@antipodean Yes it isn't rocket science. The rules are in place whether people like it or not and people still try and argue against them with the usual 'the game has gone soft, back in my day' talk.

A really good effort by the Reds, who have to be the best 1-5 team I've ever seen. They should have won though. Their average age is 21 and it showed. They just needed a few cool heads to direct traffic in the Crusaders 22, too often they went the wrong way or let the attack stagnate and the D-line get set. The goalkicking was abysmal and genuinely affected the game. I've never seen a pro kicker shank as many as Jock Campbell. Harry Wilson and Lukhan S-Loto were two real standouts, as was Hunter Paisami. Really nice to see the next generation coming through. Combine these Reds youngsters with guys like Harrison and Bell at the Tahs, Lolesio and Valetini at the Brumbies and you've got a few potential Test stars running around.

@Stargazer said in Crusaders v Highlanders (round 4): @nzzp Nothing wrong with two koru. Anyway, I'm not going to have this conversation again with you lot. I knew someone who's name was Christopher P Bacon. Chris P Bacon. His parents could blame people for laughing at it, but at the end of the day it's on them.

@Bones that chiefs game was heavily influenced by all black substitutions though. Two different sides in each half for each team. Edit; literally a game of two halves. Goddamnit, I finally did it; used a cliche in a genuine and appropriate sense

@ACT-Crusader Mounga would've made a big difference on Saturday.

@cgrant said in Crusaders v Waratahs (Round 1): Has Havili ever played at 1st Five ? He could be a good back up to Mo'unga in case of emergency. The Crusaders could play Jordan or Bridge at fullback if he has to move there. I did not expect my question to be so quickly answered by the Crusaders staff ... (see the lineup against the Chiefs).

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120398481/coronavirus-crusaders-xv-played-against-australian-player-who-tested-positive

@jegga said in SR Final: Crusaders v Jaguares: iet , was it something I said? You;re fine I've just finished replying to all the fan mail I received All in the name of openness and transparency

@canefan said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes: @Rapido said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes: @pakman said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes: @taniwharugby said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes: @WillieTheWaiter it is ridiculous that a prop hooker or anyone other than the guy with 9 on his back are fair game in that situation At the risk of raking over old coals, isn't it the case that the Laws don't make distinction? I realise that there is an official interpretation which stipulates that the ball is out when halfback picks it. In the modern real world of refereeing. If you bump the arm of a halfback about to spin it wide and cause him to drop the ball you could get carded, if you bumped the arm of a prop in the same position but about to pick and go - you would get chess pumps from your teammates for forcing a turnover. Ruby laws should be interpreted and applied that encourage forwards to congregate at a breakdown (IMO); The defending team to attempt to win possession and if not then disrupt clean possession. The attacking team forwards should need to congregate to ensure possession is maintained and is then clean. At no point should one of the above actions, performed legally (or even just slightly mis-timed) risk incurring a card because refs don't understand the essence of rugby. In other words It ain't tiddlywinks mate!!! Rather it ain't League mate !!!! What next, illegal strips, and sit in protests blocking Queens Street for a week?

@Yeetyaah said in QF1: Crusaders v Highlanders: Bloody Landers. Was backing them for the slim chance of a Chiefs home final. First half was great from both teams. Squire ruined the chances. Dunno what was up with Franklin swearing at the ref either. Crusaders too good. Rebuilding time for the Landers. Thanks for the memories Bender. @Jaguares4real See how I've written slim chance? I'm backing my boys but I know it's going to be a hard slog.

@Crucial said in Crusaders v Rebels: @Damo said in Crusaders v Rebels: @Damo said in Crusaders v Rebels: @Chester-Draws said in Crusaders v Rebels: @Damo said in Crusaders v Rebels: @Damo said in Crusaders v Rebels: That is an example when advantage should be over in my book. Rebels might have gone 80m if that pass had stuck. They had a clear advantage. Instead we go back for a scrum 10 metres back from where the lineout would have been. Especially since it was only a scrum advantage. PK advantage would be different. And again. Scrum advantage should be over once a team gets clean ball and are free to use it as they wish. Except that's not what the rules say. And I prefer referees who play to the actual rules, not dodgy commentators on chat groups. Oh yeah. What does the law say? Enlighten me. Fudge it. Can't resist: Law 7(1): Advantage: a. May be tactical. The non-offending team is free to play the ball as they wish. b. May be territorial. Play has moved towards the offending team’s dead-ball line. c. May be a combination of tactical and territorial. d. Must be clear and real. A mere opportunity to gain an advantage is not sufficient. I think that d. is the bit that annoys most viewers. This is exactly the previously described scenario where a player in the clear is passed to but drops the ball. Laws say that opportunity is not sufficient but to the viewer it looks like the team has already experienced an advantage to the point where they could have done well. The other annoying one doesn't happen that often but can be awful. That is when a team is on attack in the 'red zone' and they keep making small inroads breaking down the defence. It can go on for ever giving them every chance to score a try before a handling error dictates going back. There is a school of thought that if a team gets a PK advantage in the opposing teams 22m line, then the referee should never call 'advantage over'. Either the attacking team scores a try, or the attacking team comes back for a PK. I don't know if I quite subscribe to it, but I can see the logic for a PK advantage.

@shark It's not hard to understand, it's merely wrong. Each of Havili'i, Bridge, Reece and Ennor are in possible AB contention. They would not care less about the guys behind them, because the guys behind are far worse than they are. They will play every game as well as they can, because they are looking at higher honours, not over their shoulders. Meanwhile other teams have their best players not being fielded. That's a far worse situation that worrying that some of your also-rans can't make the team. I would love it if the Chiefs could field Damien McKenzie, at the cost of not being able to field Etene Nanai-Seturo.

I think that another fast outside would be useful, but also having a halfback who makes a big effort there would be good. It’s an important part of TJ, Weber, and Smith’s games.

@nzzp said in Stormers v Crusaders: @Billy-Webb said in Stormers v Crusaders: Given where the pass took place, the ball clearly traveled forward a good few yards so one can understand the inclination to want to call it as forward. But one would expect a TMO to know the laws of the game well enough to know that it is actually about whether the ball leaves the passing player "backwards out of the hand". So yes, disappointing and frustrating that Jonkers got it wrong. Mate, if a TMO doesn't know basic laws, how the hell do the provide advice to the onfield ref? It's just bizarre. Wayne Barnes got this one wrong at Eden park a while ago too. Wait for a terrible call like this to influence a game at the RWC and see what happens. The standard of refs is poor at the moment, and the laws don't help them. Yup. That's what I am saying nzzp And you can bet the farm there will be at least one of these in the RWC. You just have to hope that it isn't against the team you're supporting.

@shark said in Bulls v Crusaders: @Machpants said in Bulls v Crusaders: @shark yeah don't need him and Franks broken. Not with a lot of the ABs backups looking average. Mo'unga tho, man as long as him and Beaudy stay fit, paired with Smith and TJ - that's a good axis. Read coming back, Ardie a better explosive option off attacking scrums, bender in 15 & Taylor still great at hooker. Spine is looking fine Spine? Aaargh. Can you not?? Come on shark, the Warriors had a win on the weekend, league references are ok - until next week when we revert

@Chris-B said in Crusaders vs Sharks: I have a sneaking thought in the back of my mind that we should perhaps be pretty desperate to win this Cup, because who knows whether we'll have teams capable of winning in the future. If you use Nonu as being the yardstick of a "Golden Generation", this is the last hurrah. But, more particularly, four more years of Whitelock and Retallick looks some distance off and I don't see many obvious replacements coming through - other than size-wise Triple-P. Yeah - but if you threw Piutau and Luatua into this team, they'd probably go to that next level. We have thrown up the talent, we just struggle to keep it.

@Nepia Well there's a challenge maybe he might become a superstar or stay shit

Okeefe HaHaha

@sparky Yeah Jordan reminds me a little of how good Bridge was last season. Don't think Bridge has been quite as good in 2019 for whatever reason (play not going his way perhaps) - butJordam has been impressive , I like his attitude - we are lucky to have both.

@taniwharugby said in Hurricanes vs Crusaders: @Stargazer maybe Jordie took the last piece of pavlova when they were last home? Brilliant eh, Jordie looked pissed like Scott really sticks it to him after a win.

I left the Chiefs alone but had the Blues winning and thought that was the strangle leg!!

@Chris said in Should the Crusaders change their name?: @Kirwan said in Should the Crusaders change their name?: So what ended up being decided? Keeping the name, losing the sword? At the moment sword and knight gone from the Logo for 2020 name stays for next season but under review for 2021 Ahh, the weasly chicken shit way of changing the name.

I need to qualify what I meant by my comment about NPC form meaning nothing. It can certainly play you into a Super Rugby squad, but doesn’t neccessarily mean you can translate that form into SR, and some find that step up much harder than expected. It’s relatively easy to dominate at the lower level but then the next step is becoming harder by the year as our depth is eroded. Problem being, how often in the NPC is a freshie coming up against an established Super Rugby player, or veteran, in ten rounds?

@Bones said in Reds v Crusaders: @booboo I'd say yes he is and I wouldn't be surprised if that changes pronunciation. The vowels sounds would likely stay the same but the emphasis on the vowels would change. In Maori we adopted an 'english' pronunciation where we put emphasis on the first vowel, while the PI's still put emphasis on the second (according to my linguist mate). We'd put emphasis on the Petaia whereas the PI's put emphasis on the Petaia.

@Stargazer Looking forward to seeing him sign with Toulon and 3 games in the owner saying this isnt the Dagg I saw in the 2011 RWC highlights I watched....

@KiwiMurph said in Blues vs Crusaders: @rotated I think Faiane stands out as the obvious option from next year onwards if the Patty T/Blake Gibson combo does not work. With SBW and Nonu both likely off he would be favourite to start at 12 and did a terrific job as captain of Auckland. I would be hard pressed to go with Faiane next season, which will be his make or break year in terms of making ABs after the exodus. Tough to saddle him with the captaincy for such an important individual season. Wouldn't surprise me if he captains the Blues at some point shortly after though.

@sammyc any reason to hate on Wellington.

Leon MacDonald was a good #10 in my opinion, except he had a fullback's kick -- too slow, and hence prone to charge downs, and lacking a bit in variety. At the time it made sense to play him though.

Ennor seems to have put on a few kilograms of muscle without losing his speed. He was impressive in his outing against the Sharks.

This video is better than the 2019 highlights clip:

Not a bad start from young Pari Pari Parkinson : one lineout steal against Sam Whitelock and a good workrate. Hard to say if he was effective at scrum time though.

@stargazer yeah agree on the hype that was bullshit Also thought Dunshea was strong Poihipi was impressive solid on the tackle and made good decisions for a 19 year old Ex NZ Schoolboy hooker Brodie McAlister also looked promising of the bench another 19 year old Crusaders developing some good depth for the future

@taniwharugby said in Crusaders Team v French Barbarians: @chris-b I stopped watching for a bit, what did Macilai do to himself? Couldn't watch the game properly last night with a room full of people, so watched the first half again and saw Macilai tripping over a French foot/leg. That was all that happened, but he seemed to have injured his ankle.

@gt12 I concur. I've always said DMac is way better at FB than as a 10. I can see why Shag may want him at half back also. But there is a world of difference between BB, Mo'unga and daylight - then DMac. If we could get (and keep) Black fit and somehow get JGB's and Perofeta's confidence levels up we would be humming.

@broughie All elbows and knees.

@act-crusader said in Blues vs Crusaders: @majorrage said in Blues vs Crusaders: Talk about retarded. I'm sorry I smashed you in the face, can I have a lighter sentence now. Apologising was irrelevant to anything in 2005, it still is in 2018. What is relevant is if Franks is a good Christian. Depends on the judiciary's point of view I suppose ... he's either Retarded for believing in a fairy in the sky Retarded for being an infidel Worth of sentence reduction and going into credit. Not the best odds.

@stargazer Thanks. I guess that begs the question of why one mid range is 6 weeks and why the other is 4 weeks.