This is really interesting.

What a game between the Reds and the Chiefs!

Unfortunately, for the Chiefs, it's unlikely DMac will be taking part of the rest the AU/NZ competition. I was gobsmacked to hear the half time crew saying it wasn't right it was red as it ruined the spectacle. It was also silly for the commentators to suggest the force had come from the tackled players, as both MacKenzies feet are off the ground at the time of impact.

I can't recall the last time a team took a more ruthless advantage of a numerical advantage as the Reds did in the first half, and how well the Chiefs came back after they got their 15 men back. The Reds were pretty wrecked by about 60 minutes in and with another 5 minutes, it's quite possible the Chiefs could have won that game. Fitness remains an issue for the Aussie teams, and I saw commentary that it's not so much absolute fitness that's an issue, but rather contact fitness specifically.

As @dingbatt alluded to, the Chiefs largely live and die off MacKenzies form, if they don't rectify that properly, they aren't going to have long term success. Every team has a talismanic player or two, but the Chiefs seem more reliant on theirs than other teams right now. They did have a good comeback against the Reds, but it would be unlikely they would find it that easy to squeeze that many points in a second-half against a more fit team.

Akira should have been carded for his lifting tackle and Jordie Barrett was pretty fortunate not to get a card for his tackle too.

The Crusaders scrum looks very average and it was disappointing to see them give away so many penalties and a couple of soft tries in the last parts of their game against the Warratahs. Sione Havili Talitui is growing into this role at 7 after a pretty average start there. The Warratahs 13 is a total beast and actually, AU Rugby has a number of Centers which are very big, skilled and physical.

No protests when the Highlanders had someone binned for infringing repeatedly on their line, and then immediately (next phase) did almost an identical thing and no immediate binning of the next infringer?

Findlay Christie's try was something to behold. Probably the try of the competition so far. 

Jerome Kaino played his last home game for Toulouse yesterday. It'd be fitting for him to do the Top 14 / Heineken Cup double in his last year playing. He's been massive for Toulouse in their development to a European power house.

This comes up seemingly every year, but how the AB's backline looks is going to be a major headache for the selectors this year, but with an eye to the RWC and the limited number of tests remaining. I think John Kirwan is correct, in that the Pacific tests aren't likely to teach us anything we don't already know given they are almost certainly going to be undercooked due to lack of Rugby and the fact the European teams aren't willing to release all players.

Mo'unga or Barrett at 10. With an eye to the future, despite him not being perfect for the AB's I'd be inclined to continue to play Mo'unga since Barrett is a known quantity at test level, plus his form is exceptional.

I think we need to have Jordie on the field for his kicking and height, he is also defensively better than MacKenzie in my opinion. More experience for him is important too. Fullback is probably where I'd put him, I don't like him on the Wing, but better he be on the field than not.

Goodhue is out, I'd be interested to see ALB and Havilli (Because he can play 10, 12, 13, and 15 if required).

Bridge on one wing, and I'd like to see Sevu play again and see if they can get to where he was his first year. I wonder if they will blood more wingers at this point? I think they probably have enough and need to give them more experience. There are definitely backs putting their hands up demanding attention, the question is, can we get new wingers enough experience to rely on a top-class performance in a big final? Clarke won't feature this year, I wonder if he will be considered for next year?

Jordan on the bench who can cover wing and fullback.

I wonder if they are going to give more time to less experienced halfbacks? I think if they are sticking with Brad Weber, then he needs more time on the field at test level.

networkn:

 

Findlay Christie's try was something to behold. Probably the try of the competition so far. 

 

It was good, but Aoumou’s was better. 

BlinkyBill:

 

networkn:

 

Findlay Christie's try was something to behold. Probably the try of the competition so far. 

 

 

It was good, but Aoumou’s was better. 

 

Well, he only had to outrun the geriatric wing of the Perth Rugby retirement village :)

But boy oh boy some of today's hookers have serious wheels.

The number of missed tackles in the AU/NZ conference by most teams has been truly awful. It wasn't great during SRA either, but it's like watching exhibition rugby at this point.

So much for defence wins titles. I guess it's a lot to do with the short format and the importance of bonus points.

Worth a watch.

Interesting discussions on the Breakdown this week. Big talking points are what our AB's midfield looks like. ALB is a lock, I think it would be hard to ignore Havilli's form, gives us another very competent kicker too. There was still a fair amount of debate as to whether Ioane is a winger or centre (Winger for me).

Ennor has been in the frame previously but has barely played due to injury. Who else are genuine contenders? Leicester Faingaanuku looks promising, but I think another year of SR would be ideal. We may not have time to wait given the shortened lead up to RWC. LF would be more a 12 than 13 for me.

The other pretty big talking point was the 5 AB's who are off-contract end of 2021. Codie Taylor, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Damien MacKenzie and Brad Weber.  If they only have money for 4, then DM doesn't make the cut in that group for me, as despite his cult standing in NZ Rugby, he is in a position with reasonable depth with players who are arguably playing better than him overall. We don't currently have much depth at halfback, certainly not of the quality of our number 1, but if TJP isn't eligible to play this year, then Weber becomes #2 choice... I'd quite like to see how Bryn Hall went for the AB's.

Yep, I guess NZ doesn’t have any other world class hookers. Who does Taylor play for again?

Dingbatt:

Yep, I guess NZ doesn’t have any other world class hookers. Who does Taylor play for again?

Dingbatt:

 

Yep, I guess NZ doesn’t have any other world-class hookers. Who does Taylor play for again?

 

So from that list you think we should drop Taylor then?

tukapa1:

The same team as Faingaanuku, Ennor and Havili funnily enough.

Asofa Aumua and Kurt Eklund are apparently not up to it...

I wondered how long it would take..

So, you want to let Taylor go from that list? Replace him with Asofa or Kurt?

I asked who else you guys thought might be a decent option in the centre, and instead of offering some choices, you get upset over my choices?

/me smdh