Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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Networkn
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#2067052 2-Aug-2018 18:27

I feel the wrong thing has been done by Wyatt Crockett by excluding him from this final. I understand some of the reasoning behind it, I feel for Scott Robertson in having to make that decision. I can't really see how WC's playing is so bad, he would be the difference between win and lose this game (Though he is usually a penalty target in the scrum and I guess that could be a factor).

I get it's a final, I get the stakes are high, financially and for everyone, however I feel he deserves better than to be excluded.

Hammerer

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#2067185 2-Aug-2018 22:42

I'm impressed that he made it to 200 games and that he is such a likable person but I don't see any "wrong" in not including him. It is the coach's call.

I have sympathy with any player who doesn't get to play in the final. That's not just Wyat Crocket. There is nobody in the squad who doesn't want to play every week. So does having played 200+ games entitle him to a free pass which nobody else gets? I don't think so. If anything, a retiring player loses any chance of a free pass because the coach is thinking about the future team so any "line" decision automatically goes against the retiring player.

I have absolutely zero vested interest in whether Wyatt Crockett plays or not. Apparently, I don't even care enough to spell his name correctly. But if I were a Crusaders' fan with an emotional connection to Crockett himself then I would easily feel disappointed at the decision.

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#2067490 3-Aug-2018 14:52

I am quite torn about this, I do feel that someone who has done something that no-one else has done and who has shown massively loyalty etc, probably should get some things that other people don't get.

I do understand it's the coaches call. I felt it was the right decision to exclude him last week if SR felt it was appropriate, however, I struggle more with this decision. I have watched him play all season, personally, I don't feel his form has been so bad it would change the outcome of a game.

Like you said, it's probably just disappointment he won't get to take the field.

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#2067553 3-Aug-2018 16:02

Actually, I've realised that I can empathise with you. I remember when my favourite All Blacks were withdrawn from Super Rugby before the World Cup. That was so disappointing, and the standard of the games dropped so much, that I stopped watching Super Rugby for a season.

A special award at the end of the season is probably more appropriate than automatic game time.

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#2067610 3-Aug-2018 17:01

Team comes before the individual, end of.

And I bet Crocky understands that and won't complain.

networkn

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#2067611 3-Aug-2018 17:06

kryptonjohn:

Team comes before the individual, end of.

And I bet Crocky understands that and won't complain.

I don't think team would have been signifcantly disadvantaged as a result, that was my point. Regardless, yes I do agree with the sentiment.

I think Crocky was QUITE upset from what Scott Robertson said.

Understandably I believe.

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#2068125 4-Aug-2018 22:38

Crusaders!

What defence! Their lineout maul defence, with the exception of the slightly mistimed first attempt, was brilliant. RM was fantastic again. I will miss Seta and Crockett.

They deserved the win. The Lions tried everything they could and deserved their finals place. They were outstanding with their comments, really a credit to the group. Their coach is inspirational.

Was disappointed to yet again see Joe Moody with off the ball nonsense. It's really starting to make me grind my teeth.

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#2068248 5-Aug-2018 14:28

Yep, great win. And done with only 2m 8s in the lions 22!!

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#2068255 5-Aug-2018 14:45

linw:

Yep, great win. And done with only 2m 8s in the lions 22!!

Honestly, that is insane. I can't really imagine what the score would have been if we had had the ball 50% of the time.

The Crusaders had a smart game plan. Making the Lions come to them was slick.

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#2068593 6-Aug-2018 12:51

AB's Squad announced. I am a little surprised that TTT still got selected with barely any time playing for the Chiefs. He seems more like an EOY tour sort of project. Bryn Hall has had an excellent season (yes I know, he's a Crusader). I also feel that AB's shouldn't have let Matt Todd get away. His defense is better than Saveas and whilst he isn't the charging runner that Savea is, I'd take defense over that every day of the week, twice on Sundays. I guess they want some balance. He would have been unlikely to unsurp Sam Cane.

Nice to see Read back. Hopefully Coles recovers soon. Looks like Fifita didn't make enough of his chances with others preferred over him.

I was surprised Whitelock got selected again. Hopefully he shows a bit more of his SR form during the tests.

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#2068656 6-Aug-2018 13:44

networkn:

AB's Squad announced. I am a little surprised that TTT still got selected with barely any time playing for the Chiefs. He seems more like an EOY tour sort of project. Bryn Hall has had an excellent season (yes I know, he's a Crusader). I also feel that AB's shouldn't have let Matt Todd get away. His defense is better than Saveas and whilst he isn't the charging runner that Savea is, I'd take defense over that every day of the week, twice on Sundays. I guess they want some balance. He would have been unlikely to unsurp Sam Cane.

Nice to see Read back. Hopefully Coles recovers soon. Looks like Fifita didn't make enough of his chances with others preferred over him.

I was surprised Whitelock got selected again. Hopefully he shows a bit more of his SR form during the tests.

I think it's because they've long been searching for a halfback they felt was similar to Aaron Smith. Bryn Hall has been working on his distribution this season, but as with Mo'unga, the selectors must feel his form is dependant on a dominant pack like he's had at the Crusaders.

Matt Todd has been dependable, but not to the same extent as Sam Cane, and Savea has long been seen as an impact replacement for Cane so I think as a result Todd falls between the cracks where he's not as good as either in the role he could play in that position (dominance in the tackle from Cane, mobility against tired players for Savea).

I think Whitelock played well in the France series?

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#2068674 6-Aug-2018 14:09

I would need to check the stats, but Todd made more tackles, more busts and missed less tackles than Sam Cane. He also was ahead last time I checked, for turn overs. He is more of a fetcher and stronger over the ball than Cane I think. I am not suggesting Sam Cane shouldn't be our first choice test 7 right now, but I feel his form was well above that of Savea. Saveas one big draw card as best I can tell, is his explosiveness. I don't think Savea looked a patch on himself from 2 years ago, though to be fair I haven't done an indepth analysis of him. It's a moot point as Todd wasn't available for selection having gone to Japan to earn some big coin which is probably fair, given how he must be about one of the most unlucky players in World Rugby when it comes to selection (a sentiment echod by Steve H).

Bryn Halls biggest improvement has been with the speed at which he reaches rucks, and the speed of his passes. He never really impressed with me that, until this year, where I feel he made massive improvements.

I must admit to being slightly surprised to see Jordie Barrett. They are keeping the faith, I wonder for how much longer if he fails to produce the goods. I had hoped Havilli would truck on, but has been pretty anonymous this year for the Crusaders.

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#2068675 6-Aug-2018 14:12

congrats for crusaders.

just a side thought about rugby championship calendar.

is no it in favour of AB's for few years now? They start in Australia and 3 games at home when pretty much championship is won (polishing their game in AU and unleash all the force at other 2 games) and they off to SA and Argentina as pretty much winners. I wonder what would happen if they asked to play away 3 away games? will the result be so predictable? this would be more entertaining to watch as deciders will almost happen in NZ.

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