Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes
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Great game. Few thought from a AB perspective
Great to see Coles getting back to his best
TJP outstanding and probby first choice at 9. Smith hasn't been too shabby
The Ritchie/Beauden debate will go on - good debate to have
George Bridge may have booked a ticket to Japan
Ardie's been on fire this season and Sam Cane hasn't been too shabby on his return either - who starts?
Read was anonymous tonight - interested to see how he goes in the final -
@No-Quarter Especially if it was a french referee
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@No-Quarter if the play had Brocken down sooner after Mo’unga got hit late by Coles, I am sure it would have been a yellow card, so you could say he dodged a bullet a bit like Whitelock
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@Tim said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes:
Pity, as the Canes will have a decent pack next year if they can recruit a loosehead.
Reserve LH? Smith was really good and has always been a solid prop.
I thought TJP was the best player on the park.
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@Victor-Meldrew are you kidding about Read..thought Read was outstanding in the first half,very busy...and still going full on defensively at the end...don’t tell me you have answer at 8 for the All Blacks..
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Hurricanes were the better team by some distance for about 41 minutes minus two plays. And although their game plan didn't look quite right for the first 39 they were equal to everything the crusaders could through at them.
Amazing grit from the crusaders to cling on for the win. Robertson has a gift for building never say die mentalities in squads. I'm a bitwworried about Read and Goodhue. Both are still solid, but well down on their peaks.
Feel for the canes, did everything except win in the second half.
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@Cyclops long season for many of All Blacks, I want them at their best in Japan..if you were worried about Read & Goodhue ..I was staggered by how poor Beauden Barrett’s first half was ,but you know what I will cut them some slack..!
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Well played Crusaders. Proud of our boys for putting in a big shift. All our big names stood up, especially Perenara. Fantastic performance.
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What a game! Worthy of a Final! The right team won, but geez, that was close! Great effort from the Canes until the final minute.
Mo'unga miles better than BB.
Perenara impressive.
Ardie couldn't do his thing in this game.
Laumape was outstanding.
Coles took too many angry pills before the game; according to the radio commentators he was involved in a lot of off-the ball stuff (esp in first half). Didn't sound good.
This game also showed how important Crotty is defensively; I hope he's okay (esp for the ABs).This was the best of the two semi-finals. More entertaining and better quality and intensity rugby.
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@canefan well said,gee after the first 38 minutes I thought the Saders were gonna strangle the life out of the Canes
But they came out in the 2nd half with a bit of momentum..,holding on to the ball but more importantly getting on the outside of the Saders midfield ..just a couple of occasions when they switched off defensively..
On saying that I was impressed with the Canes pack standing up..but it was the Saders evening and I think based across the 80 minutes ,it was deserving..! -
Awesome game in the end. That should have been the final. The end of this bullshit conference format can’t come soon enough.
Whitelock’s hand of god robbed the Canes of one last crack at winning but that isn’t the reason they lost. The way they played in the first half was pathetic. I hope BB remembers this game for the rest of the year. Good BB takes on the defence and sets others away like in the 2nd half. Rubbish BB endlessly kicks away possesion hoping for some miracle play like in the 1st half.
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Should I start a Who should be AB 10 v.8.0 thread? 🙂
TJP will be one of our most important players at the RWC. I’m predicting close games and his finishing will be critical.
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Re: Crotty
His defensive importance lies with the combination, allowing Goodhue to defend where he is most effective. As long as Goodhue defends at 13 the midfield is solid. Ennor is not (yet) a good 13 on defence.
Any AB combo of Crotty/Goodhue, ALB/Goodhue or SBW/Goodhue would be fine IMO. Next best options for 13 are ALB and Crotty although ALB offers more on attack in that jersey.
It’s a given that Goodhue goes to Japan. As for the rest of the midfield options it will be a tight call. -
@ACT-Crusader I'd take the defensive tight grit of TJ against the likes of Ireland vs Smith. But any space, and tendency to be beaten by speed (e.g. Boks) I'd take Smith. Horses for courses
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Hurricane's were a lot more competitive than I thought they would be.
Ardie was immense and completely outplayed Todd. Easily has the bench openside role and there is now quite a decent gap 2nd and 3rd.
BB was pretty bloody bad in the first half but came right in the second. Not enough to win the crown though. RM was great throughout.
Thought James Marshall was mud. But it was good to see Lumpy stand up in an important game.
TJ was just brilliant. Kept the Canes in the game in the first half. Will be interesting to see who wins Canes player of the year between him and Savea.
