Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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Networkn
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#3210942 26-Mar-2024 09:26

JPNZ:

Yea, honestly rugby is in serious trouble in New Zealand. On the back of the news that NPC won't have a TV partner from 2026, I don't find many people talking about SRP like it used to be. 2 weeks ago I was in a wedding in Noosa and sat across from me was a content manager from Sky NZ. He said last year warriors games were drawing the same numbers as AB's rugby championship games. He did say SRP was trending slightly higher this year as well which is good but I think crowd numbers across the board are down (especially australia)

I think the Warriors are getting the attention because they are finally competitive in the finals. No disrespect to them, but people are interested in watching teams win. Just like Blues attendance numbers are up, now they aren't struggling.

It's not to say there isn't some room for concern, but I don't think that would be the indicator I'd be using.

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JPNZ

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#3211761 28-Mar-2024 07:48

It shows the sad state of affairs within NZ rugby when a young starting 10 in NZ & that has the Crusaders starting position locked in no longer wants to play in NZ.

"Injured first five-eighth Fergus Burke, 24, has been linked with English club Saracens, with Crusaders coach Rob Penney saying a statement is imminent.

This is a worry for the Crusaders, and the game in New Zealand.
Burke, who was expected to be the Crusaders' starting No 10 until he injured his Achilles tendon last year, appears set to join Saracens because England five-eighth Owen Farrell will play his club rugby in France next season.

NZ Rugby can't prevent offshore clubs siphoning away talent, but losing a talented playmaker is a big concern. Burke has also been chased by Scotland."

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#3212186 29-Mar-2024 22:53

Phew! Crusaders finally on the board. We looked actually pretty good for many parts of the match, though our defence at times could use some tweaks. Lineout looked better, thankfully. There are signs the players are starting to click together.

If something happens to Reece though, we are wooden spoon contenders.

Hannah could be Whitelock quality potentially, he has been immense as well.

Some postive signs, though I am far from getting ahead of myself.

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#3212882 1-Apr-2024 14:58

George Bells 35'm try reminded me of Dane Coles at full flight, without the Ahole component :)

Hopefully, he can keep this up. 20 tackles on top.

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#3213510 3-Apr-2024 10:55

Sam Whitelock Announces retirement a the end of the current season of Pau.

What an absolute legend, I believe he should be considered one of the best 5 locks to ever play the game.

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#3213511 3-Apr-2024 10:57

Cam Roigard - Out for the season with the wretched injury he suffered against the Highlanders. That will have put a serious dent in Razors plans I imagine. Such a shame given the form he was in and the player he was turning into. Many of the strengths of TJP, but with a faster and more accurate pass.

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#3214136 4-Apr-2024 12:12

Stuff Poll about whether the Crusaders could win SR Pacific 2024 is exactly split down the middle.

It would have to be the greatest title defence ever if they did it. I see Fergus Burke isn't hanging around, and is off overseas. 10's look thin in CHCH right now.

tukapa1

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#3218427 14-Apr-2024 20:08

Go the mighty Canes!

Have to say I'm finding it hard to feel any sense of empathy for the Crusaders.

It's all swings and roundabouts Aucklands downfall was the delight of the rest of the country after their run through the late 80's.

Gotta be making it hard for Razor to just pick the Crusaders for his first ABs squad. Can't say there's too many from that squad that would get the nod for me except Scooter and Sevu Reece.

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#3221089 21-Apr-2024 17:23

Last night was hopefully rock bottom for the Crusaders. It was genuinely awful to watch. I had hoped they had turned a corner after beating the Chiefs, but losing 10 AB's and having an injury list as long as your arm, there is only so much you can do. It does feel we should be better than this though. I am a Penney fan, but if things don't turn around soon, I'd suggest he is in big trouble. Our kicking in all regards is some of the worst I've witnessed for a long long time, there just isn't a clear direction being followed

Canes and Blues look like 1-2 most likely to take the title this year.

Hard to know if some teams are playing super well, or just overall the quality of rugby isn't that high this year.

As for those who are laughing at the Crusaders misfortune, I can't imagine the miserable soul that would get glee from that.

Earbanean

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#3221235 22-Apr-2024 08:39

networkn:

As for those who are laughing at the Crusaders misfortune, I can't imagine the miserable soul that would get glee from that.

Relax, it's just sports. No one is getting bombed, or dying, or real world stuff. We've had years of Canterbury punters laughing, mocking, trolling etc the Blues (that you never complained about). Now the shoe is on the other foot and what goes around, comes around. e.g. it wasn't particular classy Brodie Retallick sledging Peter O'Mahony after knocking Ireland out of the World Cup - but O'Mahony had made his bed and then he had to lie in it.

Note, I'm neither a Losesaders or Bluesers supporter.

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#3221240 22-Apr-2024 09:15

I get no glee from the where the Crusaders find themselves (I'd rather ALL NZ teams did well in SR). In the same breath, I'm not sad with them coming last either! Go the Blues!

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#3223718 28-Apr-2024 15:43

Well, that was a better performance from the Crusaders. Some great forwards performances, our backs look a bit messy and overall we lack some cohension and structure, but to hold 4th place to zero points isn't to be sneezed at considering where we were last week.

Obviously, we need to be consistently improving to have a chance of the finals. I'll be delighted with a Quarters berth and anything more than that would be absolutely outstanding.

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#3226528 4-May-2024 20:15

I am not going to claim that the Crusaders were in Vintage form, but the Reds should have had at LEAST 2 Yellow Cards.

Why the Actual, would SANZAR appoint 3 queensland referees to be in charge of a match where the Reds were playing?!?! That's just begging for someone to question impartiality and absolute total bias.

The Crusaders ended up 5 points away in the finish, most people would have bet on them to score 5 points in 20 minutes with a 1 man advantage.

I haven't complained too much about the Crusaders, but this is really pretty crap, to be struggling and then get a refereeing performance like that.

tukapa1

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#3226703 5-May-2024 17:08

Not sure what your issue is with the refereeing? The two worst decisions of the night were the TMO not overturning the 'on field decision try' for Quentin Strange where the ball clearly never hit the grass and David Havili not having to go off for an HIA. I though the contact on Havili could have been called yellow, but in the circumstances of that collision I thought a penalty only was a good call in the end.

Fair to say the interference of Scott Robertson to have Havili at 1st five was a contributing factor to the Crusaders losing that game. He was pedestrian at 10 and I don't blame him for that, it's not where he plays so was always a big ask. My fear is that Robertson is trying to 'fit' his mates into the AB's squad. Still only two of the Crusaders should earn a form place in an AB's 23 at this point (Reece and Scooter), although with injuries mounting in other franchises they could squeak another one or two in.

That second try the Reds scored should be a contender for try of the season.

There's some good young Aussie players coming through and I'm sure Schmidt won't mis the opportunity to bring them in under his wing.

tukapa1

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#3226704 5-May-2024 17:11

networkn:

The Crusaders ended up 5 points away in the finish, most people would have bet on them to score 5 points in 20 minutes with a 1 man advantage.

I wouldn't bet on them running towards the right try line at the moment with a one man advantage and 20 to go.

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