Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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#2534228 4-Aug-2020 08:17

networkn:

So, nothing from Lawrence re the Chiefs. I have watched it and watched it. What I see, and the explanation from someone else, was that it left his hands backwards, everything else is irrelevant.

Nothing from the officials either on some of the frankly perplexing calls in the Blues game either.

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#2535797 6-Aug-2020 14:20

GV27:

networkn:

So, nothing from Lawrence re the Chiefs. I have watched it and watched it. What I see, and the explanation from someone else, was that it left his hands backwards, everything else is irrelevant.

Nothing from the officials either on some of the frankly perplexing calls in the Blues game either.

Which ones specifically did you think were incorrect? (not disputing, just interested in what you thought).I am wondering what you thought of Aaron Smiths fall that scrubbed out the try?

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#2535800 6-Aug-2020 14:23

I am hopeful the Crusaders can prevail at home over the Highlanders. I think the 'landers will have a tough night at the office, Scott Robertson won't be comfortable losing two consecutive matches at home, and the Crusaders will have a slightly more complete list of first-choice players back.

Whilst it's probably better from an excitement perspective for the Final to be decided at Eden Park next week, my nerves probably can't take it (I'm not one who particularly enjoys close games, if it were my choice, the Crusaders/AB's would win every week by 20+ points).

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#2537470 9-Aug-2020 21:28

I am pleased the Crusaders were able to cinch that this week. It was tense and close till the last couple of minutes, The Highlanders came to win and they were in the hunt for the vast majority of the game. As Gregor Paul said, it's their ability to find a little bit more when they are tired and bruised and near the end of their physicality that sets them apart. The bench was probably the difference. Sione Havilii and Luke Romano were massive.

I am really looking forward to the Blues game next week. I see it's sold out, which is a shame as I told my kids I'd take them. If anyone knows of someone with 3 tickets for sale, please get in touch.

Chiefs Hurricanes game was probably the least enjoyable of the matches in the past 10 weeks. I honestly felt sick when Sam Cane went down, I really hope he's OK.

The Chiefs just look broken. The desire is there, but they seem muddled and confused. MacKenzie would have to be the 4th choice fullback right now I'd think. Defensively and strategic kicking are massive weaknesses of his. They have the talent. It will be interesting to see what happens next year. Will the Blues continue their strong form and can the Chiefs turn it around? I don't see Gatland as a bad coach at all, though I don't rate him as highly as some, but I do wonder if he is the "wrong" coach for that team. Or perhaps he isn't perhaps suited to coaching NZ teams who on the whole prefer faster and looser games than Northern Teams where the majority of his recent coaching experience is from.

As I have alluded to already, the AB's aren't going to be made up of who's in form, but rather who is still standing at the end of next week. It's quite worrying, and I don't see another season of SRA like this, it's really just too much. I think at the very least it would need to have a 2 week break in the middle, or extra Byes or something. It' has been edge of your seat stuff for 10 weeks and great to see some new talent regularly playing with established AB's.

I think Codie Taylor has probably overtaken Coles as first choice Hooker. If they aren't equally quick, then I think it must be close. Taylors throwing is probably better, Coles may have an edge defensively. Coles temper can be a problem.

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#2537513 9-Aug-2020 23:43

I think the highlanders put themselves in a good position to win the game. They were unlucky not to see the Crusaders halfback off for ten minutes for his blatant professional foul. I still do not understand why them scoring a phase later negates the offence caused. I also thought the card on Sio Tomkinson was soft, you can run your line. The key for me was the highlanders attacking the ball on defense. They stifled the crusaders offloads and gave themselves a good shot. I thought the ref was average, but I have come to realise how infuriating rugby has been this whole comp. Like the one on the Highlanders player for blowing past the ball when he was standing over it. Or the one where Whitelock comically jumping aside and the highlander getting pinged for going off his feet, when by Whitelock not being in the ruck their cannot be a ruck infringement as their is no ruck.

Pretty disappointing end to the competition, especially as next week could have been spectacular. Hopefully the Blues take it to them, just dont enjoy watching the Crusaders blatant grubby running lines going unpunished.

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#2537514 9-Aug-2020 23:46

LOL well that was predictable.

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#2537759 10-Aug-2020 11:17

networkn: LOL well that was predictable.

Would love to hear your view on those points, were they untrue?

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#2537765 10-Aug-2020 11:23

itxtme:

networkn: LOL well that was predictable.

Would love to hear your view on those points, were they untrue?

Maybe, maybe not. Most people could muster even a begrudging congratulations to the winning team before blaming everyone except the losing team for losing. If any other team had won this competition, there would be hearty congratulations all around, and had the Crusaders been on the losing side of that game and *I* had written as you wrote, the roasting I would have been given would have been significant and unpleasant. You failed to mention a single instance where the referee failed to penalize the Highlanders for being offside many times the times they got away with side entry at the ruck or any other infringements that were missed.

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#2537994 10-Aug-2020 15:25

networkn:

I think Codie Taylor has probably overtaken Coles as first choice Hooker. If they aren't equally quick, then I think it must be close. Taylors throwing is probably better, Coles may have an edge defensively. Coles temper can be a problem.

I would be happy if you are right as Taylor has been very good. But I think that Taylor looks better playing for the Crusaders than he would playing under a less dominant side.

A head-to-head game would provide useful comparisons except that we didn't get that a couple of weeks ago and we've got to wait until the North-South clash at the end of the month.

Having said that, I admire the good job Taylor does in the post-match interviews that I've seen him in this year. That skill is another plus to having him no.1 hooker.

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#2538004 10-Aug-2020 16:01

Scott Robertson has extended his contract with the Crusaders and NZR, which is great news from my perspective. I didn't really see him likely to rush off anyways, on account of the C19 thing, the fact he is pretty established with a relatively young and settled family in NZ right now, and the fact he is the heir apparent to the AB's if Foster doesn't meet expectations. I think Foster has been given the poisoned chalice because he's damned if he does or doesn't with the AB's right now. If they play well, he won't get the credit, it will be blamed on the other teams having less time to prepare, and if they don't play well, it's just as likely nothing to do with him as completely his fault. 2021 *might* be a better season to judge him on, but if he's average, then they are already halfway through the RWC cycle and do they stick with him, or cut the strings and take a gamble on Robertson.

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#2538005 10-Aug-2020 16:07

Hammerer:

networkn:

I think Codie Taylor has probably overtaken Coles as first choice Hooker. If they aren't equally quick, then I think it must be close. Taylors throwing is probably better, Coles may have an edge defensively. Coles temper can be a problem.

I would be happy if you are right as Taylor has been very good. But I think that Taylor looks better playing for the Crusaders than he would playing under a less dominant side.

A head-to-head game would provide useful comparisons except that we didn't get that a couple of weeks ago and we've got to wait until the North-South clash at the end of the month.

Having said that, I admire the good job Taylor does in the post-match interviews that I've seen him in this year. That skill is another plus to having him no.1 hooker.

He has always been pretty decent for the AB's. In the past 12 months, his outright speed has dramatically improved, so he has closed the gap regards to Coles.

North-South game is going to be interesting. I am unsure how they are even doing it (haven't looked into it) Are they going to split 50 players into two groups and coach them separately?

I'll be watching it from Queenstown.

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#2542367 16-Aug-2020 16:31

Well, it's over. Succesful, very entertaining but probably shouldn't be repeated in the same manner. The cost to players physically has been horrible as predicted.

It's been great to see so many new players really standing up. In no particular order Umaga-Jenson, Will Jordan, Jamie Booth (Who in my opinion is the second best Half Back in the country on SRA form), Michael Collins should be played at center going forward, he reminds me a lot of Conrad Smith, Jack Whetton, Caleb Clarke, Hoskins Sotutu, Scrafton, Boshier and the list goes on and on

Not sure who I'd pick as player of the tournament, Aaron Smith probably, Will Jordan, Richie Mo'unga, Tuipulotu would all be in contention. Probably others but those are clear and foremost in my mind..

Last nights game was a cracker. Was hard to see the Hurricanes overcoming home advantage plus a Highlanders team highly motivated to give Aaron Smith and Ash Dixon a memorable 150/100th respectively, though the Hurricanes had their chances, pretty small margins in their rubbed out tries (though all clearly correct decisions).

It's Jordie Barretts best season possibly at least for a couple of years. He would be hard to look past as the form 15 for the AB's given his height, speed and kicking both from hand (He has a near Dagg sized Punt) and off the Tee. I would be super torn as to how to fit RM, BB and JB in, but to me RM is a starting specialist 10, though probably has enough gas and nous to cut open tiring defensive legs..

For Centres, I'd probably look at a combination of Goodhue and ALB. Ioane isn't a centre for my money. Wasn't good to see Coles limp off last night, I do wonder if he might be seriously considering retirement if that was his calf again. There isn't much between Coles and Taylor, but there is a pretty decent gap between him and third choice hooker, who would be Coltman for my mine. I'd like to see Amua develop the promise he was showing in his first two seasons. He is properly quick and powerful.

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#2542419 16-Aug-2020 17:01

networkn:

Well, it's over. Successful, very entertaining but probably shouldn't be repeated in the same manner. The cost to players physically has been horrible as predicted.

That's why NZ Rugby need eight teams for next year's competition, with only three matches per weekend (one each Friday, Saturday & Sunday). That allows two teams to have a bye every weekend and will also mean there's one or two relatively weaker teams, giving some 'easier' matches.

Maybe allow slightly larger squads and/or a rule that say no player can play more than three successive games, to ensure player rotation?