<p>Yep they might well have won with Bender there but they need the whole squad to step up and their tacking was so poor in the first half they didn't deserve to win.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sopoanga was composed I thought and played well but they needed one or two more cool heads. Fekitoa did not seem his usual self and appeared jittery, almost like he was trying to do it all himself with both Naholo and B Smith not being there.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I didn't realize how quick Sopoaga is?  70m out I thought there was no way he was going to make it all the way.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="570917" data-time="1460148166">
<div>
<p>Yeah, people that <strong>actively search the internet</strong> looking for things they can be offended about on behalf of others.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Like looking for apologies from rugby players online to whine about? :)</p>

<p>Oh yes!!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Brilliant. So weak in the head, that lad</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="569709" data-time="1459727779"><p>Well, I think there are a few factors in play.<br>
 <br>
This is Gibson's first shot at the big time, and therefore he's less likely to be as confrontational as Cheika was. As with the Reds post-2011, the feeling in Tah land is that now we've done it once, let's not upset the apple cart in order to do it again.<br>
 <br>
What is shows is that personnel is not enough, and that AAC and Kepu - though maybe moreso Douglas - were important. <br>
 <br>
Blades' appointment was met with a few raised eyebrows, as was the acquisition of Ta'avao. Though in fairness the scrum was a lot better than it has been in past weeks. <br>
 <br>
One problem is that we started the season picking a THP at LHP and that has now marked us for the rest of the season. The penalty from the last scrum of the game shows that more than anything. That was, at worst, a reset, because from where I was sitting, the Rebels THP played Paddy and the AR like a fiddle. <br>
 <br>
The main issue is that we're playing the same plan we had two years ago when we won, and it isn't working, and hasn't worked, for over 12 months. The Rebels set up their first try with a nice load of Pick n Go before going wide, and getting a back on forward.<br>
 <br>
The Tahs are still trying to hit 2nd Channel with a forward, and then running laterally in the backs, without understanding that people are wise to this, and know to cut down the space of guys like Skelton and Lousi and Palu, and just drift on Folau and Foley and Beale.<br>
 <br>
Rebels did the basics well, and still could have lost that game despite all the Tahs' ineptitude. The didn't score on the second half, didn't have much territory, and didn't kick that well. But they tackle their arses off and waited for (inevitable) mistakes.<br>
 <br>
Doesn't matter how you win, really, but neither side is going to ring up huge gates with those kinds of performances.</p></blockquote>
<br>
Ta'avao responsible for two of the Rebels tries. Timani swatted him off like he was an u-65kg winger. An improved scrum doesn't make up for that.

Moala tried too much when he came on (ridiculous fucking offload), but I think that if Tana is really about developing for the future - he'll put him in and let him develop. He and Ranger should be great there with a bit of time, a 10 who knows how to use them, and a better strategy than flinging it to them without any go forward.<br><br>
Personally, I thought Francis looked like a 10 playing 12. Maybe he deserves a shot running the ship from 10, but I'm not really convinced that the midfield was that much better than it has been.<br><br>
Even though I thought West would step up, he doesn't really take on the line enough to hold the defense, kind of like a poor man's Barrett slinging it along then occasionally running. He doesn't seem to be going to make it at this level, sadly. I wonder if he'd be better in the James Marshall role at the canes, but then who runs at 10. Perennial Blues problem.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="569535" data-time="1459642940"><p>
Very happy to take two wins from the SA road trip, especially given the supposed quality of the two teams. I hope we don't stumble against the Force in Perth now, who have been somewhat of a bogey team for the Crusaders over the years and who played well for 60 minutes against the Highlanders in Dunedin.<br><br>
I hate people who harp on about the referee after a game, but I found Stuart Berry's officiating at scrum time extremely frustrating to watch.</p></blockquote>
<br>
Got to agree. Appeared to be some feedback that he was pretty much blatently biased. So I was deliberately looking for it in his decisions.<br><br>
Frankly i think it was more he was out of his depth. <br><br>
The only call I think was super glaringly wrong was the tip tackle on Romano (?). Had to be a penalty if not a yc. Went with the scrum ... ???<br><br>
Oh. And when he penalised the Saders for the Ellis Park grass being shit. That was poor.

<p>Any news on the concussion suffered by Bender in friendly fire?</p>
<p>How bad is Sopoaga's groin strain - will he return this week?</p>
<p>And Edmonds was looking the goods - how bad is the knee - went to hospital for scan?</p>

That was my understanding too, as long as it was to steady on the engagement and the prop doesn't use it to drive off.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="567409" data-time="1458986288">
<div>
<p>I am not too convinced by Weber. He is too eager and this <strong>makes him take the wrong option sometimes. </strong></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>A good example was in the 2nd half when Weber butchered a certain try by ignoring a huge overlap to his right and running himself close to the ruck and losing the ball in the tackle.  Weber's other problem is that his passing can be very inaccurate (passes can be too high or too low).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I was at the game so a few other comments:</p>
<p>Ngatai - nuff said.</p>
<p>Tamanivalu was really poor defensively.  He has a tendency to rush out of the line and miss spot tackles. </p>
<p>I really like this Chiefs loose forward trio - they complement eachother well.</p>
<p>Seu impresses more every week.</p>
<p>The Chiefs got good impact from the inexperienced bench.  A surprise to me.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>BUT the highlight of the night was when Beaver took the field.  Everyone in my area rose to their feet to applaud.  :)</p>

<p>they really are justifying their win last year, while I was happy for them last year I wasnt convinced they were that good , I felt it was one of those lucky right place right time type things , </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I was wrong, they really are the real deal , even when average they have that winning clinical look to them </p>

Barrett is very good at Super level but the battle for the starting 10 spot is between Sopoaga and Cruden. They are both streets ahead.

<p>If it weren't for his break-out season a few years back, I would never have noticed Luatua. I think he hasn't consistently taken his game up to the next level.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote"><p>“A full decision will be issued in due course. In summary, the Committee found that the incident was an unfortunate combination of Mr Cane joining to create a maul in a permissible manner at the same time as Mr Chaparro fell rapidly to the ground.<br><br>“The contact between the shoulder of Mr Cane and the head of Mr Chaparro was unintentional and not able to be foreseen for that reason.<br><br>Read more: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.superxv.com/sam-cane-free-play-citing-dismissed/#ixzz43cpoM0Ts'>http://www.superxv.com/sam-cane-free-play-citing-dismissed/#ixzz43cpoM0Ts</a></p></blockquote><br>Good decision and spot on reasoning IMO.

I think Thomson is doing his chances no harm either. I take him before Luatua on recent form.

<p></p><p></p><blockquote class="ipsBlockquote"><span style="color:rgb(48,48,48);font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;">Never in the 134-year history of NSW rugby, established in 1882, has a reserve player come on in a first grade clash and scored three tries.</span>
<p style="color:rgb(48,48,48);font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;">Astonishingly, Holloway managed this feat in just 16 minutes on Friday for the Waratahs against defending Super Rugby champions the Highlanders.</p>
<p style="color:rgb(48,48,48);font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;">In a stark contrast of the present and future, backrower Holloway replaced veteran Wycliff Palu in the 56th minute, and scored within 60 seconds with his second touch.</p>
<p style="color:rgb(48,48,48);font-family:Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:16px;">He crossed again the 65th and 72nd minutes to rack up an incredible hat-trick</p></blockquote>

Bit more optimistic about the season now. Some of these young guys are gun players. Some amazing potential there.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="565074" data-time="1458163748">
<div>
<p>I still maintain that Fekitoa's rush out of the line is part of the Landers defensive plan at times. The players around him seem to totally expect it and position themselves in case he doesn't slow down or stop the attack.</p>
<p>It looks like some clever thinking on turning a potential weakness into a strength. Using his speed off the mark to best effect.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>He just needs to make sure that if he is playing in a different defensive system he doesn't do this by habit.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Even though the bloody Landers beat my Canes in the final last year relegating us to permanent brides maids, they are my favourite team to watch. Always have a clear game plan that everyone is on board with. They are the smartest Super team by some stretch at the moment. Chiefs, Blues, Saders and Canes always attract "WTF are they doing?" type comments.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Winger" data-cid="564750" data-time="1458041392">
<div>
<p>It clearly wasn't a knock on based on the rules above. Criticize a video ref when he gets it wrong. But for once two obvious calls were called right</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Savea never lost possession. Not even close</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>A knock-on occurs when a player loses possession of the ball and it goes forward,</strong></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I can see why you cop so much grief at times Winger. You stop reading at the point it suits your argument.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The rest of the law reads..</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote"><strong> or when the ball hits the hand or arm and goes forward</strong>, and (B ) the ball touches the ground or another player before the original player can catch it.
<p> </p>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>At no time (until he picked the ball up) was Savea 'in possession' so the first part (the bit you point to) doesn't apply.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As I have said, I have no problem with the TMO deciding that if there was a KO it wasn't clear and obvious to him and therefore he wasn't going to call it. If that is what he meant though, he should have said it that way not confuse matters with talk of 'real time'.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I gave an extreme example earlier of how it may be possible that separation isn't required but here is a slightly more possible one to think over.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The ball has been kicked down field and has pulled up a metre or so short of the line. An attacking player reaches down to the ball and while still moving forward reaches down and rolls the ball forward along the ground with one hand, over the try line and drops on it to score. On replay there is no clear and obvious separation between hand and ball, yet he never picked it up either.</p>
<p>Would you be OK with the try being awarded or would that all look wrong to you?</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="564275" data-time="1457794428">
<div>
<p>To be fair, the ref is very clear and precise, I quite like his methods. Jaco Van Heerden I think his name is. Perhaps one to look out for</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I thought the ref was very good.  He reminded me of Joubert with his communication to the players. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I recorded the game and watched it this morning.  The Chiefs' kickoff receptions weren't very accurate but I wonder if the large shadow across the field was part of the problem.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Barnes and Hoeft still have some work to do with the forwards but I thought the scrum was OK considering 3 of the first choice T5 aren't playing (4 if you include Hika from the starting XV).  Seu impresses me more with every game, in fact the loose forward trio all played well.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As mentioned earlier, Cruden needs to start goal kicking if he wants to be considered as the AB 1st 5.  Ngatai showed those subtle touches of class like Conrad with his ability to find space where it appears there isn't any and provides a good kicking option.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>An interesting final decision by Leitch to kick at goal.  It helps the PD.  5 pts banked.</p>

<p>I wasnt impressed with the changes or the way they played on the weekend, but I think its a bit early to judge him , </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Before the season started , and he  studied the  draw , current champions first game , followed by  the Crusaders away ,  if you offered him 1 win from 2 , Im sure he would happily take that , </p>
<p> </p>
<p> lets see what happens next , Blues vs Canes ,  Canes should be desperate , will be interesting </p>