Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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#1986317 31-Mar-2018 11:51

Yes, for McKenzie, he has a Smith and two Barretts ahead of him at fullback for the All Blacks. I agree on the mercurial nature of his play, in the same ilk as Campese, Spencer or Cooper.
What I like about the local derbies is the showcase of the depth of talent in NZ. You could probably put together an NZ 2nd XV from the non All Black players in the NZ conference that would rank in the top 10, if not 5, teams in the world.

I had to smile at (commentator) Marshall's comment (unbiased of course) that the Chiefs defenders hadn't come through the channel from behind the ruck to dive on a loose ball while defending on the goal line. As far as I know the goal line forms the offside line in all circumstances, so his comment was complete nonsense. Unless of course they are paid by the word for their commentary, in which case, just keep talking. Oh boy, oh yes baby!

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#1986726 1-Apr-2018 11:36

So the Blues.. I watched the game, the scoreline didn't reflect how badly the Sharks were on top of them, but until the last second, they had outscored (tries) the Sharks! Umaga seems to be resigned to this level of performance now but he looks really unhappy just the same.

Bulls vs Stormers, Strauss becomes SA's most capped player, and scores what I believe is a SR and SA record in a hat trick by a Hooker! I haven't checked all sources but I can't find any record of it elsewhere. His team really fronted up for him!

There was a player carded for putting his feet on the neck of another player whilst driving a maul when the player who got stood on had ended up on the ground and the maul went over the top of his. The player doing the standing genuinely seemed to be unaware of it. Seemed harsh based on intent but I guess there is no other sanction available given it was very dangerous (can't imagine if his face was the subject of said standing).

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#1986728 1-Apr-2018 11:39

I had to smile at (commentator) Marshall's comment (unbiased of course) that the Chiefs defenders hadn't come through the channel from behind the ruck to dive on a loose ball while defending on the goal line. As far as I know the goal line forms the offside line in all circumstances, so his comment was complete nonsense. Unless of course they are paid by the word for their commentary, in which case, just keep talking. Oh boy, oh yes baby!

Before he made his comment I must admit in my mind it didn't seem quite right that the Chiefs jumped on the ball, but I must admit to not fully understanding how this part of the game works.. I assume if your interpretation is correct, that as a result of the try line being the offside line you can come in from any angle, because you can't come "through the gate". I am unsure how "wide" the gate actually is normally.

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#1987120 2-Apr-2018 11:40

Well, I am completely unsure how the Crusaders won against the Lions! We were awful for about 50 minutes. Bridge should have been yellowed all day for his tackle in the air in the last 3 minutes, but it wouldn't have been the ball game regardless I don't think. 2 Forward Passes by Hunt and one that wasn't picked up.

Happy we won, but wish we looked more composed.

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#1988132 4-Apr-2018 11:44

Cool. Reuben Thorne joins Canterbury as the forwards coach!

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#1991990 9-Apr-2018 13:14

What a weekend of Rugby.

With so many injuries I was preparing myself for either a very close game, or even a loss in Argentina for the Crusaders, but we came out of it pretty well I thought. Some of our tries were really nicely done. Jaguares #5 Lananini should be removed from the game. He is a filthy player.

Hurricanes really pulled that out of the fire. The Sharks look really good I thought, they are finals contenders in my view.

I can't believe the Blues lost. Their defense coach should go immediately. Disgraceful defence pretty much all season. They should have packed a back onto the scrum it was such a dumb decision not to. May not have helped, but can't really have hurt that much. A penalty try was just the worst result. If they keep this up, they may lose Umaga, though I doubt it's an issue with him, given how many coaches they have had. Steven Perofeta is a work in progress. Can someone explain what made Rettaclick push a Blues player in the back seemingly mostly unprovoked? I like the guy, but I have seen him do this a few times, I don't care for that behavior in any player.

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#1991992 9-Apr-2018 13:25

Yeah Lavanini is just filthy. Has been for years. I am fairly sure he's the most carded Argentinian international player ever.

I really like Robert du Preez. His style reminds me a little of Morne Steyn, which is a very good thing for SA. I don't think Elton Jantjies should be starting for the Boks.

Blues need to get tips from the Warriors.

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#1991993 9-Apr-2018 13:27

wratterus:

Yeah Lavanini is just filthy. Has been for years. I am fairly sure he's the most carded Argentinian international player ever.

I really like Robert du Preez. His style reminds me a little of Morne Steyn, which is a very good thing for SA. I don't think Elton Jantjies should be starting for the Boks.

Blues need to get tips from the Warriors.

It's hard to believe with the dominance of Argentine Forwards they can't find better or equal to Lavanini that isn't a grubby little ahole.

I agree about the du Preez brothers. I see promising signs for SA Rugby. Not so much for Australian sides.

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#1991995 9-Apr-2018 13:36

I often feel the Crusaders wingers (or whoever is on the wing) get up just a whisker too flat. This doesn't help with the forward passing situation, but Hunt's passes do often seem very much on the limit of being considered flat.

Also it seems quite common that a quick no-look pass to whoever is on the wing goes behind the player. The pass goes where it should but the player is too far forward - the pass that went behind Crotty on the weekend was a perfect example - I think that particular no-look pass was on the money - flat, but definitely not so much that it would ever be considered forward, but Crotty was pretty much infront of the player passing the ball and consequently it went out behind him. Had he be been 2 or 3 feet further back that would almost certainly have been a try.

I guess it's pretty tricky to find that line between being flat and intimidating on attack, but also not getting too far up. That is a pretty nit picky thing, but is something I've noticed a few times now. I'm sure it will only get better as the season goes on though.

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#1992000 9-Apr-2018 13:44

wratterus:

I often feel the Crusaders wingers (or whoever is on the wing) get up just a whisker too flat. This doesn't help with the forward passing situation, but Hunt's passes do often seem very much on the limit of being considered flat.

Also it seems quite common that a quick no-look pass to whoever is on the wing goes behind the player. The pass goes where it should but the player is too far forward - the pass that went behind Crotty on the weekend was a perfect example - I think that particular no-look pass was on the money - flat, but definitely not so much that it would ever be considered forward, but Crotty was pretty much infront of the player passing the ball and consequently it went out behind him. Had he be been 2 or 3 feet further back that would almost certainly have been a try.

I guess it's pretty tricky to find that line between being flat and intimidating on attack, but also not getting too far up. That is a pretty nit picky thing, but is something I've noticed a few times now. I'm sure it will only get better as the season goes on though.

I agree entirely. Mitch Hunt is a good player, but I am concerned at his level of mistakes too. 3 Forward passes last week and I agree it's because their timing is a tiny bit out and they are too flat.

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#1992562 10-Apr-2018 10:03

networkn:

Can someone explain what made Rettaclick push a Blues player in the back seemingly mostly unprovoked? I like the guy, but I have seen him do this a few times, I don't care for that behavior in any player.

Mitch Hunt pushing an opposing player in the face!?

I see that sort of behaviour in every Super Rugby game I watch. Many people think it is just part of the game. I don't so I'd like to see players cited for it after the match.

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#1992593 10-Apr-2018 10:25

networkn:

I can't believe the Blues lost. Their defense coach should go immediately. Disgraceful defence pretty much all season.

I can believe that the Blues lost. There's still something wrong with their psychology.

Many times I saw Blues players moving out of position in the hope of a hero move. Each time they left a weakness in the defensive line that would not have been there if they had not moved. The first such incident was while going backwards on their 22. The result was a hole for the other team to run through and the Blues defending on their try line.

Meanwhile, ex-Blues and ex-Auckland players/cast-offs continue to play well for other teams like the Hurricanes and Highlanders.

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#1992594 10-Apr-2018 10:28

Hammerer:

Meanwhile, ex-Blues and ex-Auckland players/cast-offs continue to play well for other teams like the Hurricanes and Highlanders.

hence why I think the defence coach needs to go. They should be focusing on defence. Too much focus on indivdual brillance yet again at the Blues. The Warriors seem to have done something about that.

I think the problem is further up at the Blues. I wonder how much the management team above Tana have a say in the style of Rugby they play?

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#1992595 10-Apr-2018 10:30

Hammerer:

networkn:

Can someone explain what made Rettaclick push a Blues player in the back seemingly mostly unprovoked? I like the guy, but I have seen him do this a few times, I don't care for that behavior in any player.

Mitch Hunt pushing an opposing player in the face!?

I see that sort of behaviour in every Super Rugby game I watch. Many people think it is just part of the game. I don't so I'd like to see players cited for it after the match.

Yep I saw that, I was a little surprised, but I think he believed he was taken out illegally. He wasn't as far as I was concerned.

I agree about citing. I would have been happy enough for MH to have been given a warning for conduct.

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#1995747 13-Apr-2018 21:40

While I'm disappointed the Chiefs lost, the Hurricanes converted their chances, the Chiefs didn't.
Barrett/McKenzie showed a Master/Apprentice performance. At times it was a game of millimetres. Barrett's try out-reaching Retallick. Laumape's try out-reaching Lienert-Brown. The millimetres between the four tacklers that Lamb beat for his try ;-)
If Lamb isn't in All Black contention, then there's something wrong.
Once again, the home team wins the derby.

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