Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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Networkn
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#2262219 21-Jun-2019 22:13

Tough way for Bender and co to finish their Highlanders careers, but probably a fair result, given their season. Despite sneaking in, they were probably lucky to do so. To me, they haven't quite clicked this season. They have missed a few key players.

I remain concerned about Crusaders set piece, though the second half the scrum and lineout were better. Discipline was somewhat better, but I still think it could be improved.

Coltman had an outstanding game and won't have hurt his AB selection chances one bit. Nice to see our first choice AB's front row tonight. Owen Franks did well for his 50 odd minutes

It was a nice touch to see Canterbury on their feet including coaches as Ben Smith left the field. Entirely deserved.

Dingbatt

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#2262296 22-Jun-2019 08:41

Yes. I can't see how any team can match what is essentially an All Black forward pack, well maybe the Puma's forward pack in the Jaguares. But the Crusaders' lineout should have been better when you look at the talent.
Squire proved how he can be both an asset and a liability last night. His yellow card essentially sealing the Highlanders fate, extinguishing any hope of a fightback. Although the Highlanders proved they are a great 40 minute team, but lack the depth to sustain it any longer.
The Crusaders bench, on the other hand, is an embarrassment of riches, with subs adding to the game as soon as they run on.
I still have concerns about Read. But I'm hoping it's just a lack of game time that means he's not performing like he had in the past.

“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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#2262322 22-Jun-2019 10:02

And just sitting down to watch the Chiefs vs Jaguares.
I have my fingers crossed but they have exceeded my hopes by making the playoffs and getting more than a participation certificate (a la Blues) in the NZ conference.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

networkn

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#2262762 23-Jun-2019 00:56

I honestly expected it was going to be one-way traffic in favour of the Chiefs and right up to the hooter I expected them to win, but that last shift in momentum and the handling errors by the Chiefs undid them. Happy for the Jags, I'd love a CRU v JAG Final.

Man the Chiefs scrum was excellent, I have felt there was a lot between our first choice front row and our second, but at this stage I am feeling more comfortable.

Once again home advantage + travel proves to be 5-7 Points with the Hurricanes Bulls. I didn't really feel that the Bulls would win though, it would have been quite an upset.

Brumbies thumped the Sharks, I can't really understand why the passing was so deep by the Sharks, they spent a lot of time making up to the gain line, though often they did get over it. Jaguares had better sort out their maul defence and scrum this week.

networkn

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#2265777 27-Jun-2019 15:16

So Colin Cooper stands down from the Chiefs, in a largely expected move. I think he did a reasonable job the second half of this year, considering the huge injury list he had to work with and still making the finals.

It will be interesting to see who gets the nod in his place.

Warren Gatland has taken the post! That's some sort of coup for the Chiefs me thinks, though a bit of a strange move for Gatland I'd have thought. Perhaps he wanted something with a little less pace at this stage in his life.

Interesting contract though.

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#2266077 28-Jun-2019 09:44

The Chiefs had a *huge* injury list. Is it bad luck, or bad planning, over training, too much intensity. I know a similar suggestion was made with the English Squad last year and players were complaining the intensity of training meant injuries were more common?

Handle9

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#2266433 28-Jun-2019 18:01

networkn:
So Colin Cooper stands down from the Chiefs, in a largely expected move. I think he did a reasonable job the second half of this year, considering the huge injury list he had to work with and still making the finals.

It will be interesting to see who gets the nod in his place.

Warren Gatland has taken the post! That's some sort of coup for the Chiefs me thinks, though a bit of a strange move for Gatland I'd have thought. Perhaps he wanted something with a little less pace at this stage in his life.

Interesting contract though.

If NZ don't win the world cup Gatland puts his hat in the ring for the all blacks if they do he's got the Lions and Chiefs jobs. Win : Win for Gatland

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networkn

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#2266439 28-Jun-2019 18:07

Why would winning the world cup or not make any difference to whether Gatlant would apply for the AB job? I thought he had earlier made clear he wasn't interested in it?

Handle9

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#2266441 28-Jun-2019 18:09

networkn: Why would winning the world cup or not make any difference to whether Gatlant would apply for the AB job? I thought he had earlier made clear he wasn't interested in it?

If NZ win the world cup Foster is far more likely to take over, just like Hansen did after Henry. If they lose then a change would be more likely.

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#2267055 29-Jun-2019 22:44

Hurricanes robbed - late calls all going to the Crusaders and lying on the ball all night to slow the play down. Knock on by Whitelock at the end and Crusaders get the scrum. Would have a been a final in Argentina if that call had been made correctly.

Coles got away with a late one on Mounga but apparently you're not allowed to tackle the Crusaders anymore after Jordie got penalised for a legal tackle to blunt more Canes momentum. I guess that's the home advantage.

I expect to see the Jaguares scrum push the Crusaders around next week after an All Black pack (-1) couldn't dominate some journeyman props in the Canes front row.

The Canes have shown the Jaguares how to beat the Crusaders - would be nice to see a new champion next week. Crusaders are like the Aussies of world cricket....

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#2267146 30-Jun-2019 09:45

I can only *imagine* the diatribe I would have been subjected to, had I have come in here making those sorts of comments in the exact reverse situation and the Crusaders had lost. The Crusaders missed out on their share on penalties that could have changed the final score as well. If Coles had been at least penalized then chances are that's at least 3 which would have then meant IF the canes had scored (Which isn't a given) it would have been drawn. Who knows what would have happened?

It was a wonderful game of Rugby. Almost classic worthy. It was the first time in recent memory that the Crusaders didn't manage to shut down Laumape, and the two Barretts. Jordie Barrett's temperament has improved a lot this year, I will be interested to see how he copes at the next level.

TJP had an outstanding game, he has been in my view, their best player all year and without him, in my view that battle would have been one-sided.

The game could have gone either way in reality, and whilst disappointed, had the 'canes of won, I wouldn't have been too upset. The canes got some kind of message at half time, the first half I thought it was going to end up with the Crusaders winning by 14.

Crusaders have a bit to work on next week. Hopefully, Scott Barrett isn't too badly hurt, I think we will need him.

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#2267305 30-Jun-2019 13:32

I grow ever worried by the lack of dominance in the AB's forward pack. Perhaps they are saving it for later in the year, test season if you will, but I can't recall a less dominant forward year for the Crusaders, though admittedly we have had our fair share of injuries up front.

I am encouraged to see some of the other franchises AB's forwards looking like they are closing the gap somewhat.

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#2267527 30-Jun-2019 22:06

networkn:

I can only *imagine* the diatribe I would have been subjected to, had I have come in here making those sorts of comments in the exact reverse situation and the Crusaders had lost. The Crusaders missed out on their share on penalties that could have changed the final score as well. If Coles had been at least penalized then chances are that's at least 3 which would have then meant IF the canes had scored (Which isn't a given) it would have been drawn. Who knows what would have happened?

It was a wonderful game of Rugby. Almost classic worthy. It was the first time in recent memory that the Crusaders didn't manage to shut down Laumape, and the two Barretts. Jordie Barrett's temperament has improved a lot this year, I will be interested to see how he copes at the next level.

TJP had an outstanding game, he has been in my view, their best player all year and without him, in my view that battle would have been one-sided.

The game could have gone either way in reality, and whilst disappointed, had the 'canes of won, I wouldn't have been too upset. The canes got some kind of message at half time, the first half I thought it was going to end up with the Crusaders winning by 14.

Crusaders have a bit to work on next week. Hopefully, Scott Barrett isn't too badly hurt, I think we will need him.

I haven't watched the full replay yet but the final knock on was awful. If it had happened to my team I'd be outraged as well.

I get a bit confused why you talk about Jordie Barretts temperament, which is an innate trait. He's never come across as stupid or particularly excitable but he has made playing mistakes. I don't know that his temperament has improved, he's just gotten more experienced.

It's pretty easy to forget he's only 22 - 2 years younger than Jack Goodhue and has made mistakes in the All Black jersey that the likes of Ben Smith and Goodhue made at Mitre 10 cup level.

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#2267529 30-Jun-2019 22:16

networkn:

I can only *imagine* the diatribe I would have been subjected to, had I have come in here making those sorts of comments in the exact reverse situation and the Crusaders had lost.

Laughable, it was a grubby professional fowl.. Enough said about that

Handle9

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#2267532 30-Jun-2019 22:32

I'd guess the team for Argentina will look like below. They've said they'll name up to 41 players and I'd guess they will use all of them.

The starting loose forward mix will be interesting, especially 6 and 8. If they want to pick Akira Ioane they really need to give him enough playing time in the first 2 games to learn about him.

It always makes me nervous to have a back captaining the side, it should really be captained by a rugby player not a show pony 🤣

Team for Argentina

1 Karl Tu'inukuafe

2 Dane Coles

3 Nepo Laulala

4 Brodie Rettalick

5 Patrick Tuipolutu

6 Liam Squire

7 Sam Cane

8 Akira Ioane

9 Aaron Smith

10 Beauden Barrett (c)

11 Rieko Ioane

12 Sonny Bill Williams

13 Anton Lienert-Brown

14 Jordie Barrett

15 Ben Smith

16 Nathan Harris

17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi

18 Angus Ta’avao

19 Jackson Hemopo

20 Ardie Savea

21 TJ Perenara

22 Josh Ioane

23 Ngani Laumape

Other Players

24 Joe Moody

25 Codie Taylor

26 Liam Coltman

27 Owen Franks

28 Scott Barrett

29 Sam Whitelock

30 Luke Whitelock

31 Shannon Frizzel

32 Vaea Fifita

33 Matt Todd

34 Kieran Read

35 Brad Weber

36 Richie Mounga

37 Ryan Crotty

38 Jack Goodhue

39 George Bridge

40 Waisake Naholo

41 Braydon Ennor

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