Crusaders 2024
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I wouldn't treat it too seriously. It's a record that they were tracking internally and then told to the media
Some teams then privately suggested journalists look at maul tries they did score against the Crusaders. Even TJ in commentary said that they were being a bit creative in their definition of what was and wasn't a maul try (I presume hookers disengaging just as they crossed the line etc?)
Of course they had extremely good maul defence, far better than any other team though.
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@ruggabee said in Crusaders 2024:
@Duluth said in Crusaders 2024:
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Hiring Rob Penney may be the Crusaders' first major mistake in 30 years
Rob Penney's resume had red flags, yet the Crusaders seemed set on appointing a man with Cantabrian connections at any price.
Make all the excuses you want, a team with that much experience & quality should have no excuses being made for them, the Highlanders would dream of having such a roster - the 4th best squad in the competition behind the Hurricanes, Blues, Chiefs.
Bang on mate, yes they’ve had a bad run with injuries but I’ve never seen a fan base put all their losses on injured players instead of just admitting they aren’t good enough this year/aren't coached well enough this year.
Every other super rugby team goes through injuries every year, the crusaders have it this year but can still manage to field more All blacks than some super sides, you can add in all All black XV players they have in their squad too. Completely agree about no excuses.
Granted, losing Burke was a dagger as behind him they are all unknowns. Everywhere else the depth is more than fine.
Ps. This is in no way a stab at crusaders fans but I have no doubt it will be taken as one😂
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@Landers92 said in Crusaders 2024:
@ruggabee said in Crusaders 2024:
@Duluth said in Crusaders 2024:
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Hiring Rob Penney may be the Crusaders' first major mistake in 30 years
Rob Penney's resume had red flags, yet the Crusaders seemed set on appointing a man with Cantabrian connections at any price.
Make all the excuses you want, a team with that much experience & quality should have no excuses being made for them, the Highlanders would dream of having such a roster - the 4th best squad in the competition behind the Hurricanes, Blues, Chiefs.
Bang on mate, yes they’ve had a bad run with injuries but I’ve never seen a fan base put all their losses on injured players instead of just admitting they aren’t good enough/aren't coached well enough.
Every other super rugby team goes through injuries every year, the crusaders have it this year but can still manage to field more All blacks than some super sides, you can add in all All black XV players they have in their squad too. Completely agree about no excuses.
Granted, losing Burke was a dagger as behind him they are all unknowns. Everywhere else the depth is more than fine.
Ps. This is in no one a stab at crusaders fans but I have no doubt it will be taken as one😂
I actually think you are right and I am a staunch Crusaders supporter.
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Crusaders wider training group prop Kershawl Sykes-Martin facing a few weeks suspension after a brain explosion coming off the bench in Christchurch club rugby playing for Marist Albion over the weekend, throwing multiple punches at a Sumner forward resulting in a Red Card.
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From facing the haka to Crusaders return, why Johnny McNicholl answered SOS call
Returning Crusader Johnny McNicholl is determined to showcase his worth; a seasoned professional who wasn’t even supposed to be in Christchurch in the first place.
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Things are bad when even Robert van Royen is putting the boot in
Their backline is as clunky as the 2016 Crusaders, their error-count would be frowned upon if they were a schoolboy team, their lineout is like watching a slow-motion train-wreck, and asking them to exit their half effectively is akin to asking them to split the atom. -
@Duluth said in Crusaders 2024:
Things are bad when even Robert van Royen is putting the boot in
Their backline is as clunky as the 2016 Crusaders, their error-count would be frowned upon if they were a schoolboy team, their lineout is like watching a slow-motion train-wreck, and asking them to exit their half effectively is akin to asking them to split the atom.Was this always the return time for Codie or have they decided to bring him back in due to the lack of forward leaders? I know it was always the back end of the season but with this also being a must win I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s been told to get back in there now from the higher ups.
Any news on the Barrett or Blackadder injuries?
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@jonahthesecond I was at this game. He gave away a scrum penalty, the Sumner flanker said you’re a shit scrummager for a crusaders. He just grabbed him and put two on his chin. Sumner flanker took both and laughed at him. He went to throw again but got held back by his own players. Straight red. Was only on the field for 10 mins.
Should get 6-10 weeks. But will probably get 1-2 because of who he is. -
The article has a table with 9 pages of coaches percentages
Here's the first page & page 9
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Some injury updates in this article:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350279231/crusaders-coach-rob-penney-wasnt-soul-searching-pity-after-loss-highlandersBarrett’s back injury flared up
A back injury has again forced captain Barrett out of the team, and coach Rob Penney wasn’t able to provide a firm deadline for his returnIf they lose to the Brumbies, a decision may be required as to whether it’s worth risking Barrett; getting him right ahead of the All Blacks' tests against England and Fiji in July may take priorityBlackadder
Luck-less loose forward Ethan Blackadder, who has only taken the field three times, continues to recover from a thigh injury. "He got through probably 20 minutes of training yesterday, which is a massive step forward,'' Penney stated. "And if that progress continues, who knows, in the next fortnight we might be able to see him back.'' -
I think what I struggled with most is that, as noted, there was a sprinkle of ABs in every pack that should have ensured that the less experienced players should be able to fit around and still perform the basics well. That they still haven't suggests that realising that the core of your pack is well versed in a particular way of playing you don't want to change that at all. I can only assume the failure is a result of changing that default so no one is clear as to what they should do. It certainly looks like that. If so it is a really poor strategic approach for the season. That's on the coaches.
The issues at 10 meant that I never thought the backline would be any better than just basics with Sevu the only real threat. Got that right at least.
Third 10 in 3 weeks wont change that.
