Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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#3077744 19-May-2023 08:13

Predictably Brad Weber is heading overseas end of the year. At 32 he wasn't likely to be in the mix for the AB's too much longer esp with another 4 years till the next RWC.

I like what I have seen of Noah Hotham at Half Back, he is nice and quick and has an accurate pass. He's pretty green so it will be interesting to see how he progresses. Roigard looks promising as well. I was enthusiastic about Fakataka initially, but I don't really feel he has been quite as good since his injury, and with the whole Highlanders team struggling, I don't think he is getting what he needs to shine. I'd be interested to see him behind a team going forward.

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#3077747 19-May-2023 08:41

Dingbatt:

Then there is the Blues/Crusaders match. The saying goes that “defence wins matches”. Well not if you you don’t score any points it doesn’t! Both defences were fierce, but the Crusaders converted the chances they were given. Dour match number 2.

I know that Stuff used to do articles reviewing some of the more controversial calls that were made during the previous week, usually with an ex-ref to provide insight. That game was full of plenty of 50/50 calls, but in a close game the one that made the difference was the knock-on that led to a try. I'm genuinely unsure how that was missed, it seems so obvious that I'm sure there must be something equally obvious about it that I can't see.

I found it quite ironic in a week where the calls that go against the Warriors were front of mind. But having said that, if these are the best defensive teams in our comp and the All Blacks will be a level above, then we probably should do OK in that regard.

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#3078088 20-May-2023 16:44

The Crusaders have been frustrating watching this season. They had a lot of good things to show in the first half about Moana Pasifika who are the competition's easy beats. The second half was incredibly frustrating. They don't seem to be able to put an 80-minute performance together.

Will Jordan made a number of uncharacteristic errors and looked well under the weather in terms of pace and decision-making. Still pretty rusty and lacking a little confidence from a long lay out I'd imagine. Jack Goodhue had an outstanding game, and it's really good to see him cutting loose.

Noah Hotham is developing well. Couple of decisions he'd probably like back, but overall he is adding something to the backline that Drummond doesn't.

The Blues Reds game I couldn't even finish. First time in a long time I haven't completed a game. By the time a tip tackle had been ignored (yellow if anyone else was refereeing), and Choat took out a player without the ball, should have been at LEAST a penalty, then flopped on the breakdown illegally and didn't get carded, I could tell the Reds had no chance of winning. They didn't get pinged for off-side once in the first half, nor was a forward pass picked up, a knock on where the Blues were given a scrum but it was a knock back by the Blues and should have been play on. The only plus side is that it was really nice to see Barrett taking the line on and getting more involved on attack.

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#3078188 20-May-2023 23:08

Fair play to the Chiefs who were more accurate and managed to execute the gameplan MacMillan lays out for them each week. The Hurricanes were all over the place. Chiefs kicking was significantly better and on the whole, made better decisions.

MacMillan had quite the tantrum in the coach's box. Seemed to go on for quite some time.

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#3078208 21-May-2023 08:41

To be fair, conditions were atrocious and the ball was like a piece of soap!

Once again the AB rest requirements played a role. The Hurricanes management must have decided that this was a game they were going to lose anyway. But with the weather being the great leveller, their marquee players may have made the difference.

For a change the Chiefs ground out 3 phase play tries and their opponents scored open play counter attack tries. Albeit the second being McKenzie losing the piece of soap straight into the chest of Iose when everyone was running in the opposite direction.

The kicking game may have seemed aimless, but the difference may have been McKenzie and Stevenson were more assured receiving the kicks than Morgan and Moorby were. Nanai-Seturo spilled one and Moorby redeemed himself with a brilliant solo try though.

Some of the officiating in the Highlanders game had me shaking my head. At least the right result came from the final penalty.

Glad to see the Force gain a win at the expense of the Brumbies. It will benefit NZ teams for home finals positions if the Chiefs can beat the Brumbies in Canberra next week.

The Blues/Hurricanes game next week will be a cracker.

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#3078225 21-May-2023 10:12

Dingbatt:

To be fair, conditions were atrocious and the ball was like a piece of soap!

Once again the AB rest requirements played a role. The Hurricanes management must have decided that this was a game they were going to lose anyway. But with the weather being the great leveller, their marquee players may have made the difference.

For a change the Chiefs ground out 3 phase play tries and their opponents scored open play counter attack tries. Albeit the second being McKenzie losing the piece of soap straight into the chest of Iose when everyone was running in the opposite direction.

The kicking game may have seemed aimless, but the difference may have been McKenzie and Stevenson were more assured receiving the kicks than Morgan and Moorby were. Nanai-Seturo spilled one and Moorby redeemed himself with a brilliant solo try though.

Some of the officiating in the Highlanders game had me shaking my head. At least the right result came from the final penalty.

Glad to see the Force gain a win at the expense of the Brumbies. It will benefit NZ teams for home finals positions if the Chiefs can beat the Brumbies in Canberra next week.

The Blues/Hurricanes game next week will be a cracker.

Both teams played in the same conditions, handling was more secure by the Chiefs, but mostly it was decision-making and accuracy, esp in kicking. I feel MacMillan is one of the better gameplay makers in NZ Rugby Coaching right now. You are probably

right about the team rest protocols though, it will have been a factor for sure. You don't sound like you are a fan of the rest protocols. May I ask why and what you'd do as an alternative?

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#3078403 21-May-2023 21:29

Aaron Mauger has resigned Moana Pasifika. He may be suited to an assistant role rather than a head coach, though he has had some tough gigs with the Highlanders and MP.

If he head coaches again, it probably should be as head of a Mitre 10 team, get back to basics, with less pressure.

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#3078478 22-May-2023 08:56

I thought the Crusaders win was one of their better performances of the season. You have to remember 6 weeks ago a full strength Crusaders side only bet Moana by 16 points in CHCH. They go to Auckland whilst resting a bunch of star players and win by 34 points.

Sounds like the Rumours are true as mentioned in the Herald last week, Levi Aumua has signed with the Crusaders, Fainga'anuku is off to France and Goodhue switching to the Blues.

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#3079594 25-May-2023 13:17

Egads, another prop gone for the Crusaders. Moody out for 8 weeks.

Still possibly in contention for the RWC, but I think AB selectors would be considering him an outside chance to go given how injury prone he has become.

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#3079736 26-May-2023 08:59

Leicester Fainga'anuku departs NZ. Quite a shame given his high performance the last few years. I don't really feel he was given a fair shake at an AB's spot. Whilst his top end speed wasn't perhaps comparable to the fastest international wingers, there was other stuff he had. Given just two chances in a spluttering AB's team doesn't seem a fair assessment of his capabilities.

Wayne Smith to oversea the AB's and AB's Ferns in a Performance Coaching Role. Excellent news. I think we have missed his contribution to the AB's in recent years.

Aaron Smith plays his last ever home game for the Highlanders tonight. End of an Era to say the very least.

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#3080129 27-May-2023 19:53

What a game the Reds Highlanders match turned out to be. Aaron Smiths last ever home game for the Highlanders. Quite a lot was made of it, in the lead up, it was clear the team wanted to put on a good performance, but the Reds were determined to make that as hard as they could.

It looked for all money that Aaron Smiths' memory of his final game was to be somewhat disappointing despite he himself playing well (he still has one, if not the fastest passes in world Rugby). Up steps heir apparent Fakatava and in a poetic end, saves the day with a bit of individual brilliance, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. During the handshake, Fakatava gets to Aaron Smith and said "I had your back bro". It was pretty epic, caused Smith to tear up a bit I think.

It was a perfect end to the match.

It was probably the best match of the season for an injury-ravaged Crusaders side, who have lost both Havilli, Grace, and the number 6 this match alone to injury. It was comprehensive and showed quite a lot of cohesiveness despite many unfamiliar combinations and players well out of position. Hard to believe they are in second place. John Afoa taking the field for the Crusaders was quite noteworthy. Still has a little spark left in him, he played pretty well considering he was in France less than a week ago, and is 39 years old. Doleman is an awful referee, determined to inject himself and his 'authority' 5 Penalties then a yellow card, when I have been teams get 15+ in a single half and not have someone in the bin. Another soft yellow a little while later for a far less-than-yellow card offence saw the Warratahs down to 14, and pretty much ended any chance of there being a contest.

A few magic tries in those matches too. The one of the H v R tries could easily be try of the season contender.

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#3080504 28-May-2023 23:11

Congrats to the Chiefs for securing home advantage for as long as they are in the finals. They definitely are the favourites deservedly, to take this year's competition out.

I think the scoreline flattered them slightly against the Brumbies, with an intercept and some horrifyingly poor tackling by the Brumbies in the first half. They clearly deserved the win though, and showed just how far Australia is behind in Super Rugby now.

This season DM has been the best 10 on the field, but I still wouldn't pick him ahead of BB or RM for the AB's. I've said it before, brave as he is, I don't want him as the last line of defence in the full-back jersey either. With his decision-making improving, the downside is he doesn't bust the line as often/freely. His top-end speed seems to have dropped a little too.

Jacobsen has really lifted this year. He had a great game against the Brumbies. Frizzel is playing well too, though for me, he would never wear a SR or AB's jersey again due to his assault charge. Grace may be facing a break on the sideline due to injury. Excluding fitness, I'd probably go for Jacobsen, Grace, Akira in that order at 6 for the AB's. Scooter would be there too if we had better locking options.

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#3080541 29-May-2023 07:44

Maybe it was just because the spotlight was on him in his final home game, but I was reminded what magic hands Aaron Smith has. Some of the really poor ball he received, particularly from the Highlanders lineout, that he managed to gather and swiftly distribute was impressive. I know there are the next generation of halfbacks coming through, but he will be missed. Glad he could finish with a win.

When I saw the assistant referees in thermal wear for the Brumbies/Chiefs game, it was an indication just how cold it was in Canberra. As was pointed out by the non-partisan (/s) Aussie commentators, the Chiefs managed to blunt the Brumbies main attack weapon, the rolling maul. But the score line was 31-7 with 10 minutes to go. So you could say the final score flattered the Brumbies.

The Warratahs were put through the Crusaders grinding machine as expected. The Crusaders are pretty much assured second on the table. It is mathematically possible for the Blues to snatch it, but the Crusaders would have to lose and the Blues win with a bonus and improve their points difference by 33!

I can’t understand how Caleb Clark was still on the field to receive the kickoff that led to Telea’s 4th try. About 2 minutes earlier he had done a head high tackle to prevent (unsuccessfully) Naholo’s second try. The tackle started above the shoulder and got no lower, contacting his neck and head. I hope the TMO viewed it, but there certainly wasn’t any audio to indicate that. Wet weather is normally a leveller, but I think the Blues handled it better. Morgan seems to be a confidence player. Early mistakes obviously play on him until he can get back into his rhythm. I do believe he is one to watch for the future though.

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#3080800 29-May-2023 13:19

Sexton continues to prove what a class act he is, by apparently calling the referees 'a f**** disgrace' post-match.

If he did indeed do this, I hope he gets cited and I hope he gets what he deserves. It would be him that is the disgrace.

https://www.planetrugby.com/news/johnny-sexton-f-ing-disgrace-comments-could-still-result-in-a-ban

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#3080811 29-May-2023 13:30

Wynn Jones retires from International Rugby. The most capped test player of all time. His longevity was pretty amazing and he played fairly well right till the end. His recovery during the Lions tour of SA was pretty spectacular and he has quite a list of accomplishments to his name as well.

Sadly, didn't manage to add 'kick a penalty goal' to his list, despite a couple of attempts in the weekend. It was all done in great spirit though, befitting the signifcant role he has played in Rugby for Wales and Europe in general.

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