Crusaders v Chiefs

Stargazer

All those people who already wrote the Crusaders off before the season started were shown wrong tonight. As a neutral, I think - all things considered - they did play reasonably well. It could have gone either way. We'll never know how the game would have ended if Prinsep had not been stretchered off. Thought Nadolo was disappointing, the young boys Havili and Mo'unga (except for some kicks) did well. Liked what I saw from Tamanivalu and Ngatai. Pity Weber got so little game time.

Bovidae

Plenty to work on but good to get the win. 
 
Some of the Chiefs players I had doubts over played well, e.g. Marshall, Tamanivalu. Seta made one poor defensive read but looked dangerous on attack.
 
Hoeft needs to sort out the scrum and hopefully Tokolahi starts next week. To put that performance into context, the Chiefs were up against an AB front row and are missing their best scrummaging hooker (Elliot).
 
Ngatai is the glue in the outside backs - classy. 
 
I expect Rennie will make some changes, some may be injury enforced. I hope Stevenson and Sanders' injuries aren't too serious.

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Mokey" data-cid="561390" data-time="1456563316">
<div>Justin Marshall is a fucking tool and should be banned from commentating Crusaders games. The manlove for Ellis was getting embarrassing.</div>
</blockquote>
 
Especially when his praise of Ellis' defensive work from one scrum was contradicted by the TV footage.

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="561391" data-time="1456563786">
<div>
All those people who already wrote the Crusaders off before the season started were shown wrong tonight. As a neutral, I think - all things considered - they did play reasonably well. It could have gone either way. We'll never know how the game would have ended if Prinsep had not been stretchered off. Though Nadolo was disappointing, the young boys Havili and Mo'unga (except for some kicks) did well. Liked what I saw from Tamanivalu and Ngatai. Pity Weber got so little game time.
</div>
</blockquote>
Yeah they will always be competitive and there or there abouts. They're very frustrating to play against which will play into their hands against the Blues next week.

Billy Tell

I'm loving McKenzie. If BB doesn't renew his contract the ABs have a ready made 10/15 impact player

Dan54

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="561358" data-time="1456559472">
<div>
Yeah what was the commentators comments - you're not allowed people BEHIND the ball???
</div>
</blockquote>
They are wrong I think, here is the change of law for this year
 
MAUL 
Law 17.3 
The ball can be moved backwards hand-to-hand once the maul has formed. A Player is not allowed 
to move/slide to the back of the maul when he is in possession of the ball (PK). 
SUBSTITUTIONS
 
 
Says nothing about not having players behind the ball.

Billy Tell

They were wrong and it's embarrassing. The law is of course as you posted.

Frye

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="561406" data-time="1456568155">
<div>
They were wrong and it's embarrassing. The law is of course as you posted.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. How could they possibly interpret it wrong?
 
They actually thought that it would be illegal for a maul to have the ball carrier at the front.
 
Idiots.

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Smithy_NZ" data-cid="561337" data-time="1456557823">
Never showed a replay of the alleged foot in touch on the Chiefs attack a few moments before the scrum disintegration</blockquote>
 
I rewound to check and it was.

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="561339" data-time="1456557985">
I went back and had a look - he stood on the line.</blockquote>
 
What he said

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="561414" data-time="1456587781">
<div>
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. How could they possibly interpret it wrong?
 
They actually thought that it would be illegal for a maul to have the ball carrier at the front.
 
<strike>Idiots. </strike>Marshall
</div>
</blockquote>
 
 
Fixed

Hooroo

I loved the way McKenzie starts smiling in a kind of sadistic way when the crowd are booing while lining up a kick

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="561481" data-time="1456621662">
<div>
I loved the way McKenzie starts smiling in a kind of sadistic way when the crowd are booing while lining up a kick
</div>
</blockquote>
 
His kicking routine was mentioned last year.
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
 
"It's just to relax me a bit more I guess."
Sometimes the smile is small. Sometimes it's large, and sometimes McKenzie appears to be chuckling as he takes a final look at the posts before stepping up to strike the ball.
He said the things that go through his head include things he sees in the crowd, and they have a bearing on how big the smile is.
"Sometimes a bit of the stuff I see in the crowd makes me laugh a bit more I guess," he said.
"It was actually David Galbraith at the Chiefs who came up with it. We're pretty lucky with him and Andrew Strawbridge helping me with the goal kicking for the last year."
</blockquote>

Hooroo

Brilliant. It is like "bring it on!!"

kiwiinmelb

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="561481" data-time="1456621662">
<div>
I loved the way McKenzie starts smiling in a kind of sadistic way when the crowd are booing while lining up a kick
</div>
</blockquote>
 
He is an interesting player , in the age of sporting robots , he certainly has his own personality

KiwiMurph

Another high quality nz derby. 
Was really impressed by Seu on debut. Seemed a lot less raw than he did in ITM Cup. 
Thought Kerr Barlow was sharp early - Cruden looked great considering the long layoff and Weber looked good too. 
For Crusaders Mo'unga did well enough to give him another crack. He will be better too when Crotty comes back to midfield. Macilai looked dangerous. 
Skill level and accuracy was high for round 1. Maybe the longer offseason, proper preseason after World Cup helps in this regard

pukunui

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="561386" data-time="1456562306">
<div>
Really really don't like Fonatia. Just stifles the Crusaders back line. Drop him and get Havili into the midfield.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Got to agree with you on that one. Have never really rated him. Seems to back himself to have a go a lot when the better option is to pass. Just doesn't provide enough punch which is what the Crusaders have lacked for years.
Hopefully he will be down the pecking order when Dagg, Fruen and Crotty come back.
I've said it before but for a massive dude Nadolo seems to fall down with the slightest touch sometimes. That Mckenzie try saver on him being a good example. Never looked like bumping him.
 
Thought Seu got caught out running too upright a few times but will hopefully learn.
Great to see Cruden back and running freely. Very good new for the ABs later in the year. Will be interesting to see how Dmac progresses because if he can add more maturity to his game and retain the "slipperyness" and step he could be awesome.
Can't help thinking he is too small for test rugby but who knows. He smashed Nadolo.

Crash

I was pleasantly surprised with the skill level and execution from both NZ derbies.
Right from the off it shows teams mean business. The Canes have a few work-ons however.
 
Chiefs delivered pretty much what I thought they would, young guns leading the way - does anyone know how serious the injury to Stevenson is? Liked what I saw from him.
Also liked very much what I saw from Seu, a good fit for the Chiefs. 
I've been championing DMac's livewire skills for a couple of seasons now, I think he and Cruden work well in tandem so it wasn't a surprise to see him revel in the conditions.. And despite the lack of a certain brick powerhouse in midfield, I think the Chiefs squad has a much more balanced feel to it this season, that is of course provided the remaining squad can stay healthy! :yes:
I wasn't sure how Tamanivalu and Ngatai would work, but for mine, they complement each other well, Ngatai is a deft ball player with silky skills who should kick on to press for that AB jersey. His main problem is and has always been remaining fit and unbroken for the season. The competition for AB midfield just started to heat up - especially with Moala, Fekitoa, Crotty and now Ranger returning to the fray. Speaking of the midfield - must also mention Walden - bloody hell where did he spring from? Another excellent young prospect.

Crucial

What pleased me the most (apart from the obvious win by the Chiefs over the Cantabs) was the early showing of handling skills, playing speed and innovation.
Shows that there is still room in NZ to progress the game further and further away from the bog found in the NH.
I liked the Chiefs occasional ploy of Cruden setting himself in the midfield to use his stepping to make half breaks then looking for an offload. They also have the scope to mix that up with DMac playing the same role.
Some of the handling in the Blues/ Highlanders game was sublime. The speed of thought and transfer was often too hard to even keep up with.
As for the Horrorcanes, I won't even go there.

SammyC

Mixed emotions after that one.
 
On one hand, I didn't expect us to win so am not overly disappointed.
 
But, as we actually turned up to play at the start if the season for a change I got more confident as the game went on. We looked really good when controlling possession and playing structured rugby. As soon as we let the game loosen up, Cruden and MacKenzie cut us to shreds.
 
Was a bit of a shit night actually... had to turn around and tell the bloke behind me to shut up. After which he challenged me to a fight.
 
We get the same season tickets every year, and are right next to the kids section. After putting up with about 50 variations of "fuck the crusaders fucking suck, fuck the chiefs are fucking great" ... I love a bit of banter at games. But jeez some dickheads have to realise there is a group of young girls (aged 5-10) in the row in front, don't swear like a sailor.
 
Thought Macalai looked great, want to get him more involved next week. Wainui looks to have potential too. Agree with whoever above said that fonotia is a huge weakness, he's so slow and not a distributor either.
 
Scrum was good until they subbed Moody and Talyor. Read looked interested. So could be an enjoyable season.
 
Although he was a bit up and down I hope they persist with Mou'aga.

The Silver Fern

Crusaders v Chiefs