New Crusaders coach
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="588908" data-time="1466133897">
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<p><strong>I am extremely happy that the NZRU has rewarded a highly successful ITM Cup coach with a SR job</strong>. What's the point of running provincial Rugby if it isn't a breeding ground for SR players and coaches?</p>
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<p>Enjoy. </p>
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<p>I'm usually more in favour of having a process similar to the way the ABS have been developing players, where ITM Cup coaches are recognized and brought in to the Super format, where if they are then (judged to be) successful, they get to go up to head coach roles. I prefer that as it shows where ITM Cup should rightly be - a lower grade of rugby where success may not translated to the higher level.</p>
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<p>I should note that Dave Rennie has worked out pretty well for us at the Chiefs - and he doesn't fill that criteria. We got lucky - but he also had very experienced assistants.</p>
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<p>And, the con side will bring up Hammett too, I guess :)</p>
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<p>Anyway, it looks like an underwhelming appointment right now - that U20s team were proper shit compared to what they should have been, mainly for reasons within his control.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="588917" data-time="1466135808">
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<p>Enjoy. </p>
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<p>I'm usually more in favour of having a process similar to the way the ABS have been developing players, where ITM Cup coaches are recognized and brought in to the Super format, where if they are then (judged to be) successful, they get to go up to head coach roles. I prefer that as it shows where ITM Cup should rightly be - a lower grade of rugby where success may not translated to the higher level.</p>
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<p>I should note that Dave Rennie has worked out pretty well for us at the Chiefs - and he doesn't fill that criteria. We got lucky - but he also had very experienced assistants.</p>
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<p>And, the con side will bring up Hammett too, I guess :)</p>
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<p>Anyway, it looks like an underwhelming appointment right now - that U20s team were proper shit compared to what they should have been, mainly for reasons within his control.</p>
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<p>So you're ignoring his title winning coaching performance with the U20s last year, not to mention his dual ITM Cup winning campaigns, and focusing solely on this year's U20s? Seems fair and reasonable.</p> -
<p>Hmmm. I don't really think Robertson is Forrest Gump. I'll give him a season to see what he can conjure up.</p>
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<p>Who said Schmidt applied?? I'm calling that as BS.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="588921" data-time="1466136105">
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<p>So you're ignoring his title winning coaching performance with the U20s last year, not to mention his dual ITM Cup winning campaigns, and focusing solely on this year's U20s? Seems fair and reasonable.</p>
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<p>For some strange reason, some people think that last year's success had everything to do with the quality of the players and nothing with Razor's coaching skills, yet this year, the failure of the team to make the semis, has everything to do with his (lack of) coaching skills and nothing with the quality of the players. Odd reasoning in my opinion. I think this year's squad - especially many (but not all of) the forwards - was not of the same quality as last year's. That may have to do with selection choices, but could also have to do with the talent available.</p>
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<p>Having said that, I think I'd prefer a new SR coach to have some experience at SR levels coaching before becoming head coach. So appointing an SR assistant coach or a coach with experience at English premiership teams, national teams etc. makes more sense to me than a coach with "only" NPC coaching experience, no matter how good his results have been. However, if the media are correct, the players seem to prefer Robertson and a lot of players still need to be re-signed. The way a head coach fits in a team and the team culture may be important, too.</p>
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<p>Edit: like Billy Tell, I think it's good just to wait and see how he goes next season before concluding it was a bad appointment.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="588937" data-time="1466137109">
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<p>Hmmm. I don't really think Robertson is Forrest Gump. I'll give him a season to see what he can conjure up.</p>
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<p>Who said Schmidt applied?? I'm calling that as BS.</p>
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<p>He didn't apply. His name was linked with the job, but that was it.</p> -
<p>Well someone was adamant he had applied, but I'm not buying it. The Highlanders might be another matter.</p>
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Well we never know unless Schmidt himself makes a statement which he won't. The crusaders have always been about looking after the locals - which has its pluses and minuses - but the CVs of Robertson and Schmidt are chalk and cheese.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="588921" data-time="1466136105">
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<p>So you're ignoring his title winning coaching performance with the U20s last year, not to mention his dual ITM Cup winning campaigns, and focusing solely on this year's U20s? Seems fair and reasonable.</p>
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<p>No, I'm not ignoring it - I think you are looking for a debate where there isn't one? I outlined my reasons for why I think someone with Super experience would have been a better appointment - specifically referring to my opinion of where I think ITM Cup should stand when being considered. Clearly, you and the Crusaders board have a different view. I think I even noted that my beloved Chiefs hadn't followed this view of ITM cup, and that it has worked out OK for us. So, I'm not sure what you are looking for from me?</p>
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<p>Regarding the recent U20s, they were shit. Straight up crap strategy and tactics, and should have been better than they were with better selections. I'm not sure who else to blame for that, except the coaches. Are you saying that we don't have the cattle in NZ for our under 20 team to beat Ireland? That it is acceptable to not make the semis? I think that's a minimum requirement and reflects poorly on all concerned. Accordingly, I think his stock has dipped and that his prior success should be reconsidered. He's probably not as good as his results to date have suggested - that's probably why I said it's an <span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">underwhelming appointment <em>right now. </em>Last week, I think the news would have been greeted with less discussion, but it's this week, and his most recent team just got bailed out looking shit. Regardless, that's not why I think he shouldn't have got the job (see above).</span></p>
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<p>Look, maybe you guys will win it all and he's the best ever. I'm sceptical, and I suspect there were better candidates. Having said that, you guys have already scared away the best coach inside your region anyway (thanks by the way!), so maybe he is the best candidate who applied. </p> -
Winning the NPC with Canterbury is par these days, not an achievement.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="589052" data-time="1466163056">
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<p>Winning the NPC with Canterbury is par these days, not an achievement.</p>
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<p>With respect, that kind of attitude completely devalues what the CRFU have achieved over the past decade. In an era of salary caps, ABs not playing provincial Rugby and high player mobility I think each and every provincial title is a fantastic achievement and should be valued.</p> -
Canterbury came bloody close last year to losing last year's final at home to a team with a number 9 who can't start for the Sunwolves (Shigeno) and a number 10 who should have been dropped om ITM Cup form, unwanted by any Super Rugby teams, especially his own hometown team (Hickey). It is not something I would be particularly crowing about.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="589109" data-time="1466215212">
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<p>Canterbury came bloody close last year to losing last year's final at home to a team with a number 9 who can't start for the Sunwolves (Shigeno) and a number 10 who should have been dropped om ITM Cup form, unwanted by any Super Rugby teams, especially his own hometown team (Hickey). It is not something I would be particularly crowing about.</p>
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<p>I thought it was a great game. Full credit to Auckland for coming back and being so competitive after Canterbury started well, and I'll be crowing about that final until I'm dead and buried, thank you very much.</p> -
It could have been worse...
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rancid Schnitzel" data-cid="589130" data-time="1466218191"><p>
It could have been worse...</p></blockquote>
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Nah, Dave Rennie is going overseas isn't he? -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="589052" data-time="1466163056">
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<p>Winning the NPC with Canterbury is par these days, not an achievement.</p>
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<p>It's true - all the other provinces are absolutely awful, and Canterbury makes all of them our bitch, every year without fail. This year will be no different so may as well not even bother - just award the trophy to us and skip the competition entirely. They might even use lube this year...</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Godder" data-cid="589618" data-time="1466292969">
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<p>It's true - all the other provinces are absolutely awful, and Canterbury makes all of them our bitch, every year without fail. This year will be no different so may as well not even bother - just award the trophy to us and skip the competition entirely. They might even use lube this year...</p>
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<p>Just ask Auckland how quickly the worm can turn. From a seemingly endless line of world class talent, to Liaki Moli and Jimmy Gopperth in a few season.</p>
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<p>Bah farking humbug.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="589112" data-time="1466215717">
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<p>I thought it was a great game. Full credit to Auckland for coming back and being so competitive after Canterbury started well, and I'll be crowing about that final until I'm dead and buried, thank you very much.</p>
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<p>The point is I don't think it's a great example of displaying Scott Robertson's coaching credentials. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="589684" data-time="1466307752">
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<p>The point is I don't think it's a great example of displaying Scott Robertson's coaching credentials. </p>
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<p>I couldn't think of a better way for an ITM Cup coach to display their credentials than to win the comp. It seems like some people believe this achievement was diminished because Canterbury didn't annihilate Auckland in the final. In my experience finals are rarely are lopsided and aren't generally overly entertaining games. I would urge you to look at Robertson's body of work coaching at provincial level over three years as opposed to just one tight, tense final which his team still won in the end anyway.</p>
his parting shot at riach and the crusaders was pretty spot on I thought.
