Canes vs Lions

nzzp

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="DMX" data-cid="576244" data-time="1462145842">
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Thats one of the things I do not like about this system. IMHO division winners should be guaranteed a play-off spot but not home field advantage.
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It ain't for rugby reasons. It's because dollars are more important than anything else. 
 
Pic related, the broadcasters with a home playoff game in each conference:
<img src="http://i906.photobucket.com/albums/ac267/df853/pile-of-cash.jpg" alt="pile-of-cash.jpg">

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="576235" data-time="1462142348">
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Yeah, the Chiefs scrum has been really, really cabbage this year, although with the addition of Hames they're now only really a Laulala away from a decent scrum.
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Their team would be complete if he didn't get injured.

cgrant

The pro Cruden are very quiet after this week end. Barrett has been outstanding once again and he ran his backline very smoothly. He kicked well too. Cruden was average at best against the Sharks : two missed touches from penalties, bad tactical kicking, not always good options chosen. As a neutral, I think most of the comments posted in this forum are biased. They depend if you are a supporter of the Chiefs or of the Canes.

Toddy

I'm a Canes supporter and would pick Cruden. It's quite an easy decision too. Hardest thing for Cruden at the moment is playing behind a forward pack that struggles to get forward momentum. The All Blacks won't have that issue.
 
Would definitely have Barrett on the bench as the 'super sub'.

Bones

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="576345" data-time="1462167783">The pro Cruden are very quiet after this week end. Barrett has been outstanding once again and he ran his backline very smoothly. He kicked well too. Cruden was average at best against the Sharks : two missed touches from penalties, bad tactical kicking, not always good options chosen. As a neutral, I think most of the comments posted in this forum are biased. They depend if you are a supporter of the Chiefs or of the Canes.</blockquote>
This is just stupid. Last week Barrett played some pretty bad footy in amongst his good. This week he was better, hence people would be more comfortable him getting talked up by "neutrals" like you...

Dan54

Just watched game again, and f*** me, no wonder Proctor got MOTM, shit he played bloody well, dare I say how it looked like he might be able to play a couple of years back before he got a few injuries. I thought Ardie had a blinder too, and I suspecting Matt Todd is probably a bit pissed he hanging around instead of playing 7s, as Todd has been dynamite as well. By geez the Canes certainly won the breakdown with young Fats and Fifita playing like extra loosies.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="576345" data-time="1462167783">
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The pro Cruden are very quiet after this week end. Barrett has been outstanding once again and he ran his backline very smoothly. He kicked well too. Cruden was average at best against the Sharks : two missed touches from penalties, bad tactical kicking, not always good options chosen. As a neutral, I think most of the comments posted in this forum are biased. They depend if you are a supporter of the Chiefs or of the Canes.
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So do the AB selectors reflect this bias too - considering they've consistently selected Cruden as a starting 10 and Barrett as an impact sub?

cgrant

Ah ah ! That was just a little provocation from me as I am entertained by this Cruden vs Barrett debate. How lucky you are in NZ to have so many world class options for the 1st Five eight spot.

Winger

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="576345" data-time="1462167783">
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The pro Cruden are very quiet after this week end. Barrett has been outstanding once again and he ran his backline very smoothly. He kicked well too. Cruden was average at best against the Sharks : two missed touches from penalties, bad tactical kicking, not always good options chosen. As a neutral, I think most of the comments posted in this forum are biased. They depend if you are a supporter of the Chiefs or of the Canes.
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It was his best game so far. But the Canes still need to clear the line better but it was a big improvement on previous weeks where they played pass the ball on their own goal line. He also had a lot more variation in his game and his touch finding was much better
 
I also like the development of Aso and Proctor in the midfield. Aso's best position is 2nd not center and its where he should focus. Proctor has taken time to find his feet at center but he's looking a lot more at home there now
 
edit the one who looked tired and not up to his usual form was Shields

Crash

While all the talk has been Cruden vs Barrett, there is still another option in Sopoaga. Admittedly he hasn't been in sparkling form since his return from injury, but neither have the Landers.
 
Reckon Cruden will be given his shot in June by Shag to prove himself, and form indicates Barrett will indeed be "super sub" But who knows? These roles could easily be reversed.
However, come TRC logic dictates that Shag will adopt a horses for courses approach, and I'm sure they will have locked away in the vaults how well Sopoaga handled the cauldron of the Boks in last years trip to the Republic.
 
I think all options are wide open currently, and there is still plenty of time for one to force his way to the top of the heap. 
 
We are very fortunate to have so many options to select from, and we still have the likes of Otere Black waiting in the wings...

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dan54" data-cid="576359" data-time="1462169994">
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Just watched game again, and f*** me, no wonder Proctor got MOTM, shit he played bloody well, dare I say how it looked like he might be able to play a couple of years back before he got a few injuries. I thought Ardie had a blinder too, and I suspecting Matt Todd is probably a bit pissed he hanging around instead of playing 7s, as Todd has been dynamite as well. By geez the Canes certainly won the breakdown with young Fats and Fifita playing like extra loosies.
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I'm still not convinced that lock is Fifita's best position. I believe Fifita is more dangerous at 6 where he can roam on the flanks as an extra winger.
 
Does anyone know when Broadhurst is back or will he even make it back this season? If he does make a return then a combination of Fatialofa and Broadhurst with a settled front row in Goodes, Coles and Jeff Toomaga Allen will give us a great platform heading into the business rounds of Super Rugby. Plus we could rotate Thomson, Shields, Vito and Fifita to keep them fresh moving forward. 
 
I agree with you re Proctor. He had a storming game at centre both on attack and defense and is a great option moving forward. I particularly liked how him and Aso had the pace and ability to negate any attack from the Lions with their "in your face" defense. This form of defense may not suit against every opposition so if they can adjust then I think the Canes have found their best starting centre pairing. Laumape may be best suited as providing firepower off the bench, his ability to bust the line could be utilized effectively against tiring defenses late in the game.

Winger

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="576396" data-time="1462176858">
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I'm still not convinced that lock is Fifita's best position. I believe Fifita is more dangerous at 6 where he can roam on the flanks as an extra winger.
 
Does anyone know when Broadhurst is back or will he even make it back this season? If he does make a return then a combination of Fatialofa and Broadhurst with a settled front row in Goodes, Coles and Jeff Toomaga Allen will give us a great platform heading into the business rounds of Super Rugby. Plus we could rotate Thomson, Shields, Vito and Fifita to keep them fresh moving forward. 
 
I agree with you re Proctor. He had a storming game at centre both on attack and defense and is a great option moving forward. I particularly liked how him and Aso had the pace and ability to negate any attack from the Lions with their "in your face" defense. This form of defense may not suit against every opposition so if they can adjust then I think the Canes have found their best starting centre pairing. Laumape may be best suited as providing firepower off the bench, his ability to bust the line could be utilized effectively against tiring defenses late in the game.
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I think they got this combo the wrong way round. Aso at 2nd and Laumape at center would be my preference if Proctor is out. But unlike some I like the look of Aso. Just 21 and finding his feet at 2nd. He could develop into a first rate 2nd 5. Good defender, good attitude, good pace. good passing skills. He also seems to also have a good length kick. I will watch his progression with interest.
 
edit Proctors still only 23. He seems to have been around for a while now. So its a young starting team now

Canes4life

Its a hard one considering Aso probably has a better distribution game than Laumape so is probably more suited to centre, while Laumapes power running game is probably suited more to second five. 
I do like Aso as a second five more than a centre though but I believe if he is paired with Laumape then it would be centre for him moving forward id say.

Rembrandt

Just watched this as well, great performance, however I was hoping that the kicking stats had shown Barrett had shaken his yips but all the kicks he got were pretty easy shots. Hopefully it will at least give him some confidence. Fatialofa has been looking awesome, massive lug of a bloke, never really heard of him before the last couple of weeks.

The Silver Fern

Canes vs Lions