Geekzone Rugby (Union) Discussion Thread

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Networkn
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#3235162 27-May-2024 10:06

I wasn't expecting the Crusaders to beat the Blues, but my prediction track record isn't that great. It was a good match to watch, it was nice to get the win. I think it's the most 'steel' I think the Crusaders have shown this season. I think they were pretty motivated.

tukapa1

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#3235435 27-May-2024 21:11

networkn:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350290729/ex-all-blacks-lock-ross-filipo-named-coach-maori-all-blacks

I wasn't aware he was coaching.

He's been coaching Waikato since 2021.

Dingbatt

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#3245764 7-Jun-2024 16:01

Quarterfinal time!

My predictions*

Reds beat Chiefs……. Unless the Chiefs can sort out their discipline they will continue to have their attacking prowess blunted by being in the wrong part of the field due to penalties. The Reds are the Chiefs bogie team and it will probably be close, as befitting a 4 plays 5 scenario.

Hurricanes beat the Rebels….. Despite the Rebels extra motivation, lose and cease to exist, the way the Hurricanes have executed their game plan this year I can’t see them losing.

Blues beat the Drua……. The Fijians away from home just aren’t the same. The Blues will be too clinical.

Brumbies beat the Highlanders….. The Brmbies will be difficult to beat at home.

The Crusaders will watch from home 😁

*Any cards mean all bets are off.

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#3245802 7-Jun-2024 18:38

I'd be pretty shocked if the Reds beat the Chiefs at home in a Quarter. I haven't watched them much, but they are overdue a decent game and I expect them to respond to a pretty average performance against the Blues who honestly, didn't seem THAT amazing, by giving the Reds a reality check. I guess we will know soon enough.

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#3245818 7-Jun-2024 20:49

Well that’s my first prediction wrong. Chiefs pretty convincing in the end. As a Chiefs supporter I’m chuffed.

Still a little bit of ill discipline crept in but on the whole they must have analysed why Ben OKeefe whistled them off the park last week and made sure to avoid it this week.

A win for open running rugby (from both teams).

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

networkn

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#3246727 9-Jun-2024 22:33

Well events played out as I would have expected them to over the weekend.

I predict a Blues Hurricanes Final. I think the Chiefs played their final this weekend, I don't believe they have two weeks in a row of that quality, esp if the 'canes bring the best of what they have showed this season.

DM is playing the closest thing to test level Fly Half rugby I've seen him play. I've criticised his mercurial nature and lack of patience and composure for the 10 Jersey, and I beleive I was correct based on his performances for the AB's. I think however, he looks close to ready to run the cutter. His goal kicking has been pretty good. The question is how he will cope at test level under much more pressure in a match where he has less time and space.

TeaLeaf

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#3249151 14-Jun-2024 19:58

avg half from the blues, put them away early in the second and then go on with it with a massive score.

Edit: finally Blues stop playing games and win some solid ruck after ruck power drives for the try.

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TeaLeaf

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#3249222 14-Jun-2024 20:51

Sloppy low scoring second half. Epic Blues defense all the same is the best.

Try a piece.

Blues may lose a key player for next week.

networkn

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#3249482 15-Jun-2024 23:02

Well, my prediction was half wrong.

Chiefs played better, not sure what happened to the Canes, they got worse as the season progressed. It was minor, but it was there. DM looks more and more confident and his place kicking is pretty good now. If he would only get rid of that horrendously creepy smile he does.

Both games I ended up with the results of, my own fault for looking at my phone during a game, but unlike every other year, even in games where the Crusaders weren't playing, I just couldn't really watch once I saw the winner.

I've lost a bit of my excitement for Rugby recently, I guess it could be Crusaders not making the final, but it feels quite different with so many of the long standing players not around any more.

I'm interested to see what Razer does, though as I have said all along, people should temper expectations.

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#3249539 16-Jun-2024 08:45

I think the TMO in yesterday’s game needs to look up the word “consistency”.

A yellow card for head on head contact by Finau on Perenara, but not for Perenara on Sotiti. A yellow card for a late tackle “with force” by Jacobsen on Barrett, but not for a late tackle “with force” on MacKenzie about 5 minutes later. I thought Angus Gardner had a good game, making instant decisions where necessary but was swayed by the TMO into group think. I would much rather see him ref the final than either Williams or O’Keefe.

At least they picked up the forward passes this week. Whether Finau was still airborne or had touched the grass in one of the Chief’s disallowed tries, depends on which team you supported, but they certainly didn’t spend much time analysing it considering Rona’s try had actually been awarded.

I can’t see the Chiefs repeating the giant killer routine next week. I believe the Blues will use forward dominance to grind the Chiefs into the turf. Particularly with the Chiefs No1 and 2 hookers likely out for the final.

On the bright side Narawa, Sotiti and MacKenzie should have booked themselves AB slots after yesterday’s game.

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

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#3250317 18-Jun-2024 10:19

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350314447/highlanders-rugby-player-connor-garden-bachop-has-died

RIP Connor.

GV27

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#3250345 18-Jun-2024 11:23

Dingbatt:

I think the TMO in yesterday’s game needs to look up the word “consistency”.

A yellow card for head on head contact by Finau on Perenara, but not for Perenara on Sotiti. A yellow card for a late tackle “with force” by Jacobsen on Barrett, but not for a late tackle “with force” on MacKenzie about 5 minutes later. I thought Angus Gardner had a good game, making instant decisions where necessary but was swayed by the TMO into group think. I would much rather see him ref the final than either Williams or O’Keefe.

At least they picked up the forward passes this week. Whether Finau was still airborne or had touched the grass in one of the Chief’s disallowed tries, depends on which team you supported, but they certainly didn’t spend much time analysing it considering Rona’s try had actually been awarded.

I can’t see the Chiefs repeating the giant killer routine next week. I believe the Blues will use forward dominance to grind the Chiefs into the turf. Particularly with the Chiefs No1 and 2 hookers likely out for the final.

On the bright side Narawa, Sotiti and MacKenzie should have booked themselves AB slots after yesterday’s game.

It was a frustrating game to watch with those calls. It wasn't like the TMO had a bad night all around, it was just every single 50/50 call that could have gone Wellington's way did. I doubt the Blues would be so lucky at Eden Park.

JPNZ

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#3250828 19-Jun-2024 14:36

networkn:

I've lost a bit of my excitement for Rugby recently, I guess it could be Crusaders not making the final, but it feels quite different with so many of the long standing players not around any more.

I'm interested to see what Razer does, though as I have said all along, people should temper expectations.

I'm the same, I think most of NZ feels the same. The game has never been in a worse position than what its in currently IMHO. Its soooo hard to watch the game as a product it barely rates as enjoyable. Ive watched a lot more NRL and AFL this year. The contest and competitiveness of the teams is much better.

NZR and the AU need to come up with something quickly

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#3252010 22-Jun-2024 21:05

A comprehensive win in the final for the Blues. Forward dominance winning the game for them. And to be fair that is why they were in the final having produced that all season.

When it started raining an hour before the game that put paid to any Chiefs running rugby. But it’s a winter sport so play all conditions. Two years running beaten in the final.

Would have been nice to have no cards, but with the Blues camped on the try line for large parts of the game, it was inevitable. And made no difference to the outcome anyway.

The officials had a good game.

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

networkn

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#3252044 23-Jun-2024 10:23

Congrats Blues. You were the most consistent team this year. You absolutely were the better team last night. I think mentally, the Chiefs weren't up for it. Some of their attack was really good, but there just wasn't enough of it.

I wonder how PT will go with the AB's? Consistency has always been his challenge and this season he has been as good in that regard as I have ever seen him. Hopefully, we can see him continue that form. We need him to stand up, because locks this season have been pretty underwhelming.

I know he slipped, but Clarkes (second) try, where he went in really low and really fast and took out the legs of the defender could have caused *serious* injury. It's nice to see him moving as quickly as he is.

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