Both teams had good periods but I was reasonably sure that the Chiefs would have won this, given the score at half time, and the fact the Highlanders looked largely bereft of ideas to get past a solid Chiefs defence. Initially, I thought that the Highlanders looked sharper and they did an excellent job of sustained attack until the defense broke. 

The Chiefs didn't take long at all to show their attacking skill, and scored a few nice tries too. 

I agree that Aaron Smith looked excellent when he came on. We need his best year to have a good chance at the RWC. 

Went to the actual Crusaders v Blues game with my Son, who is to my mild discomfort, a newly minted Blues supporter (born and bred Aucklander). I suspect he is in for a miserable time.

Blues really should have won this game. 2 Penalty kicks pretty much out in front, missed. Awful. 

The ref was *very* lenient on the Crusaders, they probably should have had a guy in the bin 15 minutes before they were. 

Was super nice to see Ma'a on the field. 

If you guys think *I'm* one eyed, I am not sure you guys have experienced the fans like I was sitting beside, wow. Hard core Crusaders supporters. One of them was a right PITA. 

Was a lovely night out, with good seats, got to meet a couple of the players. 

I was disappointed with the Blues game. Lots of things not getting called with the Blues not getting the same level of leeway. A lot of dangerous play situations too (contact around the head, driving into the lineout lifters with the players still in the air, etc). 

GV27:

 

I was disappointed with the Blues game. Lots of things not getting called with the Blues not getting the same level of leeway. A lot of dangerous play situations too (contact around the head, driving into the lineout lifters with the players still in the air, etc). 

 

Leeway is a mild way of putting it, when the players (Hall and Mataele) both have the biggest grins and thumbs ups for knockdowns (cynical or otherwise) and don't even get a penalty.

Met Israel Dagg at Meatstock yesterday, that was really cool. He's a nice guy. Indicated he is not too positive he can recover from his injuries and seems to be looking into other non Rugby options. Bit of a shame to see him go out without a bang, but he's been an excellent servant to NZ Rugby.

To give credit where credit is due, we finally have an option at fullback with a boot as big as his, in Jordie Barrett. He has a massive boot on him and used it to mostly good effect for the Hurricanes game. Hopefully, he can work on his temperament issues and meet the potential that the coaches can see in him. 

I was disappointed to hear that Julien Savea didn't perform to his potential in Toulon.

I am struggling to understand how he went from the best winger in World Rugby and seemed to be getting better and better, and essentially overnight just tanked. It was very sudden in my view. I did wonder if he was struggling with an injury of some form, that was preventing some movements. He always looked a little bit wooden but despite that, he was obviously powerful, but the woodeness seemed to get much worse I think. I do recall some reports of weight issues, but I thought he had them under control.

Unreleated, but I have raised it before, it's been some time since we had some seriously good aerial specialists.. It's an area I think that teams will hammer us on at the RWC. Both our tactical kicking and how we receive them.

networkn:

 

Unreleated, but I have raised it before, it's been some time since we had some seriously good aerial specialists.. It's an area I think that teams will hammer us on at the RWC. Both our tactical kicking and how we receive them.

 

Agree, since Dagg and Jane. Maybe get Dagg to coach backs on defusing bombs. Certainly the Northern teams like box-kicks.

Jogre:

 

networkn:

 

Unreleated, but I have raised it before, it's been some time since we had some seriously good aerial specialists.. It's an area I think that teams will hammer us on at the RWC. Both our tactical kicking and how we receive them.

 

 

Agree, since Dagg and Jane. Maybe get Dagg to coach backs on defusing bombs. Certainly the Northern teams like box-kicks.

 

I was going to say the same, but if I mention Dagg here, it produces momentus eye rolling :) 

Jogre:

 

GV27:

 

I was disappointed with the Blues game. Lots of things not getting called with the Blues not getting the same level of leeway. A lot of dangerous play situations too (contact around the head, driving into the lineout lifters with the players still in the air, etc). 

 

 

Leeway is a mild way of putting it, when the players (Hall and Mataele) both have the biggest grins and thumbs ups for knockdowns (cynical or otherwise) and don't even get a penalty.

 

Maybe you might know but if you throw a pass backwards and the ball goes forward it is not a forward so does the same apply if your hand is moving in a backwards motion and the ball goes forward it is not considered deliberate? Is it actually in the rules anywhere? Or just an interpretation issue and thus it will get called differently depending on the referee.

I thought it was quite a strange one as well, in terms of of the fact it wasn't the usual case of player moving forward into line of ball and knocking it down. 

I am also unsure what the ruling would be if it hadn't hit his hand, but rather any other part of his body, say his head or shoulder. 

One of the things I see a lot, is players in front of the kicker after points have been scored. All teams do it sometimes, some players and some teams are particularly bad at it.

Akira Ioanes try was excellent I thought, great speed, excellent athletisism. 

Jas777:

 

Jogre:

 

GV27:

 

I was disappointed with the Blues game. Lots of things not getting called with the Blues not getting the same level of leeway. A lot of dangerous play situations too (contact around the head, driving into the lineout lifters with the players still in the air, etc). 

 

 

Leeway is a mild way of putting it, when the players (Hall and Mataele) both have the biggest grins and thumbs ups for knockdowns (cynical or otherwise) and don't even get a penalty.

 

 

Maybe you might know but if you throw a pass backwards and the ball goes forward it is not a forward so does the same apply if your hand is moving in a backwards motion and the ball goes forward it is not considered deliberate? Is it actually in the rules anywhere? Or just an interpretation issue and thus it will get called differently depending on the referee.

 

 

 

From memory of when penalties get issued, knockdowns were typically viewed through the lens of; did the player have a chance to re-gather (if the ball goes up, they tend to think yes. If it goes down, usually immediate penalty and/or card) and was the player in a compromised position on defense. In both cases, the Crusaders players were compromised. Bryn Hall smacked it straight down and had the biggest effing grin on his face to not even get a wet bus ticket, Mataele was throwing his hand out but was never in a position to re-gather and was compromised horrible trying to turn with a faster player (Reiko Ioane) on his outside. Both of them thought it was a bit of a laugh to not get pinged and even Justin "One-eyed 'Sader-supporter" Marshall couldn't make a comment.

Personally I thought the reffing during both Chiefs/High and Blues/Saders was ordinary. That said, the Blues did have enough go their way to win it but I think they were a little surprised to be in that position against last years winners and panicked a little. Pulu does a lot of good but that dab down a non-existent blind-side smacked of lack of confidence in the TEAM to be patient and not turn it over. (he knew he'd goofed badly)

If this was in the 79th minute then he was also bailed into touch with an arm around his neck, so there's that. 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/110662791/super-rugby-glen-jackson-too-harsh-with-red-card-on-sio-tomkinson-in-highlanders-v-chiefs

Interesting discussion points. Most active Rugby discussion has been in months.

Also, seems that Scott Robinson has signed for the Crusaders for 2 more years (Yay!) but does indicate slightly that is is lower on the pecking order of potential AB's coach.  If he were to land it, his contract would give him the ability to step out for the higher ranking position within NZR, but would be hard on the Crusaders. 

networkn:

 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/110662791/super-rugby-glen-jackson-too-harsh-with-red-card-on-sio-tomkinson-in-highlanders-v-chiefs

 

 

 

Interesting discussion points. Most active Rugby discussion has been in months.

 

 

 

Also, seems that Scott Robinson has signed for the Crusaders for 2 more years (Yay!) but does indicate slightly that is is lower on the pecking order of potential AB's coach.  If he were to land it, his contract would give him the ability to step out for the higher ranking position within NZR, but would be hard on the Crusaders. 

 

 

 

Best thing for him I think. Have to re build a team before getting the big job.