Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

Forums › Sports › Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

1 | ... | 550 | 551 | 552 | 553 | 554 | 555 | 556 | 557 | 558 | 559 | 560 | ... | 642

2102 posts

Uber Geek

#3091912 19-Jun-2023 10:49

networkn:

3) Dallas McCleod - Genuine bolter. Not me, or anyone I know, nor any pundit made mention of him in their predictions. He has been excellent for the Crusaders, and is versatile. I'd personally have picked Goodhue, but perhaps they are worried he isn't robust enough?

Goodhue has always struggled in big occasion AB games. Tried, tested - Meh. Centre is still a major issue for the ABs, I mean the best AB centre last year was the hurricanes full back 🤷‍♂️. They are taking a punt, no make that a hail mary to try to get some depth. It may well pay off - heres hoping it does because over the last 4 years we have struggled with physicality in this position.

networkn

Networkn
32255 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3091951 19-Jun-2023 11:57

itxtme:

networkn:

3) Dallas McCleod - Genuine bolter. Not me, or anyone I know, nor any pundit made mention of him in their predictions. He has been excellent for the Crusaders, and is versatile. I'd personally have picked Goodhue, but perhaps they are worried he isn't robust enough?

Goodhue has always struggled in big occasion AB games. Tried, tested - Meh. Centre is still a major issue for the ABs, I mean the best AB centre last year was the hurricanes full back 🤷‍♂️. They are taking a punt, no make that a hail mary to try to get some depth. It may well pay off - heres hoping it does because over the last 4 years we have struggled with physicality in this position.

That certainly doesn't gel with my memory of him playing. Can you give a specific example? He was easily the form centre until he got injured. He certainly was our best defensive centre since Conrad Smith. Reiko had a couple of massive games last year on defence, but traditionally he has struggled, coming out of the line to make spot tackles, missing and leaving a gap. I think he is a decent defensive centre now, I'll be interested to see how he goes this year, he was quite a bit quieter for the Blues this year.

itxtme

2102 posts

Uber Geek

#3091972 19-Jun-2023 13:00

No sorry, didnt write down matches (was 2 years ago!). But his AB stats speak for themselves He struggles at the gain line in big matches. I have said it before and I will say it again. They shot themselves in the foot with Laumape, putting their eggs in the RTS basket. Since then they have been trying to move people out of position to fix the fundamental problem, be it wingers or full backs - it looks like it will continue, but maybe this time it will stick!

The foster era is full of bizarre choices like taking Clarke over Stevenson and then suggesting that SS has defensive weakness 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

The good news is only 6 more months and all of this silliness will be over 🍺

networkn

Networkn
32255 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3092740 20-Jun-2023 18:14

itxtme:

No sorry, didnt write down matches (was 2 years ago!). But his AB stats speak for themselves He struggles at the gain line in big matches. I have said it before and I will say it again. They shot themselves in the foot with Laumape, putting their eggs in the RTS basket. Since then they have been trying to move people out of position to fix the fundamental problem, be it wingers or full backs - it looks like it will continue, but maybe this time it will stick!

The foster era is full of bizarre choices like taking Clarke over Stevenson and then suggesting that SS has defensive weakness 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

The good news is only 6 more months and all of this silliness will be over 🍺

I find it kind of strange you'd mention Goodhue as having trouble in big matches and then suggest Laumape in the same paragraph. Laumape made very little of his test chances, he either couldn't impose himself because he lacked confidence, or opponents had worked out that kill his space, you remove his superpower (The Crusaders were very effective at putting a stop to his charging runs). Laumape has been fairly average overseas as well, getting pretty average reviews from pundits. Laumape was best when paired with Aso. Laumape obviously felt hard done by, but the talk was that the coaches gave him specific achievable things to work on in his game, and he didn't/wouldn't, so come contract negotiation time, he wasn't in the strongest position.

Stats only show some the picture. Look at George Bridge, his stats weren't impressive in his final AB's tests, but his contribution was invaluable to allowing others to score.

The issue doesn't appear to be who gets selected, but that one particular individual is picking and is by default wrong in your eyes.

itxtme

2102 posts

Uber Geek

#3092801 20-Jun-2023 21:45

Hop down.

One individual is not doing the picking. (and 'they' didnt pick Goodhue lol)

Nothing I say will change your mind on the weakness the ABs have at centre clearly so just move on.

networkn

Networkn
32255 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3092941 21-Jun-2023 10:51

itxtme:

Hop down.

One individual is not doing the picking. (and 'they' didnt pick Goodhue lol)

Nothing I say will change your mind on the weakness the ABs have at centre clearly so just move on.

Hop down? Not sure what you mean.

They didn't pick Goodhue and it bothers me, but he may well be making his way back through the XV?

Our centres aren't as strong as they once were but they aren't as weak as they have been in years gone past. Despite being exposed heavily on Friday night Reiko has developed into a decent centre, and ALB when fit is very good too.

Defensively I think Goodhue is exceptional at centre, he's a pretty solid individual too, he can be used as a battering ram. Reiko gives us outright speed, and when 'on' pretty good defence (as noted by his 5 try saving tackles against Ireland in 2 tests).

As long as AB's have been being selected there have been discussions about the choices, controversy is hardly Foster-specific in this area.

I do wonder how much of a shock Kiwis are in for in the next couple of years as Scott Robertson takes over. He is going to be taking on the least experienced AB's side in many many years, and my expectation is that we will lose a similar number of games as we are now, maybe more, whilst we get things 'changed over'.

JPNZ

1520 posts

Uber Geek

#3093465 22-Jun-2023 14:46

Sammy Whitelock named to start in the final. Perfect big game experience. Odds opened on Tuesday at Chiefs $1.72 - Crusaders $2.20, this morning its Crusaders $1.92 - Chiefs $1.92

Fully expect the Crusaders to start as favourites on Saturday

Panasonic 65GZ1000, Onkyo RZ730, Atmos 5.1.2, AppleTV 4K, Nest Mini's, PS5, PS3, MacbookPro, iPad Pro, Apple watch SE2, iPhone 15+

Mighty Ape

Shop now on Mighty Ape (affiliate link).

networkn

Networkn
32255 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3093523 22-Jun-2023 15:18

JPNZ:

Sammy Whitelock named to start in the final. Perfect big game experience. Odds opened on Tuesday at Chiefs $1.72 - Crusaders $2.20, this morning its Crusaders $1.92 - Chiefs $1.92

Fully expect the Crusaders to start as favourites on Saturday

As I understand it, they left it to him to choose if he felt safe/wanted to play.

For me, I'd rather lose this final without Sam, if it meant he was 100% for the RWC, than have him play this and be out for the rest of the year.

He's a pretty smart dude though, gotta trust that judgement.

I am actually pretty surprised at how strong the team announced was. It actually in many places looks close to what our first-choice team would be. On this roster, I have at least a little confidence to putting on a decent performance on Saturday night. Given the Chiefs have had the mettle on us this season so far, it would be nice to get a victory in their backyard, if only to offset the win they got against us earlier in the season at home.

JPNZ

1520 posts

Uber Geek

#3093764 23-Jun-2023 08:10

Its actually quite interesting looking at the stats 2022 to 2023..

Blues played at home in the final, Blues only lost one game all year, Blues beat the Crusaders during the season, Blues qualified first and Crusaders second

Chiefs playing at home in the final, Chiefs only lost one game all year, Chiefs beat the Crusaders (twice) during the season, Chiefs qualified first and Crusaders second

For a Crusaders fan, its got a fairytale feel about it, Final Crusaders game for Leicester Fainga’anuku, Richie Mo’unga, Jack Goodhue & Sam Whitelock. Last game coaching for Scott Robertson and Scott Hansen.

Panasonic 65GZ1000, Onkyo RZ730, Atmos 5.1.2, AppleTV 4K, Nest Mini's, PS5, PS3, MacbookPro, iPad Pro, Apple watch SE2, iPhone 15+

Dingbatt

6744 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#3093779 23-Jun-2023 08:46

Anybody who frequents this thread knows I’m a Chiefs supporter, so I want them to win (and have my eye-patch firmly in place).

The realist in me looks at the form over the finals and knows the Crusaders are in ‘finals mode’. But in the last two weeks the Chiefs have faced a team that hangs their tactics on a kicking game and one that relies on set piece, and have prevailed (just). The Crusaders faced a team that relied on unstructured flair and one (imo) that had lost the mental game before they ran onto the field. I'm sure Robertson will be at pains for the team fix the two round robin errors rather than rest on their laurels from their finals performances.

Both teams have a culture that has been nurtured by their administration and remember it is the final game for a couple of Chiefs as well, so it’s their “fairytale” finish as well.

My biggest hope is that the game isn’t decided by yellow/red cards or anything contentious, because neither team deserves that.

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

JPNZ

1520 posts

Uber Geek

#3093805 23-Jun-2023 09:15

Dingbatt:

Both teams have a culture that has been nurtured by their administration and remember it is the final game for a couple of Chiefs as well, so it’s their “fairytale” finish as well.

My biggest hope is that the game isn’t decided by yellow/red cards or anything contentious, because neither team deserves that.

Agree, good luck for the final. Its the final NZ rugby needs, the two best teams going at it. Should be an immense game.. I wouldn't mind a Chiefs win, Crusaders being on top for so long is doing rugby in NZ no favours at all.

Panasonic 65GZ1000, Onkyo RZ730, Atmos 5.1.2, AppleTV 4K, Nest Mini's, PS5, PS3, MacbookPro, iPad Pro, Apple watch SE2, iPhone 15+

networkn

Networkn
32255 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3093813 23-Jun-2023 09:26

JPNZ:

Agree, good luck for the final. Its the final NZ rugby needs, the two best teams going at it. Should be an immense game.. I wouldn't mind a Chiefs win, Crusaders being on top for so long is doing rugby in NZ no favours at all.

I feel the same way, I'll be elated with a Crusaders win, but so long as the result isn't 'contentious' beyond the normal calls, and the Chiefs win, that will be an OK result too :)

GV27

5885 posts

Uber Geek

#3093884 23-Jun-2023 10:06

Has to the Crusaders. Having said that I'd love to see the Chiefs get up and tbh, I'll take the devil's advocate approach here: I want it to be in the most controversial circumstances possible - simply so the Crusaders can be on the other side of that equation for once.

networkn

Networkn
32255 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3094145 23-Jun-2023 16:44

GV27:

Has to the Crusaders. Having said that I'd love to see the Chiefs get up and tbh, I'll take the devil's advocate approach here: I want it to be in the most controversial circumstances possible - simply so the Crusaders can be on the other side of that equation for once.

The Crusaders have been hard done by plenty of times by refereeing calls, including 'losing' a grand final.

networkn

Networkn
32255 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3094147 23-Jun-2023 16:47

Reports that Vern Cotter will ink a 2-year deal for the Blues. I am very interested to see comes of that particular coaching set-up.

The Blues have made some decent changes to their Culture, though that transition isn't complete yet. I am curious to see if Cotter continues the path they are on or does something different.

I imagine that Cotter and MacDonald would be fairly different coaches.

1 | ... | 550 | 551 | 552 | 553 | 554 | 555 | 556 | 557 | 558 | 559 | 560 | ... | 642