Blues v Crusaders
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<p>Felt really sorry for the Blues last night. Can't blame anyone directly but themselves for not finding the way to victory (and not taking anything away from the Crusaders) but that game really swung on a couple of marginal calls/non-calls.</p>
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<p>That penalty for not releasing when the player was tackled on the ground then never released was rough, then the non-call on the hit on Francis, then the non-call on the obstruction, the non-call on the offside followed by frustration getting the better of Francis looking to dish out justice himself was all just a sequence that overwhelmed the Blues.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="583558" data-time="1464435841"><p>
I hate that 'diving on the emerging ball' law that the Crusaders got pinged for in front of the posts late in the game.<br>
Such a stupid law. It's either in the ruck or out and free game. In this case i thought it was clearly out and the players were competing for the loose ball. I don't really see the point of it.</p></blockquote>
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Agree. I don't follow rule changes these days so that was the first I learned it. I just thought WTF? Add another page to the law book to differentiate between diving on a ball and diving on an emerging ball. What is the point. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="broughie" data-cid="583572" data-time="1464451196">
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<p>What to do with Moala? His game has improved heaps and he not longer loses the ball in the tackle but is he an AB 12 or 13. </p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/75836897/Tana-Umaga-confident-Rene-Ranger-and-George-Moala-midfield-will-fire-for-Blues'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/75836897/Tana-Umaga-confident-Rene-Ranger-and-George-Moala-midfield-will-fire-for-Blues</a></p>
<p>Tana Umaga:</p>
<p>"If you look at the midfielders that have moved on in that 12 space, George fits into that mould as well."</p> -
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mooshld" data-cid="584328" data-time="1464679906">
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<p>Not sure how Crottys high shot could be considered close to a red. It was a penalty in regular play and nothing more. Just because the Ref missed it doesn't mean it was 10 times worse. </p>
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<p>I doubt the ref missed it. It was replayed about 100 times on the screen provoking a loud response from the crowd. He just didn't consider it serious enough for a card. IMO the right decision.</p>