2018 Rugby Championship
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Leicester Tigers will force Toomua and Polota-Nau to fly back during Rugby Championship
82-Test veteran Polota-Nau has been selected in the Wallabies Bledisloe Cup squad after Michael Cheika elected to rest the 33-year old in the June Ireland Series. However, should either Toomua or Polota-Nau be retained by Cheika, they will be expected to return to the UK on the Rugby Championship’s rest weekends.That fact that the Tigers will force each player to make the massive 19,000 mile return trip to the UK suggests the club are keen on a getting their fair share of their marquee signings. If the pair are required to do this, it could inform Cheika’s selection choices, with the very real prospect of jet lag and travel fatigue likely to affect both players if retained. -
Yes, the Crusaders is a far easier ride. Not because the pack is more dominant, but because the pressure on you is far less in all aspects of the game.
You can play conservatively most of the game, because you know you team doesn't need them. But you also worry less about mistakes if you take a risk. A single mistake can lose a test, whereas the Crusaders have been winning consistently by a couple of tries. You can play your natural game with confidence all the time.
Imagine Damien McKenzie in the Crusaders set-up knowing that he doesn't have to chase games and can wait until the moment is right and then cut lose. Even if he makes one of his stuffups, he's got a pack right behind him to save the situation. We'd have calls for him to be starting for the ABs, because he'd look a world beater.
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@chester-draws said in 2018 Rugby Championship:
Yes, the Crusaders is a far easier ride. Not because the pack is more dominant, but because the pressure on you is far less in all aspects of the game.
You can play conservatively most of the game, because you know you team doesn't need them. But you also worry less about mistakes if you take a risk. A single mistake can lose a test, whereas the Crusaders have been winning consistently by a couple of tries. You can play your natural game with confidence all the time.
Imagine Damien McKenzie in the Crusaders set-up knowing that he doesn't have to chase games and can wait until the moment is right and then cut lose. Even if he makes one of his stuffups, he's got a pack right behind him to save the situation. We'd have calls for him to be starting for the ABs, because he'd look a world beater.
Not sure I agree. Saders are the most structured of the NZ teams. So Mo'unga can try something different having a good idea how the team will react/reposition. DMac's quixotical approach would have a fair chance of locating blind alleys with them.
By the same token Mo'unga would have to modify things in a less patterned environment, with some loss of effectiveness.
I'd have thought the ABs wouldn't be a lot different to ChCh.
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@pakman I don't think the ABs are anything like structured on attack, in open play at least. They have set moves and plays, but what makes them dangerous is that they are prepared to throw it out the window if a gap appears.
The ABs stopped picking basically safe players a long time ago, and started picking guys who add something extra despite their flaws. They play a high speed high risk game plan too. They're a risk taking side.
Robertson has done a good job with the Crusaders, but what has he done with them that's innovative? They're the best side because they have the best players, rather than one that wins despite having flaws. They don't play a high risk game.
Edit: given they win with low risk, they'd be stupid to take risks. It's not a dig at Robertson.
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I don’t know where this concept that the Chiefs are unstructured comes from. If any team is aware and able to regroup after an attempt to breakthrough the defence results in a turnover it is them. The get plenty of practice because they play a style of trying things almost constantly instead of playing as patiently as the Crusaders.
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@chester-draws said in 2018 Rugby Championship:
The ABs stopped picking basically safe players a long time ago
Except at 8. And 6.
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I reckon the "Rolls Royce" pack comment has been overplayed.
Sure, for the finals series it was true. But for the majority of the season the Crusaders were playing without Moody, Franks and Read as well as accommodating other injuries and the requirements to rest ABs.
Here e.g. are the teams that beat the Chiefs - those forward packs look a fair bit more Toyota than Rolls to me!
https://crusaders.co.nz/news/1235-bnz-crusaders-team-named-to-play-the-chiefs-in-hamilton
http://www.superrugby.co.nz/News/32061/preview-crusaders-v-chiefs
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@chris-b said in 2018 Rugby Championship:
I reckon the "Rolls Royce" pack comment has been overplayed.
Sure, for the finals series it was true. But for the majority of the season the Crusaders were playing without Moody, Franks and Read as well as accommodating other injuries and the requirements to rest ABs.
Here e.g. are the teams that beat the Chiefs - those forward packs look a fair bit more Toyota than Rolls to me!
https://crusaders.co.nz/news/1235-bnz-crusaders-team-named-to-play-the-chiefs-in-hamilton
http://www.superrugby.co.nz/News/32061/preview-crusaders-v-chiefs
That second Crusaders pack had 6 test players, one AB squad member and a player who would have a test cap if he declared for his own country. So not a Rolls Royce but likely a Toyota Landcruiser compared to everyone else's Corollas.
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@chris-b said in 2018 Rugby Championship:
@nepia Yeah - but the opposing Chiefs pack had five test players, and I reckon those packs are pretty evenly matched - Chiefs arguably with a better bench.
Clearly we now have to compare the numbers of test caps of each pack ...
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@nepia said in 2018 Rugby Championship:
@chris-b said in 2018 Rugby Championship:
@nepia Yeah - but the opposing Chiefs pack had five test players, and I reckon those packs are pretty evenly matched - Chiefs arguably with a better bench.
Clearly we now have to compare the numbers of test caps of each pack ...
I reckon the number of test caps in the forwards for each franchise will rank close to the finishing order of the franchises.
Crusaders
mumblefuck x 3 others
Blues
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@nepia said in 2018 Rugby Championship:
@chris-b said in 2018 Rugby Championship:
@nepia Yeah - but the opposing Chiefs pack had five test players, and I reckon those packs are pretty evenly matched - Chiefs arguably with a better bench.
Clearly we now have to compare the numbers of test caps of each pack ...
That's what Razor did when he picked Tim Perry ahead of the Croczilla.
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@machpants said in 2018 Rugby Championship:
@nzzp
Crockzilla
Crusaders minus Crockzilla
mumblefuck x 3 others
Blues.... so, what you're saying is the Blues finish sixth in the NZ conference.
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About Pumas call-ups. Interesting, but probably necessary, considering the poor results in June:
The new Head Coach of Argentina, Mario Ledesma has formally requested for props Juan Figallo, and Ramiro Herrera for the Rugby Championship. Los Pumas will play in the grueling annual competition, doing so in home-and-away matches against Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa starting on August 18. Ledesma confirmed on ESPN Scrum Argentina that he has requested the Saracens and Stade Français contracted props. Their inclusion would bring to an end the blockade on European-Based players representing Los Pumas. The policy began following RWC 2015. The players clubs’ have been contacted with Ledesma now awaiting confirmation as to when they will be available. According to World Rugby’s Regulation 9.23 (notification of the right to release players), clubs must be request 14 days prior to a match. Argentina play against South Africa in Durban on August 18, in under 2 weeks time. The involvement of Figallo, and Herrera may thereby need to wait until after the opening round of the Rugby Championship.Ledesma Requests Figallo, Herrera for Rugby Championship - Americas Rugby News
The new Head Coach of Argentina, Mario Ledesma has formally requested for props Juan Figallo, and Ramiro Herrera for the Rugby Championship. Los Pumas will play in the grueling annual competition, doing so in home-and-away matches against Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa starting on August...
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There's a few other players they could do with as well, one SR team isn't enough to run an entire country's team! Interesting that all three of our SANZAAR partners have tried the only pick from home, and they've all given it up to one degree or another. Money, politics and social issues have played their part, but really the pull of the black jersey and the excellence of the NZR set up is amazing. Winning a lot helps too, I guess.
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Springbok squad for the Rugby Championship:
Forwards (20):
Cyle Brink (Loose forward, Emirates Lions, uncapped)
Jean-Luc du Preez (Loose forward, Cell C Sharks, 13, 10 - 2t)
Thomas du Toit (Prop, Cell C Sharks, 4, 0)
Pieter-Steph du Toit (Lock / Loose forward, DHL Stormers, 36, 20 - 4t)
Eben Etzebeth (Lock, DHL Stormers, 67, 15 - 3t)
Steven Kitshoff (Prop, DHL Stormers, 27, 5 - 1t)
Siya Kolisi (Captain - Loose forward, DHL Stormers, 31, 20 - 4t)
Francois Louw (Loose forward, Bath, England, 57, 45 - 9t)
Wilco Louw (Prop, DHL Stormers, 7, 0)
Frans Malherbe (Prop, DHL Stormers, 19, 0)
Malcolm Marx (Hooker, Emirates Lions, 14, 15 - 3t)
Bongi Mbonambi (Hooker, DHL Stormers, 16, 5 - 1t)
Franco Mostert (Lock, Emirates Lions, 21, 5 - 1t)
Tendai Mtawarira (Prop, Cell C Sharks, 101, 10 - 2t)
Sikhumbuzo Notshe (Loose forward, DHL Stormers, 4, 0)
Marvin Orie (Lock, Emirates Lions, 1, 0)
RG Snyman (Lock, Vodacom Bulls, 3, 0)
Akker van der Merwe (Hooker, Cell C Sharks, 3, 0)
Marco van Staden (Loose forward, Vodacom Bulls, uncapped)
Warren Whiteley (No 8, Emirates Lions, 17, 15 - 3t)Backs (15):
Lukhanyo Am (Centre, Cell C Sharks, 3, 0)
Ross Cronjé (Scrumhalf, Emirates Lions, 10, 10 - 2t)
Faf de Klerk (Scrumhalf, Sale Sharks, England, 14, 5 - 1t)
Aphiwe Dyantyi (Wing, Emirates Lions, 3, 5 - 1t)
André Esterhuizen (Centre, Cell C Sharks, 2, 0)
Elton Janjies (Flyhalf, Emirates Lions, 26, 215 - 2t, 41c, 41p)
Jesse Kriel (Centre, Vodacom Bulls, 32, 45 - 9t)
Willie le Roux (Fullback, Wasps, England, 44, 55 - 11t)
Makazole Mapimpi (Wing, Cell C Sharks, 1, 5 - 1t)
Lionel Mapoe (Centre, Emirates Lions, 12, 0)
Lwazi Mvovo (Wing, Cell C Sharks, 17, 30 - 6t)
Embrose Papier (Scrumhalf, Vodacom Bulls, 2, 0)
Handré Pollard (Flyhalf, Vodacom Bulls, 29, 246 - 3t, 42c, 46p, 3d)
Ivan van Zyl (Scrumhalf, Vodacom Bulls, 3, 0)
Damian Willemse (Flyhalf, DHL Stormers, uncapped).
SA Under-20 flyhalf Damian Willemse is one of three uncapped players included in the Springbok squad for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, with the Emirates Lions quartet of Malcolm Marx (hooker), Warren Whiteley (No 8), Ross Cronje (scrumhalf) and Lionel Mapoe (centre) also back in the Bok fold for the first time this season. Rassie Erasmus, SA Rugby’s Director of Rugby, announced a squad of 35 players on Monday, with two loose forwards, the Vodacom Bulls’ Marco van Staden and Cyle Brink of the Emirates Lions, joining Willemse, the 20-year-old DHL Stormers and Junior Springbok flyhalf, as the uncapped players in the group. Whiteley and the experienced Eben Etzebeth (lock) both return having recovered from long-term injuries, while Marx has shrugged off his hamstring troubles, which forced him to miss the June internationals. Also returning to the Springbok squad are Francois Louw, the experienced flanker who plays for English club side Bath, Lwazi Mvovo (outside back), as well Mapoe (centre) and Cronje (scrumhalf), both of whom missed the midyear Tests because of injury.Siya Kolisi retains the captaincyPlayers who were not considered because of injury include Damian de Allende (DHL Stormers), Warrick Gelant, Lood de Jager, Trevor Nyakane (all Vodacom Bulls), Coenie Oosthuizen and Sbu Nkosi (both Cell C Sharks) -
@stargazer Wow, no Kwagga Smith ...
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