Final - Crusaders v Chiefs
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I dunno, Syrup McKenzie gets pretty flaky under pressure.
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Well, the TAB doesn't know.
Crusaders $1.90
Chiefs $1.90Have to say, that we've played them twice this year and been beaten comfortably both times is a statistic that does not fill me with confidence. If I recall correctly, we started well both times and got run over as the game progressed - so the manner of the losses isn't good either.
Still, it's the Chiefs - a notoriously card-happy team, so they may gift wrap it for us again. But, that's not something they should focus on - you wouldn't want to be too careful and go into your shells...
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@Chris-B said in Final - Crusaders v Chiefs:
Well, the TAB doesn't know.
Crusaders $1.90
Chiefs $1.90Have to say, that we've played them twice this year and been beaten comfortably both times is a statistic that does not fill me with confidence. If I recall correctly, we started well both times and got run over as the game progressed - so the manner of the losses isn't good either.
Still, it's the Chiefs - a notoriously card-happy team, so they may gift wrap it for us again. But, that's not something they should focus on - you wouldn't want to be too careful and go into your shells...
I feel like the Saders are a superior version of the Brumbies. Solid in all aspects, setpiece, breakdown, and they have a 10 with a solid kick game. The Chiefs must play a cohesive, disciplined game, take the points when on offer, and look to break them open as the game goes on. Just like last night. But if they make mistakes, as the Blues and Canes did, the Saders will squeeze them
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@Chris-B said in Final - Crusaders v Chiefs:
@canefan I don't think the Chiefs' style is a good match-up for us. They'll be big and physical upfront, but willing to play fast and loose in the backs.
We need to hold onto the ball or we'll get sliced and diced!
Agree. Plus add to the fact that the Chiefs are the ultimate confidence team of the comp. Once they get a roll on they can put 15-20 points on you in very quick fashion.
Hopefully Penny has a few tactics up his sleeve from these two earlier games.
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Chiefs are clearly better team, but it’s finals football and incorrect reffing has already embezzled one title from them against Crusaders, so being the best is not guarantee of winning.
That said, my gut tells me that this is the year where Chch home invincibility is finally at an end. -
@Chris-B said in Final - Crusaders v Chiefs:
@canefan I don't think the Chiefs' style is a good match-up for us. They'll be big and physical upfront, but willing to play fast and loose in the backs.
We need to hold onto the ball or we'll get sliced and diced!
It seems to me that the Chiefs have struggled against the teams who take them on up front. The big Blues pack have been pretty successful against them. If they have a weakness, perhaps it is stopping a big pack taking yards up the middle. Having said that, it is probably stopping their playmakers get the ball as well.
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@Old-Samurai-Jack Blues did a good job of disrupting the Chiefs lineout - that's somewhere for us to attack.
But, I thought the Chiefs had the better of the first hour in that game - from 19-6 ahead after an hour they wouldn't lose many times.
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@Old-Samurai-Jack said in Final - Crusaders v Chiefs:
It seems to me that the Chiefs have struggled against the teams who take them on up front.
That applies to all teams, including the Crusaders. Remember what MP did in Chch.
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@Bovidae said in Final - Crusaders v Chiefs:
Surprised.
Even more surprising is the ranking of Damon Murphy as one of two ARs. Who is judging these guys, Stevie Wonder?
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@Duluth said in Final - Crusaders v Chiefs:
So BOK didn't ref single knockout game. Is he away, or demoted?
Hardly demoted, he's doing the first Lion's test. Makes sense to have an Aus ref between 2 kiwi teams, how they done it most of season. Whole panel is Aus including TMO suppose it stops the whingers who claim refs are biased etc. Has been interesting to see how many games Gardiner has done in NZ this season, mate in Aus sayid it almost like he had moved here.
Though doesn't worry me who refs it.
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@brodean said in Final - Crusaders v Chiefs:
Disagree. I think the score flattered the Chiefs.
Chiefs fixed their lineout for the Brumbies so I feel that lineout issue against thr Blues was an anomaly
We probably have to agree to disagree.
I thought the Chiefs had quite a bit the better of the first half - territory and possession. I remember thinking - regardless of the bombed tries - that the Chiefs would have been disappointed not to be ahead by more at the half.
Though it's probably fair to say the Blues came back in the third quarter, so you could argue the try on the hour mark was somewhat against the run of play.
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@Dan54 said in Final - Crusaders v Chiefs:
@Duluth said in Final - Crusaders v Chiefs:
So BOK didn't ref single knockout game. Is he away, or demoted?
Hardly demoted, he's doing the first Lion's test. Makes sense to have an Aus ref between 2 kiwi teams, how they done it most of the season
He didn’t get a SF or QF either. It’s unusual.
