Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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#2245325 25-May-2019 12:23

The Red’s lineout throws were consistently not straight. As a clue, if the jumper goes straight up and has to use his outside hand to grab the ball, then that’s not straight. The officials did manage to snag a couple against each side. Harris isn’t particularly accurate at the best of times but has been shown up by not having world class locks to throw to.

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#2245373 25-May-2019 13:24

From my analysis of decades of high level games, the rules of rugby is so complicated that you are actually playing to the rules of the referee, not the rules of the book. Something that Richie was amazingly good at.

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#2245425 25-May-2019 15:52

Batman: The tmo had one job....

Right, but to give credit where credit is due, they weren't the most straight forward questions, the evidence wasn't completely clear cut, and unlike last week, they came to the right conclusions in all cases as best I could tell.

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#2246849 28-May-2019 10:33

I just find the deep media introspection when it comes to anything that disadvantages the Crusaders to be hilarious given the absolute howlers that have robbed the Blues in some close games this year. I certainly can't remember the refs putting their hands up and saying they made a mistake.

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#2250746 3-Jun-2019 22:33

Well, I am gutted the Crusaders took what looked to be an unassailable lead and blew it to the point the Chiefs deserved a bonus point win. I can't recall a worse performance from them in recent times.

If the forward pass in the Crusaders second try hadn't been overlooked, the Chiefs would have won with a bonus point. Really ruined my weekend!

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#2251262 4-Jun-2019 15:00

Better now then later. You have to say based on last 4 performances (Bulls aside as they are so hot and cold) that this was coming as the Crusaders have not played well.

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#2251264 4-Jun-2019 15:04

Jas777:

Better now then later. You have to say based on last 4 performances (Bulls aside as they are so hot and cold) that this was coming as the Crusaders have not played well.

Yeah, I am hoping they will buck their ideas up a bit.

I see some comments from Chris R that laments Kiwi defensive efforts.

With the Exception of the Chiefs recent efforts against the Reds, you'd have to say, we are looking a lot worse than I'd expect us to across all franchises. It's a worrying trend.

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#2251267 4-Jun-2019 15:09

Understandable as no team due to injuries or rest periods has the same combinations week to week.

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#2251340 4-Jun-2019 17:06

networkn:
Well, I am gutted the Crusaders took what looked to be an unassailable lead and blew it to the point the Chiefs deserved a bonus point win. I can't recall a worse performance from them in recent times.

If the forward pass in the Crusaders second try hadn't been overlooked, the Chiefs would have won with a bonus point. Really ruined my weekend!

The same level that it ruined your weekend, it made mine!
I’m glad someone else saw the forward pass in Ennor’s try (I thought it was their third try though. Straight after half time.)

Not as aggregious as the ref’s decision that knocked the U20s out of the Football World Cup (during penalty shootout).

Sam Cane makes a huge difference to the Chiefs.

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#2252114 5-Jun-2019 14:30

Could well have been that try, to be honest it I was trying hard to forget the game. I expect whomever gets the Crusaders next might be in for some backlash (Or at least I freaking hope so).

Steve Tew stands down. It's been a badly guarded secret for 6+ months now, and logical given the other changes being made. I think he has largely done an outstanding job and I think should be remembered in a positive light for his contributions.

It will be interesting to see who replaces him and what their focus will be. I think he is well regarded in the halls of international rugby stewardship and has managed as a result of that to produce some positive results. Unless they promote from within, I would expect some of that influence to go away.

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#2253848 7-Jun-2019 14:01

There are two players in particular that really worry me that will likely face off against the AB's in the RWC, from SA, and that is Malcolm Marx, and the other being Kwagga Smith. Those guys are game changers for the Springboks in my opinion. They are right now, approaching the best players in the world their position, in the world. 2 Years ago SA didn't concern me at all as opponents, but with 1 very close win and a loss (which I still maintain we wouldn't lose a second time on a different day) they have closed to gap somewhat and we are slightly off the pace.

I don't doubt we can win against them if we play well, but on an off night, they could really hurt us.

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#2253853 7-Jun-2019 14:04

Marx is an absolute beast.

Networkn - do you bet or make picks on the super rugby games?

I don't bet, but we do post predictions just for a giggle - just win/loss.

This week it's boring - every home team to win, except I've gone for the Blues to beat the Reds. They probably won't though. 🙄

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#2253857 7-Jun-2019 14:15

I don't bet unless I am 100% sure of something, so chances are if I bet, I already know :)

But I do occasionally make predictions. Crusaders 12+, Hurricanes 12+ Highlanders 12- and Blues 12-

Until last year, I couldn't recall the last time the AB's or Crusaders didn't follow a loss with a mammoth game the following week, but for me, there has been a bit of a loss of intensity. I am hoping the Crusaders absoloutely *monster* the Rebels, but I am not super super confident. If its wet, and it looks like it will be, the game will be played tightly and it's a chance to see the Forwards for the AB's in the team front up. IF they don't, it's going to deepen my concerns over the AB's forwards, from last year.

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#2254785 9-Jun-2019 12:38

Well, I was hoping for a Crusader's backlash and that was some kind of backlash!

What a performance for and by Crotty in his 150th game. Nice touch to score a try and it's related conversion at the death.

Hard to judge the defensive effort entirely, simply because the Rebels looked uncomfortable with the ball. They had a couple of decent attempts that were as much thwarted by their own dropped ball and mistakes as defense by the Crusaders.

Both the Crusaders halfbacks have cracker passes, especially Enari. He's one to watch for the future.

It's some statement of intent by them.

I see the Hurricanes put in a good shift too, without BB at the helm as well.

It's going to be hard to beat either team at home. Should hopefully make for a decent final, though personally, I'd rather be facing any other team in the competition in the final.

I am going to restate my absolute disgust at the continual booing of Quade Cooper. It's embarrassing as a catamaran, Crusaders supporter, and Rugby fan to see people behaving this way.

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#2255901 11-Jun-2019 12:00

networkn:

Well, I was hoping for a Crusader's backlash and that was some kind of backlash!

What a performance for and by Crotty in his 150th game. Nice touch to score a try and it's related conversion at the death.

Hard to judge the defensive effort entirely, simply because the Rebels looked uncomfortable with the ball. They had a couple of decent attempts that were as much thwarted by their own dropped ball and mistakes as defense by the Crusaders.

Well done Crusaders.

I wasn't going to watch the game because the Rebels have a record of capitulating too easily against them.

I changed my mind at the last minute and I'm glad I did. The Rebels were even worse than we expected as they were ineffectual from early on. But the lack of tension meant that we really got to appreciate the Crusaders team. The audacity of the backs was so-o-o much fun to watch. We also enjoyed the hard-working Crusader forwards although they kind-of dropped into the background because of some stellar tries from the backs.

It was a superb thrashing but was it a backlash? Maybe if the Crusaders had won the scrum from the beginning or dominated the structured play - the Rebels probably performed their best at scrums - then I'd attribute it to a backlash. All I could see was the Rebel players indecisive, lacking commitment, out of position, and more confused about what to do as the Crusaders committed to more unstructured attack. The Rebels were considerably weakened without Genia but they played like a team sapped of confidence and fearing another thrashing.

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