SF Crusaders v Blues
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@KiwiMurph said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
Well that was a lot better effort than the rubbish effort the Blues put forth in the same semi vs Crusaders 2 years ago under Leon
Credit to Vern and Co.
They are a good side and I was genuine when I thought they would win tonight. Despite having Beaudie at 10, they do play a more patient gameplan and then a strangling style of D that got them to this point.
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@Bovidae said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
The stats say that EB made as many tackles as the three starting Blues loose forwards combined.
Does it say how many of those were dominant? I hope they didn't count the "tackle" on Caleb Clarke....
The Blues loosies were outplayed tonight. Hoskins had a night to forget
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@canefan said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@Bovidae said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
The stats say that EB made as many tackles as the three starting Blues loose forwards combined.
Does it say how many of those were dominant? I hope they didn't count the "tackle" on Caleb Clarke....
The Blues loosies were outplayed tonight. Hoskins had a night to forget
Apart from Blackadder there was not a lot in it.
The forwards both won their fair share of possession and in the end it took Will Jordan to seal the deal for the Crusaders.
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Most of those tackles from standing next to the ruck as the Blues went for the very narrow attack. Easier to rack up the stats in that situation.
Thought there was multiple obvious penalties beyond the 80th minute but Doleman disagreed
Go the Chiefs. They’ve been the best side all year, hopefully they finally finish a season off
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@Wapiti said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@KiwiMurph a loss is a a loss is a loss…
As a fan - not exactly. Two years ago I was angry at a pathetic Blues performance. This year not the case.
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@game_film said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@Jet Unintentional, yes. But some of the worst technique I’ve ever seen. They needed 10 mins on the bench for the coaches to teach them how to tackle again.
Sotutu got lucky Fihaki stepped. If he didn't, he was just barrelling for his head. That was genuinely woeful technique, and was an absolute brain fade.
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@frugby said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@game_film said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@Jet Unintentional, yes. But some of the worst technique I’ve ever seen. They needed 10 mins on the bench for the coaches to teach them how to tackle again.
Sotutu got lucky Fihaki stepped. If he didn't, he was just barrelling for his head. That was genuinely woeful technique, and was an absolute brain fade.
Ennor's wasn't much better.
From the kickoff/restart he flew up - had plenty of time to change his approach - was asking for trouble.
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@Wapiti said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@KiwiMurph maybe true for today, but 2 seasons ago the Blues won 10 lost 5, this year won 7 lost 9, knocked out at the same stage each year. So you can’t be happy with this season.
Winning 10 and losing 5 doesn't mean much when you get pumped as badly as what happened 2 years ago. It was embarrassing. Preferred this season - went down swinging.
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Crusades loosies were impressive and influenced the result heaps. Reihana and Jordan v good too.
Thought Ricky went out with a big bang for Blues. You couldn't ask more. And I felt F Christie went well, and Reiko was much improved.Will be interesting to see if Newell can do another 80 next week. Taylor seemed to wilt this week.
Well done Crusaders.
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Yahoo! The darkness from the north has been repelled. But only just.
Pat.T is the heart and soul of that Blues pack. Papalii 's physical influence is also obvious. Certain ABs for me.
Clark seems disinterested; is there something going on there? To be honest, with BB and Christie calling the shots, I thought the Blues had a big advantage over the inexperienced Crusaders duo, but the good guys won the day.
For the Crusaders, EB, CLW, Jordan, and Havili went well. Codie didn't have a game to remember, but his influence for the Crusader's pack is Blues-Pat.T-like. -
@Jet said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
Great to see 3 more players sent from the field in a big game for unintentional actions.
Right, so recklessly charging head first at where you think a guy is going to end up is unintentional you reckon? Those poor souls with absolutely no control over their actions! The Sotutu one especially would've seen red in club premier twenty years ago, don't be ridiculous.
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@Chris said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
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.
They would have to sign him for longer now - kicked all 3 conversions, 2 from wide out. But 2 moments stood out -1st half when he accelerated at the line drawing the defenders to him then popped a pass to Fihaki who ran into the gap he created but was cut down just before the line. The 2nd was when after the Crusaders had been on D for first 15 min in 2nd half he put in the wipers kick that turned Telea around and gained about 40 metres and Crusaders went on attack for next 20 and won the game in that period.
You can see the Crusaders coaching staff have done an excellent job on him. He now carry’s the ball to the line with intent which means defenders have to watch him and it creates space outside. Cruden was the best at that - his combination with SBW. But good to see a young Northlander with talent improving so much. The Crusaders really do have great systems,
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@nostrildamus said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
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.
Not his best game but still a talented player.
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@KiwiMurph said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@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?
Yep he was good, but was just in reply to AB contenders really, and I don't think he's one rightly or wrongly.
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@kev said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@nostrildamus said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
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.
Not his best game but still a talented player.
Yeah he had one to forget - may have forgotten already given the head clash with Ennor early. To write him off based on that game ignoring the last one is no different to anointing him based on last week and ignoring last night - it's just confirmation bias.
Last week was a knock-out for the Blues, away from home, against the top team in the comp - and he was the stand-out - so people saying things like 'big players stand up / selectors take notice in big games' have some short memories.
