I'm not sure if this game is a reflection on how good we were, or how poor the Jags were. I thought the Crusaders were wasteful again in attack, and squandered quite a few chances that a team like the Chiefs would have taken. The set piece was still good although not flawless. Mo'unga's goal kicking has not been brilliant, but I really like the way he is emerging as a no.10. I thought our best players were Todd,Dagg, Read and Crotty. I know Matt Todd has somewhat flown under the radar this year, what with all the focus being on Cane and Ardie Savea, but he is a seriously good player. His defense is world class, his workrate is phenomenal and his support play is a real feature. He also makes great decisions in attack, in terms of when to pass/offload, when to run and when to take the tackle. </p>
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<p>Yeah - I actually thought we would lose that game. In the end we won easily and perhaps the best performance of the season. Still much to work on, but we're playing with more intent than the past few seasons - some of which is a change in approach from the coaches, but quite a bit a different attitude from the senior players who are a bit less focused on their AB careers.</p>
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<p>Dagg had an excellent game - really wound the clock back a few years and reinforces my belief hat he's not been 100% for the past couple of years. Showed a clean pair of heels to the Argies for his 2nd try and a long time since he's done that.</p>
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<p>Mo'unga is going very well, except for the goal kicking. A solution needs to be found, because his current accuracy won't cut the mustard in the big games.</p>
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<p>Agree on Todd - he can play!</p>
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<p>Interesting to see Taufua appearing in various form "selections" (Breakown/Herald). His big drawback is that he's about four inches short of being the desired height for an international blindside. Admittedly, paired with Read, you'd still have a better lineout than the Collins/So'oialo pairing, but I'm still inclined to agree with Nepia (gargles with listerine 🙂  ) that his best position might be seven.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="571995" data-time="1460547104"><p>
Aren't you a Queenslander? Offer to change it to Pocock so we know you really mean it. ;)</p></blockquote>
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Oooooooooooohhhhh now you raised the stakes. For the record, despite living in Brisbane I hate Cooper with a passion and despite the media bullshit, not too many Reds fans shed a tear at his departure. I actually have a massive amount of respect for Pocock the professional athlete. It's the hypocrite sjw greenie tosser that I can't stand.<br><br>
But I digress... to show how sure I am that (a fully fit) Cruden will be selected over Lima, I will change my Avatar to a picture of Cooper AND Pocock if I'm wrong. Fark I'll even throw Ben Afflick in with them.

Moala tried too much when he came on (ridiculous fucking offload), but I think that if Tana is really about developing for the future - he'll put him in and let him develop. He and Ranger should be great there with a bit of time, a 10 who knows how to use them, and a better strategy than flinging it to them without any go forward.<br><br>
Personally, I thought Francis looked like a 10 playing 12. Maybe he deserves a shot running the ship from 10, but I'm not really convinced that the midfield was that much better than it has been.<br><br>
Even though I thought West would step up, he doesn't really take on the line enough to hold the defense, kind of like a poor man's Barrett slinging it along then occasionally running. He doesn't seem to be going to make it at this level, sadly. I wonder if he'd be better in the James Marshall role at the canes, but then who runs at 10. Perennial Blues problem.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote"><p>“A full decision will be issued in due course. In summary, the Committee found that the incident was an unfortunate combination of Mr Cane joining to create a maul in a permissible manner at the same time as Mr Chaparro fell rapidly to the ground.<br><br>“The contact between the shoulder of Mr Cane and the head of Mr Chaparro was unintentional and not able to be foreseen for that reason.<br><br>Read more: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.superxv.com/sam-cane-free-play-citing-dismissed/#ixzz43cpoM0Ts'>http://www.superxv.com/sam-cane-free-play-citing-dismissed/#ixzz43cpoM0Ts</a></p></blockquote><br>Good decision and spot on reasoning IMO.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="562908" data-time="1457287446">
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<p>Didn't they have a couple of cards in week one also?</p>
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<p>Yes, two yellow cards and one player - Tomas Lavanini - suspended for a week.</p>

<p>Good game to watch. The Jaguares will be better and better. Their scrum is a concern though, which is a bit surprising for an Argentinian team.</p>