Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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#2926418 14-Jun-2022 12:42

The cynic in me says they are securing them from playing for any other country.

Reference the Crusaders Chiefs game. No comment on the number of penalties conceded? And that it took 7 penalties in the “red zone” before a yellow card was awarded (plus multiple infringements between each penalty being awarded). As it happened, Matera probably wishes one of the earlier infringements had been pinged rather than him.

The Chiefs have only themselves to blame for creating multiple chances, then botching them. I do think they were psyched out by the Crusaders who once again proved they only have to be given the slightest chance and they will be in. That is why they are champions.

What the commentators called an “error” by Nankivell when examined more closely was an error by Gatland in throwing the pass in the first place. I believe it was meant for the winger, but if Nankivell hadn’t snatched at it, Mo’unga’s hands were literally a metre outside his and I have no doubt would have been an intercept followed by a length of the field “Mo’unga Special”.

Clayton McMillan came as close to calling the Crusaders cheats and the officials inconsistent as I think you can get away with without being sanctioned.

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#2926431 14-Jun-2022 13:06

You give away more penalties on defense than attack usually. The Crusaders made 222 tackles (I've seen numbers as high as 248 mentioned elsewhere) and received 13 penalties, the Chiefs made (I think) 78 tackles and got 7 Penalties, but it could easily have been higher (they got away with a few). That puts the Crusaders at a Penalty every 17 tackles, with 30 minutes spent with 14 men and 10 minutes in their own 22. Chiefs got a penalty for every 10 tackles they made. I am unsure what the average number of penalties per team per game is, but I don't consider 13 outrageous, rather 'could be better'. I'd actually be interested to know what the average penalty per tackle count is overall in games with a lot of one way defense.

The penalties conceded in the red zone at the start of the game were varied in nature, but Weber whining at the referee after just 3 was bit much, and he was told as much. Ultimately, the Crusaders spent 30 minutes with 14 men, so if you traded that red for a second yellow, the penalty vs card count would have been pretty much identical.

I have spent more time than anyone lamenting their team's discipline, however, consistently the Blues have got away with murder all season and not a word about it from anyone else (there was a game in Australia where I think they got 22 penalties and 4 that were blatant, a high tackle and a failed intercept that weren't punished, in a single half of Rugby..... ). Even worse, they won that game.

I like MacMillan, and respect the progress he has made since becoming head coach but his assessment is pretty poor form to be honest. The Chiefs got away with a fair bit too.

Edited to correct a couple of mistyped stats.

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#2926646 15-Jun-2022 08:36

Pablo Matera was cleared to play at the judiciary overnight

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#2927710 15-Jun-2022 09:55

JPNZ:

Pablo Matera was cleared to play at the judiciary overnight

Expected result but that's good either way, though I'd like to see him improve his tackle technique because even if it wasn't red, it was totally yellow and we should be trying to keep players as safe as practical.

He is very enthusiastic, I'd like to see it combined with some good technique.

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#2930142 15-Jun-2022 22:21

Can someone who knows, clarify for me?

As far as I know, players are only cited for red card offences and I think, if a player gets 3 yellows in a specific timeframe?

The decision around Matera that the ruling commission made, was because they didn't feel there was a pattern of behaviour, not because the yellow card for foul play wasn't justified, correct? It was deemed a yellow card offence but not more?

I was discussing online with someone, and he is adamant the ruling commission overturned the second yellow, but I believe that to be quite incorrect.

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#2930175 16-Jun-2022 08:08

networkn:

Can someone who knows, clarify for me?

As far as I know, players are only cited for red card offences and I think, if a player gets 3 yellows in a specific timeframe?

3 YC's in a season I believe..?

Here is the actual judgment

"It was good news that emerged from the hearing, however, with the committee deciding that Matera would face no further sanction for his accumulated sin-binnings after it was determined that there was “no pattern of concern” with regards to the Argentinian’s offending.

In his finding, the Judicial Committee Chair Nigel Hampton ruled the following:

“Having conducted a detailed review of all the evidence in relation to the four yellow cards and having considered the evidence and submissions on behalf of the Player, together with the surrounding circumstances, the Committee was satisfied that there was no pattern of persistent offending by the Player which was of concern.”

“Two of the yellow cards were given for technical offences (that is, not Foul Play) and those two technical offences were of a different nature to each other. The remaining two yellow cards again were for offences of a different nature and showed no pattern of concern. The Judicial Committee found that these were exceptional circumstances which meant that no further sanction was warranted.”

“In addition, the Committee decided that the red carding and sending off of the Player was a sufficient penalty in these unusual circumstances and that no additional sanction was appropriate in relation to that. However, the Red Card will remain on the Player’s record.”

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#2930176 16-Jun-2022 08:09

For the final..

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 1: Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 2: Stu Curran
TMO: Shane McDermott

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#2930317 16-Jun-2022 12:15

JPNZ:

For the final..

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 1: Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 2: Stu Curran
TMO: Shane McDermott

I'm just super glad it's not Paul Williams in the middle.

I'm slightly surprised they didn't use an Australian referee with 2 Kiwi teams.

I am just hoping it's a good game where both teams play well, not marred by poor discipline or decided by a controversial referee decision. I really really hope we don't lose key players from either team to Injury for the AB's.

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#2930322 16-Jun-2022 12:17

Is anyone else nervous about the AB's going into a 3 test series against Ireland in their current form, with no warm-up games?

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#2930384 16-Jun-2022 13:56

Blues named

1. Alex Hodgman (54)
2. Kurt Eklund (37)
3. Nepo Laulala (25)
4. Josh Goodhue (46)
5. Tom Robinson (44)
6. Akira Ioane (94)
7. Adrian Choat (19)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (36)
9. Finlay Christie (30)
10. Beauden Barrett (17)
11. AJ Lam (20)
12. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (11)
13. Rieko Ioane (85)
14. Mark Telea (38)
15. Stephen Perofeta (44)
16. Soane Vikena (14)
17. Karl Tu’inukuafe (42)
18. Ofa Tuungafasi (120)
19. Luke Romano (14)
20. Dalton Papalii (55) or James Tucker (11)
21. Sam Nock (50)
22. Bryce Heem (19)
23. Zarn Sullivan (18)

Crusaders Named:

15. Will Jordan
14. Sevu Reece
13. Jack Goodhue
12. David Havili
11. Leicester Fainga’anuku
10. Richie Mo’unga
9. Bryn Hall
8. Cullen Grace
7. Tom Christie
6. Pablo Matera
5. Sam Whitelock
4. Scott Barrett (c)
3. Oli Jager
2. Codie Taylor
1. George Bower

Reserves:
16. Brodie McAlister
17. Tamaiti Williams
18. Fletcher Newell
19. Quinten Strange
20. Corey Kellow
21. Mitch Drummond
22. Braydon Ennor
23. George Bridge.

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#2930419 16-Jun-2022 14:49

I am glad Whitelock is fit. I think we will need his experience.

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#2930757 17-Jun-2022 09:11

There was a good article on Rugbypass which was questioning the selection of Karl Tu'inukuafe in the Squad to face Ireland.

He hasn't been in great fitness, or in the best form (over a longer period than just this season) , and he has declared he is heading overseas. Given Prop is a position we are facing challenges in, the question asked was why is he there? It's probably a fair enough point.

Also reading around, the addition of Peter Gus is an interesting one. As one pundit offered, if Savea is fit, we are playing him at 8 every day of the week and twice on Sundays. PGS isn't likely to take the 6 or 7 spot either. He is a great player but dropped off toward the end of the season, a result of being asked to play so many minutes. The interesting debate around Grace vs Sowukula is that Grace played a lot less minutes (due to an early season injury) and was fresher at the end of the season.

I do enjoy Jeff Wilson's analysis on players and gameplay. I think he is very intelligent and insightful, even if I don't agree with all his comments. I often listen to him and think, that seems pretty obvious now that someone said it out loud.

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#2931450 18-Jun-2022 17:49

legal ways of watching the game tonight? dont have any sky or other service but also dont want to pay for a lengthy service, one off fee would be great.

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#2931490 18-Jun-2022 21:09

That was a pretty awful game to watch, but there was a clear winner and no one complain about the outcome.

Disappointed the Crusaders got away with some average stuff off the ball (Sotutu was on the floor after a rouge shoulder clearout what wasn't checked in the lead-up to the 2nd try before half-time) but perhaps karma for the Blues infringing to a high level throughout the season.

They just never fired tonight and I suspect a lack of finals football for a lot of them was probably a contributing factor. Great season though, one Blues fans can be happy with, even if they didn't really show up for the final.

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#2931684 19-Jun-2022 16:01

It was a masterclass in planning and executing a game plan last night. Quite a brilliant performance by a Crusaders side who has gotten stronger and stronger throughout the last 6 matches.

They dismantled the lineout, which affected the Blue's confidence, were dominant in collisions which gave the backs fast front foot ball, and the handling and skills in the wet was some of the best I've ever seen.

To do it in away from home, with 40K fans supporting the other team was quite something to behold. Most Crusaders fans wouldn't have dared to hope for such a performance under the circumstances.

I don't really feel the Blues were bad, just that the Crusaders didn't let them play at all. The Blues defense was pretty good really. There are some positives for them out of this match.

Laulala's tackle not even being penalized was a joke though I have to say, in any other game this season that would have been yellow/red. His tackle technique is concerning, and hasn't really improved from when he was lucky to get away without red last year for the AB's.

Leon MacDonald has done a pretty great job with getting the Blues the most cohesive they have ever been, and the belief internally at the Blues will be high leading into next season.

Lastly, and I've mentioned this over and over again, but Kiwi's booing the other team, or their own team (WT!F?) is totally offputting and embarrassing. We really need to grow up. It's disgusting behaviour. I could scarely believe the Blues fans booing their own captain as he went onto stage. He looked mightily unimpressed and rightly so.

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