Chiefs vs Highlanders

Billy Tell

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="577810" data-time="1462613626">
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The chorus calling for him to be in the AB XV against Wales is getting noticeably quieter. We're heading into the championship rounds of this competition and he looks like he's trying too hard now.
 
Also I don't want a 80kg back defending against the Welsh backline.
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Is he the next TNW?
 
I want him in the AB squad, I think he has loads of talent, but he is not ready yet for test football: correct decision making and defence are the major work-ons.

Mattasaurus

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="577800" data-time="1462613271">
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I dunno. I quite enjoyed watching the Chiefs give the Brumbies a hiding in Canberra, for example... :) 
But yeah the pace of the game between the NZ sides is on another level at the moment.
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yip i enjoyed that too ;)

hydro11

D Mac just isn't needed in the squad right now. We know who our two best first fives are and who our best 10/15 utility is. D Mac probably doesn't make the squad unless he is your number one fullback and he isn't better than Ben Smith at this stage (who will be 15 with Naholo 14) plus Dagg is playing well.

Canerbry

Beautiful result, great work Landers rewarding me for my unconditional support since the Crusaders dropped out last year. Until next week when you're a bunch of useless fluffybunnies. 
Ngatai lifted but the whole episode was woeful. Communication between the refs was laughable and the guessing was just hilarious. 
Chiefs lost the forward battle and the overrated backline couldn't do anything about it, plus lost their bottle and got the dropsies. Lots of brittle players. Retallick their best player, played like a Cantab. 
Aaron Smith was good; Naholo; 10 battle went to Sopo; nice, organised, comprehensive win. 
Top of the table woo!

Siam

Apologies to all those I disagreed with about Dixon getting tackled without the ball. I thought Dixon was contesting a ball that had been kicked and was taken out in the act of gathering that ball
 
Upon viewing the replay it is abundantly clear that Dixon had the ball, then jumped into a tackle which caused him to flip in the air :think:
 
Ngatai will no doubt be cleared because he did nothing wrong and was at no fault whatsoever :idiot2:
 
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/79739197/chiefs-second-fiveeighth-charlie-ngatai-yellowcarded-for-dangerous-tackle'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/79739197/chiefs-second-fiveeighth-charlie-ngatai-yellowcarded-for-dangerous-tackle</a>

Billy Tell

Can NMS or Naholo play 11? It would be nice to see competition for Savea. Don't think I've ever seen NMS at 11, Naholo I can't remember.

hurricane

Points out of ten for the AB contenders in the match. This is my opinion only, you are free to disagree
 
Sopoanga 7 - solid did nothing wrong. Did nothing particularly right
Cruden 7 - see comment for Sopoanga
Smith 8 - better kicking game than Webber. Good option taking
Webber 7 - does he even have a box kick. I am sure he does. Can't remember it tonight. Some sexy passes.
Naholo 10 out of 10
Ben Smith 5 - I thought he didn't look AB material. Simple knock on in the red zone and lacked the zip he had last year. Needs to get back into the AB camp to start drinking Grant Fox's power shakes at 7:30am.
Mckenzie - 7 - Outplayed Ben Smith but took some bad options at times and failed to get away the crucial last pass. He came into first receiver very nicely a number of times and directed traffic. Brave effort under the high ball but would have wanted to have been even better. Some stupid kicks with the ball in hand at times instead of taking the tackle and recycling. 
Ngatai 8 - Very strong game his yellow card notwithstanding.
James Lowe 6. Typical James Lowe game. Did some good things. Did some average things. Overall was an asset. Good try assist.
BBR - 10. Stood out in the Chiefs pack.
Elliot Dixon - 6. Did nothing right or wrong all night. Loses 1 point for jumping into a tackle and nearly killing himself.
Sam Cane 4. Where was he at the breakdown. Not his best effort in the 7 jumper this year. Usually he kills it. Not tonight.
Fekitoa 6 - did nothing right or wrong. Passing mark.

Anonymous

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="577816" data-time="1462614680">
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Apologies to all those I disagreed with about Dixon getting tackled without the ball. I thought Dixon was contesting a ball that had been kicked and was taken out in the act of gathering that ball
 
Upon viewing the replay it is abundantly clear that Dixon had the ball, then jumped into a tackle which caused him to flip in the air :think:
 
Ngatai will no doubt be cleared because he did nothing wrong and was at no fault whatsoever :idiot2:
 
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/79739197/chiefs-second-fiveeighth-charlie-ngatai-yellowcarded-for-dangerous-tackle'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/79739197/chiefs-second-fiveeighth-charlie-ngatai-yellowcarded-for-dangerous-tackle</a>
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Seriously, I have no idea what Dixon is doing in that video. Looks like a complete unco.
 
What I see is Ngatai goes to tackle Dixon (since the ball is going to him). Dixon goes to tackle Ngatai after Ngatai has committed to tackling him. At the last second Dixon realises the ball is coming to him and flails his arms about. The ball hits him on the shoulder then he jumps into Ngatai's tackle.
 
I really can't see how Ngatai can be at fault in that situation. If anything, the dangerous play is Dixon jumping into a tackle.

Samurai Jack

Nah, Ngatai carried on with the tackle and made it worse. Yellow right decision. All your arguments could be used against all players going up for the high ball. But he jumped into it ref.

Anonymous

It couldn't be used against players jumping for the high ball because they'd be in the air when they catch it. Dixon was on the ground when he tried to catch the ball and jump afterwards.
 
I disagree that he carried on with the tackle but you could argue Ngatai carrying on with the tackle (if you think he did) was actually to put Dixon in a safer position. If he'd somehow pulled out earlier, Dixon most likely would have landed on his head. I wouldn't classify that as better than landing on your side.

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Samurai Jack" data-cid="577828" data-time="1462618427">
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Nah, Ngatai carried on with the tackle and made it worse. Yellow right decision. All your arguments could be used against all players going up for the high ball. But he jumped into it ref. 
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But that is exactly what many of us have been saying. The way this is being ruled is stupid in situations where it is the actions of the jumping player giving the other one no time to pull out or react differently.
 
As for saying that Ngatai carried on with it. Stop watching the slo=mo and watch real time. He had no time to do untying and was flummoxed as to what happened. he had absolutely no clue.

Frye

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="577784" data-time="1462612655">
Wow, bitchy - you sure you're not Shark? ;) </blockquote>
 
It's from the same poster who would have you believe that Rennie deserves little credit for two titles and it was Smith who was coaching the Chiefs. 
Of course he has been quiet as the Chiefs have gone seven straight and have topped the conference. All with an extremely ropey tight five at times. 
Then one loss and the same old invective comes out. 
Just petty really.

Winger

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hurricane" data-cid="577825" data-time="1462616751">
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Points out of ten for the AB contenders in the match. This is my opinion only, you are free to disagree
 
Sopoanga 7 - solid did nothing wrong. Did nothing particularly right
Cruden 7 - see comment for Sopoanga
Smith 8 - better kicking game than Webber. Good option taking
Webber 7 - does he even have a box kick. I am sure he does. Can't remember it tonight. Some sexy passes.
Naholo 10 out of 10
Ben Smith 5 - I thought he didn't look AB material. Simple knock on in the red zone and lacked the zip he had last year. Needs to get back into the AB camp to start drinking Grant Fox's power shakes at 7:30am.
Mckenzie - 7 - Outplayed Ben Smith but took some bad options at times and failed to get away the crucial last pass. He came into first receiver very nicely a number of times and directed traffic. Brave effort under the high ball but would have wanted to have been even better. Some stupid kicks with the ball in hand at times instead of taking the tackle and recycling. 
Ngatai 8 - Very strong game his yellow card notwithstanding.
James Lowe 6. Typical James Lowe game. Did some good things. Did some average things. Overall was an asset. Good try assist.
BBR - 10. Stood out in the Chiefs pack.
Elliot Dixon - 6. Did nothing right or wrong all night. Loses 1 point for jumping into a tackle and nearly killing himself.
Sam Cane 4. Where was he at the breakdown. Not his best effort in the 7 jumper this year. Usually he kills it. Not tonight.
Fekitoa 6 - did nothing right or wrong. Passing mark.
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Sopoaga 8 easily outplayed Cruden 6

Siam

Pretend Ngatai is Pocock
 
Charlie grabbed a bloke who was contesting a kick (loose possession). Charlie assumed Dixon would catch the ball but Dixon didn't even lay a hand on the ball
 
Charlie got it wrong - didn't mean to but he got it wrong. That's life. That's rugby
 
The ramifications of Charlie getting it wrong were rather spectacular. Spectacular in 2016 = red cards (that's really what the debate should be about)
 
Slo mo, super speed, uncordination, intent ...whatever. The FACT (don't misinterpret that word, it's pretty clear in definition) is that Charlie took out a player who didn't have the ball
 
The referee had a MINIMUM of yellow card on his mind. He even mentioned that Charlie meant no harm. That's life
 
Denying any of the above is irrational

Winger

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="577830" data-time="1462620035">
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But that is exactly what many of us have been saying. The way this is being ruled is stupid in situations where it is the actions of the jumping player giving the other one no time to pull out or react differently.
 
As for saying that Ngatai carried on with it. Stop watching the slo=mo and watch real time. He had no time to do untying and was flummoxed as to what happened. he had absolutely no clue.
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He lifted him and did not put him down safely. I thought a red card but was glad it was only yellow

Ruthless

Howfur badly haes Naholo bin missed by th' highlanders ? ...and ah cannae hulp wondering how come Ryan Tongia hasn't filled in in Naholo's absence...baffling fur he averages at least a huv a go a gam sae if ah hud yin quaistion fur joseph that wid be it.. For th' Chiefs luckily thay cuid afford a loss gaun intae th' gam wi' th' luxury o' a nine point advantage ower th' landers...albeit reduced tae five now... Sadly tae mony dropped baws th' nicht by th' Chiefs...but ah dae loue th' wey thay keep attacking tae th' bitter end..

Siam

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="577718" data-time="1462610062">
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well I expect Ngatai thought a player of Dixons quality would have caught it...or do we have to stand back and wait to see now?
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From a kick? Are you asking does a tackler have to wait and see if someone fields a kick before tackling them?
 
What a stupid question

KiwiMurph

Highlanders halves owned Chiefs halves. Chiefs could have badly used TKB tonight but dont think it would have changed the result. 
Aaron Smith was the best player on the field. His kicking was pinpoint and was brilliant around the field. Naholo was excellent for first game back - please stay healthy. 
Sopoaga clearly outplayed Cruden. Still not convinced Cruden has the same spark in his running as he did pre-ACL injury - I known it often takes an extra year to get the full recovery effect - if at all. 
I dont think Weber did himself many favours - quick pass but very one dimensional and didnt mix it up. 
For the Chiefs was impressed with Retallick, Ngatai and to a lesser extent Cane - he worked hard but like was mentioned didn't have much breakdown effect. 
Christie is a good player but I think Landers are better off with Pryor at 7.

Crash

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gunner" data-cid="577769" data-time="1462612093">
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Are my eyes playing tricks on me? 
L Whitelock with a nice little run followed by a good offload.... 
Nup, can't be, I'm going to Specsavers on Monday.
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That where all the bloody refs need to go

hydro11

From the replay it seems to me that Dixon clearly lands on his shoulder which means it should have been a red.
 
Challenging players in the air - Law 10.4(i)
<ul><li>Play on â€“ Fair challenge with both players in a realistic position to catch the ball. Even if the player(s) land(s) dangerously, play on</li>
<li>Penalty only â€“ Fair challenge with wrong timing - No pulling down</li>
<li>Yellow card â€“ Not a fair challenge, there is no contest and the player is pulled down landing on his back or side</li>
<li>Red card â€“ Not a fair challenge, there is no contest and the player lands on his head, neck or shoulder</li>
</ul>A red card would of course show the bullshit of the law and its interpretations. I think Ngatai gets cited unless they review it and say it was a fair challenge.

The Silver Fern

Chiefs vs Highlanders