The Silver Fern

Current standings

6 Akira Ioane
4 Otere Black
3 Tom Robinson
2 Finlay Christie
2 Nepo Laulala
2 Kurt Eklund
1 Dalton Papali’i
1 Jonathan Ruru
1 Stephen Perofeta

@machpants said in Chiefs v Blues (27 March 2021):

@pakman So when you nee hits the ground you decelerate to zero in an instant? The body above the knee is not flung forward? Nope, his upper body and arms are still moving forward, at quite a speed, it gives momentum to the ball. Flat ball, right call

Nice theory, shame the side ons don’t show that.

I actually think his arm goes forward, but that isn’t clear.

If you’re really interested I suggest you spend a few minutes watching the various angles.

I’ve done it, but will leave my input at that.

Onward to the Canes...

Current standings

6 Akira Ioane
4 Otere Black
1 Dalton Papali’i
1 Jonathan Ruru
1 Stephen Perofeta

@cgrant said in Blues v Crusaders:

Ofa cost the game against the Aussies a few months ago. His bad habits are a problem, but the ABs have only two THPs of international calibre so he should keep on be selected again and again. Lomax is not yet ready, Angus T and Fidow cannot scrum while Jager is irish and Moli always injured (and seen as a LHP). It's urgent to give Newell and T. Williams some game time.

Careful, that is going to upset Canes4Life.

@dan54

I like how Black and Plummer are splitting some of the responsibilities. For instance most of the cross field kicks came from Plummer.

I want to see genuine 2nd 5/8ths return to the game. Plummer at the Blues and Havili at the Crusaders might signal a change in tactics of NZ teams

The second playmaker at fullback is useful but I think it's easy to get caught out on defence when there's a quick turnover

@kirwan said in Blues v Highlanders:

@tim Look at the length and accuracy of that pass, amazing considering he was sprinting while he passed it.

outrunning a back.

Also, how good was the 'don't argue'. One of the best tries I've seen live in ages (first proper game in a year or so, of course 😃 ) As I said in the match thread, Rieko came from nowhere - used his gas to get in position, but then had a lot of work to do to wrong foot the defender and gas everyone.

Absolute quality. Still pissed that it didn't get awarded.

@tim probably an outside shot at best given I think he is only in the WTG, but Rob Rush could fill that role.

@duluth How is there an argument on this? The ref under that post is surely the only one who can see if has gome between the uprights! FFS I a Canes man but can't believe anyone seeing it on tv or somewhere in ground thinks they got better angle. There are getting to be some serious whingers in our our game!

@act-crusader said in Game of three halves - Blues/Crusaders/Chiefs - 20/02, 12pm:

Agree. Nock has huge upside I reckon but will need time.

is looking like his time is now, was starting to look good last Super season, until he was dropped, presumably for a off-field incident (breach of team rules form what I heard) but was superb for Northland.

Am thinking Christie will get first chances though, but we know how attritional things are, so he will get his shot.

Photosport gallery:

https://photosportnz.photoshelter.com/gallery/210213-Game-of-3-Halves-Preseason/G0000WAmARXB0J4I/C0000azGTB7px3Ds

@nogusta he’s been getting some advice to move on from the Blues , so hopefully he takes that onboard ..

Good idea

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/blues-offer-fans-unique-alternative-to-help-stem-the-major-ripple-effects-of-cancelled-match

@nzzp said in Highlanders v Blues:

@Bones said in Highlanders v Blues:

@nzzp Just me that is instantly irritated at the sight of Christie then? Definitely triggers me.

That feeling of wanting to throw up when he scores against your team....

it's only because you're racist against ginga.

PAUL TITO

TOM ROBINSON

FINLAY CHRISTIE

HELP I'M OUT OF REDHEADS

James Blackwell
Cullen Grace
Mitch Drummond comes close
Ayden Johnstone's beard, too
Oli Jager's mo
Sam McNicol's beard

Pierce was very good for his comeback within the 23. He is a better lock the Goodhue IMO but PT and GCT are on fire for the moment so it will be hard for him to find a place in the starting 8.

I remember hearing that Laumape was one of the quickest over 40m when he was at the Warriors. That's when the Warriors had quite a few speedsters.

@junior said in Crusaders v Blues:

@nzzp said in Crusaders v Blues:

@Nevorian said in Crusaders v Blues:

@junior said in Crusaders v Blues:

@Winger said in Crusaders v Blues:

@booboo said in Crusaders v Blues:

@Winger said in Crusaders v Blues:

@KiwiMurph said in Crusaders v Blues:

Beauden was rubbish. One of the worst games i've ever seen him play. He gave away 2 soft penalties - he kicked out on the full - he put in a shit kick before halftime. He was pants. He also looks like he has seriously lost his pace.

He was brilliant about 4-5 years back and before then. But hes been going slowly downhill since. But still good but not great.

I hoped the Blues coaches would get him moving back towards great again. But so far hes moving in the opposite direction. Maybe his time is up. Or the Blues move was a big mistake. Or hes not really a FB.

I'm bored with the Crusaders winning year after year so disappointed with this result. The only team that might have challenged is so far behind now the title is decided after 4 games

So the other teams have got to get better

It can't be done if most of the best players sign for the best team (as their AB chances are much better). And the next level down quality players bugger of overseas.

NZR need to come up with a (financial) system were the best players are evenly shared out (at present it almost ensures the opposite). Otherwise a new competition will slowly die. Or will never achieve the following it could have if one team wins ever year. This includes Aust (or SA if still included although this model has done its time). Aust can only support 3 teams at most. So 5 EVEN NZ teams and three QUALITY Aussie teams = success. But NZ need to be ruthless (ignore reasons why it can be done. For example Abs might need to move teams as Barrett did) to ensure an even distribution of players. This new competition must be seen as very important rather than just the ABs. And super rugby almost as an irrelevant feeder for the ABs (the current set up).

I would have thought the best way to do this is actually to ensure that the coaching at all franchises is strong. Despite their poor recent form, one would think having Gats coaching the Chiefs would make that a desirable destination (perhaps he needs to improve his assistants). Similarly, it seems Rangi is leading a strong coaching unit at the Blues and I’m sure the way they’ve played this year will make players consider moving there.

The Crusaders would be lucky to have more than four or five of the best players in NZ at the moment - Taylor, Whitelock, Mo'unga, Goodhue, Jordan with Moody debatable

spot on - which makes their comeback on Saturday night even more remarkable

The issue is not the spread of the best players, contrary to what @Winger says. The issues is rather than evenness of the remaining talent. The difference between the 'Saders' best and worst players, IMO, is significantly less than that at other franchises. This means that they have less glaring weaknesses across the park and, crucially, on their bench. This is to my mind a large part of why they so often pull away from their opposition in the last 20 mins of matches. Similarly, it's what made the ABs so lethal between say 2010 and 2016 and it's where we've been caught up by our major opposition since that time.

You are probably onto something there , they have the best worst players , most teams have a few stars , but its the bottom half of your talent that makes the difference at this level

@pukunui said in Blues v Highlanders:

@Bones said in Blues v Highlanders:

@pukunui I think there was one early on in this game!

I said rarely, not never, so there may well have been.
Which would highlight how inconsistent it is.

Oh I know, I've never seen it, that's why I was surprised and at the same time TJ mentioned that it is one of the areas the refs are looking at.

Always annoyed me that it should be ruled so differently.

That would be the ideal scenario,

very good chance the Crusaders could end up more than a game clear by the time we get there though, by beating them first time around at home , and accumulating more bonus points

Some analysis of the game.

https://ekrugbyanalysis.com/2020/06/19/kicking-off-the-cobwebs-how-tactical-kicking-influenced-the-blues-winning-return-to-rugby/

Great coaching.

Blues playing with a lot more width and freedom. The defensive system is really coming along and that is building the confidence in attack.

Duffy looks a different player and when he comes into the line as a playmaking option he’s making better decisions.