SF Crusaders v Blues
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@Dan54 said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@Lancaster-Park said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
Big pressure game that points to who can be considered for ABs and who misses out.
Havent seen the game.
ABs winners and losers from each team?Thought that Havili was bloody good, and Blackadder had a good one. All the usuals stood up. Jordan,Scooter Barrett etc for Crusaders BB, PT etc for Blues. Thought Papali'i went well too.
No mention of Lam at all?
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@pakman said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@KiwiMurph said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
As an aside
How the fuck does Doleman get assigned a Super Rugby semi final?
That’s a 7 points start for Sith.
At least.
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That defensive scrum penalty in the second half was massive for the Crusaders - probably a turning point.
Allowed us to clear our line and truck up field. Shout out to the props and forwards for that. And the massive shifts by Bower and Newell - highly necessary!
Blues scrum a bit fucked after that with Ricky trying to prop. Luckily Lay was able to come back and stop things degenerating to a farce.
Mostly good by us after the first 20 minutes.
Thought Blackadder and Lio-Willie were both excellent - much maligned workrate - both ever present. Scooter very good as well. Grace excellent at the lineout at the back end.
Particularly liked Dave and Will among the backs.
Nerve wracking at the end - shades of Ireland in 2023.
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@Chris-B said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
Nerve wracking at the end - shades of Ireland in 2023.
Except in that game the good guys won!
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@Mattasaurus said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@Lancaster-Park said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
Big pressure game that points to who can be considered for ABs and who misses out.
Havent seen the game.
ABs winners and losers from each team?Has to be said , Sotutu really let himself down tonight when it mattered most .. its big games like this where the selectors take note.
But i didn't see any AB level performance in the packs TBH, the only AB performance for me tonight was Will Jordan
Thought CLW actually looked worth the chatter, seems he's almost a clone of Sititi though.
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@antipodean
Pretty sure the ref called that the ball was out before he dived on the ball. -
@Chris-B thought Rivez Reihana came through very well in what his biggest test to date .
I have heard through my Northland contacts that he’s still not contracted to the Crusaders for next season , I find that staggering given what he’s shown with a bit of consistent rugby -
@Steven-Harris Very odd if the Crusaders are hesitating on Rivez.
Been clearly our best first five this year, given Kemara's goal-kicking woes.
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@Steven-Harris said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@Chris-B thought Rivez Reihana came through very well in what his biggest test to date .
I have heard through my Northland contacts that he’s still not contracted to the Crusaders for next season , I find that staggering given what he’s shown with a bit of consistent rugbyHopefully the Blues pick him up and win another title with him.
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@Chris-B said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@Steven-Harris Very odd if the Crusaders are hesitating on Rivez.
Been clearly our best first five this year, given Kemara's goal-kicking woes.
Rivez is signed for next year
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@Chris-B his line kicking has improved out of sight and is finally using his frame to good effect when he decided run
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Rivez Reihana signs through to 2026
Dynamic first five Rivez Reihana has committed to the Crusaders for another two seasons. The 24-year-old joined the Crusaders for the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, debuting in Round 1 against the Chiefs – a team he played three seasons for before shifting his skills south to Christchurch.
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@antipodean said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@KiwiMurph said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@antipodean said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@KiwiMurph You could have prime Nuggy out there and he'd be hard pressed making Ta'avao, Choat, Eklund etc. look like finalists.
Nuggy who won Super Rugby with that star studded Landers team
Nasi Manu, James Lentjes, Elliot Dixon, Josh Hohneck, Liam Coltman, Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown - ahh I see your point.
Conveniently leaves out Bender, Sopoaga, Fekitoa, Naholo….
Thought both teams had disjointed attacks for large parts of the game. The mindset of playing a little conservative to avoid counter attacks perhaps.
Intensity in defence was very good generally.
Very happy and even surprised to get the win. Semi finals are the hardest games to win in any competition.
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@Steven-Harris said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@Chris-B his line kicking has improved out of sight and is finally using his frame to good effect when he decided run
Yeah - he's going well. It's reflected by a few murmerings on here about his AB chances.
This year will be a bit early - but, playing himself into the discussion.
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Whether it was the early head knock or not I am sad we're unlikely to use and motivate Sotutu's notable skills in black, that could be it for him at the ABs this season, but he is only 26 I guess there are still a few years left for an 8.
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@Chris-B said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@Steven-Harris said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@Chris-B his line kicking has improved out of sight and is finally using his frame to good effect when he decided run
Yeah - he's going well. It's reflected by a few murmerings on here about his AB chances.
This year will be a bit early - but, playing himself into the discussion.
Maori ABs will be good for him too
