The Silver Fern

3 wins. 7 losses. Home quarter finalist.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="603950" data-time="1470613550">
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<p>I'm really looking forward to the 4N. Barrett looks, to me, like he's done enough to get the 10 jumper. However, with SBW back, it'll be interesting to see if he can use the tools in the back line as well as Cruden.<br><br>
One really interesting part will be how this affects McKenzie. If Barrett gets the start, McKenzie's chances rise also - but at whose cost?</p>
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<p>Did you just call SBW a tool?</p>
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<p>Very harsh.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="602585" data-time="1470158058">
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<p>Bok backline could be more than handy.</p>
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<p>9 De Klerk</p>
<p>10 Jantjes</p>
<p>11 Habana?</p>
<p>12 Van Rensburg</p>
<p>13 Mapoe</p>
<p>14 Combrink</p>
<p>15 Kriel?</p>
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<p>De Allende looks out of form so a call up for Van Rensburg looks inevitable.</p>
<p>Although that backline only has three quota players....</p>
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<p>Though other Habana that backline has something like 20 caps between them  :think: .</p>
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<p>An exciting option from next year might be to play Pollard at 12 outside Jantjes and rotating Van Rensburg and Mapoe at 13.  Also can't see De Allende's poor form continuing forever.</p>
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<p>Wing remains a concern, but I hope they look at Senatla (sheer speed) and Trevor Ismail (some size) going forward.</p>
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<p>I like the idea of Kriel at fullback, but he is still prone to making bad mistakes, Lambie might be useful as a send play-maker at this stage.</p>

<p>Anyone who says the Crusaders weren't rebuilding this year is fucking kidding themselves IMO. Maybe Mccaw and Carter weren't at their best for them for a while now but they would add a huge amount off the field with their experience and leadership.</p>
<p>To remove that and the next level (of 1st fives particularly) in Slade, Taylor, Laulala and Bird leaves a massive hole. They had to fill that hole with Mounga, Volavola, Mckenzie and Alaalatoa FFS.</p>
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<p>Todd Blackadder staying this year has definitely slowed/delayed any building for the future IMO. I couldn't identify any new game plan and he didn't bring in any decent talent to address their weaknesses. The only positive from their backline that has provided variation from "give it to Nadolo" has been Dagg returning to form.</p>
<p>The Blues have definitely come along further from where they started the year despite having less talent in the forwards and the Canes despite a few speed bumps along the way have hardly looked like they have missed Nonu, Smith, Thrush, Franks, NMS, Motu'u or Broadhurst, who arguably left a bigger hole than the Crusaders had to fill. </p>
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<p>Next year won't be much easier and Robertson will need to come up with something good to make use of that forward pack. I hope he can make a difference, the Crusaders used to be one of my favourite teams but they are just bloody frustrating to watch now.</p>
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<p>So in summary the Crusaders did pretty well to make the playoffs after losing the guys they did and having a rubbish coach.</p>
<p>Probably benefitted from the Waratahs sucking arse this year. </p>
<p>But should have done better with the forward pack they have.</p>

<p>All a bit helter-skelter there at the end.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="596258" data-time="1468387970"><p>Why would you risk losing top spot and instead of playing the Sharks who they smashed earlier this season, they risk playing a kiwi team like the Hurricanes/Crusaders who bet them comfortably during the regular season.<br><br>
I hope they get smashed in Argentina for being too cocky at this stage of the season.</p></blockquote>
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I do think it's got anything to do with being "cocky". <br><br>
Managing player welfare is extremely important and it would be hubris to not take these precautions when it's available to them. <br><br>
I very much doubt that the Lions are looking beyond week one of the finals and doing their best to prepare for that game. This is a franchise that hasn't played finals since the Laurie Mains days....

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="580411" data-time="1463473296">
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<p><strong>We're not so assured at 10 like we were at backrow when we told Meafua to move on, so I hope we don't let him go so fast.</strong></p>
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<p>Completely agreed. Blues and their ITM Cup teams and their struggles at 10 - if he's talented I'd hope he is considered - not exactly in a position to be picky!</p>
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<p>Hopefully at the very least Hickey isn't selected as captain of Auckland ITM Cup - which then opens up to the possibility of him being dropped on form, which should have happened last season.</p>

<p>Just watched this as well, great performance,  however I was hoping that the kicking stats had shown Barrett had shaken his yips but all the kicks he got were pretty easy shots. Hopefully it will at least give him some confidence. Fatialofa has been looking awesome, massive lug of a bloke, never really heard of him before the last couple of weeks. </p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cantab79" data-cid="569535" data-time="1459642940"><p>
Very happy to take two wins from the SA road trip, especially given the supposed quality of the two teams. I hope we don't stumble against the Force in Perth now, who have been somewhat of a bogey team for the Crusaders over the years and who played well for 60 minutes against the Highlanders in Dunedin.<br><br>
I hate people who harp on about the referee after a game, but I found Stuart Berry's officiating at scrum time extremely frustrating to watch.</p></blockquote>
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Got to agree. Appeared to be some feedback that he was pretty much blatently biased. So I was deliberately looking for it in his decisions.<br><br>
Frankly i think it was more he was out of his depth. <br><br>
The only call I think was super glaringly wrong was the tip tackle on Romano (?). Had to be a penalty if not a yc. Went with the scrum ... ???<br><br>
Oh. And when he penalised the Saders for the Ellis Park grass being shit. That was poor.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="565074" data-time="1458163748">
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<p>I still maintain that Fekitoa's rush out of the line is part of the Landers defensive plan at times. The players around him seem to totally expect it and position themselves in case he doesn't slow down or stop the attack.</p>
<p>It looks like some clever thinking on turning a potential weakness into a strength. Using his speed off the mark to best effect.</p>
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<p>He just needs to make sure that if he is playing in a different defensive system he doesn't do this by habit.</p>
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<p>Even though the bloody Landers beat my Canes in the final last year relegating us to permanent brides maids, they are my favourite team to watch. Always have a clear game plan that everyone is on board with. They are the smartest Super team by some stretch at the moment. Chiefs, Blues, Saders and Canes always attract "WTF are they doing?" type comments.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="562889" data-time="1457251206"><p>I seem to recall Breyton Paulse doing some impressive post try celebrations, but I've never thought he came across as arrogant because of them.<br><br>
Each to thier own.</p></blockquote>
But hey Habana was ever the stern, humble player on the field, same with Matfield and especially Botha. Not some of the most arrogant fellas around at all, they would've been shit otherwise. I mean, who was that git who raced a cheetah? Never heard from him again.

<p>Ha ha! Is does too!!! Just needs more coke round the nose</p>