Canes vs Lions
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="603539" data-time="1470475863"><p>teah there was one passage of play where he was over half way on the left, kicks it, then they kick back into the 22 and BB takes it and kicks it back, they kicked it back to the other side in the 22 and BB takes it again....it was like there was 2 of him</p></blockquote>
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He was covering a lot of ground tonight taking the deep ones and then the high balls. Then he gets into attacking line ready to make the play. <br><br>
What I liked tonight is that he varied his game to better read the defence. Lions play a hard rush defence, so he stood a little deeper or he stood in at 2nd receiver behind a couple of dummy runners so he could either run or kick. <br><br>
It was a mature effort from him. I think his only error was that forward pass to his runners back. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="dingo" data-cid="603536" data-time="1470475759"><p>
Waiting for them to organise stairs and shit.<br><br>
Fuck it was tight but canes D killed them. I watched BB a lot today. You should see the ground he covers not on TV. Big engine to play 80 but still does the awesome stuff at the end.<br><br>
TJP was immense on cover and you should see how he yellss at the forwards to muscle up in position.<br><br>
Who would have think it. We're had teams of champions but this is a champion team.</p></blockquote>
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Agree on all that, still not convinced Ardie has taken Canes spot though .<br><br>
I bet none of them are licking a strippers spark logo on Monday either -
Boyd and Plumtree are straight up fucking legends. Undoing Hammatuers work and getting two home finals on the trott is pretty fucking incredible.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="603545" data-time="1470476167">
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<p>He was covering a lot of ground tonight taking the deep ones and then the high balls. Then he gets into attacking line ready to make the play.<br><br>
What I liked tonight is that he varied his game to better read the defence. Lions play a hard rush defence, so he stood a little deeper or he stood in at 2nd receiver behind a couple of dummy runners so he could either run or kick.<br><br>
It was a mature effort from him. I think his only error was that forward pass to his runners back.</p>
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<p>I thought he had a few average kicks as I noted above but aside from that he was pretty bloody good.</p> -
Ffs hand them the cup before they all freeze. This is ridiculous.
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Haha nice one Coles
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Anonymous" data-cid="603546" data-time="1470476301">
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<p>There's a few hanger-ons on the other side of the stage...</p>
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<p>And a squad of influenza targets in front of it, big blokes all giggling like girls but shivering their duds off.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="603531" data-time="1470475643"><p>He's not maligned. He just has tits for hands. But his defence is excellent.</p></blockquote>
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On here he is. He's been called soft, goes missing, not up to it. <br><br>
He was outstanding tonight. -
<p>What a win. Not many opportunities but took the chances when they came. Never thought I'd see the Cane's defend that well. Not only the big hits behind the gain line, but the scrambling on defence was usually excellent. </p>
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<p>I often stick the boot into Shields but he's stood up over the final series. Huge turn around from last years final when Dixon absolutely schooled him.</p>
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<p>BB has been sublime since coming back from All Blacks camp. He was showing glimpses of this form last year but cruelly injured his knee and lost all momentum. Kicked for goal beautifully. </p>
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<p>TJ has been right there with BB since AB camp. Seems leadership and responsibility has helped calm his usually erratic game. Problem for TJ is that the best halfback in the world plays for NZ.</p>
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<p>Ardie had a good game, but thought he showed he could struggle to shift the big SA forwards once they were set, or even knock them back in the tackle.</p>
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<p>You couldn't ask anymore from the tight five over the whole season. </p>
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<p>For the Cane's it's been a long time coming. Though I reckon the real change happened in 2012 when they dropped a couple of deadweight supporters. ;)</p>
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<p>Great season from the Lions and how much will they look back and rue their decision to send the b side to Argentina. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="603370" data-time="1470468346"><p>My 3 year old boy is running around the room chanting "the Lions are going to win". If the little shit is right I might have to disown him.</p></blockquote>
Turns out he was just doing a reverse jinx. Well played, son. -
Canes much superior in the conditions - Beaudie was excellent,Shields superb on D. Those locks and Ardie have some engines. Jane showing how classy he is.<br><br>
Congrats Canes fans - well deserved champions.<br><br>
Great season Lions too - from a basket case to contenders. Some wonderful young players. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="603540" data-time="1470475914"><p>
Now let's not get ridiculous...</p></blockquote>Of course Aaron Smith should be picked for the All Blacks ahead of TJP, (Aaron Smith is one of the greatest half backs of all time), but lots of folks thought it was ridiculous when I said a few weeks ago that Barrett and Ardie Savea should start for the All Blacks. Not such a ridiculous suggestion now. 😉<br><br>
To be honest, I am amazed at the improvement in TJP's defensive work rate in recent weeks. I am sure he will be adding to his international caps in the weeks ahead.<br><br>
I've read lots of cliches about Hurricanes players being soft and chokers on here over the years, well now those chokers are Champions! -
<p>Fuck yeah!! Finally! Stoked to keep a clean sheet with no tries scored against us through the finals - classy.</p>
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Ardie was very energetic but doesn't have the physical presence of Cane. Still a bench player for mine.
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<p>Back from the casino match report:</p>
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<p>Finally, the Canes have managed to win their maiden title, bereft of so many All Black stars. Massive performance tonight by TJP. I've often maligned him in the past, but he was immense. Another Golden Balls game by Beaudy. There's something about this kid - brilliant players manage to be in the right place to do the right things and that describes him. There isn't a better five-eighth in the world right now.</p>
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<p>Huge commiserations to the Lions. Immense improvement from where they were a few years ago. Had they got a bonus point in South America, we could well be looking at a Cinderella story. It's not often you easily make the advantage line while denying it to the opposition and lose.</p>
