Crusaders 2024
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@nzzp They have 14 titles that is a dynasty if there ever was, if you are defining it by 7 on the trot, sure that maybe over. The fact we probably have the best academy and under 20s coming up, says we aren't a spent force by any means. Remember not all of those 14 titles happened consecutively, which means they have had off years before, right them off at your peril.
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@nzzp said in Crusaders 2024:
@Landers92 said in Crusaders 2024:
@nzzp said in Drua v Rebels:
@Landers92 said in Drua v Rebels:
@nzzp said in Drua v Rebels:
@Landers92 said in Drua v Rebels:
@nzzp said in Drua v Rebels:
@Landers92 said in Drua v Rebels:
and you guys will bounce back well next season
why?
Dynasties end - and they are hard to come back from. Is the quality there? I'm not convinced what will be different next year
There’s plenty of quality in that Crusaders team, you’re only kidding yourself if you think there isn’t. So many All Blacks and All Black XV players. For one reason or another it just didn’t gel this season, it happens.
Next year they still won't have Whitelock, Mo'unga and Razor.
I'll rephrase: how are they different to the 98 Blues who came off similar decades of dominance?
You asked if the quality was there and I just answered saying there is. Nobody doubts that and that’s why it’s all been such a headline this season.
So the 98 Blues had quality as well.
It's lazy to just presume they'll bounce back. The question is 'why'. Is the coaching going to be better? Composure under pressure? What's going to be different?
How is it lazy when they clearly have quality? Really struggling to pick up on your argument here. If you don’t think they don’t have quality and don’t think they will bounce back then that’s your opinion and I accept it. I’m just giving you mine
They had quality this year, and missed the playoffs with an 8/12 team comp.
I guess my question is: what's different next year? They seem a solid mid table team - but I can't see them being dominant again in the short term like they were. My comparison is previous dynasties that, when they fell apart, fell apart for an extended period. Again - what's goin gto be differnet next year?
They'll likely have considerably better luck on the injury front, which on its own should make a huge difference to their season. They were basically never able to get any combinations going throughout the season. How many times were the Crusaders able to field a side even close to their top XV?
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@nzzp said in Crusaders 2024:
@Landers92 said in Drua v Rebels:
@nzzp said in Drua v Rebels:
@Landers92 said in Drua v Rebels:
@nzzp said in Drua v Rebels:
@Landers92 said in Drua v Rebels:
and you guys will bounce back well next season
why?
Dynasties end - and they are hard to come back from. Is the quality there? I'm not convinced what will be different next year
There’s plenty of quality in that Crusaders team, you’re only kidding yourself if you think there isn’t. So many All Blacks and All Black XV players. For one reason or another it just didn’t gel this season, it happens.
Next year they still won't have Whitelock, Mo'unga and Razor.
I'll rephrase: how are they different to the 98 Blues who came off similar decades of dominance?
You asked if the quality was there and I just answered saying there is. Nobody doubts that and that’s why it’s all been such a headline this season.
So the 98 Blues had quality as well.
It's lazy to just presume they'll bounce back. The question is 'why'. Is the coaching going to be better? Composure under pressure? What's going to be different?
Luck played a factor. Even if their luck on all fronts returns to the mean, the squad they had this year probably more likely wins 7-8 games.
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@frugby said in Crusaders 2024:
@nzzp said in Crusaders 2024:
@Landers92 said in Drua v Rebels:
@nzzp said in Drua v Rebels:
@Landers92 said in Drua v Rebels:
@nzzp said in Drua v Rebels:
@Landers92 said in Drua v Rebels:
and you guys will bounce back well next season
why?
Dynasties end - and they are hard to come back from. Is the quality there? I'm not convinced what will be different next year
There’s plenty of quality in that Crusaders team, you’re only kidding yourself if you think there isn’t. So many All Blacks and All Black XV players. For one reason or another it just didn’t gel this season, it happens.
Next year they still won't have Whitelock, Mo'unga and Razor.
I'll rephrase: how are they different to the 98 Blues who came off similar decades of dominance?
You asked if the quality was there and I just answered saying there is. Nobody doubts that and that’s why it’s all been such a headline this season.
So the 98 Blues had quality as well.
It's lazy to just presume they'll bounce back. The question is 'why'. Is the coaching going to be better? Composure under pressure? What's going to be different?
Luck played a factor. Even if their luck on all fronts returns to the mean, the squad they had this year probably more likely wins 7-8 games.
The squad will look a bit different in 2025.
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Chris have you heard any Rumours about Penny yet. I talked to my source last week. He said he’ll do well to keep his job. The fact him and mansbridge are mates might save him.
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@chchfanatic said in Crusaders 2024:
Chris have you heard any Rumours about Penny yet. I talked to my source last week. He said he’ll do well to keep his job. The fact him and mansbridge are mates might save him.
I hear there is a push to remove him,Mansbridge wants to keep him but there are a lot who don't so I hear.
Mansbridge can bugger off too. -
@Chris I was sitting next to mansbridge one night at the casino. He had no idea who I was and who I’m connected too. I probed him on a few things. He’d obviously had a few onboard so was quite forthcoming with his answers. He came across as quite arrogant.
I don’t think it’s a happy coaching box from what I’ve heard.
As bad a season as we’ve had , we still should’ve made at least the playoffs. I’m glad now that we didn’t as it will hopefully bring change. Will be interesting who is back in the squad next year. Maybe a couple of Japanese imports. -
@chchfanatic said in Crusaders 2024:
@Chris I was sitting next to mansbridge one night at the casino. He had no idea who I was and who I’m connected too. I probed him on a few things. He’d obviously had a few onboard so was quite forthcoming with his answers. He came across as quite arrogant.
I don’t think it’s a happy coaching box from what I’ve heard.
As bad a season as we’ve had , we still should’ve made at least the playoffs. I’m glad now that we didn’t as it will hopefully bring change. Will be interesting who is back in the squad next year. Maybe a couple of Japanese imports.Does not surprise me what you say about Mansbridge.
Yeah I hear it is not a united coaching group on a few fronts the pre season ,Recruitment among some.
Me too I want a shake up and making the play offs would have papered over a few cracks that need fixing.Yep a couple of Japanese imports a possibility chasing a couple really hard.
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@chchfanatic said in Crusaders 2024:
@Chris I was sitting next to mansbridge one night at the casino. He had no idea who I was and who I’m connected too.
Yeah, it's amazing how many people don't realise I am on the Fern when I pass them on the street or sit near them at a bar. I have lost count of the number of times I have actually had to point out who I am. The look on their faces is priceless and they always seem to slowly move away like they are intimidated or unworthy.
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@Duluth and abit of miscommunication, just about as dumb as many other critical moments the boys made in those little moments where it needed to count. Those little errors just pushed us out of top 8. Seems like the boys were all over the show this season, abit like management by the sounds of things
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I think that we were unlucky this year with both injuries and a few on field things too. But the 'lucky' version of this year's team probably only finishes 4th or so.
I think it's reasonable to expect the luck elements to even out a bit next year. Penney has been around long enough that I don't expect him to improve much for this year's experience, but maybe if there are backroom issues those can get smoothed out over the summer.
I think a realistic expectation next year is to be one of the lesser contenders - comfortably in the playoffs, maybe hosting a quarter final if we get some luck, but also not a strong favourite for the title.
