Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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#1773113 30-Apr-2017 23:47

networkn:

Blues Brumbies game wasn't much fun to watch. Good win for the Blues I guess. I can't recall a worse Brumbies performance, they seemed half asleep and completely unmotivated.

I thought both teams were not playing well. I was disappointed to see the Blues far too static a lot of the time - too many passes to players that weren't moving when they caught the ball - and their defensive line was relatively uncoordinated compared to the other New Zealand teams. But the Brumbies did fail to take advantage of this.

I enjoyed the Waratahs vs Reds game a lot more as there was more enterprising play from both teams.

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networkn

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#1773114 30-Apr-2017 23:59

I have many times raised the fact that nz teams often don't pass at chest height and slightly in front. Passes are often high which causes the player to have to do and jump which stops his momentum, and extension the entire back line. The women's team does it so much better and after watching every game of rwc 2015 Japan, Scotland and the bottom tier teams did this much better.

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#1774193 2-May-2017 12:11

Sam Whitelock banned for 2 weeks. Can't really argue it, it was poor disclipine (thuggery really) and I'd have expected better from him. I would feel better personally if he was able to play against the Hurricanes, I think we will need everything have to beat them.

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#1776704 6-May-2017 06:58

Wow. Woke up to watch the end of the Cheetahs Highlanders game. Thinking the Highlanders were dead and buried, trailing by 17 with 5 minutes to go. But three amazing tries and and they snatch it! Against 14 men, but who cares!

A little like the Hurricanes game last night. The Stormers had a chance to snatch it at the end. Instead a fumble approaching the Hurricanes line led to a length of the field try to the Hurricanes. And then another for good measure. Have to play for 80+ minutes I guess. Although 7 tries to 1 tells a story.

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#1776705 6-May-2017 07:01

Yeap I thought it was a waste of time watching too. But the last 5 mins were very good watching!

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#1777554 8-May-2017 10:11

Didn't seem like the Crusaders missed their "key" players too much, though it seemed like it was more a case of poor defense and knackered Bulls. They hardly seemed to even have the energy to chase or tackle.

I am anxious/excited for next week :)

I am not sure why everyone is going on about how amazing the Blues were to be honest. To me the Warratahs played pretty poorly in the first half, but in the second roared back and got within 7. If the Warratahs had played well for 80 minutes, would it be a Blues win? (To be fair I haven't watched more than the extended highlights). Two of the last 2 tries scored by the Warratahs, the Blues barely touched them on defense.

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#1777742 8-May-2017 13:19

I watched this game, but had forgotten that in 2000, Stirling Mortlock, a hooker now, actually played on the wing and scored tries for the Wallabies!! I had forgotten/not noticed that.

Would be rare to go from 14 to 2 I would have thought (Though much more less likely than 2 to 14 :)

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#1778603 9-May-2017 16:43

I thought this was actually pretty true. If anyone but the Crusaders had gone 10 in a row, it would be all anyone could talk about.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/opinion/92324027/marc-hinton-undefeated-crusaders-flying-high-under-the-super-rugby-radar

I have been super impressed with the likes of George Bridge, Jack Goodhue etc. Not as impressed by Seta as yet, but hopefully he finds his feet soon.

Considering the number of players who left the Crusaders in the past couple of years, and with a new coach, I was half expecting us to be much worse, whilst we re-established our patterns and rebuilt the team.

I think the likes of Whitelock, Crotty, Crockett and Romano who are old hands and Crusaders Stalwarts, will have played a big part.

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#1781790 13-May-2017 21:43

Well after that about the only positive the canes can take from that game is that they managed to stay so close after playing so poorly.

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#1781794 13-May-2017 21:51

tukapa1: Well after that about the only positive the canes can take from that game is that they managed to stay so close after playing so poorly.

Pretty challenging conditions. They have had a couple of seasons where they have had no real exposure to wet conditions. I think it showed. Crusaders did well after a shaky start at the breakdown, to assert forward dominance and the Coaches did a good job instructing the Crusaders how to smother the attack.

It's been a long time since the Hurricanes have been held scoreless, and denied a bonus point to boot.

Well done Crusaders, showed a lot of mettle in that game. Lots to be proud of.

How good was Ryan Crotty?

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#1781799 13-May-2017 22:27

The two best teams in the competition IMO.

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tukapa1

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#1781804 13-May-2017 22:45

Perenara played himself out of a starting spot for the first test against the Lions.

The Canes forwards have a lot of work to do.

Ardie Savea will remain the bench 7 behind Cane.

Crotty should retain the AB's 12 jersey.

Will Brad Shields get a call up at 8 (injuries permitting)?

The Hurricanes tight five that started that game had better start looking at overseas contracts.

The Crusaders were clinical and steady. No flashy stuff there but steady won the game.

Bring on the return game at the caketin and lets hope the weather holds.

The British and Irish Lions are going to find themselves in a world of hurt - if anyone thinks they can last 80 minutes against any of the super teams, let alone the AB's, they've got rocks in their heads...

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#1781809 13-May-2017 22:51

tukapa1:

Perenara played himself out of a starting spot for the first test against the Lions.

Interesting, I thought he played well, though as captain I think he rubs refs the wrong way. I feel the same way about Blues Captain James Parson, who comes across whiney and unlikeable.

I didn't really think there was any chance Aaron Smith wouldn't be the first choice 9.

Crotty should retain the AB's 12 jersey.

No question about it. Still think he would be the obvious replacement at 13 for Conrad Smith, but he is so good in 12 too.

The Hurricanes tight five that started that game had better start looking at overseas contracts.

I think that's pretty harsh. It was a high intensity game, played against an all All Blacks T5.

The British and Irish Lions are going to find themselves in a world of hurt - if anyone thinks they can last 80 minutes against any of the super teams, let alone the AB's, they've got rocks in their heads...

I wouldn't write them off yet, but I'll be backing black without hesitation. The Irish upset us, though to be fair with about 6 players out of position and first choice players off the field.

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#1781837 14-May-2017 08:29

I must say I was a little disappointed in the Crusaders Hurricanes game as a spectacle. It was good hard rugby that proved defence can win a game but wasn't the exciting open field rugby we have been treated to in previous weeks. More like a final really. I think the wet ball and dewey conditions underfoot made a difference, but it is a winter sport and the Crusaders adapted better in their local conditions. How the Hurricanes forwards managed to butcher their attacking lineouts so badly was perplexing.

I hope the Lions management weren't watching how the Crusaders shut the Barretts down.

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#1781847 14-May-2017 10:04

Dingbatt: I hope the Lions management weren't watching how the Crusaders shut the Barretts down.

I think the Hurricane forward pack were the ones that shut the Barretts down. Canes did not deserve to win it, their set piece fell apart. It was average in the first half but when they swapped out the front row it become abysmal. I think the biggest mistake the Hurricanes made was trying not to play their natural game. Before this game I could name 0 games this season (and last) where the conservative approach of kicking goals worked. After last nights I can still name 0 games.

I didnt think Jaco Peyper had a very good game at all. The pace seemed too much for him, and never any help from the sidelines. The defensive lines were always very "flat" hence the lack of trys. Or missing blatant offsides like Matt Todd when he literally entered from the side and held up the maul (inside the first 10 mins). There was also the clear knock-on that was missed in the second half that lead to 50m advance and then ultimately 3 points.

I am by no means suggesting the Ref cost the canes the game, but when it isnt going your way on the field with horrific passing and then you get good attacking plays crushed by unpunished offences it influences the game.

No doubt the weather had an effect on the Canes, but like said above not really an excuse or good enough. Roll on the rematch

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