Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1)
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If I was a Crusaders supporter (apart from committing hari kari) I wouldn't be overly upset. First up game, and don't underestimate how well the Clan played as a unit. They looked to me as a team with not a lot of stars, but one that know the answer is everyone do their job, and in rugby quite often the sum total is better than the individual parts. I got idea ,they just wanted to do whatever the team needed to win.
Footnote, geez Hotham looks like he spent some time in Gym while injured doesn't he?
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@Duluth said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@mariner4life You're talking about something else. Recognising a ruck is already won or lost means you can get to the next winnable contest quicker.
Look its a valid criticism. And good players pick their moments.
And I want to make it clear I am not calling for EB to get the 7 jersey.
I am just jaded with a procession of test level forwards who aren't committed to folding rucks.But to keep thread on target, EB was excellent tonight. At this level those criticisms don't mean quite so much. Like the final last year, that golden retriever-like ball chasing is invaluable
@mariner4life said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@Duluth said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@mariner4life You're talking about something else. Recognising a ruck is already won or lost means you can get to the next winnable contest quicker.
Look its a valid criticism. And good players pick their moments.
And I want to make it clear I am not calling for EB to get the 7 jersey.
I am just jaded with a procession of test level forwards who aren't committed to folding rucks.But to keep thread on target, EB was excellent tonight. At this level those criticisms don't mean quite so much. Like the final last year, that golden retriever-like ball chasing is invaluable
This is it. He's getting rubbished on here despite probably being the best forward on the paddock. Last year he was the best loosie in the finals. No he's not exactly McCaw, but if our other guys are so much better why does he keep outplaying them? Fucken absolutely he has limitations, but so do our other options - if they want to be ABs and we want them to dominate the Saffas, how about they start with showing they can outplay Blackadder?
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@mariner4life said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@Duluth said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@mariner4life You're talking about something else. Recognising a ruck is already won or lost means you can get to the next winnable contest quicker.
Look its a valid criticism. And good players pick their moments.
And I want to make it clear I am not calling for EB to get the 7 jersey.
I am just jaded with a procession of test level forwards who aren't committed to folding rucks.But to keep thread on target, EB was excellent tonight. At this level those criticisms don't mean quite so much. Like the final last year, that golden retriever-like ball chasing is invaluable
This is it. He's getting rubbished on here despite probably being the best forward on the paddock. Last year he was the best loosie in the finals. No he's not exactly McCaw, but if our other guys are so much better why does he keep outplaying them? Fucken absolutely he has limitations, but so do our other options - if they want to be ABs and we want them to dominate the Saffas, how about they start with showing they can outplay Blackadder?
@reprobate I don't think he was an insignificant part of this loss. That's how.
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@mariner4life said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@Duluth said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@mariner4life You're talking about something else. Recognising a ruck is already won or lost means you can get to the next winnable contest quicker.
Look its a valid criticism. And good players pick their moments.
And I want to make it clear I am not calling for EB to get the 7 jersey.
I am just jaded with a procession of test level forwards who aren't committed to folding rucks.But to keep thread on target, EB was excellent tonight. At this level those criticisms don't mean quite so much. Like the final last year, that golden retriever-like ball chasing is invaluable
This is it. He's getting rubbished on here despite probably being the best forward on the paddock. Last year he was the best loosie in the finals. No he's not exactly McCaw, but if our other guys are so much better why does he keep outplaying them? Fucken absolutely he has limitations, but so do our other options - if they want to be ABs and we want them to dominate the Saffas, how about they start with showing they can outplay Blackadder?
@reprobate said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@mariner4life said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@Duluth said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@mariner4life You're talking about something else. Recognising a ruck is already won or lost means you can get to the next winnable contest quicker.
Look its a valid criticism. And good players pick their moments.
And I want to make it clear I am not calling for EB to get the 7 jersey.
I am just jaded with a procession of test level forwards who aren't committed to folding rucks.But to keep thread on target, EB was excellent tonight. At this level those criticisms don't mean quite so much. Like the final last year, that golden retriever-like ball chasing is invaluable
This is it. He's getting rubbished on here despite probably being the best forward on the paddock. Last year he was the best loosie in the finals. No he's not exactly McCaw, but if our other guys are so much better why does he keep outplaying them? Fucken absolutely he has limitations, but so do our other options - if they want to be ABs and we want them to dominate the Saffas, how about they start with showing they can outplay Blackadder?
In your opinion.but still
sititi was out of form
Jacobson was KOed
parker was injured
finau was finau
so even if correct was not outstanding -
@reprobate I don't think he was an insignificant part of this loss. That's how.
@Bones said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@reprobate I don't think he was an insignificant part of this loss. That's how.
Aside from the astonishingly atrocious play at one of the early rucks, where he was in the side, offside, and taking a player who wasn't part of the ruck, how so?
And how was he not a significant part of e.g. last year's finals? -
@reprobate said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@mariner4life said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@Duluth said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@mariner4life You're talking about something else. Recognising a ruck is already won or lost means you can get to the next winnable contest quicker.
Look its a valid criticism. And good players pick their moments.
And I want to make it clear I am not calling for EB to get the 7 jersey.
I am just jaded with a procession of test level forwards who aren't committed to folding rucks.But to keep thread on target, EB was excellent tonight. At this level those criticisms don't mean quite so much. Like the final last year, that golden retriever-like ball chasing is invaluable
This is it. He's getting rubbished on here despite probably being the best forward on the paddock. Last year he was the best loosie in the finals. No he's not exactly McCaw, but if our other guys are so much better why does he keep outplaying them? Fucken absolutely he has limitations, but so do our other options - if they want to be ABs and we want them to dominate the Saffas, how about they start with showing they can outplay Blackadder?
In your opinion.but still
sititi was out of form
Jacobson was KOed
parker was injured
finau was finau
so even if correct was not outstanding@ploughboy said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@reprobate said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@mariner4life said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@Duluth said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@mariner4life You're talking about something else. Recognising a ruck is already won or lost means you can get to the next winnable contest quicker.
Look its a valid criticism. And good players pick their moments.
And I want to make it clear I am not calling for EB to get the 7 jersey.
I am just jaded with a procession of test level forwards who aren't committed to folding rucks.But to keep thread on target, EB was excellent tonight. At this level those criticisms don't mean quite so much. Like the final last year, that golden retriever-like ball chasing is invaluable
This is it. He's getting rubbished on here despite probably being the best forward on the paddock. Last year he was the best loosie in the finals. No he's not exactly McCaw, but if our other guys are so much better why does he keep outplaying them? Fucken absolutely he has limitations, but so do our other options - if they want to be ABs and we want them to dominate the Saffas, how about they start with showing they can outplay Blackadder?
In your opinion.but still
sititi was out of form
Jacobson was KOed
parker was injured
finau was finau
so even if correct was not outstandingOut of form is an excuse?
Being Finau is an excuse?
And if being injured is an excuse then Blackadder should be top of every list surely? -
Don't get me wrong, Leicester Fai'anaganuku is a talented player, but his defence really worries me if he's gonna play at the next level. What was he doing on the first try?
The guy cannot read opposition plays. Any time a team goes out the back and uses the front man as a decoy, he doesn't know what to do.
Bill Proctor lacks a bit of pace at test level and got caught out for in numerous times at test level, but at least he could read the play. It's almost as if Leicester doesn't even bother doing his homework on D during the week and just turns up going 'she'll be right', whilst everyone just focuses on his work with ball in hand.
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LF has so many flaws, but got hyped because he bumped a few dudes off, which given how we played our centres last year, was sort of handy.
With a real plan to generate space for our attacking players he shouldn't get anywhere near it.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@ARHS said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
Great grit from Highlanders. But Fakatava and Millar need to be more clinical than they were tonite, allowing Crusaders back in it. Blackadder and Jordan went ok. Jonah Lowe has some nice touches, as did JRK
Put an inside combo of Pledger and Jacomb and that backline goes up a level.
Pledger is out for the whole season isn't he?
@Frank said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@ARHS said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
Great grit from Highlanders. But Fakatava and Millar need to be more clinical than they were tonite, allowing Crusaders back in it. Blackadder and Jordan went ok. Jonah Lowe has some nice touches, as did JRK
Put an inside combo of Pledger and Jacomb and that backline goes up a level.
Pledger is out for the whole season isn't he?
Yeah and Jacomb still plays for the Chiefs. Was alluding to that being our combo next year
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Don't get me wrong, Leicester Fai'anaganuku is a talented player, but his defence really worries me if he's gonna play at the next level. What was he doing on the first try?
The guy cannot read opposition plays. Any time a team goes out the back and uses the front man as a decoy, he doesn't know what to do.
Bill Proctor lacks a bit of pace at test level and got caught out for in numerous times at test level, but at least he could read the play. It's almost as if Leicester doesn't even bother doing his homework on D during the week and just turns up going 'she'll be right', whilst everyone just focuses on his work with ball in hand.
@African-Monkey said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
Don't get me wrong, Leicester Fai'anaganuku is a talented player, but his defence really worries me if he's gonna play at the next level. What was he doing on the first try?
The guy cannot read opposition plays. Any time a team goes out the back and uses the front man as a decoy, he doesn't know what to do.
Demonstrating the statement "both sides of the ball" was always bullshit. We knew he couldn't defend and somehow that was overlooked by the sheltered workshop as he was given undeserved caps.
Now he's proving it in SR. Hopefully it gets highlighted by podcasts and Breakdown etc.
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@African-Monkey said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
Don't get me wrong, Leicester Fai'anaganuku is a talented player, but his defence really worries me if he's gonna play at the next level. What was he doing on the first try?
The guy cannot read opposition plays. Any time a team goes out the back and uses the front man as a decoy, he doesn't know what to do.
Demonstrating the statement "both sides of the ball" was always bullshit. We knew he couldn't defend and somehow that was overlooked by the sheltered workshop as he was given undeserved caps.
Now he's proving it in SR. Hopefully it gets highlighted by podcasts and Breakdown etc.
@antipodean said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@African-Monkey said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
Don't get me wrong, Leicester Fai'anaganuku is a talented player, but his defence really worries me if he's gonna play at the next level. What was he doing on the first try?
The guy cannot read opposition plays. Any time a team goes out the back and uses the front man as a decoy, he doesn't know what to do.
Demonstrating the statement "both sides of the ball" was always bullshit. We knew he couldn't defend and somehow that was overlooked by the sheltered workshop as he was given undeserved caps.
Now he's proving it in SR. Hopefully it gets highlighted by podcasts and Breakdown etc.
We know they don't criticise players in this country lol
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@African-Monkey said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
Don't get me wrong, Leicester Fai'anaganuku is a talented player, but his defence really worries me if he's gonna play at the next level. What was he doing on the first try?
The guy cannot read opposition plays. Any time a team goes out the back and uses the front man as a decoy, he doesn't know what to do.
Demonstrating the statement "both sides of the ball" was always bullshit. We knew he couldn't defend and somehow that was overlooked by the sheltered workshop as he was given undeserved caps.
Now he's proving it in SR. Hopefully it gets highlighted by podcasts and Breakdown etc.
@antipodean said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@African-Monkey said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
Don't get me wrong, Leicester Fai'anaganuku is a talented player, but his defence really worries me if he's gonna play at the next level. What was he doing on the first try?
The guy cannot read opposition plays. Any time a team goes out the back and uses the front man as a decoy, he doesn't know what to do.
Demonstrating the statement "both sides of the ball" was always bullshit. We knew he couldn't defend and somehow that was overlooked by the sheltered workshop as he was given undeserved caps.
Now he's proving it in SR. Hopefully it gets highlighted by podcasts and Breakdown etc.
Dunno about that, the amount of ball he loses in contact shows he can fuck it up on both sides of the ball.
Does a lot of good things too of course.
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@frugby said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
As an aside, Antonio Shalfoon is a Grade A Grub.
Do we want that in the ABs or not?
Hard to keep up sometimes ... -
@antipodean said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@African-Monkey said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
Don't get me wrong, Leicester Fai'anaganuku is a talented player, but his defence really worries me if he's gonna play at the next level. What was he doing on the first try?
The guy cannot read opposition plays. Any time a team goes out the back and uses the front man as a decoy, he doesn't know what to do.
Demonstrating the statement "both sides of the ball" was always bullshit. We knew he couldn't defend and somehow that was overlooked by the sheltered workshop as he was given undeserved caps.
Now he's proving it in SR. Hopefully it gets highlighted by podcasts and Breakdown etc.
Dunno about that, the amount of ball he loses in contact shows he can fuck it up on both sides of the ball.
Does a lot of good things too of course.
@reprobate said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@antipodean said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@African-Monkey said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
Don't get me wrong, Leicester Fai'anaganuku is a talented player, but his defence really worries me if he's gonna play at the next level. What was he doing on the first try?
The guy cannot read opposition plays. Any time a team goes out the back and uses the front man as a decoy, he doesn't know what to do.
Demonstrating the statement "both sides of the ball" was always bullshit. We knew he couldn't defend and somehow that was overlooked by the sheltered workshop as he was given undeserved caps.
Now he's proving it in SR. Hopefully it gets highlighted by podcasts and Breakdown etc.
Dunno about that, the amount of ball he loses in contact shows he can fuck it up on both sides of the ball.
Does a lot of good things too of course.
You're being generous IMO.
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@reprobate said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@antipodean said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@African-Monkey said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
Don't get me wrong, Leicester Fai'anaganuku is a talented player, but his defence really worries me if he's gonna play at the next level. What was he doing on the first try?
The guy cannot read opposition plays. Any time a team goes out the back and uses the front man as a decoy, he doesn't know what to do.
Demonstrating the statement "both sides of the ball" was always bullshit. We knew he couldn't defend and somehow that was overlooked by the sheltered workshop as he was given undeserved caps.
Now he's proving it in SR. Hopefully it gets highlighted by podcasts and Breakdown etc.
Dunno about that, the amount of ball he loses in contact shows he can fuck it up on both sides of the ball.
Does a lot of good things too of course.
You're being generous IMO.
@antipodean said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@reprobate said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@antipodean said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
@African-Monkey said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
Don't get me wrong, Leicester Fai'anaganuku is a talented player, but his defence really worries me if he's gonna play at the next level. What was he doing on the first try?
The guy cannot read opposition plays. Any time a team goes out the back and uses the front man as a decoy, he doesn't know what to do.
Demonstrating the statement "both sides of the ball" was always bullshit. We knew he couldn't defend and somehow that was overlooked by the sheltered workshop as he was given undeserved caps.
Now he's proving it in SR. Hopefully it gets highlighted by podcasts and Breakdown etc.
Dunno about that, the amount of ball he loses in contact shows he can fuck it up on both sides of the ball.
Does a lot of good things too of course.
You're being generous IMO.
Oh, I'm comfortably in the "it's outweighed by the bad" camp mate.
But he does have intent, he does run hard, and he is a bit of a prick to tackle. -
If I was a Crusaders supporter (apart from committing hari kari) I wouldn't be overly upset. First up game, and don't underestimate how well the Clan played as a unit. They looked to me as a team with not a lot of stars, but one that know the answer is everyone do their job, and in rugby quite often the sum total is better than the individual parts. I got idea ,they just wanted to do whatever the team needed to win.
Footnote, geez Hotham looks like he spent some time in Gym while injured doesn't he?
@Dan54 said in Highlanders v Crusaders (round 1):
Footnote, geez Hotham looks like he spent some time in Gym while injured doesn't he?
Agree, he looks a lot bigger. Given his hair cut I had to look twice to work out who he was.
