Crusaders v Blues
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As much as I have wanted the Blues to get across the line this evening ..I have got to question how much some really do know about the game of rugby ...the one area where the Crusaders have dominated has been in the high kick stakes..the Blues have been completely overshadowed in this aspect...the much maligned George Bridge has put so much pressure on the receiver from high kicks ...the Blues have failed to negate this area..and their own high kick when it really mattered , unfortunately fell by the wayside ..both Christie and Barrett at crucial times put kicks out on the full...to me the turning point was the charge down of Blacks kick ..and the subsequent short kick off from Mo’unga , the Blues had fallen asleep and you could see the momentum change ,some great individual performances , but big match players come up with big moments ..on that aspect ..The Crusaders Take the chocolates ..it was great to watch a game that I really feel the Blues are now relevant again..you know when a Canterbury crowd goes silent for long periods means you have them under the pump..to blame this evenings official is joke..game management when it really mattered was the difference..
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@Steven-Harris said in Crusaders v Blues:
As much as I have wanted the Blues to get across the line this evening ..I have got to question how much some really do know about the game of rugby ...the one area where the Crusaders have dominated has been in the high kick stakes..the Blues have been completely overshadowed in this aspect...the much maligned George Bridge has put so much pressure on the receiver from high kicks ...the Blues have failed to negate this area..and their own high kick when it really mattered , unfortunately fell by the wayside ..both Christie and Barrett at crucial times put kicks out on the full...to me the turning point was the charge down of Blacks kick ..and the subsequent short kick off from Mo’unga , the Blues had fallen asleep and you could see the momentum change ,some great individual performances , but big match players come up with big moments ..on that aspect ..The Crusaders Take the chocolates ..it was great to watch a game that I really feel the Blues are now relevant again..you know when a Canterbury crowd goes silent for long periods means you have them under the pump..to blame this evenings official is joke..game management when it really mattered was the difference..
Well said that man.
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I haven’t yelled at the TV like that when Jordan scored since Aaron Smith scored that try early in the Ireland match last year.
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@Steven-Harris work of the ball is what Bridge does well. Blues probably had the best that I’ve ever seen at it - Howlett.
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George Bridge just does the right things at the right time, every time. He has showed that in black and for the Crusaders. The turning point and quite obvious for me was Drummond coming on for Hall. Changed the game.
Great game by both teams, absolute quality. -
A few thoughts.
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Great game. Felt like a test match.
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Crusaders deserved winners. They never give up easy points and so stay in the fight even when getting outplayed and then they just kill you in the last 20.
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Bridge was excellent. However - Telea is abysmal under the high ball. Why Blues didn't swap Clarke to mark Bridge is a fault on the coaches to me. Bridge is excellent under the high ball. So is Clarke. Telea sucks.
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Beauden was rubbish. One of the worst games i've ever seen him play. He gave away 2 soft penalties - he kicked out on the full - he put in a shit kick before halftime. He was pants. He also looks like he has seriously lost his pace.
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Alex Hodgman looks like an AB to me.
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Akira made a good fist of 6.
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Crusaders to waltz to the title now.
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@Chris said in Crusaders v Blues:
@number9 said in Crusaders v Blues:
Blues dominated the Crusaders up front and at the set piece. Taylor was full of shit with what he said at his interview.
Different game than I watched
Then you are obviously blind, Blues killed their scrum, had then at the breakdown and won lineoits off the Crusader throw in. Watch the replay.
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@Duluth said in Crusaders v Blues:
Eklund had a hell of a game from the bench.
Sure did. Had to put in a bigger shift than he was probably expecting too. Reminded me of a young Coles out there.
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@KiwiMurph well said , I can’t wait for the return match ..one guy I am really pleased for is Josh Goodhue ..I know he doesn’t always get a ton of love ..but his work rate defensively this evening was sensational...also great to see Akira finding himself
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@KiwiMurph said in Crusaders v Blues:
Razor just said Drummond is the best bench halfback in world rugby.
Ok champ.....
Did you see he was wearing both eye patches when he said that 😀
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@Duluth said in Crusaders v Blues:
Not sure how Moody didn’t get a yellow. The team was on a warning when he did that
He is a serial offender, even when wearing black.
@KiwiMurph Agree about Hodgman. He has really improved this year and should be the backup LH prop for the SI.
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@Duluth said in Crusaders v Blues:
Eklund had a hell of a game from the bench. If his throwing was a bit better he’d challenge for the 3rd AB hooker spot.
Not sure how Moody didn’t get a yellow. The team was on a warning when he did that
Not only that, but a penalty try is immediately 7 points, so no charged conversion.
Still, sliding doors I guess.
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@Bovidae said in Crusaders v Blues:
@Duluth said in Crusaders v Blues:
Not sure how Moody didn’t get a yellow. The team was on a warning when he did that
He is a serial offender, even when wearing black.
@KiwiMurph Agree about Hodgman. He has really improved this year and should be the backup LH prop for the SI.
Yeah he's starting to live up to the hype a bit now.
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@Steven-Harris Josh’s injuries have stopped his momentum, but he was good again tonight.
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@Steven-Harris said in Crusaders v Blues:
As much as I have wanted the Blues to get across the line this evening ..I have got to question how much some really do know about the game of rugby ...the one area where the Crusaders have dominated has been in the high kick stakes..the Blues have been completely overshadowed in this aspect...the much maligned George Bridge has put so much pressure on the receiver from high kicks ...the Blues have failed to negate this area..and their own high kick when it really mattered , unfortunately fell by the wayside ..both Christie and Barrett at crucial times put kicks out on the full...to me the turning point was the charge down of Blacks kick ..and the subsequent short kick off from Mo’unga , the Blues had fallen asleep and you could see the momentum change ,some great individual performances , but big match players come up with big moments ..on that aspect ..The Crusaders Take the chocolates ..it was great to watch a game that I really feel the Blues are now relevant again..you know when a Canterbury crowd goes silent for long periods means you have them under the pump..to blame this evenings official is joke..game management when it really mattered was the difference..
Spot on great analysis
