Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

Forums › Sports › Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

1 | ... | 128 | 129 | 130 | 131 | 132 | 133 | 134 | 135 | 136 | 137 | 138 | ... | 640

Networkn
32236 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1597781 24-Jul-2016 17:06

Very disappointing end to the Crusaders season, last two games were really poor. Line speed, scrum, they just seem knackered or something. It's the right result, unfortunately, this season the Crusaders were the 4th best team in NZ. The Lions played with the same speed and positive intent as the Chiefs. ID had a horrible game barr a couple of really nice touches!

I am hoping Scott Robertson can restore some of the core values in defense that has been missing the past two seasons.

It was some performance by the Chiefs! One, if not THE best, I've seen them play. They look like title contenders, as do the Hurricanes. Really positive Rugby this season (Finally!). Almost a perfect performance by them. What impressed me the most was the variety of the attacks and the execution.

Personally, I'd still like to see the Hurricanes get a title this year, it's going to entirely depend I think, if the travel depletes the Chiefs.

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

tukapa1

724 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1597830 24-Jul-2016 19:21

networkn:

I am hoping Scott Robertson can restore some of the core values in defense that has been missing the past two seasons.

I wouldn't be putting any money on this. I think he's a pretty average coach and will end up similar to Blackadder - a result of Canterbury relying on local ex players rather than trying to bring in fresh ideas.

He could prove me wrong but I'm not going to hold my breath.

networkn

Networkn
32236 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1597832 24-Jul-2016 19:28

tukapa1:

networkn:

I am hoping Scott Robertson can restore some of the core values in defense that has been missing the past two seasons.

I wouldn't be putting any money on this. I think he's a pretty average coach and will end up similar to Blackadder - a result of Canterbury relying on local ex players rather than trying to bring in fresh ideas.

He could prove me wrong but I'm not going to hold my breath.

Really not sure what you are talking about here. Canterbury have been excellent under him (he has a fair number of titles), and the Crusaders use his team as of the main feeders for their development squads.

Rob Penney was really the only other serious contender and he also would have been pretty good, however, I think Scott Robertson was the right choice.

tukapa1

724 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1597834 24-Jul-2016 19:36

networkn:

Really not sure what you are talking about here. Canterbury have been excellent under him (he has a fair number of titles), and the Crusaders use his team as of the main feeders for their development squads.

A monkey could coach the Canterbury NPC/ITM Cup/Mitre 10 Cup team to a title with all the talent they bring through and import.

It's the next level up where these coaches get shown up.

networkn

Networkn
32236 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1597839 24-Jul-2016 19:46

tukapa1:

networkn:

Really not sure what you are talking about here. Canterbury have been excellent under him (he has a fair number of titles), and the Crusaders use his team as of the main feeders for their development squads.

A monkey could coach the Canterbury NPC/ITM Cup/Mitre 10 Cup team to a title with all the talent they bring through and import.

It's the next level up where these coaches get shown up.

You really do have some very interesting, and particularly harsh opinions.

If you think that the NPC etc doesn't provide NZ any value, note how badly Australia do, and how the last 5 Wallabies coaches have been lamenting the lack of similar competitions in Australia. By the time a player is in SR, their skill sets and talents are largely known and set. Coaching is more than picking a team to turn up on the night and crossing your fingers your players fire properly.

I hope I am right about SR, but if not, then it should be pretty obvious by midway of season 2 under his tenure.

JonnyCam

643 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#1598003 25-Jul-2016 10:22

tukapa1:

Dingbatt:

Won't a Highlanders win secure an NZ final regardless? Plus home advantage if it's the Chiefs?

Yes it will - didn't really consider that, probably because that Lions v Highlanders game will have the Lions as overwhelming favourites I would think. The travel will take its toll on the poor Highlanders.

rightly so, Highlanders travel + altitude + a high tempo Lions team could really make the Highlanders legs feel like lead in the last 15 minutes.

I still believe the boys can do it, but a Lions / Canes final would be entertaining at any rate. (just don't want the Chiefs to win unless the Highlanders do, not keen on another overnight game!)

networkn

Networkn
32236 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1598093 25-Jul-2016 11:26

I have to say, the star for the Stormers for me, was Skaulk Burger, who really is pretty amazing still performing like that after all he has been through and with his age etc. Never really liked him until maybe a few years back when you can't help but admire his determination and skill.

networkn

Networkn
32236 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1598176 25-Jul-2016 13:16

Feeling anxious already about next season with the pending annoucement of this:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/82448976/former-wallabies-winger-digby-ioane-rumored-to-have-signed-with-crusaders

Not exactly who I would have thought of, given his age and injury prone nature, but I guess we shall see.

MikeAqua

7769 posts

Uber Geek

#1598228 25-Jul-2016 14:34

The thing about the Highlanders ... we have a light mobile pack. Its costs us at scrum time against bigger packs (see Chiefs and Brumnbies early scrum dominance).

But in the second half, when the opposition's bigger forwards are puffing like bellows, the Highlanders can unleash hell.

The chiefs pack were struggling before half time a couple of weeks ago.

The Brumbies did better, but we stole their line out throws, and negated the driving maul when they finally won a few.

Mike

networkn

Networkn
32236 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1598229 25-Jul-2016 14:35

I don't think the Highlanders would get away with another display like the one on Friday night. Most other teams would have punished them for that. It will be interesting to see what they bring this week.

MikeAqua

7769 posts

Uber Geek

#1598242 25-Jul-2016 15:04

networkn:

I don't think the Highlanders would get away with another display like the one on Friday night. Most other teams would have punished them for that. It will be interesting to see what they bring this week.

I agree. We were lucky to win. We had half dozen lives in the last 10 minutes.

The Highlanders are bit guilty of playing to the standard of their opponents ...

Mike

networkn

Networkn
32236 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1598243 25-Jul-2016 15:06

MikeAqua:

networkn:

I don't think the Highlanders would get away with another display like the one on Friday night. Most other teams would have punished them for that. It will be interesting to see what they bring this week.

I agree. We were lucky to win. We had half dozen lives in the last 10 minutes.

The Highlanders are bit guilty of playing to the standard of their opponents ...

To be fair I think you could say that in probably 90% of teams in sport. I play quite a bit of Squash and often find there isn't as much of a gap as you might expect whether I play an E Grader or a good C grader.

andrew027

1286 posts

Uber Geek

#1598248 25-Jul-2016 15:12

@Dingbatt: Having just holidayed in the USA, and seen the way they do things, maybe an East/West conference would be a better format. With a grand final between the conference winners.

I agree. It seems they can't stop messing with Super Rugby and every new format they come up with appeals to me less than the one before. I'd love to see a US-type conference system, but I'd mix the teams up, e.g.:
East = 3 x SA, 2 x Aus, 3 x NZ, 1 x Japan.
West = 3 x SA, 3 x Aus, 2 x NZ, 1 x Argentina.
You play the teams in your conference twice (home and away) and maybe each season you rotate through three of the teams from the other conference as well. Top four teams in each conference play semifinals and a final, and the grand final is winner East vs. winner West.