Chiefs v Crusaders
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Another good shift from Ta'avao. He and Luke Jacobson clearly the best from the Chiefs.
Crusaders backrow was outstanding. I can see Blackadder go far. Real shame that Todd hasn't been named in the ABs. So much better than Ardie. Also a good game from Barrett again. He's definitely the in-form Barrett at the moment.Mo'unga won the battle of the 10s by miles. Not sure what's wrong with Dmac, but he was awful.
Ngatai showed great stuff and not so great stuff. Dagg a bit of the same.
Havili went well at 12.Radio commentators said that Brodie didn't go off for a head knock, but the Chiefs' staff didn't want to say why he did, when asked. Maybe a conspiracy theory, but Taufua and Cane pulled because of Squire's likely suspension and Fifita still not 100%? Brodie because of Sam Whitelock, and/or also Fifita? Goodhue because of .. Crotty and SBW?
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I'm stunned at how well these guys are stepping up and playing. Dunno what Razor's secret is, but whatever it is it needs to be bottled.
It's a pleasant change from Toddy Blackadder's regime, where if a couple of frontline players got hurt the towel seemed to get thrown in.
Codie Taylor and Scott Barrett really to the forefront tonight, but all the starting forwards went well. Shout out to Blackadder Jr.
We seem to have made miracle offloads a part of the tactics. That was what help0ed dig the hole vs the Waratahs and got us into trouble tonight. On the other hand, when they come off they're creating plenty of line breaks.
In something of a blast from the past, it was Ngatai and Messam who were most worrying me for the Chiefs.
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I know it's a running joke on here but i wish Ngatai was sticking around to have a crack at getting back in the ABs. So much better than ALB.
Would be interesting to see how the backline went with him outside BB to provide a bit of a second play maker and a more steadying hand.Games like tonight really show what a good team culture and coaching can do. There have arguably been teams from the Blues this year who appear much better on paper than that team the chiefs finished with. However the Blues are a fucking rabble and the Chiefs pushed the top team in the comp right to the end.
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@pukunui said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
I know it's a running joke on here but i wish Ngatai was sticking around to have a crack at getting back in the ABs. So much better than ALB.
Would be interesting to see how the backline went with him outside BB to provide a bit of a second play maker and a more steadying hand.Games like tonight really show what a good team culture and coaching can do. There have arguably been teams from the Blues this year who appear much better on paper than that team the chiefs finished with. However the Blues are a fucking rabble and the Chiefs pushed the top team in the comp right to the end.
It will be one of those "what might have been" with Ngatai. Pure class. Pity about the injuries.
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@gt12 said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
@tim said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
How have the scrums gone?
Pretty even, but around the rucks and mauls the Saders have been a step above.
Chch Had edge when Moody on. On came Crockett and Chiefs pushed them off their own ball. To this back starting LHs had edge on starting THs.
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@pakman said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
@pukunui said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
I know it's a running joke on here but i wish Ngatai was sticking around to have a crack at getting back in the ABs. So much better than ALB.
Would be interesting to see how the backline went with him outside BB to provide a bit of a second play maker and a more steadying hand.Games like tonight really show what a good team culture and coaching can do. There have arguably been teams from the Blues this year who appear much better on paper than that team the chiefs finished with. However the Blues are a fucking rabble and the Chiefs pushed the top team in the comp right to the end.
But for that head knock a couple of years ago I think Ngatai'd have edged Crotty by now. Both very savvy and experienced. Ngatai faster and bigger boot (X-factor) but less secure on defence.
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@pakman said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
@gt12 said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
@tim said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
How have the scrums gone?
Pretty even, but around the rucks and mauls the Saders have been a step above.
Chch Had edge when Moody on. On came Crockett and Chiefs pushed them off their own ball. To this back starting LHs had edge on starting THs.
Thats because the Chiefs players weren’t being wary of Crockett’s forearm.
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@pakman said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
Mo'unga was very good. DMac a mix of good and awful. Swap Ritchie into Chiefs backline and DMac into Chch and I think Chriefs would have gone close.
On form RM ought to be no.2 for ABs.
DMac's game has certainly evolved to being closer to a traditional first 5 since the season began. But he's at least a season away from being ready to pitch into a test at that position. And the flipside is that the Chiefs have lost that insane attacking brilliance he was bringing from FB and they've suffered for it.
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@marty said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
And the flipside is that the Chiefs have lost that insane attacking brilliance he was bringing from FB and they've suffered for it.
Precisely. The elements which made him such a threat at fullback do not exist at five-eighth - time, space and mismatches. So if he looks to create space for himself to run, he ruins everything else in the backline.
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Agreed, although if Cooper used Stevenson at 15, it wouldn’t be as big of a deal. Right now Alaimalo is wasted at 15.
If we had a serviceable 10, a back three of Alaimalo, Stevenson, and Dmac would be pretty exciting at Super level.
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@gt12 I concur. I've always said DMac is way better at FB than as a 10. I can see why Shag may want him at half back also. But there is a world of difference between BB, Mo'unga and daylight - then DMac. If we could get (and keep) Black fit and somehow get JGB's and Perofeta's confidence levels up we would be humming.
