Yep they were. Nail bitingly so.
ARHS
Posts
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Wow. Incredible finish Raiders v Titans. Drama plus
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He looked well off the pace for BOP. Slowness to the breakdown had him making mistakes quite often. But he now looks much much closer to his earlier best form.
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Looking forward to both finals. Men have really surprised me. Nice to see Collier playing back to his best and Knewstubb going well too. TCS is the big improver though.
Did anyone watch USA women semifinal? Sammy Sullivan was pure entertainment value, as she often is. Her passion and histrionics were stunning around and after her trysaver tackles and turnovers. Will be a great final if she can get back up for it against Miller Blyde and Co and cheerlead the crowd. -
Skillset from Narawa and Sititi was very impressive. I want Wallace starting the big games now. And I want Emoni in AB's back three with those kicking and stepping skills.
Ollie Norris was huge too and deserves more starts.
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Wow. Was not expecting that. Tepaea Cook Savage has emerged as a hell of a player.
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Big call leaving out Sam Dickson with all 3 main playmakers injured and missing
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What a fantastic player and really genuine person. I suspect a lucrative sideline role awaits.
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Mystified to see Norris Finau and Poihipi rested same week DMac is. Bit risky. I imagine Roe's kicking game will be used a bit this week
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Yuk that was horrible. Has Dmac got a leg injury? His kicking was far less lengthy today. But things went downhill when he went off. 27% territory and 31 % possession has to be one of the lowest shares I have seen in Super rugby. They will need far more urgency v Crusaders.
Harmon, Gilbert and Tavatavanawai were a handful today. -
This is a rebuild year for Pete's sake - after rugby world cup. Hardly the right time to get 'desperate' and bend the rules and precedents. Start doing that and the stars will leave Super rugby and NZ rugby will decline
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Is the writer a rugby fan or just taking the mickey? Very wishy washy article and no real thought of the consequences of what he was writing.
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Reece was best player on the park. Iose and Love showing AB potential to me. And Roigard Moorby and Bower had their moments.
But the standard of super rugby this year has really dropped off. Far too many mistakes. -
On here to post about the horrid 'alternative' commentary team apparently used this weekend. Yuk. SBW really downgrades the quality. Are they deliberately targeting younger non rugby fans for an audience?
Saw a nice interview with Naitoa ah Kuoi but not much else sparked. -
Kudos to whoever was calling the moves in the backs. The way they were hitting guys coming in at speed, and then breaking tackles, was superb. They seemed to use an extra second or two in identifying targets in the defensive line and gee did it work.
Chiefs props did so much good work too and Jacobson and Finau dominated the contacts. And the backs were on fire. Great to see that level of confidence in attack. -
Hmm. That interview with Tomasi Cama said it all for me. He seemed to be on another planet. His selections defy logic.
Webber and Curry were forced to do too much, but gave 100%. Solo, Cook Savage and Fineanganofo saw little game time but show more threat and play making smarts than others.
Rush is a good link player but no creator. Vai is a good attacker but needs big big improvements in ball retention and defence. And Clark, well I just expect a whole lot more accuracy and work rate.
It really reinforces just how much Rokolisoa, Carter, MGB and Mikkelsen add.
Knewstubb was good for first tournament back but not at his best yet.
Just can't fathom what the plan is from Cama though. -
Weakest looking squad in a very long time. But a big chance for new stars to shine. Looking at you Solo, Cook Savage and Fineanganofo
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Our composure was lacking through the tournament. Too many bad passes and tentative defence. Vai did improve and will be better for this tournament.
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I am finding the format and coverage very frustrating. Each competition is so drawn out if you are just following some teams. And the luck of the draw plays a huge part now, especially with the best 3rd places.
NZ seems to have lost a whole lot of combination and continuity. Relies far too much on Rokolisoa brilliance and efforts of Dickson. I am disappointed we are not seeing better from Cody Vai, Che Clark and Brady Rush. To me the starting lineup selections seem quite odd. But I guess we qualified top and now face Fiji. -
Tried to watch but gave up with the awful commentary.
NRL 2024
NRL 2024
All Blacks 2024 - looking forward
2023-2024 World Sevens Series
Chiefs v Moana Pasifika
2023-2024 World Sevens Series
2023-2024 World Sevens Series
Sam Whitelock
Crusaders v Chiefs
Chiefs v Highlanders
All Blacks 2024 - looking forward
All Blacks 2024 - looking forward
Crusaders vs Hurricanes
Super Rugby 2024
Chiefs v Brumbies
2023-2024 World Sevens Series
2023-2024 World Sevens Series
2023-2024 World Sevens Series
2023-2024 World Sevens Series
Preseason - Blues v Chiefs