The Silver Fern

@Chris-B said in Highlanders v Crusaders:

@Chris For a good part of the season you could construct a very strong "Missing XV" from injuries and gone from the previous year - have to play Richie at halfback. Would certainly have given what we were fielding a good drubbing.

Brewis, Taylor, Williams
Barrett, Whitelock
Sione Havili, Blackadder, Dunshea
Mo'unga, Burke
Goodhue, Ennor
Faingaánuku, Nanai, Jordan

The Canes have had just as many injuries this year and are still in contention so it’s not always just injuries. Every team goes through that.

Interestingly both the Crusaders and Canes really struggled when they had Hohepa at 10 for a long period. I think as long as you have key players in key positions then you can cope.

@nostrildamus said in Crusaders v Blues:

@reprobate said in Crusaders v Blues:

So, the Blues have more AB backs than can fit on the park in Christie, Barrett, Ioane, Telea, Clarke, Perofeta, Plummer. And yet AJ Lam is their best back?

Half of the ones you mentioned may have already mentally packed for overseas.

Which would be a sad indictment for any pro player who is still contracted to play at the level they have been selected for.

I hope this isn’t the case for these Blues players or any other player in this situation.

Thank you

Why provide evidence for that which is self evidently true?

@Jet said in Crusaders v Moana Pasifika:

Scott Barrett Allblacks captain.

Deary me.

Useless.

He was in our top 3 most important players prior to getting the "Armband".

Non existent since.

I wonder if his back still isn’t right?

@Bones I can see Beehre getting a shot but not McWhannell. With four or five 'experienced' options in the mix I imagine the selectors will go for a young gun, even if they aren't in especially impressive form, knowing they can mould them into a long-term All Black.

@Dan54 said in Crusaders v Force:

@DaGrubster said in Crusaders v Force:

How did Scott Barrett go?

Was ok I thought, 2 best locks in NZ so far this year are Holland and Vai'i.

I've really liked what Beehre has brought to the Blues. High work-rate and feel like he should be a regular starter for them.

@Old-Samurai-Jack said in Crusaders v Reds:

Zero analysis, just snide comments.

Sounds like the perfect ferners.

@Bovidae said in Chiefs v Crusaders:

Who was the final Chiefs captain in this game?

To answer my own question, it was ALB.

There will be yet another captain named today for the Brumbies game - Vaa'i.

@MN5 said in Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

@nostrildamus said in Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

@Machpants said in Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

@MN5 said in Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

Haven’t really been up with the play, is Jordie available for the ABs later this year or do we have to face the very real prospect of Havilli being the number one number 12 ?

Sabbatical so he is available, yes

Lam is way ahead of him in my book. (It's not a red and black book though).

Havili or Jordie ?

ahead of DH...

@Higgins said in Preseason - Highlanders v Crusaders:

Excellent coverage from ThePits TV. Hadn't really heard much of them much before this and was expecting just a one or two camera job but they far exceeded that and look to have set a high benchmark for any others out there to try and match.

Couldn't agree more. Was real impressed with whole production. Enjoyed the commentary team too.

@Kirwan said in Sevu Reece - in trouble again:

Has Robertson made him captain yet?

Insert Patrick Bateman “oooh” meme here.

@SouthernMann said in Crusaders 2025:

@African-Monkey said in Crusaders 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Crusaders 2025:

@Grooter said in Crusaders 2025:

@Chris landers might attempt to bring George Bell back home? just an assumption, poor guy has had a horrid time with injuries the last 3 years

Five hookers at the Crusaders certainly doesn't fit into three. Taylor is signed through to 2027, Ioane Moananu still around, Bell signed a three year contract starting in 23. The U20s boys Manumaua Letiu and Eli Oudenryn will be wanting a run in Super soon too.

I wonder if the Aussie franchises may be interested in Oudenryn with him being eligible for the Wallabies through his dad?

I asked this question before, but is his dad former Wahs winger Lee Oudenryn?

Yeah that's him. I've read that Lee was a cop in NZ, but has since returned by Australia to be a detective

Yeah he hung around after his playing days I recall.

Quite the opposite to his son then. He was a skinny little speedster who didn't enjoy the contact so much haha.

The Chiefs ask for feedback for the in-game experience from season members at the end of the season. The number one complaint for us is always the music being played during the game. They don't listen.

Rewatch of second half confirms Blues unforced errors and lack of composure let Chch back in.

That said holding Rouge et Noirs out for last five minutes in their 22 was what champion teams are made of.

Pity we have to wait to next year for a rematch!

@African-Monkey said in Brumbies v Crusaders:

@Bones Well he should have removed all doubt by not punching the ball dead, and if he does it with the Brumbies player that close to the ball which he did, he left the refs with no choice. It was a complete brain explosion.

I do agree with this. It was stupid to put yourself in that position.

All he really needed to do was get his hand to it first and try to catch it. If he's trying to catch it and it goes dead then no big deal, it's a line drop out.

@Damo said in Highlanders v Crusaders:

@nzzp said in Highlanders v Crusaders:

Just saw the final try by the Crusaders. Interesting as was talking about it in the previous game - if refs want to call 'tackle', the ball carrier should not be able to continue forward. Players get released and crib a few metres - or in the case below, score a try.

@Damo you reffed, thoughts on this? Looked very very weird to me; I think a comp-wide interpretation of either calling maul when the attacking player's mate joins, or cracking down hard on cribbing metres would be a good solution. Or do both!

https://www.reddit.com/r/rugbyunion/comments/1cqjcwi/controversial_final_try_for_the_crusaders_vs_the/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

I think it is an unusual situation. I did not think it was a mail, because there was not a player from the ball carriers team attached (from memory - I could be wrong). The tacklers ought to have released earlier, but when they got the call to release they did so. Should the ball carrier be able to use the momentum to then go over the line and score?

Personally I think not but per the laws it was probably correct.

I am of view that if a player is reaching out to score the defenders should not have to release to allow the try. As per the laws as written this is not the current position.

I add I have not reffed for 3 years so I am not up to date with the current interpretations/trends.

I should have clicked the link..

I think the tackle was completed before the players joined so it couldn't be a maul.

I think it is an unusual situation but I can't fault the referee for the decision.

The point that DH has been moved to yet another position and was at least as good in his first go as all of the other specialists in the squad says a lot.
Ist Five depth is not in a happy place in NZ at the moment .........but if they are all about the same it keeps things even.

@Old-Samurai-Jack said in Crusaders v Rebels:

@Crazy-Horse I would start either him or Papalii at 7 if Ardie is at 8 (which he will be).

I could be wrong but I think he’s been playing plenty at 7 in Japan. I’m intrigued to see where Razor likes him.

@mariner4life

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