Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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Networkn
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#2026209 31-May-2018 13:10

MikeB4: I have lost interest in Rugby of late and I come from a very keen rugby family having played myself and my son's played as well. I am not sure why I have lost interest, maybe over saturation, poor referees or maybe inevitability it just does not hold my interest anymore.

That's a shame. This is the first year in a while where I have am interested in the June series beyond AB's. I want to see how Ireland do against Australia and England do against SA. Given Ireland and England are our likely hardest competitors right now, it should be quite something to witness.

I am predicting a 3/0 to us against the French. 2/1 to the Irish in Australia and 2/1 to England against SA.

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MikeB4

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#2026226 31-May-2018 13:43

I would go...

ABs v French 3-0

Irish v Australia 2-0

England v South Africa 0-2

Of course there are also the Scotland games which are hard to predict as are the Wales games.

networkn

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#2026227 31-May-2018 13:46

MikeB4:

I would go...

ABs v French 3-0

Irish v Australia 2-0

England v South Africa 0-2

Of course there are also the Scotland games which are hard to predict as are the Wales games.

How can the Irish and English go 2-0, it's a 3 game series right?

networkn

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#2027304 1-Jun-2018 22:49

Well, that was quite some game!

I think the Highlanders are exceptionally lucky they didn't play most of the game with 14 men. The cleanout to the head is likely in my opinion to be cited. Last week a Stormers (I think) player was red carded for the exact thing. Savea can consider him exceptionally lucky there wasn't a camera angle on his punch, he may be cited too.

TJP isn't quite right, he seems a little .. off. Maybe just trying a little bit too hard perhaps? I can't quite put my finger on it. The Hurricanes set piece was hit or miss most of the night and just little errors let them down. They will have some time to reset and will be back to their usual selves I imagine. It's hard watch Julian Savea now. He just doesn't look anything like the player he used to be. He seems awkward almost, like he is carrying a leg injury and a fair bit of his pace is gone. When you compare him to Tivita Li, Naholo or any of the other Hurricanes backs, again I can't quite put my hand on it.

I thought it was interesting that the Highlanders were so determined to go wide so very quickly. They have obviously spotted something in the Canes style of play or something. The Canes backs were ready for it most of the time though, so credit to them for that. Ardie Savea is a beast! He was the best player for the Canes.

IF the Crusaders can win tomorrow night, they will be hard to stop from taking position 1 I think. I am little nervous, as I am with all these Derbies, anything can happen.

Kiwifruta

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#2027345 2-Jun-2018 08:58

@networkn agree with your sentiments re the Canes vs Highlanders game. To me it seems like Julian Savea is carrying some extra natural insulation compared to the 2015 RWC. Could this be the reason for a little spark? I wonder if his confidence has been knocked a little too.

Full credit to the Highlanders, I wasn’t expecting them to win, let alone so convincingly.

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#2027347 2-Jun-2018 09:02

Anyone watched the Amazon Prime series on the All Blacks? I’ve watched the first two episodes and most of the third, enjoying it so far. Nice to hear from the players and coaches directly.

networkn

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#2027746 3-Jun-2018 10:21

@kiwifruta I am bit worried that watching this will take away some of the AB's mystique.

Re Crusaders v Chiefs, I think the Chiefs are the best team at the competition from picking up something from nothing and turning it into something. I think one of the tries was a forward pass, but the pass by the Crusaders wasn't picked up either. The reffing was pretty average. A kick through the ruck isn't allowed any more, and I was surprised the Ref didn't penalize the Crusaders for a collapsed maul as was questioned by the commentators. Charlie Ngatai was a beast in that game. Even before the post-match analysis, I was thinking how I don't think 10 is DM's best position. He just doesn't have the time and space to do what he used to do. I hope they abort that experiment soon. Jacobsen has a lot of potential he caused all sorts of trouble.

At the rate of attrition of each game, I am unsure we are going to have a first choice AB's side by far. When Richie Mo'unga went down after his kick I just about had a heart attack. Same when Rettalick didn't come back after halftime. Last year when we didn't have Whitelock and Retallick we did not have anywhere NEAR the kind of command we usually have on games. Their value is incalculable.

I thought the post match commentary in the Studio was a little over the top in favour of the Crusaders. They were good, but hardly as good as was gone on about.

I think Codie Taylor is head and shoulders clear of any of the other hookers in world rugby with the exception of Malcom Marx who after a howling game against the AB's last year in Albany where I would have removed him from the match day 23 for a while, he has been exceptional in every game I have seen him in since. I think unfortunately for SA he is injured and out of the English 3 game tour.

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#2027806 3-Jun-2018 14:17

Kiwifruta: Anyone watched the Amazon Prime series on the All Blacks? I’ve watched the first two episodes and most of the third, enjoying it so far. Nice to hear from the players and coaches directly.

Yeah finished 6 last week. I think there is more to come? Usually that All or Nothing is 10 episodes.....

Reminds me of why I watch more NRL and NFL.

Makes Rugby look really amateur in comparison. As Reid says in it, the sport is tiny in comparison to Soccer wtc But thats not a bad thing, the last thing the all blacks need is somebody like the USA focussing on Rugby. The reality is we are the only nation to take the game as seriously as we do. Thats largely why we are the best. But looking at the documentary it really shows up Rugby Union as a professional sport. Footrot flats comes to mind lol.

Beudan Barret comes across reallly really arrogant, where Reid and Crotty come across the direct opposite. It just shows you they are just normal people with faults, like Sopoaga comes across insecure and immature. I was really impressed by TJ Perenara. It shows up most of the players personalities which is the interesting part for me. I never liked Hansen as a coach, especially after losing to Ireland and other unimpressive losses. But after this doco I respect him a lot more. Seeing his ACTUAL personality, he reminds me of my uncle, doesnt speak unless its worth saying and has a friendly chuckle now and then.

Really enjoyed it regardless.

networkn

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#2027838 3-Jun-2018 16:35

I was disgusted by the performance the Blues left on the field yesterday. It was in my opinion, one of the worst I've ever seen, which is saying something. The Rebels actually played really well I thought, they were direct and made meters with smart play, but honestly, I cringed every time the Blues got the ball.

I can't think of one good thing to say, except that at least the scoreline wasn't 60-0

It's clear there are serious issues with the game management, and I am wondering if Umaga has the confidence of the players. They don't seem to play smart rugby and I can't believe that was their agreed game plan.

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#2029296 4-Jun-2018 15:33

I am absolutely gobsmacked Squire didn't get suspended. He made contact with the head in a cleanout, and got a yellow the same game. I mean I guess it's good for the AB's, but alarming at the lack of consistency.

He needs to bring his aggression level down a little bit. Not a lot, but a bit, otherwise he will cost a team a game potentially.

Also surprised that Savea avoided citing. It's clear to everyone I think, he was swinging with an intent to punch. Just because he didn't make contact (Or actually more a case of it not having been caught on camera), doesn't mean someone should be having a word with him.

afe66

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#2029351 4-Jun-2018 17:59

Where are the for crys to drop the Blues and "consolidate" the nz franchise like when the Highlander were going through a rough patch several years back (Auckland media...)

networkn

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#2029353 4-Jun-2018 18:00

afe66: Where are the for crys to drop the Blues and "consolidate" the nz franchise like when the Highlander were going through a rough patch several years back (Auckland media...)

I don't support the dropping of the Blues, but there no comparison between the Highlanders poor run and the Blues, in my view. The Blues have shown nearly zero improvements for virtually 10 years. Certainly, nothing sustained.

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#2029503 4-Jun-2018 22:31

MikeB4: I have lost interest in Rugby of late and I come from a very keen rugby family having played myself and my son's played as well. I am not sure why I have lost interest, maybe over saturation, poor referees or maybe inevitability it just does not hold my interest anymore.

The new safety laws are resulting in farcical decisions given the logical failings of the laws, referees who apply them inconsistently and with errors, and the partisan TV replays in the stadiums. I'm planning to drop Sky Sport but intending to go to the Stadium more often. But I guess that the Hurricanes will need to get their act together - the last month has been pretty bad - as a cold seat at the stadium needs some heartwarming performances.

NB I'm a rugby supporter because is a a great team sport where players have to work together much more than they ever do in soccer, hockey, and even league. I've only played one game of full contact rugby in my life and none of my kids have played it either.

networkn

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#2029588 5-Jun-2018 09:21

I understand and support Brad Shields decision to play for England, but it felt wrong seeing him in white at the press shots today.

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#2029736 5-Jun-2018 11:43

networkn:

afe66: Where are the for crys to drop the Blues and "consolidate" the nz franchise like when the Highlander were going through a rough patch several years back (Auckland media...)

I don't support the dropping of the Blues, but there no comparison between the Highlanders poor run and the Blues, in my view. The Blues have shown nearly zero improvements for virtually 10 years. Certainly, nothing sustained.

There was a 10 year period where the Highlanders did not make a semi final in super rugby, and it was a hard watch.

A couple of years with Glen Moore as a coach were particularly hard as a supporter. A coach who incidentally is now involved as an assistant coach at the blues

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