Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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Networkn
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#1601595 31-Jul-2016 12:05

The Lions look amazing, they have all season. I was surprised the Highlanders didn't seem in it most of the game. Lost opportunities and errors. The right two teams are in the final, question is, how much will the travel influence the Lions? It was obviously a big factor for the Highlanders (and the Crusaders the week before).

Can the Canes put 3 performances on in a row?

Ricky Riccitelli played outstandingly for the Hurricanes, as well as Dane Coles would have, I think.

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#1601598 31-Jul-2016 12:12

Sorry can't let this one slide. Admittedly they were outclassed by the Highlanders in Dunedin, but to fly half way round the world and put 60 points on a home ground opponent, is not even slightly negative. If anything it smacked of festival rugby, where defence is sacrificed to just winning by scoring heaps of points. To see a perfect example of negative play, roll the tape back to where the Chiefs were camped in the Hurricanes 22 (score 5-3) and the TV flashed up the previous 5 penalties (all against the 'Canes if you need reminding). And once Nadolo was injured, your beloved Crusaders (ranked fourth of the NZ teams) were not averse to some negative play themselves.
However, I see the Highlanders faltered overnight, I haven't watched the game yet, but feel sad is not an all NZ final. The plus side is, all of NZ (except possibly small pockets of the North Shore) will be supporting the Hurricanes next Saturday. The 'Canes can now lie and wait for the Lions to travel half way round the world for the final. How the Lions must be ruing sending their B side to Argentina. I have heard both the Chiefs and Highlanders say the travel is no excuse, but it must be a factor. All the more reason to have an East/West conference system in my book.

Go the 'Canes!

Good grief man! I have been complimentary of the Chiefs this season because on the whole they HAVE played positive Rugby (a CONSIDERABLE improvement over past years), and I make one small comment about a few negative actions by the Chiefs creeping back in (Which, for your information, was actually repeated word for word from a Chiefs supporter at our house last night!!!) and you climb off the deep end.

Go back and read what I wrote about the game against the Stormers.

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#1602174 1-Aug-2016 12:57

networkn:

The Lions look amazing, they have all season. I was surprised the Highlanders didn't seem in it most of the game. Lost opportunities and errors. The right two teams are in the final, question is, how much will the travel influence the Lions? It was obviously a big factor for the Highlanders (and the Crusaders the week before).

Can the Canes put 3 performances on in a row?

Ricky Riccitelli played outstandingly for the Hurricanes, as well as Dane Coles would have, I think.

The travel was a accumulation for the Highlanders I think. Most of the squad went Duendin - Port Elizabeth - Buenos Aires - Dunedin - Canberra - Johannesburg

I'm also not sure it was the travel, but the up & in / rush defence which took the time and space away from Sapoaga.(same D as the canes play, so will be intersting)

Didn't help when Sapoaga had to move to 2nd five due to Osbornes injury. When Smith / Faddes had that break in the first 90 seconds, thats the type of play the Highlanders would usually put away, but the Lions defence scrambled well anytime we had a sniff. Dixons drop over the line was just symptomatic of the night for the landers.

The lions only have a short travel schedule, and a lot of their players had a rest the other week. The Canes should be able to live on the bad feelings from last year to push them home (as long as that pressure doesn't get too much if they are behind)

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#1602211 1-Aug-2016 13:21

Tough weekend for a Highlanders fan ...

In particular the defence just wasn't there. Guys falling off tackles. The Lions made it look easy to gain meters.

Also guys trying to make spot tackles, being stepped and allowing the Lions to break out. Two end to end tries were conceded that way.

Still at least they didn't capitulate and managed to haul it back within 12 points.

The Lions absolutely deserved to win.

Ordinarily, 30 points would be enoguh to win a semi final.

Go the Hurricanes. I'd like to seem them win. Then every NZ side will have won a championship.

Mike

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#1602223 1-Aug-2016 13:29

MikeAqua:

Tough weekend for a Highlanders fan ...

In particular the defence just wasn't there. Guys falling off tackles. The Lions made it look easy to gain meters.

Also guys trying to make spot tackles, being stepped and allowing the Lions to break out. Two end to end tries were conceded that way.

Still at least they didn't capitulate and managed to haul it back within 12 points.

The Lions absolutely deserved to win.

Ordinarily, 30 points would be enoguh to win a semi final.

Go the Hurricanes. I'd like to seem them win. Then every NZ side will have won a championship.

Agree with everything you've said. Regardless of who won last weekend, I would have been cheering for the Canes this weekend, and I am a 'landers fan too. They really deserve it.

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#1602241 1-Aug-2016 13:34

MikeAqua:

Tough weekend for a Highlanders fan ...

In particular the defence just wasn't there. Guys falling off tackles. The Lions made it look easy to gain meters.

They weren't going to win the trophy with that sort of schedule that someone posted a few posts up. I'd forget how to tie my shoelaces after that sort of travel let alone play knockout super rugby!

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#1602250 1-Aug-2016 13:48

joker97:

MikeAqua:

Tough weekend for a Highlanders fan ...

They weren't going to win the trophy with that sort of schedule that someone posted a few posts up. I'd forget how to tie my shoelaces after that sort of travel let alone play knockout super rugby!

Unfortunately that is what the format is designed to do.

Still if the Highlanders had beaten the Blues or Reds (both of whom they should have beaten), they would have had a home quarter, semi and maybe final.

Mike

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#1602263 1-Aug-2016 14:02

MikeAqua:

Unfortunately that is what the format is designed to do.

Still if the Highlanders had beaten the Blues or Reds (both of whom they should have beaten), they would have had a home quarter, semi and maybe final.

I was thinking the same thing - the new finals system guarantees lots of travel. Be interesting to see how it is after 2-3 years but I think there is a huge advantage in finishing the home & away 1st or 2nd. If you don't you will almost certainly travel to SA once and probably Aussie as well. You could even end up play SA - NZ - SA. Makes it hard if you are playing the last rounds with travel as well.

Saying that I'm not sure the Highlanders would have beat that Lions team at home the way both we and they played Sunday. Will be a good game Sat.

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#1602378 1-Aug-2016 16:54

And put playing at altitude on top of all that travel.

I see the ABs have been announced. Pretty much steady as she goes. No doubt SBW's inclusion despite being unavailable initially will draw comment, but it is what it is, and even without him we are well served by those chosen. Maybe not X factor players, but strong and reliable nonetheless.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

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#1602384 1-Aug-2016 17:07

Dingbatt: And put playing at altitude on top of all that travel.

I see the ABs have been announced. Pretty much steady as she goes. No doubt SBW's inclusion despite being unavailable initially will draw comment, but it is what it is, and even without him we are well served by those chosen. Maybe not X factor players, but strong and reliable nonetheless.

It's pretty much what was expected. Seta and Damien were touted to miss out in favour of Moala and taking 3 halfbacks.

I am STILL not convinced by TKB, but also TJP hasn't adjusted to test Rugby. There is still a gulf between our first and second ranked half-backs, though I do think AS has been a little less consistent this year than last. Relatively small difference.

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#1602807 2-Aug-2016 12:10

What annoys me is that in Round 3 the Highlanders were up over the Lions 31-3 with 20 minutes to go in the match (4 tries to Nil)

We eased off, and let the Lions back in, and they scored 2 tries, taking away our bonus point. That was our first experience with the new bonus point laws, and I think Jaime Joseph said at the time the team didn't full comprehend them.

The following week vs Warratahs, we were up 27 - 0, about 30 left, and let them score 4 tries - and were lucky to keep the 4 points.

In either of those games (or both), if we had a better grasp of the new bonus rules (which I actually like) or more of the killer instinct we wouldn't be talking about the travel schedule and the Highlanders could have been playing a game at Forsyth last week (and potentially this week)

I'm not that disappointed with the loss to the Blues, first round under a new coach etc, but the Reds was a shambles. I listened to the commentary on Radio Sport as was away, and didn't bother to watch a replay.

Such is life, But I am interested to see how it goes next season. 1 year for Tony Brown to see what he can do. (and a year for management to lure Vern Cotter or Joe Schmidt back to NZ)

Having Buckman back will add a lot more versatility in the backline, and a lot more pace with Tivita Li coming down. Brendon Edmonds will be back in too, adding a good mobile hard hitting prop into the mix.

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#1602840 2-Aug-2016 12:39

The team at the time didn't fully comprehend the bonus point? Need to go back to kindergarten!

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#1602842 2-Aug-2016 12:41

joker97: The team at the time didn't fully comprehend the bonus point? Need to go back to kindergarten!

I must admit I am gobsmacked by this. Surely that is a key part of the coaching teams job, is to understand the format of the competition as it affects your team that week!?

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#1602859 2-Aug-2016 12:58

networkn:

joker97: The team at the time didn't fully comprehend the bonus point? Need to go back to kindergarten!

I must admit I am gobsmacked by this. Surely that is a key part of the coaching teams job, is to understand the format of the competition as it affects your team that week!?

I was pretty sure I heard this on Radio Sport during an interview, but I can't find it so I'll retract the statment. But am sure I heard whoever the host was talk to Jamie about this.

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#1602862 2-Aug-2016 12:59

JonnyCam:

networkn:

joker97: The team at the time didn't fully comprehend the bonus point? Need to go back to kindergarten!

I must admit I am gobsmacked by this. Surely that is a key part of the coaching teams job, is to understand the format of the competition as it affects your team that week!?

I was pretty sure I heard this on Radio Sport during an interview, but I can't find it so I'll retract the statment. But am sure I heard whoever the host was talk to Jamie about this.

Pretty sure I heard it, it was at the post-match interview.

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