Crusaders vs Canes

Cyclops

I feel bad saying this, but Toddy coaches like he plays - workmanlike, honest and loyal with a fair amount of leadership but lacking that extra 10-15% that just makes the difference.
 
Took a squad that was just about the best in the competition and got just about the best results - but couldn't convert those key moments (i.e. finals) that make the difference between good and great.

mimic

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Immenso Rapido" data-cid="597422" data-time="1468706389">Surely it takes extra effort to start every sentence with a lower case? So, why inflict this on us? 
I just typed this with the thumb only on my wrong hand, and it is perfect. Almost.</blockquote>
What do u expect from a guy with a name that starts with a lower case?

reprobate

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Immenso Rapido" data-cid="597437" data-time="1468707976">
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That was 50% teasing, and 50% genuinely interested in what system doesn't automatically cap sentences. 
Been using phone only for so long now not sure how it works anymore outside of this.
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i dictate my posts to my PA.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cyclops" data-cid="597462" data-time="1468712354">
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I feel bad saying this, but Toddy coaches like he plays - workmanlike, honest and loyal with a fair amount of leadership but lacking that extra 10-15% that just makes the difference.
 
Took a squad that was just about the best in the competition and got just about the best results - but couldn't convert those key moments (i.e. finals) that make the difference between good and great.
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I think that's an accurate summary.
 
Only thing I disagree with a bit is that he took over a team that was about the strongest. In 2009 (and 2010), the Bulls were unquestionably the best team and Toddy probably did quite well to make the play-offs. Crusaders lost some notable players for 2009 - Carter (sabbatical), Somerville, Ali Williams, Reuben Thorne, Mose Tuiali'i, Bubbles Hamilton. 
 
2011 was easily his best year and I think he was probably a bit robbed by the earthquake.
 
Subsequently, he's stuck to the side-to-side gameplan for far too long, been slow to recruit improvements to obvious deficiencies, and struggled to motivate his ABs.

broughie

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="597446" data-time="1468710097">
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I think the main thing holding the Crusaders back on Friday wasn't so much missing certain players, but that they have a far inferior coach. Toddy has made baffling selections throughout his tenure, regularly makes poor substitutions that don't make sense (I cheered when Franks went off), and doesn't seem to have any identifyable game plan to limit opposition stengths and maximise theirs. Compare that to Boyd, Rennie and Joseph and it's light and day. The Canes, Chiefs and Landers all have very distinct styles of play and you can see the players buy into it even when the heat is on. The Saders, particularly the backs, often look like headless chooks when the heat is applied. 
I don't want to be too harsh on Toddy as overall the Saders have been a strong team under his reign, but there is some pretty obvious mistakes he repeatedly makes which has limited their chances of taking the title despite having the best pack in the business.
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Todd Blackadder was a plodder as a rugby player. No understanding of flare. Maybe it is hard for him to think outside of the box and embrace the 15 man game. Maybe he would do better in England.

Cantab79

Not sure why people are attacking Todd Blackadder's ability as a player? I can only assume there are a few former All Black captains who frequent this forum. I'd have killed to have had Blackadder's Rugby career, and certainly wouldn't describe him as a "plodder".

broughie

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cyclops" data-cid="597462" data-time="1468712354">
<div>
I feel bad saying this, but Toddy coaches like he plays - workmanlike, honest and loyal with a fair amount of leadership but lacking that extra 10-15% that just makes the difference.
 
Took a squad that was just about the best in the competition and got just about the best results - but couldn't convert those key moments (i.e. finals) that make the difference between good and great.
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</blockquote>
 
Should have read the thread before posting.

broughie

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="597505" data-time="1468718115">
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Not sure why people are attacking Todd Blackadder's ability as a player? I can only assume there are a few former All Black captains who frequent this forum. I'd have killed to have had Blackadder's Rugby career, and certainly wouldn't describe him as a "plodder".
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When he was playing there were plenty of people outside of Canterbury asking if this is the best we have? Impressive heart but I think there mainly because Canterbury was so good.

antipodean

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="597488" data-time="1468715415">2011 was easily his best year and I think he was probably a bit robbed by the earthquake.</blockquote> Yeah the travel killed them in the end. Easily the best team all season. If the Reds didn't have Quade that year, it was all Crusaders.

Tim

<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://gfycat.com/ShockingPlumpDuck'>https://gfycat.com/ShockingPlumpDuck</a>

SammyC

Heard Blackadder on radio sport this morning. 
Apparently we can't get a flight to South Africa until Tuesday. 
Astounding lack of planning and foresite from crusaders management. As I would expect

Cantab79

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="597533" data-time="1468721769">
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Heard Blackadder on radio sport this morning. 
Apparently we can't get a flight to South Africa until Tuesday. 
Astounding lack of planning and foresite from crusaders management. As I would expect
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I heard we're on the same flight as the Chiefs. So they're management is incompetent as well?

canefan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="597536" data-time="1468722549">
I heard we're on the same flight as the Chiefs. So they're management is incompetent as well?</blockquote>Whatever fits your narrative

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="597536" data-time="1468722549">
I heard we're on the same flight as the Chiefs. So they're management is incompetent as well?</blockquote>
 
Chiefs are playing at sea level so acclimatising isn't such an issue 
Also I think the Chiefs management have proven themselves consistently over the last few years, ours haven't.

Toddy

Didnt the Chief's charter a flight from Dunedin? There's a photo on Facebook and I can't see any Crusaders on the flight (it's a shit photo though)

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="597505" data-time="1468718115">
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Not sure why people are attacking Todd Blackadder's ability as a player? I can only assume there are a few former All Black captains who frequent this forum. I'd have killed to have had Blackadder's Rugby career, and certainly wouldn't describe him as a "plodder".
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I expect his own playing style will have some bearing on how he coaches?

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="597505" data-time="1468718115">
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Not sure why people are attacking Todd Blackadder's ability as a player? I can only assume there are a few former All Black captains who frequent this forum. I'd have killed to have had Blackadder's Rugby career, and certainly wouldn't describe him as a "plodder".
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</blockquote>
 
A cantab jumping to the defence of one of his favourite sons. There's a first on this forum.
 
At AB level Blackadder was a plodder, too small for lock not dynamic enough for 6/8. Gut and effort only get some players so far.

mimic

i thought blackadder was picked because he was a good captain? 
mind you thats probably why thorne was picked as well..

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mimic" data-cid="597553" data-time="1468723931">
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i thought blackadder was picked because he was a good captain? 
mind you thats probably why thorne was picked as well.. 
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Enough people who know far more than me said Thorne excelled at the shit work and I remember him being good at the back of the lineout. Had about as much impact with ball in hand as a fly hitting a windshield though which is probably why he was so polarizing.....didn't help that other loosies Dallaglio/Finegan/Venter etc were so good at trampling blokes underfoot.

nostrildamus

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="broughie" data-cid="597502" data-time="1468717679">
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Todd Blackadder was a plodder as a rugby player. No understanding of flare.
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Are you saying he is hopeless when lost at sea? Or only wears bootleg?

The Silver Fern

Crusaders vs Canes