Crusaders v Reds
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<p>The Chiefs have been talked up from the start of the season; the Crusaders have mostly been underestimated.</p>
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<p>This is the picture with the top 4 of the NZ conference having played the same number of games (obviously, after having played different opponents).</p>
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<p>Tomorrow's game is a must-win for the Highlanders, if they still have hope to end on top of the NZ conference.</p>
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Not a great game to watch. Had the intensity of one of those one sided ITM cup games. <br><br>
I thought Todd started well in attack showing his good support play, running ball in hand and then passing. But then made a number of errors. His defence was huge though. He was a tackling machine. But his hands did let him down and he wasn't alone there with some poor handling from others too. There was some good stuff in amongst it though.<br><br>
Reds have major issues in their pack and at 10. That young centre has wheels and well done to him for stepping up with Kerevi's injury. -
<p>Enjoyable enough game, but faded away a bit. Best was probably the combo of Scotty S and Mehrts in commentary, gave me a few chuckles. Ref was fine, stop whingeing people...</p>
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<p>If Naholo doesn't come thru, I'm predicting Dagg 15, Smith 14 for NZ, Dagg's in good form, proven, and better defensively than the wunderkind.</p>
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<p>Todd's handling let him down, he'll come to regret it when black rolls around.</p>
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<p>Mounga has been a great find - was wondering if the Crusaders would do a "Blues" at 10 with the 3 lads moving on, but he's really stepped up. Crusaders rookie of the year for sure.</p> -
<p>Only thing I can say is How good is Scott Barrett, he was m MOTM for me, I know we all like to look at the Tafuas, Daggs etc who were bloody good I know ,but that Barrett kid is everything I want in a lock, tackles like hell, never seems to shirk the tight stuff, and every now and then will pop up in support, seems to scrum ok too, actually reminds me a bit of Brad Thorn.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dan54" data-cid="577539" data-time="1462569738"><p>
Only thing I can say is How good is Scott Barrett, he was m MOTM for me, I know we all like to look at the Tafuas, Daggs etc who were bloody good I know ,but that Barrett kid is everything I want in a lock, tackles like hell, never seems to shirk the tight stuff, and every now and then will pop up in support, seems to scrum ok too, actually reminds me a bit of Brad Thorn.</p></blockquote>
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Agree, he's turning into a real hard man ala Brad thorn. Great to see from such a young player -
<p>Yeah - it's interesting that the backline is going significantly better this year and the key personnel changes are Mo'unga and Havili in for Slade and Danny. Quite a bit of it I put down to the forwards playing with a lot more intent - some of it down to us not actually having played any of the really top teams since Round 1. But pretty much everyone is looking better.</p>
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<p>Agree on Barrett, the only reservation I have about him is that, at 1.97 metres, he's short for an international lock. He's probably in a similar boat as Taufua, who's playing some outstanding footy. Jordy's big problem is that he doesn't offer the genuine lineout option that guys like Kaino and Luatua do. He might be able to pick up the Masoe/Vito/Messam bench role, though. Aside from his height, he's going at All Black standard.</p>
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<p>I think I was most pleased with Macilai - towards the end he was knocking people over and slinging them about, where previously he's looked a bit timid. If he can keep that attitude we'll have genuinely scary options on both wings.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dan54" data-cid="577539" data-time="1462569738">
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<p>Only thing I can say is How good is Scott Barrett, he was m MOTM for me, I know we all like to look at the Tafuas, Daggs etc who were bloody good I know ,but that Barrett kid is everything I want in a lock, tackles like hell, never seems to shirk the tight stuff, and every now and then will pop up in support, seems to scrum ok too, actually reminds me a bit of Brad Thorn.</p>
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<p>I think he's overtaken Romano. But all the AB threads on this forum seem to keep favouring Romano. We see when the squad is announced. Crusaders forward pack has been awesome all season. Now that Dagg is back, Mounga is playing better, and even my favourite player Fonatia has actually been not too bad, I'm starting to think the Crusaders can go deep into the competition.</p>
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<p>I really don't see Taufua ever being an AB (or at least not more than a token cap on an EOYT), not least because he's just not a lineout option.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="577544" data-time="1462574662">
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<p>I think he's overtaken Romano. But all the AB threads on this forum seem to keep favouring Romano. We see when the squad is announced. Crusaders forward pack has been awesome all season. Now that Dagg is back, Mounga is playing better, and even my favourite player Fonatia has actually been not too bad, I'm starting to think the Crusaders can go deep into the competition.</p>
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<p>I really don't see Taufua ever being an AB (or at least not more than a token cap on an EOYT), not least because he's just not a lineout option.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Taufua'>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Taufua</a></p>
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<p>Jordy's had a growth spurt on Wiki today. He's no longer 2cm tall, but he's been on a crash diet and has that BMI well under control at 91kgs. :)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="577548" data-time="1462575407">
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Taufua'>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Taufua</a></p>
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<p>Jordy's had a growth spurt on Wiki today. He's no longer 2cm tall, but he's been on a crash diet and has that BMI well under control at 91kgs. :)</p>
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<p>It's 108kgs now
That sounds about right.</p> -
<p>maybe he might be 120kg in an hour....</p>
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<p>agree on Barrett, has that Thorn style of game</p> -
Slightly off topic but what's happened to jack goodhue? Is he injured or just can't get into a super rugby squad?<br><br><br>
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="577542" data-time="1462573743">
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<p>Agree, he's turning into a real hard man ala Brad thorn. Great to see from such a young player</p>
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<p>That's a bit rich. Brad Thorn was a monster. While Barret is impressive not even close to what Brad Thorn offered.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="broughie" data-cid="577558" data-time="1462579326"><p>That's a bit rich. Brad Thorn was a monster. While Barret is impressive not even close to what Brad Thorn offered.</p></blockquote>
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Back in 2003 Thorn wasn't a 'monster' but grew to be a great player. All signs is that Barrett is better than when Thorn first played super rugby. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Toddy" data-cid="577552" data-time="1462577347">
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<p>It's 108kgs now That sounds about right.</p>
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<p>Mrs C4L Savea has been rumbled. Rumour has it that Matt Todd briefly transformed into a slender Tyrion Lannister overnight.</p>
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<p>Stop fucking about with those vital statistics - Steve Hansen doesn't them from Wikipedia! :)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="broughie" data-cid="577558" data-time="1462579326"><p>
That's a bit rich. Brad Thorn was a monster. While Barret is impressive not even close to what Brad Thorn offered.</p></blockquote>
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He's considerably better than Brad thorn was early in his career, plenty of development left in Barrett yet. Apples with apples -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="577544" data-time="1462574662">
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<p>I think he's overtaken Romano. But all the AB threads on this forum seem to keep favouring Romano. We see when the squad is announced. Crusaders forward pack has been awesome all season. Now that Dagg is back, Mounga is playing better, and even my favourite player Fonatia has actually been not too bad, I'm starting to think the Crusaders can go deep into the competition.</p>
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<p>I really don't see Taufua ever being an AB (or at least not more than a token cap on an EOYT), not least because he's just not a lineout option.</p>
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<p>I'm not sure Barrett and Romano are entirely competing for the same spot. I think Romano is more up against Tuipolotu as the heavy, tight lock back-up to Retallick. Barrett as the lighter more mobile back-up to Sammy - and against Bird.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="leytonandamanda" data-cid="577557" data-time="1462578789">
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<p>Slightly off topic but what's happened to jack goodhue? Is he injured or just can't get into a super rugby squad?<br><br><br>
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk</p>
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<p>Got injured for Canterbury last year. Playing club rugby for Lincoln Uni today.</p> -
<p>he is part of the squad but was always gonna miss a decent chunk of the season.</p>
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<p>Be good when he comes back up here and links up with is brothers....</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="577561" data-time="1462580354">
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<p>Back in 2003 Thorn wasn't a 'monster' but grew to be a great player. All signs is that Barrett is better than when Thorn first played super rugby.</p>
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<p>So you are comparing the physicality of Barret to Thorn? Accept your point about Thorn becoming a great player because he swapped codes at an older age and had to learn a different game essentially. I still can't see the comparison between the 2 but oh well.</p> -
