The Silver Fern

😉

Home coach Tony Brown — who had also wound up the “un-Australian” Brumbies a week earlier — then twisted the knife with some brutal press conference honesty.

“It was good to score those tries and put away one of the weakest teams in the competition,” said Brown, the former All Blacks five-eighth.

@MajorRage said in Brumbies v Highlanders:

@Mattasaurus Beating the brumbies at Canberra has always been hard. Always, no matter how bad they are.

I really hope they don't get cut.

I agree.
I can understand the commercial reasons behind supporting the Rebels and Force over the Brumbies. But isn't that what has got Australian rugby into this mess in the first place, making commercial decisions at the expense of good rugby decisions?

@Crucial said in Hurricanes v Highlanders:

@Frye said in Hurricanes v Highlanders:

Maybe we can have a sub-forum where users can hang out and not feel judged about their dyslexia. A safe space.

What if you are a gender neutral dyslexic? Do you get a different safe space?

You should've probably used a 'you're' rather than a 'you are' there.

Jordan Belford sales DVDs taught me that

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@Tim said in Blues v Highlanders:

Who will be getting game time in next year's Super Rugby season? Probably Barrett, Sopoaga (signed until the end of 2018 super rugby season or AB season?), DMac, Moaga, and whoever is at the Blues. You'd probably tip him to be 3rd choice for the ABs based on that.

BTW, is Otere Black contracted to the Canes for next season?

I'd like to see Black move to the Blues. He's surplus to requirements at the Canes, what with BB there and a ready-made clone to step in if he goes down.

According to an article I read about these special jerseys, the Crusaders one is so dark because the Lions jersey is also red.
The Crusaders shirt obviously had to be red and black, but had to contrast sufficiently from the Lions jersey.

As these jerseys were designed for the Lions tour and not Super Rugby, I think the colours were clearly picked without thinking of a possible clash with the jerseys of the other NZ franchises.

@Crash said in Highlanders vs Chiefs:

Fekitoa's attack just didn't go anywhere. He always seemed to run straight into contact'

A little credit to the Chiefs is due there. They shut down his space very well.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="602585" data-time="1470158058">
<div>
<p>Bok backline could be more than handy.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>9 De Klerk</p>
<p>10 Jantjes</p>
<p>11 Habana?</p>
<p>12 Van Rensburg</p>
<p>13 Mapoe</p>
<p>14 Combrink</p>
<p>15 Kriel?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>De Allende looks out of form so a call up for Van Rensburg looks inevitable.</p>
<p>Although that backline only has three quota players....</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Though other Habana that backline has something like 20 caps between them  :think: .</p>
<p> </p>
<p>An exciting option from next year might be to play Pollard at 12 outside Jantjes and rotating Van Rensburg and Mapoe at 13.  Also can't see De Allende's poor form continuing forever.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Wing remains a concern, but I hope they look at Senatla (sheer speed) and Trevor Ismail (some size) going forward.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I like the idea of Kriel at fullback, but he is still prone to making bad mistakes, Lambie might be useful as a send play-maker at this stage.</p>

My point is more that with a better culture he would be less inclined to make such a rash heat of the moment decision.

Haven't read the thread and spent the weekend avoiding all media to make sure I could watch this without knowing the score.<br><br>
My thoughts from the game as I was watching are a bit random and very Chiefs focused.<br><br>
First half<br><br>
Early, we are very direct and were rewarded with a good try. Using the space around the ruck well. <br><br>
Second part of the half though, and just too much territory for Landers mainly from the Chiefs inability to clear the ball and exit well (plus the Landers continuing to put pressure on and make good decisions to kick and keep the territory).<br><br>
A series of stupid decisions to play the halfback within here to not help, plus 4 handling errors - two of them were crucial for fucking up an exit (Taimanivalu) and when finally on attack in the Landers 22 (ALB).<br><br>
It fucking took until the 38th minute for the Chiefs to get a good exit and I'm worried we used too much energy on D in the first 40..<br><br>
First half half-time comments<br><br>
Moli looks like a big pussy - almost stops when he runs into contact.<br><br>
Second half<br><br>
Handling fucking things up again whenever we have territory. Highlanders pressure is fantastic. But hold on, weren't the Chiefs on advantage 5 out there Jacko? We went for a speculator kick and that's it over? Was the ruling in the first half Jacko or was it only a KO ad?<br><br>
Oh fuck. Sanders you idiot. That's going to be the game. You stupid sack of shit. Should have been our penalty as he was way round the side, because you know the Landers will make us pay. And they do, with one of the best tries of the year. 10 points and I'd say that's that.<br><br>
James Lowe you muppet. Don't think you would have got there though.<br><br>
Hometown really is a bit hometown. We break through Cane and go close - Landers clearly slowing it down right on their line but no penalty advantage. We finally get there via Boshier but it's a free ride for the last 3 minutes for the Landers to slow it down whenever they're under pressure. Big ups to Cane throughout this movement and well done for getting back into it. Think we're just holding them out though...<br><br>
And, there it is. Landers try with a rule I can't quite understand and needs clarification. Is it ok to knock a ball out? But it's off his chest so no knock on? Is that ok when I lose the ball back on my chest when I'm running? Even if the other guy touches it? He was actually holding the ball? It's a different ruling every game now. I can understand why it's given but I'm really confused about this law and how it is implemented. Anyway, no bonus point now (and I didn't know it at the time, but there also goes the NZ conference).<br><br>
On attack trying get at least a BO. Wtf is the Asst. ref doing? We break and Dmac passes it backwards but it comes off a lander and that's ruled a knock on?!?? Fuck you hometown and Asst. ref. That's quite possibly the season there. <br><br>
Now, on the other hand, it's also one more example of handling and trying to push the pass under pressure that has been the major factor in removing pressure on the landers. To be effective going forward, the Chiefs really need to understand that we don't need to score off every possession...<br><br>
Final minutes. Chiefs have it back and are attacking. Landers pouring men in - but hold on, where's the taking out the halfback penalty Jacko? Fuck you they totally played the man playing HB there and that's the game you fucking hometown loving muppet.<br><br>
Final thoughts<br><br>
Landers are a fantastic team who I'll support when we inevitably get knocked out in the next couple of weeks due to ongoing problems with decision making under pressure. I love the Chiefs but I think they made their life too difficult by making a series of shitty decisions in the first half which essentially took them out of the running for any points and provided the landers with possession and territory. It was like the Lions game again without any break-out tries. Trying too much against a team with a clear plan. <br><br>
Things were compounded by Sanders card which changed the game - because the Landers are far too good to not take advantage of those kind of opportunities. His stupid fucking decision. Can't argue it.<br><br>
Looking at the other side, the landers have such a great spine from 9,10, and 15 with great support and a clear plan to use pressure to creat points. They're a great fucking team and if we can't get our shot together, I'll be supporting them ahead of other kiwi teams I think.<br><br>
Fantastic game of footy, but <br><br><br><br><br>
fuck, fuck, fuck!

There was plenty of talk about them taking it out in their first season. Or at least people putting money on them because of the good odds. Whether that means they actually thought they were a chance or were just worth a punt i don't know. They should definitely have been better than the handful of wins they have being largely international players.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Username" data-cid="593806" data-time="1467576139">
<div>
<p>Faddes has done a lot of good things this season and scored a number of tries but his poor handling and tackling - 22 turnovers conceded and 18 missed tackles with a success rate of just 67.9% - let him down.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Agree, very high error rate.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Provincial Stalwart" data-cid="592956" data-time="1467246842">
<div>
<p>Never heard of this Li character. Is he a table tennis player?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/YWwYgeKquXKJq/giphy.gif" alt="giphy.gif"></p>

Never fear, Fozzie is working with our kickers now.<br><br>
But TBH, I'm not bothered how these guys kick in thier Super colours, everyone seems to step it up a notch in black, kicking % will be no different

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="579686" data-time="1463199487">
<div>
<p>I had a shitty stream and a wife who wanted to know why I wasn't cooking the food I had previously promised. I don't recall stating that specific night.<br><br>
Sent from my GT-P7500 using Tapatalk</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I have been told a couple of times that I have selective amnesia. Maybe you suffer from the same thing?  :biggrin:</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="578340" data-time="1462777377">
<div>
<p>Yeah, even with the TMO watching the replay he appeared to escape any sanction - although maybe the ref spoke to him off camera?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Perhaps Pryor assumed and expected Weber to catch the ball?</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'll save you the trouble - Fuck Off Siam you twat!!  😉 🙂  :fishing:</p>

Yep, a good man always rises to the occasion. Or so I am told.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="574390" data-time="1461403973">
<div>
<p>The loss of Edmunds is a big one. Without him, the Landers scrum looks weak. His absence is also felt in the loose. I rate him highly, more than Reggie Goodes who has a lot of fans in this forum.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>He can also play both sides too, so would have been a good choice for the 5th prop in the ABs. </p>

<p>Yep they might well have won with Bender there but they need the whole squad to step up and their tacking was so poor in the first half they didn't deserve to win.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sopoanga was composed I thought and played well but they needed one or two more cool heads. Fekitoa did not seem his usual self and appeared jittery, almost like he was trying to do it all himself with both Naholo and B Smith not being there.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I didn't realize how quick Sopoaga is?  70m out I thought there was no way he was going to make it all the way.</p>

<p>My english teacher at school always said proof read everything but did I ever follow those insructions?</p>

<p>Any news on the concussion suffered by Bender in friendly fire?</p>
<p>How bad is Sopoaga's groin strain - will he return this week?</p>
<p>And Edmonds was looking the goods - how bad is the knee - went to hospital for scan?</p>