Crusaders v Blues
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@stargazer That seems pretty accurate.
I think Cullen Grace is worth a mention - prominent with ball in hand and made metres off the back of the scrum when needed. He looks more like an AB this season than the year he was picked. Even with several loosies ruled out there's going to be one or two unlucky guys when it comes to AB selection.
Newell caught my eye with a couple of powerful surges near the line when he came on.
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@stargazer said in Crusaders v Blues:
Fainga'anuku's strength is wasted on the wing. I like him more in the midfield. Still, a quiet game and he hardly got the ball.
Pretty tough game last night, with plenty of attention from the Blues on defence. Still think he's worth selecting in the ABs and developing as a power winger who can play centre.
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@tim I think the squad will be reduced in size, so it will be hard to get in, but you'd expect Clarke to replace Bridge, and maybe Fainga'anuku to come in for Ennor (who's also a midfield/wing) and maybe Tupaea to be dropped without being replaced, unless they swap him for Goodhue.
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@stargazer said in Crusaders v Blues:
Red card: before the game I already thought he was the main candidate for a red card, and SB didn't disappoint. Same level of stupid shit as Laulala's shoulder hit, so should expect same verdict: red card upheld, 6-week mid-range entry point, 50% reduction for clean sheet, remorse blah blah, and then being offered the extra "head contact coaching intervention" to get a week of his 3-match ban. Sitting out 2 games. I disagree with this, but if Laulala only gets two weeks off, then SB should get the same. Unlike Laulala, SB still has great value for the ABs, he's been the form lock of the comp thus far, so it shouldn't have consequences for his ABs selection.
Same bloke that got a 'shoulder to head' Red Card in a Test?
Somehow don't think the clean sheet reduction will apply. Should be weeks added for not learning lessons.
My guess? 4 weeks.
Won't hurt them much though. Rebels/Tahs/Force/Brumbies -
@crucial said in Crusaders v Blues:
@stargazer said in Crusaders v Blues:
Red card: before the game I already thought he was the main candidate for a red card, and SB didn't disappoint. Same level of stupid shit as Laulala's shoulder hit, so should expect same verdict: red card upheld, 6-week mid-range entry point, 50% reduction for clean sheet, remorse blah blah, and then being offered the extra "head contact coaching intervention" to get a week of his 3-match ban. Sitting out 2 games. I disagree with this, but if Laulala only gets two weeks off, then SB should get the same. Unlike Laulala, SB still has great value for the ABs, he's been the form lock of the comp thus far, so it shouldn't have consequences for his ABs selection.
Same bloke that got a 'shoulder to head' Red Card in a Test?
Somehow don't think the clean sheet reduction will apply. Should be weeks added for not learning lessons.
My guess? 4 weeks.
Won't hurt them much though. Rebels/Tahs/Force/BrumbiesIt's the same with Laulala. He doesn't have a real clean sheet either, but they only look at the last 12 months, apparently.
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@shark said in Crusaders v Blues:
I've only seen a YouTube highlights package but have to say well played to the Blues, a deserved win. Papali'i clearly the star turn in either forward pack but Jordan seems to have also had another big night. It's now a Papali'i vs Savea debate for mine.
As an aside, I was quite dismayed by the lack of gas shown by Dom Gardiner as he pretty much lumbered towards the corner. He had a head start and the angle from around 22 out but was easily mown down well short of the corner. He's supposed to be a 6 (albeit covering lock in this 23) and should be able to make more of a contest of that situation.
Gardiner had the ball in the wrong arm and couldn’t fend. Rugby 101.
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@shark said in Crusaders v Blues:
ne.As an aside, I was quite dismayed by the lack of gas shown by Dom Gardiner as he pretty much lumbered towards the corner. He had a head start and the angle from around 22 out but was easily mown down well short of the corner. He's supposed to be a 6 (albeit covering lock in this 23) and should be able to make more of a contest of that situation.
I remember a ererily-similar incident at the Mudgee 7's about 17yrs ago. Pool play, Woollahra Colleagues 5th Grade Subbies playing someone-or-other, getting dusted I think. One of decent players got us into good space, and from the ensuing ruck, someone else put me into a massive gap with nobody in sight and just the corner to reach. About 5m I had to cover, can't have been anyone within 10m of me. I put my head down and went for it, but came up 2-3m short, cut down by someone built more like Bull Allen than Reiko.
I hung my head in shame and never lived it down.
In my defense, I had had 5-6 beers before the game, which I do not recommend to the fans at home.
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@voodoo said in Crusaders v Blues:
@shark said in Crusaders v Blues:
ne.As an aside, I was quite dismayed by the lack of gas shown by Dom Gardiner as he pretty much lumbered towards the corner. He had a head start and the angle from around 22 out but was easily mown down well short of the corner. He's supposed to be a 6 (albeit covering lock in this 23) and should be able to make more of a contest of that situation.
I remember a ererily-similar incident at the Mudgee 7's about 17yrs ago. Pool play, Woollahra Colleagues 5th Grade Subbies playing someone-or-other, getting dusted I think. One of decent players got us into good space, and from the ensuing ruck, someone else put me into a massive gap with nobody in sight and just the corner to reach. About 5m I had to cover, can't have been anyone within 10m of me. I put my head down and went for it, but came up 2-3m short, cut down by someone built more like Bull Allen than Reiko.
I hung my head in shame and never lived it down.
In my defense, I had had 5-6 beers before the game, which I do not recommend to the fans at home.
He was pretty quick and explosive to be fair, I wouldn’t be too embarrassed.
Then again I’m doing the maths and you having to run 5 metres, the opposition having to run 10 metres and you still falling 2-3 metres short indicates a poor effort from you overall. Must try harder next time.
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@nzzp said in Crusaders v Blues:
Reece and Mo'unga are liabilities on defence. Lots of arm tackles
While at first glance that seems kosher, if Jordan and Havili are too, how are the crusaders so successful with over half the backline being leaky?
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@bones said in Crusaders v Blues:
@nzzp said in Crusaders v Blues:
Reece and Mo'unga are liabilities on defence. Lots of arm tackles
While at first glance that seems kosher, if Jordan and Havili are too, how are the crusaders so successful with over half the backline being leaky?
They leak points these days? I mean, they are good, but missing tackles is a real issue.
Just seen the Havili yc. It's reasonable, but marginal. Have to release, but that's also not as quality a carry add it should be
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@tim said in Crusaders v Blues:
@shark said in Crusaders v Blues:
Compare that to the Blues sporting the likes of Eklund, old man Romano, Goodhue, Lam, Lay, Choat and Heem, none of whom would have been required in Super Rugby's hey day
You mean in the glory days of Corey Flynn, Ross Filipo, Con Barrell, Sam Broomhall, and Adam Whitelock? All those players you named are high quality at Super Rugby level. Lay was very solid for Bristol in the UK Premiership.
You have zero knowledge
