SR Final - Blues v Chiefs
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Still haven't stopped smiling.
Very amusing that it was sunny most of yesterday and today, and it rained like a monsoon during the game.
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@Kirwan said in SR Final - Blues v Chiefs:
Helpfully, it's a style that would win world cups as well.
If Razor is as smart as his reputation would suggest, the forward and set piece dominated play which was a feature of the Blues and Canes should be clearly imprinted in the AB DNA this season
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Some of the Attacking/Carrying Stats
Statistic Blues Chiefs carries_crossed_gain_line 108 51 carries_metres 513 256 carries_not_made_gain_line 20 17 defenders_beaten 32 17 post_contact_metres 418 198 ruck_speed (0-3 secs) 77 31 ruck_speed (0-3 secs % ) 0.57 0.52 carries_one_out_drive 68 29 carries_one_out_drive_metres 158 61 carries_pick_and_go 37 0 carries_pick_and_go_metres 60 0 carry_dominant 19 9 carry_ineffective 6 2 carry_neutral 120 55 ruck_over_gainline 92 29 ruck_on_gainline 35 20 ruck_behind_gainline 17 11 ruck_over_gainline_percent 0.68 0.48 carries_opp_22 92 16 carries_opp_half 135 42 carries_own_half 18 36 -
@canefan said in SR Final - Blues v Chiefs:
What was with the gold streamers at the end of the trophy presentation?
Super Rugby Pacific logo and branding has had gold trim during the playoffs. I assume for that reason.
@KiwiMurph said in SR Final - Blues v Chiefs:
@canefan said in SR Final - Blues v Chiefs:
What was with the gold streamers at the end of the trophy presentation?
Super Rugby Pacific logo and branding has had gold trim during the playoffs. I assume for that reason.
DHL too I guess. Just thought someone is going to get fired on Monday for not cancelling the order for the Hurricane themed streamers...
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@Duluth said in SR Final - Blues v Chiefs:
Despite all the extra chances too win turnovers the Blues won more:
Blues played high percentage possession rugby. When the Chiefs got the ball they tried to chase the game, looked for space out wide and were forced into poor percentage turnovers
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Darry was not used as a lineout target much this year. In the SF I think the only targets were Beehre and Sotutu
In the final they threw to him a lot more:
6 Darry
6 Sotutu
2 Tuipulotu
1 Akira -
@Duluth said in SR Final - Blues v Chiefs:
Despite all the extra chances too win turnovers the Blues won more:
This is a good example of how stats can be misleading
The turnover they've given to Darry (right on halftime) I'm almost certain was Papalii that won it - then it got to Darry who emerged with the ball.
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@KiwiMurph said in SR Final - Blues v Chiefs:
@Duluth I think I heard Darry calls the lineouts? Is that right?
I think he calls when Tuipulotu isn't there. He was the caller in the SF
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Just watched the first half. Reinforced what we saw at the ground really, but harder to see some of thi son TV.
So, this was a really physical game. Both forward packs just smashed each other - hard carries and some bruising defence. Halfway through the seond half you could see the toll the defensive effort took on the Chiefs forwards They got really passive - just worn out really.
Blues game was simple. Clear objective to run at DMac all day and tie him up; you could see some players change direction to get towards him. In back play he was bonuced, tackled, niggled all night; legally but annoying.
DMac played really well. AB10 for me. They contained him on the back of a big forward effort - but he still made great choices and opened up metres on the back of Ken Labans' s second man plays. Kicked well, passed well, ran well - threw a tremendous ball to ALB for their try.
Blues clean and ruck support was top tier, again. They ahve been practicing it all year and you could see it tonight - often second players moved the runner forward a few metres. Body position excellent; it was just simple, brutal rugby. Well complemented by Plummer just doing the basics well. Handling was generally
Hot take: scoreline flattered the Chiefs
Ref didn't blow up a lot, only really obvious penalties. Was very reluctant to card for repeated infringements; multiple advantages seemingly didn't count for much. There is such weird inconsistency in refs and how they ref this -- one of the random things that drove me away from professional rugby this year.
All in all, i twas just sweet to finally get over the line in the full comp. The organisational improvement came from the board changes a few years ago - and you can see competence starting up in the org, the talent identification, development, training, selection, fan experience, coaching an dfinally on the field with silverware.
Clarke's ribs weren't good after his try. I think Ofa's ribs are the same way - but they won't care today.
Finally, all redit to the Chiefs. They really stood up at times, defended hard and ran with brutality when they got the ball. Just came up against a side that was more accurate and hungrier on the night. Overall great handling from both sides in very difficult conditions.
Roll on the international season now I guess ... I slept like a baby last night and woke up happy. Good times eh,
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also, the Ioane Ioane Clarke try was right in front of us - what an incredible effort. it looked dead and buried, but the fast hands and quick thinking was a thing of beauty. Looked like a try initially - only question was whether Akira was down or not. Memorable.
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also, the Ioane Ioane Clarke try was right in front of us - what an incredible effort. it looked dead and buried, but the fast hands and quick thinking was a thing of beauty. Looked like a try initially - only question was whether Akira was down or not. Memorable.
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Super Rugby need more of this. Engage the fans via traditional media and social media. Blues do a nice job on this - need more teams to follow.
