Crusaders v Reds
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<p>How on Earth is a tackler supposed to roll away there?</p>
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<p>How is the ref missing all the obvious neck rolls in front of him but whistling every single fucking thing else?</p>
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<p>Even aside from the tries, I thought Macilai really stepped up - looked physical and confident. Another good game from Taufua. Scrum looked better with the bench props on (and Romano pushing) - especially once Taylor came back for Funnell. Taylor a long way better than Funnell these days. Romano looked good as well.</p>
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<p>Matt Todd let Ardie Savea get a half step on him, though. Too many errors.</p>
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<p>Does that take us top of the table on points difference? I think it might! :)</p> -
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/rugby/dumbfounded-queensland-winger-buys-dummy-century'>https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/rugby/dumbfounded-queensland-winger-buys-dummy-century</a></p>
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<p>Agree with the comment on Todd. Was watching him to see if he could bring something different to the table, but he didn't seize the opportunity. In fact I thought he was somewhat overshadowed by Taufua whose workrate was outstanding - he seemed to be everywhere.</p>
<p>A word for Mounga - he is really starting to grow into the role and is starting to look the goods.</p> -
<p>Don't fully agree with the comments about Todd. He made most tackles in this game (18) with a 100% success rate. Won also 4 turnovers. I'm not saying he was faultless, but he was much better than you give him credit for.</p>
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<p>I think it is very hard to compare Todd and Savea because they are very different players. Savea is more an attacking player (he almost plays like a back), while Todd is stronger on defence. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="577501" data-time="1462531446"><p>
Don't fully agree with the comments about Todd. He made most tackles in this game (18) with a 100% success rate. Won also 4 turnovers. I'm not saying he was faultless, but he was much better then you give him credit for.<br><br>
I think it is very hard to compare Todd and Savea because they are very different players. Savea is more an attacking player (he almost plays like a back), while Todd is stronger on defence.</p></blockquote>
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Was at the game and Todd was huge on defense. One passage of play right in front of us he made 3 big tackles within 20 seconds, the third resulting in a turnover and an opportunity squandered by McNicol. -
<p>Agree Todd stronger on defence than Ardie, however Todd stood off a fair few rucks tonight, and came in as tackle assist only - to be fair the Saders didn't need him to do much more than that - just doing what they needed to do to eke out the BP win over the Reds who really didn't have many answers.</p>
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<p>The Chiefs have been talked up from the start of the season; the Crusaders have mostly been underestimated.</p>
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<p>This is the picture with the top 4 of the NZ conference having played the same number of games (obviously, after having played different opponents).</p>
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<p>Tomorrow's game is a must-win for the Highlanders, if they still have hope to end on top of the NZ conference.</p>
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Not a great game to watch. Had the intensity of one of those one sided ITM cup games. <br><br>
I thought Todd started well in attack showing his good support play, running ball in hand and then passing. But then made a number of errors. His defence was huge though. He was a tackling machine. But his hands did let him down and he wasn't alone there with some poor handling from others too. There was some good stuff in amongst it though.<br><br>
Reds have major issues in their pack and at 10. That young centre has wheels and well done to him for stepping up with Kerevi's injury. -
<p>Enjoyable enough game, but faded away a bit. Best was probably the combo of Scotty S and Mehrts in commentary, gave me a few chuckles. Ref was fine, stop whingeing people...</p>
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<p>If Naholo doesn't come thru, I'm predicting Dagg 15, Smith 14 for NZ, Dagg's in good form, proven, and better defensively than the wunderkind.</p>
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<p>Todd's handling let him down, he'll come to regret it when black rolls around.</p>
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<p>Mounga has been a great find - was wondering if the Crusaders would do a "Blues" at 10 with the 3 lads moving on, but he's really stepped up. Crusaders rookie of the year for sure.</p> -
<p>Only thing I can say is How good is Scott Barrett, he was m MOTM for me, I know we all like to look at the Tafuas, Daggs etc who were bloody good I know ,but that Barrett kid is everything I want in a lock, tackles like hell, never seems to shirk the tight stuff, and every now and then will pop up in support, seems to scrum ok too, actually reminds me a bit of Brad Thorn.</p>
