QF1: Crusaders v Highlanders
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Coltman really a mixed bag tonight. Made several turnovers but those line-outs were horrendous.
Taylor and Franks still suffering a bit from lack of match fitness, but it looks promising. Crusaders scrum was impressive. Line-out improved during the game. And what a great back-up is Makalio!
I loved the little Whitelock v Whitelock battles during the game. Lots of banter; not sure it was always friendly though
Highlanders really lost the plot in the 2nd half, after a promising start in the first. I think Franklin's behaviour kind of illustrated how the game slipped away from them. Their frustration was showing.
David Havili is having an awesome season, and getting better and better; he should be in the ABs conversation! In this game, he was better than Bender.
I think people are too harsh on Bridge. He was drawing a lot of defenders away from guys like Mo'unga, Havili and Goodhue, and some good defending, too.
Mo'unga kicking 100% tonight. Two tries. He's awesome. Josh Ioane definitely the best prospect for ABs 3rd first five.
I always get a bit sad when I see players leave the field that won't come back to play in NZ. Fortunately, some of the leaving Highlanders will still play in black this year (either ABs or Maori ABs).
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@Tim said in QF1: Crusaders v Highlanders:
@gt12 If Akira Ioane had done that and cost a card he would've been put in prison, and the government would've done a deal with Australia to send him to Nauru.
Would he make the Wallabies?
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Crusaders unstoppable, fark that for a joke. Some climbing into the Landers, but I can't really fault them, apart from getting neat with the chip kicks, they did about as much as they could against a mega side.
Laughable to see TJ talked up by a canes fan after Smith's performance.
Who would've thought at the start of the season that Ioane's chances of making the AB's are about a million times better than Naholo's.
Coltman took a step back, if Harris performs well tonight then Coltman has no chance of black barring injury.
Lomax also took a step back after a huge season, seems he's already playing like a Canes tight fiver.
Hemopo's faults on show tonight - absolutely tireless but acts too much of a lone ranger.
Good to see a number of AB's get good minutes on the field and (cross fingers) no injuries.
Crusaders to walk the title.
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@Bones said in QF1: Crusaders v Highlanders:
Crusaders unstoppable, fark that for a joke. Some climbing into the Landers, but I can't really fault them, apart from getting neat with the chip kicks, they did about as much as they could against a mega side.
Laughable to see TJ talked up by a canes fan after Smith's performance.
Who would've thought at the start of the season that Ioane's chances of making the AB's are about a million times better than Naholo's.
Coltman took a step back, if Harris performs well tonight then Coltman has no chance of black barring injury.
Lomax also took a step back after a huge season, seems he's already playing like a Canes tight fiver.
Hemopo's faults on show tonight - absolutely tireless but acts too much of a lone ranger.
Good to see a number of AB's get good minutes on the field and (cross fingers) no injuries.
Crusaders to walk the title.
They are just lucky that the Chiefs will save them from facing the mighty Jaguares
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@Bones bye bye Landers yah bunch of battlers.
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Like the way the All Black skipper is building, McCaw back in 2015 was coping a lot of criticism similar to I see what Read gets..
I think we all know he’s not the player he was but man the guy still has a superb rugby skill set and rugby brain to match.
Once again Read took control of the lineout and everything behind the ruck and maul..
I would be bloody concerned if we did not have someone of his experience going in this years World Cup .On this evenings game, the real key thing for me was the scrum set piece dominance..if you cant set a platform you are always gonna struggle , the Highlanders literally had to stay in the fight something they did very well going into halftime ..
The yellow card to Squire pretty much killed off their hopes..
So you have got to give it to the Saders pack especially their tight five..
Was hoping for an edge of your seat contest ,apart from the first 40 the writing was on the wall with a half hour to go..
Some real good depth of the bench for the Saders as well which is gonna make them a very difficult team to beat..
Go the Chiefs in the morning..! -
Bloody Landers. Was backing them for the slim chance of a Chiefs home final. First half was great from both teams. Squire ruined the chances. Dunno what was up with Franklin swearing at the ref either. Crusaders too good. Rebuilding time for the Landers. Thanks for the memories Bender.
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By the way, in the Quarter Final between the Crusaders and Highlanders in 2017, it was also Squire who got a yellow card (for a high tackle on Mo'unga). So this is his 2nd consecutive QF against the Crusaders where his ill-discipline has contributed to the Landers dropping out of the finals.
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@Canes4life said in QF1: Crusaders v Highlanders:
@Bones bye bye Landers yah bunch of battlers.
Appreciate that mate. Comes as an honour given us battlers haven't achieved nearly as many super titles as you legends from wellington.
Really appreciate you coming along and giving us a pep talk and thank you massa'. You didn't have to pop down from your lofty heights as multiple winners to do that, great of you.Hey @Bones @Damo @SouthernMan @Smudge @98blueandgold , look how magnanimous ol mate here is
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@Siam said in QF1: Crusaders v Highlanders:
@Canes4life said in QF1: Crusaders v Highlanders:
@Bones bye bye Landers yah bunch of battlers.
Appreciate that mate. Comes as an honour given us battlers haven't achieved nearly as many super titles as you legends from wellington.
Really appreciate you coming along and giving us a pep talk and thank you massa'. You didn't have to pop down from your lofty heights as multiple winners to do that, great of you.Hey @Bones @Damo @SouthernMan @Smudge @98blueandgold , look how magnanimous ol mate here is
Meh, not much point bothering eh. If knowledge of rugby was just about who the players are and stats, he'd be a legend. Unfortunately his comprehension and knowledge of the game is on a par with the queen's.
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@Chris said in QF1: Crusaders v Highlanders:
@Crucial Didn't matter Crusaders would still have won and Rule is pretty clear no arms in Tackle Penalty and YC if used with force.
I'm not complaining about the decision just pointing out how inconsistent these rulings have been. Squires shot should have been punished but in under a year this action has gone from the 'team of four' deciding no penalty in England/SA to YC
Great if this is now the threshold as we may finally see stranglewank Farrell get his comeuppance on the big stage.
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@Crucial Yeah you are right the inconsistant Rulings have been a blight on SR this year. The difference each year in how rules are interpreted is ridiculous .
Wish the fish heads would make up their mind and strip all the rules back and leave the game to grow.Its like watching a different sport every season. -
@Yeetyaah said in QF1: Crusaders v Highlanders:
chance of a Chiefs home final. Firs
Chu=efs home FINAL
Thanks for the laugh
Worry first about getting past the Jaguares in Buenos Aires
Chiefs fans deluding themselves into thinking they're on the same level as their fellow Kiwi rivals Crusaders & Hurricanes
Landers showed why the Playoff will going to 6 teams from 2021 onwards
They're an average side who beat up on some crap teams like Sunwolves Blues Reds Waratahs
6 wins from 16 games is a shocking total for a playoff side
Lander have had a good run it ended tonight
They're losing HALF their matchday 23 squad
All they have left is Coltman Ioane A Smith 3 good centres
- a bunch of stiffs & journeymen remaining in their squad
They along with Blues will revert to being cellar dwellers in Super Rugby
Tony Brown can only do so much
Can't turn chicken shit into chicken salad
Squire is an injure prone overrated bum
I wouldn't have him sniffing the All Blacks RWC squad
Hemepo is a stud He'll be a huge loss to NZ rugby
Superior version of S Barrett
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@Jaguares4real said in QF1: Crusaders v Highlanders:
@Yeetyaah said in QF1: Crusaders v Highlanders:
chance of a Chiefs home final. Firs
Chu=efs home FINAL
Thanks for the laugh
Worry first about getting past the Jaguares in Buenos Aires
Chiefs fans deluding themselves into thinking they're on the same level as their fellow Kiwi rivals Crusaders & Hurricanes
Haven't I read this post before in the last few days?
