Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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Ultimate Geek

#2056987 16-Jul-2018 11:33

networkn:

I know this is likely to be unpopular, but in my opinion, Jordie Barrett is unacceptably error prone this year. I am NOT saying he isn't a good player when he is playing his best, but he has been far from his best this year, for the Hurricanes or the AB's. A lot of what I am seeing is unforced errors, errors in judgement, and poor decision making. I believe this to be due to the pressure of being included in the AB's so fast and having to absorb a lot of learnings in a short period of time. He seems cluttered, almost like the Dan Carter of mid 2015. He has played some amazing Rugby but my overall impression of him this year hasn't been nearly as positive.

I don't doubt he should be able to turn it around, but right now I feel he doesn't quite have it together.

Was always going to happen, he would have a down patch. Doesn't help that he has had to play 3 different positions.

Dare I say it his style of play doesn't suit the Hurricanes, he has a bit more of a regimented style then the way the Hurricanes play. Would probably fit in well with Goodhue in a midfield pairing.

Dingbatt

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#2057082 16-Jul-2018 14:05

If you want an example of brothers not playing as well as their sibling then look no further than Marty McKenzie's effort against the Hurricanes. He was definitely the weakest link in Friday night's game.

I know the Blues were never going to beat the Crusaders but the host's last try from a clear knock forward (by Todd to Hall) was just lazy refereeing. There were some amazing passes into space to put players through a gap by the Crusaders.

But apart from the foul play yellow and red cards, what a great weekend of rugby!

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#2058362 18-Jul-2018 15:05

When Nadolo left the Crusaders, I felt they would really find it hard to replace his blockbusting super all-round game, but in fact I think Bridge has been excellent for the Crusaders. I feel we are going to need to secure the skills of someone equally strong as Tamiavalu. He is crazy and plays a couple of positions well. I am going to miss him next year.

Hall is really coming along as well. I think he has thrived at the Crusaders this year.

I expect the Crusaders to be too strong for the Sharks (but their 10's kicking skills mean discipline will be key), Hurricanes will win against the Chiefs I think, home advantage will be the key component in that battle. Highlanders should take down the Warratahs, but not if they don't come out of the blocks firing on all Cylinders from the opening whistle. I expect the Lions to be too strong for the Jaguares.

Hammerer

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#2058365 18-Jul-2018 15:19

networkn:

I expect the Crusaders to be too strong for the Sharks (but their 10's kicking skills mean discipline will be key), Hurricanes will win against the Chiefs I think, home advantage will be the key component in that battle. Highlanders should take down the Warratahs, but not if they don't come out of the blocks firing on all Cylinders from the opening whistle. I expect the Lions to be too strong for the Jaguares.

Looks like you've chosen the best bets but I would take the underdogs this time around. I think the Crusaders will be vulnerable to a Sharks team that fires strongly. The Hurricanes have, unfortunately, been vulnerable to teams that don't even fire properly.

networkn

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#2058366 18-Jul-2018 15:20

Hammerer:

networkn:

I expect the Crusaders to be too strong for the Sharks (but their 10's kicking skills mean discipline will be key), Hurricanes will win against the Chiefs I think, home advantage will be the key component in that battle. Highlanders should take down the Warratahs, but not if they don't come out of the blocks firing on all Cylinders from the opening whistle. I expect the Lions to be too strong for the Jaguares.

Looks like you've chosen the best bets but I would take the underdogs this time around. I think the Crusaders will be vulnerable to a Sharks team that fires strongly. The Hurricanes have, unfortunately, been vulnerable to teams that don't even fire properly.

I'd be pretty disappointed to see the Sharks take down the Crusders at home. Anything can happen in Finals footy though, I guess.

KrazyKid

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#2058374 18-Jul-2018 15:42

Lions lost to the Jaguares at home earlier thus year so I wouldn't write off the South Americans just yet.

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#2058376 18-Jul-2018 15:47

KrazyKid:

Lions lost to the Jaguares at home earlier thus year so I wouldn't write off the South Americans just yet.

I wouldn't either, but I have to pick someone :)

I'd actually prefer the Jaguares to win, but I don't think they will.

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KrazyKid

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#2058389 18-Jul-2018 16:07

I prefer the Lions to lose as well. Then the Highlanders have a home semi when we win 😀.

We don't deserve a home semi but I'd take it anyway...

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#2059656 20-Jul-2018 21:20

Hurricanes deserved semifinalists. Despite only 30% possession in the first half, led at half time.
With the wind and possession in the second half, put it beyond doubt.

I started writing this with 2 minutes to go and was about to compliment them on no yellow cards. But oh Fifita, why did you have to spoil it!
Nice touch to let Ngatai to convert the final try in his final game for the Chiefs.

The home team wins again.

“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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#2059659 20-Jul-2018 21:29

I don't think the scoreline reflected how much better the Hurricanes were most of the game. The Chiefs deserve credit for the fight back though. I though the game was going to end with the Chiefs 3 scores behind the Hurricanes. There were some amazing (legal and fantastically executed) tackles. Thankfully doesn't look like many injuries.

Felt for Sam Cane he looked really distraught.

Agree on the last kick, but felt it should have been Messam who played a lot more games. Whilst I haven't been Messams biggest fan from time to time, impossible to look past the contribution he made to NZR and the Chiefs in particular.

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#2060214 22-Jul-2018 00:06

Wow. Highlanders.. I don't know what to say. Waratahs didn't even look likely till Nahaolo went to the bin! I said at the 55 minute mark that the game was over, that the 'tahs didn't even look like scoring another try.

I suspect Nahalo will be inconsolable.

The Crusaders got away with a fair bit from the ref, there were probably 4-5 big penalties they should have been pinged for, but wouldn't have been the difference I don't think. For me the biggest challenge to the Crusaders taking the title in 2 weeks time is really the Hurricanes next week. If we can win them, I believe it would be pretty hard for the 'tahs Juaguares or Lions to beat us at home with travel taken into account.

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#2060230 22-Jul-2018 08:21

The Hurricanes were lucky to beat the Chiefs at home. If they play the way they did on Friday next Saturday, they will get slaughtered.

“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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#2063120 26-Jul-2018 18:15

Karl Tu'inukuafe's signing for the Blues I feel was a move strongly "encouraged" by NZR to try and revive the Blues. I suspect he would have been inclined to sign elsewhere for career development but if I was guessing I believe he has been told he will be all but guaranteed an AB's bench spot for next year if he plays for the Blues, even if his form dips as a result of being with the Blues. The Blues do have some AB's in the front rows too, which is something for him, and I guess it's closer to Hamilton than Dunedin.

Well, more reading and if what he is saying himself, is correct, then it's less to do with NZR and more to do with returning a favour to Tom Coventry. Lots of factors.

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#2063726 27-Jul-2018 15:59

Scott Robertson proves himself to be pretty hard-edged in not finding a place for Wyatt Crockett in the matchday 23. It's probably the right thing to do, since Crocketts best game was 75 minutes during his 200th game which is a lot to ask of any man who has played that much rugby let alone one doing it in the front row.

Hammerer

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#2063822 27-Jul-2018 20:00

Dingbatt: The Hurricanes were lucky to beat the Chiefs at home. If they play the way they did on Friday next Saturday, they will get slaughtered.

Not lucky although they did slacken off when they thought it was won.

I don't think that it is that easy to predict what would happen. The Hurricanes have lost to the Chiefs before and still beaten the Crusaders. I think they lost to the Chiefs second to last round last season and then beat the Crusaders in the last round. It was quite memorable.

I'd have less chance of losing my money beating on the Crusaders for the semifinal but I suspect the Hurricanes will give a better return.

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