Chiefs v Crusaders
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@Bovidae said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
I was reading an article a few days ago about the new smart mouthguards. Players can request a medical exemption but still need to provide a valid reason. Tate McDermott is one.
If a player chooses not to wear the mouthguard during games – even during a training week – and is spotted with a suspected concussion during a Super Rugby game, they will not be eligible for an HIA check and a possible return. Instead, they will be removed and not allowed back on
Teething issue: Smart mouthguards the new weapon in concussion battle, but there’s a catch
High-tech mouthguards that cost up to $500 and detect dangerous levels of force to the head during tackles are compulsory for Super Rugby players this year.
That's a bit stupid for something that should just be a trial.
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'Step too far': Smart mouthguards spark controversy
Several players were ordered from the field due to measurements recorded in their mouths.
McMillan, though, faces a worrying wait to determine the extent of Chiefs playmaker Damian McKenzie’s a rib issue after a huge hit from Crusaders midfielder Levi Aumua in the first half.
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Just watching the second half now. Stevenson is still frustrating. Incredibly gifted on attack but jeez he lets himself down sometimes. He effort in Fihaki's try will not go unnoticed.
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I agree about his defensive issues.
I love his left foot, but I'm worried that his excellence on attack also needs broken field running and a playmaker to create for him.
In international rugby, we may still have the Dupont rule so far fewer opportunities.
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@Crazy-Horse said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
Just watching the second half now. Stevenson is still frustrating. Incredibly gifted on attack but jeez he lets himself down sometimes. He effort in Fihaki's try will not go unnoticed.
Even if you're not going to reach him still at least dive ...
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A wild roller coaster ride of a game for a Chiefs fan, they really fell asleep and the Crusaders took full advantage of that.
Tight 5 was pretty good, crucial scrum penalty at the end to seal it so good to see some depth in the tight 5. Vaa'i was very good in the first half, not so great in the second but on the whole a good game. AK unfortunately seems to small to be a starting lock.
Finau was very good, loose forwards as a trio worked but so much rests on Finau for go-forward it makes me slightly uncomfortable.
The starting halfbacks passing game was dreadful, so slow, seems like he can't pas the ball off the carpet and needs to pick it up before he could clear the ball. Meant the receivers were under pressure so the whole backline was passing under pressure and made the play all seem disjointed.
Missing DMac is going to put a large hole in the Chiefs as Ioane was dreadful, thank goodness Nani and Stevenson can kick otherwise we would have spent the entire second half pinned in our own territory.
Mid-feild solid if not spectacular, still given they spent a lot of the game getting the ball and the defensive line at the same time or miles behind the gain line and expecting to muscle it forward they did pretty well.
Nani was fabulous on attack and showed a very good boot, Stevenson the same, Coombes-Fabling just took up space really...
I fear the Chiefs maybe flat track bullies tis year, putting away lesser teams with aplomb whilst being a one trick Dmac pony show against the top teams.
All things said I'll gladly take the win against a Crusaders side that will just get better and better as the competition goes on methinks.
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@cgrant said in Chiefs v Crusaders:
I wonder why Parker warmed the bench for such a long time. He came in at the 75th minute. It's very odd since the Chiefs forwards needed more fresh legs in the second spell.
Yeah, he should be come on with 20 to go. I thought that McMillan was very conservative with his subs.
