SF Crusaders v Blues
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@game_film said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@Jet Unintentional, yes. But some of the worst technique I’ve ever seen. They needed 10 mins on the bench for the coaches to teach them how to tackle again.
Sotutu got lucky Fihaki stepped. If he didn't, he was just barrelling for his head. That was genuinely woeful technique, and was an absolute brain fade.
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@frugby said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@game_film said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@Jet Unintentional, yes. But some of the worst technique I’ve ever seen. They needed 10 mins on the bench for the coaches to teach them how to tackle again.
Sotutu got lucky Fihaki stepped. If he didn't, he was just barrelling for his head. That was genuinely woeful technique, and was an absolute brain fade.
Ennor's wasn't much better.
From the kickoff/restart he flew up - had plenty of time to change his approach - was asking for trouble.
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@Wapiti said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@KiwiMurph maybe true for today, but 2 seasons ago the Blues won 10 lost 5, this year won 7 lost 9, knocked out at the same stage each year. So you can’t be happy with this season.
Winning 10 and losing 5 doesn't mean much when you get pumped as badly as what happened 2 years ago. It was embarrassing. Preferred this season - went down swinging.
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Crusades loosies were impressive and influenced the result heaps. Reihana and Jordan v good too.
Thought Ricky went out with a big bang for Blues. You couldn't ask more. And I felt F Christie went well, and Reiko was much improved.Will be interesting to see if Newell can do another 80 next week. Taylor seemed to wilt this week.
Well done Crusaders.
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Yahoo! The darkness from the north has been repelled. But only just.
Pat.T is the heart and soul of that Blues pack. Papalii 's physical influence is also obvious. Certain ABs for me.
Clark seems disinterested; is there something going on there? To be honest, with BB and Christie calling the shots, I thought the Blues had a big advantage over the inexperienced Crusaders duo, but the good guys won the day.
For the Crusaders, EB, CLW, Jordan, and Havili went well. Codie didn't have a game to remember, but his influence for the Crusader's pack is Blues-Pat.T-like. -
@Jet said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
Great to see 3 more players sent from the field in a big game for unintentional actions.
Right, so recklessly charging head first at where you think a guy is going to end up is unintentional you reckon? Those poor souls with absolutely no control over their actions! The Sotutu one especially would've seen red in club premier twenty years ago, don't be ridiculous.
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@Chris said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
Rivez Reihana signs through to 2026
Dynamic first five Rivez Reihana has committed to the Crusaders for another two seasons. The 24-year-old joined the Crusaders for the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, debuting in Round 1 against the Chiefs – a team he played three seasons for before shifting his skills south to Christchurch.
They would have to sign him for longer now - kicked all 3 conversions, 2 from wide out. But 2 moments stood out -1st half when he accelerated at the line drawing the defenders to him then popped a pass to Fihaki who ran into the gap he created but was cut down just before the line. The 2nd was when after the Crusaders had been on D for first 15 min in 2nd half he put in the wipers kick that turned Telea around and gained about 40 metres and Crusaders went on attack for next 20 and won the game in that period.
You can see the Crusaders coaching staff have done an excellent job on him. He now carry’s the ball to the line with intent which means defenders have to watch him and it creates space outside. Cruden was the best at that - his combination with SBW. But good to see a young Northlander with talent improving so much. The Crusaders really do have great systems,
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@nostrildamus said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
Whether it was the early head knock or not I am sad we're unlikely to use and motivate Sotutu's notable skills in black, that could be it for him at the ABs this season, but he is only 26 I guess there are still a few years left for an 8.
Not his best game but still a talented player.
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@KiwiMurph said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@Dan54 said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@Lancaster-Park said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
Big pressure game that points to who can be considered for ABs and who misses out.
Havent seen the game.
ABs winners and losers from each team?Thought that Havili was bloody good, and Blackadder had a good one. All the usuals stood up. Jordan,Scooter Barrett etc for Crusaders BB, PT etc for Blues. Thought Papali'i went well too.
No mention of Lam at all?
Yep he was good, but was just in reply to AB contenders really, and I don't think he's one rightly or wrongly.
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@kev said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@nostrildamus said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
Whether it was the early head knock or not I am sad we're unlikely to use and motivate Sotutu's notable skills in black, that could be it for him at the ABs this season, but he is only 26 I guess there are still a few years left for an 8.
Not his best game but still a talented player.
Yeah he had one to forget - may have forgotten already given the head clash with Ennor early. To write him off based on that game ignoring the last one is no different to anointing him based on last week and ignoring last night - it's just confirmation bias.
Last week was a knock-out for the Blues, away from home, against the top team in the comp - and he was the stand-out - so people saying things like 'big players stand up / selectors take notice in big games' have some short memories. -
@reprobate yeah he was madsive last week, but not this week....you have to wonder if the knock played a part.
Again, unlike last week when he stepped up to help.close it, last night he gave away a crucial penalty and then got carded in the final 10, not a good night.
I do hope he gets a shot though, him alongside Savea and Sititi could be something special.
@Steven-Harris yes, his line kicking has improved immensely. He's always had the length, but never the confidence to use it.
Confidence is a huge factor for players, I said at the start of the season the Crusaders had a decent schedule and getting off to a good start can change things, gives belief and now look where we are...the Crusaders, unbeaten in finals hosting the Chiefs/Brumbies in the final.
I just hope it is a good game, not littered with ref calls made/not made.
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Having met Rob Penny on a couple of occasions in the past I found him a really decent type and it comes through when he’s being interviewed very humble and respectful
Man he copped some unwanted some attention about his coaching credentials this time last year and it’s fair to say he’s answered his critics big time
So I’m actually quite wrapt for the guy , he’s 80 minutes away from carving his own piece of history or dare I say some unwanted history given the 31-0 knockout record
Regardless for mine he’s done a superb job -
@Steven-Harris he's also 80 minutes away from still being the guy that crashed the crusaders after half a decade of absolute dominance.
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@Bones said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@Steven-Harris he's also 80 minutes away from still being the guy that crashed the crusaders after half a decade of absolute dominance.
Rob's doing a great job carrying on the legacy - we still haven't lost a play-off match for 9 years!
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