Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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838 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2042322 22-Jun-2018 12:00

networkn:

I am surprised to see so many debutants in this weeks line up. Seems to be that injury has forced some of these.

Luke Whitelock hasn't really stepped up as I would have hoped, he felt a little invisible to me. It will be interesting to see how he goes in this third test.

Hopefully, the forwards fare better this week then we can see if DM is really any good at 10. I have my suspicions it isn't going to work, but let's hope for the best.

Most surprising to me is Frizell who I hadn't even heard of before the start of the SR season.

Seems to be a lot of highlanders in the team. Maybe a good way to sell those unsold tickets?

networkn

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#2042332 22-Jun-2018 12:09

Jas777:

networkn:

I am surprised to see so many debutants in this weeks line up. Seems to be that injury has forced some of these.

Luke Whitelock hasn't really stepped up as I would have hoped, he felt a little invisible to me. It will be interesting to see how he goes in this third test.

Hopefully, the forwards fare better this week then we can see if DM is really any good at 10. I have my suspicions it isn't going to work, but let's hope for the best.

Most surprising to me is Frizell who I hadn't even heard of before the start of the SR season.

Seems to be a lot of highlanders in the team. Maybe a good way to sell those unsold tickets?

I don't mind which team has the most reps in the AB's, I want who is best for the job. I am not sure that Steve Hansen would stand for NZR telling him to put Highlanders in just because it would help sell tickets. I guess if there were two guys who could do the job equally well, or close enough to it, then it might be a consideration. Having said that, I am not certain this doesn't go on, they are a commercial organization after all.

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#2042798 23-Jun-2018 12:42

So the Crusaders Force game under the new format that the Force are playing under, made for interesting watching. 1 Minute to set a scrum or penalty given, Bonus points for tries scored in particular parts of the game, all designed to keep the ball in play more.

They are saying they got 25% more ball in play time with these modifications. Not sure I like all the rules, but some of them were interesting.

The game did demonstrate that the Force were the right team to cut from SR in Australia, given the margin of the difference, esp since the Crusaders played with no AB's and a number of Debutants.

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#2043136 24-Jun-2018 14:37

Well, I was right with 2 of my predictions from the 3 I made. 3-0 to the AB's. 2-1 to the Irish against Australia. England won 1 from 3 I predicted 2 from 3.

I thought the Debutants played well for the AB's last night. We showed mettle in Defense which was pleasing and our discipline was much much better.

DM had his best ever game in any jersey I've seen him in. Mostly good decision making, reasonable passing, good running.

Really pleased that Goodhue looks able to make the step up. Frizell looked pretty comfortable for his first test I thought.

I thought DM's try should have stood as it did. The defender's eyes were on Aaron Smith and by the time the ball had been shifted to DM, DM was already moving at such pace as to ensure the defender wouldn't have stopped him. Hard to know for sure. I would have been ok either way as I had they have called a scrum we were set to score anyway.

SBW is the right man to be in the centers I think. For me I'd take him and Crotty as first choice. DM and SBW have good synergy too. ALB or potentially with more time Goodhue for the future in the reserves.

I would have like to see Mo'unga get another 10 minutes.

The commentary from Australia last night in the Irish game was *awful* the complaining all game from the 3 of them was nauseating. There were SOME instances where they had a point, but honestly, some of it was drivel.

I am not certain where I stand on the final pass decision by the TMO. The touch seemed inconclusive in slow motion, but the ball seemed to change direction in real time. Not sure what else the TMO could have done, or the ref. Either team would have been unhappy to lose under the circumstances.

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#2043235 24-Jun-2018 18:23

I thought Sonny Bill proved a point last night. He’s the only centre the All Blacks played in the series who was able to physically impose himself. Crotty was ok, Leinart Brown was average and it looked like the moment was a bit big for Goodhue last night. Goodhue will be better for the run but he’s got a long was to go. Frizell was the same for me. I did think of the debutants that Hemopo had the most impact.

Mackenzie was good as well. He is developing really well and by the World Cup should be a player who can change the game off the bench as well as providing cover for Fullback and 10. The pleasing thing last night was his passing. He didn’t just run every play and is starting to set his supports up better. His raw pace let’s him play wide first receiver multiple phases in a row which is a really interesting dimension to his game.

tdgeek

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#2043237 24-Jun-2018 18:28

Tab has AB's 1-03 for first two games and 1-07 last night. Basically unbeatable in every respect unless the world ends. Glad the RWC doesnt start tomorrow.

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#2043239 24-Jun-2018 18:30

And they don't even have their first team

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networkn

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#2043304 24-Jun-2018 21:40

Scott Barrett was the best of the 3 Barrets and my AB of the Tournament. Jordie Barrett needs another year in SR. He could be amazing, but he isn't anywhere near that good yet at test level. His decision making and discipline leave a lot to be desired.

I've just read he made 19 tackles 10 carries on Saturday night. I knew it was in that ball park, but that's outstanding.

Matt Todd was also excellent. It's a pity there is space for only 2 7's in a game. Savea is so physical and started the game so well, it's hard to look past him and Sam Cane despite his stupid off the ball stuff last game, is Mr Dependible. Not sure Todd is realistically going to unseat him. He is a better fetcher though.

networkn

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#2047066 1-Jul-2018 21:49

What a 40 minutes of Rugby the Chiefs played against the Highlanders. One of the most complete performances I've seen from any team ever at that level. Good positive and intelligent Rugby. The Highlanders looked completely out of sorts however, and managed to claw back some of what we know they are good at in the second.

It does go to show how hard it is to put a complete 80 minute performance together though. Well done Chiefs.

The Hurricanes on the other hand.. Yikes, it was an awful display of Rugby. I have no doubt they will sort it however, to finish strongly. I'd still say they are the second most likely team to take the title even though they haven't looked at sharp. Some disappointing negative play in their game last night, a few players barely escaped citings. Hopefully, they will come right next week.

So nice to see Kieran Read back on the Rugby field for Counties on Wednesday night.

The Blues made the Reds look ordinary to say the least, which is even more alarming considering how poor they were.

The conference system needs to go, straight back to round robin where each team plays each other one time. I agree with KR, Colin Cooper, Sam Cane and a number of the Australian and South African coaches all calling for this. The NZ Derbies are completely bonkers, it's too much to play NZ teams twice in a regular season and then potentially see them again in the finals.

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#2047103 2-Jul-2018 00:33

The Brumbies did well to win against the Hurricanes. They stuck to their game plan which meant a lot of exciting runs ... though far too many spills and wild passes.

I can forgive the Hurricanes losing because Perenara's intercept try was the highlight of the weekend for me (my wife thought it was the Brumbies breaking their bad run against NZ teams). It was thrilling when I first saw him fly through the air like Superman.

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#2047924 2-Jul-2018 22:56

Hammerer:

The Brumbies did well to win against the Hurricanes. They stuck to their game plan which meant a lot of exciting runs ... though far too many spills and wild passes.

I can forgive the Hurricanes losing because Perenara's intercept try was the highlight of the weekend for me (my wife thought it was the Brumbies breaking their bad run against NZ teams). It was thrilling when I first saw him fly through the air like Superman.

It was a spectacular intercept and I was entirely unsurprised it was him. Having said that, he and Aaron Smith need to considerably tone done their interactions with the referees.

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#2047925 2-Jul-2018 22:56

Sunwolves beat the Bulls. They are having a pretty decent season. I don't think they will win a SR title any time soon, but there is a reason for them to be present now. They play at least as well as the Blues :)

Jas777

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#2048017 3-Jul-2018 08:46

networkn:

Sunwolves beat the Bulls. They are having a pretty decent season. I don't think they will win a SR title any time soon, but there is a reason for them to be present now. They play at least as well as the Blues :)

Was always on the cards. Bulls season is over and it is a long trip from South Africa to Singapore and the Bull's South African players coming off a 3 test series against England.

Not sure why they are playing the games in Singapore, no one was there.

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#2048026 3-Jul-2018 09:09

Jas777:

networkn:

Sunwolves beat the Bulls. They are having a pretty decent season. I don't think they will win a SR title any time soon, but there is a reason for them to be present now. They play at least as well as the Blues :)

Was always on the cards. Bulls season is over and it is a long trip from South Africa to Singapore and the Bull's South African players coming off a 3 test series against England.

Not sure why they are playing the games in Singapore, no one was there.

Because as part of the Sunwolves entering SR they play a specific number of games in Singapore to help build the game in Asia.

I still feel the Sunwolves are on the rise. There is buy in now from the players who are more committed to the team and things are starting to Gel.

Jas777

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Ultimate Geek

#2048028 3-Jul-2018 09:12

networkn:

Jas777:

networkn:

Sunwolves beat the Bulls. They are having a pretty decent season. I don't think they will win a SR title any time soon, but there is a reason for them to be present now. They play at least as well as the Blues :)

Was always on the cards. Bulls season is over and it is a long trip from South Africa to Singapore and the Bull's South African players coming off a 3 test series against England.

Not sure why they are playing the games in Singapore, no one was there.

Because as part of the Sunwolves entering SR they play a specific number of games in Singapore to help build the game in Asia.

I still feel the Sunwolves are on the rise. There is buy in now from the players who are more committed to the team and things are starting to Gel.

Be better off playing them all in Japan based on the crowd size.

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