Has anyone seen or heard from Grant Nisbett recently? I can't recall hearing him call a game for quite some time?

As mentioned previously that was an absolute MASTERCLASS in finals rugby. The blues only try was a piece of luck from an individual player. Could have been a shut out without that. Goes to show all those articles written mid season by so called Journalists about the "end of the dynasty" "crusaders are crumbling" can go eat some humble pie now.

So very very happy against all odds the Crusaders are champions 6 times in a row, on the back of a wonderful performance.

Ireland will be licking their lips at the state of our AB forward pack after that match.

networkn:

 

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.

 

The one where the player's head was almost below their hips? That would have been a ridiculous penalty, especially considering this shot on Sotutu wasn't even checked.

Not only did the Crusaders score but he ended up missing the end of the half and the start of the 2nd for a HIA.

https://twitter.com/ClanderNew/status/1538164715817684997

GV27:

 

The one where the player's head was almost below their hips? That would have been a ridiculous penalty, especially considering this shot on Sotutu wasn't even checked.

 

Not only did the Crusaders score but he ended up missing the end of the half and the start of the 2nd for a HIA.

 

https://twitter.com/ClanderNew/status/1538164715817684997

 

Whataboutism doesn't improve player safety. They should have checked that tackle as well, but I can't agree with you that Laulala's tackle wasn't even a penalty. 

networkn:

 

Whataboutism doesn't improve layer safety. They should have checked that tackle as well, but I can't agree with you that Laulala's tackle wasn't even a penalty. 

 

Sorry but I can't agree with this either. You're talking about penalising every single incindental bit of contact, no matter how many mitigating factors there are? If this is the incident I'm thinking of, it was reviewed on field and there was a clear list of the mitigating factors stated, as there was with the subsequent one involving a Crusaders player who stood high in a tackle (and almost got himself knocked out in the process).

It was well-handled in both-cases. This isn't a 'careless play' situation like charging into a high ball or clearing someone out under a lifted player in a lineout and shouldn't be penalised as such. Otherwise you're just going to reward players who charge head-first into a tackle which is even more dangerous, and that's absurd.

networkn:

 

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.

 

So since Laulala wasn’t penalised when you think he should have at least got a yellow, does that mean Goodhue’s tackle, which was adjudged to have been worse (because it was penalised), should have been a red?

It seemed plain to me that the Ref was at pains not ‘spoil’ the game with a card. Earlier in the season there would have been at least 2 cards.

One other play I believe should have been revisited was Sam Whitelock’s clean out of Christie on the goal line that left the ball clear for Brin Hall to pick it up and score. To me his shoulder clearly contacted the shoulder neck and head. The caveat is I had become so sick of Tony Johnson’s commentary that I had muted the audio. So the TMO may have checked in the background.

In the end though, the Crusaders did what champions do. They went in with a clear plan and executed it. That meant their belief they would win increased while at the same time put doubt in the minds of the Blues who became more hesitant. They did the same thing the previous week against the Chiefs, where they basically psyched the opposition out despite less possession and territory.

Nothing epitomised the game better than the final try. The ball rolls clear of the ruck on the Blues side, Whitelock swoops on it, a couple of passes then a loose forward (Matera) chips it through, the ball bobbles and the defenders slide right past it on the wet grass and Reece picks it up and scores. Seizing the opportunity, having the belief and skill to execute it, and a tiny bit of luck and there it is.

Dingbatt:

 

So since Laulala wasn’t penalised when you think he should have at least got a yellow, does that mean Goodhue’s tackle, which was adjudged to have been worse (because it was penalised), should have been a red?

 

Not that anyone here will believe me, but this isn't a Crusaders vs Blues thing for me. I honestly would feel totally the same regardless of the teams/players involved. 

Laulala would have been Yellow for me, and the Goodhue tackle would have been play on. Goodhue wasn't moving forward and the contact was primarily a result of the player being tackled and falling into the contact as a result. Not sure what else Goodhue should/could have done.

The tackle against Sotutu should have been reviewed as well by the looks of it. I didn't see it during the game. 

 

It seemed plain to me that the Ref was at pains not ‘spoil’ the game with a card. Earlier in the season there would have been at least 2 cards.

 

Inclined to agree. 

networkn:

 

Laulala would have been Yellow for me, and the Goodhue tackle would have been play on. 

 

There's literally no possible way you can hold these two views on the tackle and claim to be looking through a safety lens only.

The Goodhue incident was a classic midfield, shoulder height 'stand and deliver' tackle on a player moving forward. It's confrontational and it's designed to stop a player in their tracks. It's effective but it's dangerous when it doesn't come off right.  

The Lualala incident can only be warranted as a penalty if you discard all of the mitigating factors and expect him to drop even lower than the player who was being simultaneously tackled by another Blues player - once that is below the hips, it is simply not reasonable. 

This is a good read on it.

https://twitter.com/ek_rugby/status/1538066729930489856?cxt=HHwWgIDU5dbip9gqAAAA

The player creating the danger is the one barreling headfirst and low into the tackle situation, not the tackler who has already bent to the hips to try and tackle them. There's simply no rational way it could be argued Lualala deserved a yellow but Goodhue deserved nothing.

Rugby Australia's transparent attempts to get money from NZRU to stay in the Super Rugby competition is pretty disappointing. They have no precision or guile in their negotiations, and whilst NZRU has made some howling errors in judgement recently as well, I honestly feel it would be to the detriment of Rugby Australia to withdraw from SR, especially after only just agreeing to have Pacific teams join us. Whilst some AU teams did beat Kiwi teams this season, it was obvious to me the difference between AU teams and Kiwi teams overall, and the AU teams stepped up a level playing us. 

There was some improvement from Australian teams, but I don't feel it was as significant as what some pundits were indicating, interested to hear what others who watched this season, think? In my view individuals who had amazing seasons last year were a bit off the pace this year. Obviously quite a resurgence from the Warratahs, but I think that's largely improved roster and time together. 

I am sure this will make me popular with Blues supporters, but after having a look at their season as a whole, whilst I feel they are totally trending in the right direction, the over-the-top declaration of the Blues now being 'fixed' and that their season with the exception of the final was a total success seems overstated to me. 

Compared to prior seasons, it's obviously quite an improvement, but it was off the back of probably a fairly easy set of opponents, getting the rub from referees in terms of not being penalized as heavily for infringing, and a few things going their way, there is still quite a significant area for improvement. I'd probably say their season rates a 7 or a 7.5 from 10. 

Wondering how Blues supporters feel about it?

JPNZ:

 

Ireland will be licking their lips at the state of our AB forward pack after that match.

 

Not necessarily.  How many of that Blues pack will actually be in the starting ABs pack?  Probably Tu'ungafasi.  Maybe Ioane - but hopefully not.  Probably Dalton on the bench. Anybody else? 

There will probably be more 'saders in the ABs pack (incl bench).  Whitelock, Barrett, Bower, Taylor.  

I have to say, I hadn't been a Grace fan.  But that performance shows he could well be the 'large' third loosie we need if we're going to play both Savea and Cane (or Savea and Papali'i).  That big lineout option, number 6, is what we have struggled to find.  Ioane has had enough chances.  Blackadder is good, but more of a generalist who covers all 3 positions.  Frizell maybe, but injuries have made it hard to tell.  Grace could be the new Read, even if he packs down at 6.

Earbanean:

 

JPNZ:

 

Ireland will be licking their lips at the state of our AB forward pack after that match.

 

 

Not necessarily.  How many of that Blues pack will actually be in the starting ABs pack?  Probably Tu'ungafasi.  Maybe Ioane - but hopefully not.  Probably Dalton on the bench. Anybody else? 

 

There will probably be more 'saders in the ABs pack (incl bench).  Whitelock, Barrett, Bower, Taylor.  

 

Just cause I hate foster and believe he is an idiot this is the 8 I think he will name for the 1st test.

1. Bower

2. Taukei'aho

3. Laulala

4. S Barrett

5. Retallick (Whitelock is injured)

6. A Ioane

7. Cane (c)

8. Savea

JPNZ:

 

Just cause I hate foster and believe he is an idiot this is the 8 I think he will name for the 1st test.

 

I honestly don't get the hate for the guy and the panic that seems to have beset the country. 

Last year we lost 3 tests (one more than average). 1 to the world champs by 1 point. 2 to two very good teams at the end of a long hard season where for whatever reason we looked totally out on our feet from minute 1). 

We had record wins against Australia, and Argentina and kept Argentina to zero, won the Bled, Rugby Championship and built squad depth in the middle of a pandemic where we spent a considerable amount of time away from home and away from families and support.  Most international teams would be delighted with that record.

I am not sure last year was a good year to have measured us. I believe we will have more idea on where we are 5-6 tests into this season. 

Foster was involved in the AB's for a number of years and seems to have the support and confidence of the players. We have some personnel weaknesses I am not sure any coach can magically fix.

I am not as confident in his ability to develop innovative methods to stay ahead of the opposition, but he doesn't seem above asking for or receiving extra help, and that is something you couldn't say about a number of head coaches.

I would say I am not as hopeful of winning the next RWC as I was potentially heading into the last, though I certainly think we could. I don't necessarily feel that falls entirely into the lap of Foster. I don't believe Robertson (as much as I admire and respect him) would magically fix the issues the AB's have, though the development of the game plan against the Blues was a masterpiece). 

Overall my two biggest concerns are around the performance of our forwards. We have been blessed for years, with players in the tight 5 who would be first picked in any international side. Secondly, my concern is around developing a plan that works with the personnel we actually have to win against teams with better/more dominant forwards. 

networkn:

 

I am not sure last year was a good year to have measured us. I believe we will have more idea on where we are 5-6 tests into this season. 

 

A fair bit I could agree and disagree on but I don't have the time to argue. The line above sums it up from me, lets see by aug/sept how we really look.

1. I didn't mention Robertson, I think there are a number of people who could do a better job.

2. My dislike stems from his constant changing of players and positions (we are never going to improve without a settled side, building connections etc)

3. As with most teams named he hasn't gone off form as such and picked a player who isin't even staying in NZ and some that are not AB material IMO

4. He still looks to have no actual plan regarding rush defense or how to win when our forwards are being bossed

Quarter finals and possibly all going well a semi final loss will be our lot for the next WC. 

JPNZ:

 

1. I didn't mention Robertson, I think there are a number of people who could do a better job.

 

2. My dislike stems from his constant changing of players and positions (we are never going to improve without a settled side, building connections etc)

 

3. As with most teams named he hasn't gone off form as such and picked a player who isin't even staying in NZ and some that are not AB material IMO

 

4. He still looks to have no actual plan regarding rush defense or how to win when our forwards are being bossed

 

Quarter finals and possibly all going well a semi final loss will be our lot for the next WC. 

 

I certainly am not looking for an argument, interested more in the discussion :) 

1) Interested to know who you'd pick? 

2) This is pretty standard in this part of a world cup cycle. I think in a fair number of positions we don't have a player who consistently delivers. 

3) Karl T is the only player I can think of right now, who fits that bill, I suspect he is playing experience rather than developing new players because he is under pressure to deliver against Ireland. I forsee a somewhat different squad for Rugby Championship and at the end of that, injuries aside, he will know who is he taking to the RWC and hopefully see more consistency of selection. 

4) There is no magic here, I don't think it's that obvious to other teams either, otherwise rush defence wouldn't be a thing anymore. It's used because it's effective. There are a limited number of tactics you can employ against it, but yes, I can see why people are concerned about it, I am just not sure if last year was a good measure of where we are innovation-wise.