Crusaders 2019
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My team is indeed a stab at a Crusaders Worst ABs XV. Doesn't mean they're all poor All Blacks but intended to be the worst in their AB position out of the Crusaders. Havili'i certainly isn't/wasn't a poor AB but was certainly not as good as Rangi or Izzy, and I'd forgotten about Ben Blair. In saying that, Ben Blairs' annis horribilis (sp) was for the Crusaders and not the ABs, so he or Havili'i might be a close call.
I limited it to capped ABs so that rules out Con Barrell, Nathan Mauger, Tabai Matson and Steve Surridge.
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@Bones said in Crusaders 2019:
Any truth to the rumour Ralph is so slow tight forwards can run him down?
From memory noted speedsters Chresten Davis, FIlipo Levi and Paul Tito outpaced Caleb on different occasions.
You'd think being that slow he'd have some strength/power to make up for his other massive shortcomings.
At least he never dropped the ball much, at least compared to Jonah who had to make do with freakish power, pace, balance, strength, X factor, skill and terrifying the opposition to compensate.
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@shark said in Crusaders 2019:
I still don't know if I've worded that all that well. How about 'Crusaders All Blacks who rank the lowest in their AB position'? Much better.
Crusaders promoted to the ABs solely because they played for the crusaders?
Just spit balling to help too come up with the best definition. 😉
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I've just looked up some Caleb Ralph footage. Three bits of evidence which provide balance to the 'cart horse' legend.
First Youtube video that came up was Ralph in space vs the Hurricanes in what must be 2000. Tana Umaga (in his prime) mowed him down, BUT Tana had the angle, was playing as a winger AND the commentators raved about what a good effort it was to get to Ralph. None of this indicates Ralph was as slow as legend would have us believe.
Then I see him score a try vs Canada in the 2003 RWC where he chases a kick starting 10m behind the Canadian fullback and easily outstrips him to the ball. Was 0-0 so not like the Canuck was ready to give up.
Third and final, a try vs Tonga also in the 2003 RWC where he bursts onto the ball in traffic and no-one gets near him as he dots down.
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@shark said in Crusaders 2019:
Then I see him score a try vs Canada in the 2003 RWC where he chases a kick starting 10m behind the Canadian fullback and easily outstrips him to the ball. Was 0-0 so not like the Canuck was ready to give up.
Probably weighed down by his beard and playing in flannel and Sorels.
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@mariner4life said in Crusaders 2019:
@Cyclops said in Crusaders 2019:
Could be a fun challenge to do best and worst super rugby AB teams for each franchise and see how they compare.
Wondering about who is likely to be doing double duty. Ralph just about makes both Crusader sides on the left. Have the canes had any AB tens other Barrett?
Do the Chiefs even have two Abs for every position? We sucked pretty hard for a long time.
Shouldn’t be too hard. Mark Ranby made the ABs so there’s plenty of quality there.
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@shark said in Crusaders 2019:
I've just looked up some Caleb Ralph footage. Three bits of evidence which provide balance to the 'cart horse' legend.
First Youtube video that came up was Ralph in space vs the Hurricanes in what must be 2000. Tana Umaga (in his prime) mowed him down, BUT Tana had the angle, was playing as a winger AND the commentators raved about what a good effort it was to get to Ralph. None of this indicates Ralph was as slow as legend would have us believe.
Then I see him score a try vs Canada in the 2003 RWC where he chases a kick starting 10m behind the Canadian fullback and easily outstrips him to the ball. Was 0-0 so not like the Canuck was ready to give up.
Third and final, a try vs Tonga also in the 2003 RWC where he bursts onto the ball in traffic and no-one gets near him as he dots down.
Have a look at footage from his efforts against England in 2003
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Joe Moody in line to face Stormers despite nasty leg gash
Crusaders assistant coach Ronan O'Gara hopes a nasty leg gash won't keep All Blacks prop Joe Moody on the sidelines for too long. Moody had to be helped off the field early in the second half during Crusaders' 45-13 win over the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday (NZ time) after his left knee was gashed open by a stray boot. He was assisted off with two medics, one of them holding a towel around his knee, and blood could be seen on this thigh. The 30-year-old was seen limping around after the match. The injury adds to the long list of setbacks Moody has had over the last 18 months, including a broken thumb, broken finger and split eyelid. O'Gara is optimistic Moody will be fit to face the Stormers in Cape Town next weekend, but they will know more in the coming days. "It's not as bad as first feared, but he's sitting up, and he's in good form," O'Gara said. "It's a nasty gash that's been stitched. "Hopefully, it should be straightforward enough if it doesn't get infected, but you just don't know what got into it. -
ROG off to Rochelle as backs coach. Hope his NZ coaching experience doesn’t come back to bite the ABs.
NB rumoured not confirmed
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Slightly surprised ROG isn't looking at Head Coaching positions.
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This is the article that started the rumours in France. I believe it when it's officially announced; there simply have been too many rumours already.
Montpellier: Garbajosa avec Lafond et Tomas
L’entraîneur des arrières de La Rochelle, Xavier Garbajosa, va devenir l’entraineur en chef de Montpellier la saison prochaine. Il signera prochainement un contrat de quatre ans.
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Interesting because there was a debate this morning on RS re whether ROG could/should be an ABs assistant should Razor become the coach next term, and assuming he was wanted. Personally I don't think we'd need him but the irony could be that we have a minor experience vacuum at that level due to the amount of coaches who are offshore!
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@Stargazer That's an excellent interview. Do recommend.
