Great news that the man is back playing!

Lealiifano makes rugby return in Singapore

Arrived back home from hospital, this morning. I missed most of the SR final due to an asthma attack. I'm okay again, but it was a bit scary for a while. Absolutely bad timing, of course (although I think I know what triggered it), but fortunately we recorded the final on mysky and I just watched it, although it's not quite the same when you know the final score.

I don't have much to add to comments already made. It was a typical final in which defence won the game. Todd and Read were outstanding in the forwards, and Bridge, Mo'unga and Havili in the backs. Lots of dew on the ground and a wet ball can explain some of the bad ball handling, but it has to be said that the Jaguares also made some really stupid mistakes. Their 10 was terrible. Overall, the Jaguares played reasonably well and they'll learn from their mistakes. The Crusaders looked - as expected - the more experienced team. Awesome how they changed their game plan when the first one didn't work and good decision-making when they went for the points when they were on offer. Mo'unga's goal-kicking is outstanding now and that's good for the RWC. Not sure whether some of the other rookies are ready though. Still think Havili should have been named in the ABs.

And then reading this thread .. jaysus. How can a welcome new addition to the Fern with a fresh point of view turn so quickly into an arrogant, trolling twat. Although it was quite hilarious to read how those who responded to his nonsense were referred to as the "Cantab crew & their cheerleaders", considering many of them support other franchises in SR games other than the final and are quite fervent anti-cantabs 52 weeks per year.

Anyway, 2019 SR season done and dusted. I'll put the Crusaders 2020 blog post up tonight (had already prepared most of it). Can't wait for the Mitre 10 cup now, oh, and yes, some international games ...

No more starts for SBW, please.

@taniwharugby For me, it's this one with Cory Jane:

Over 17,000 tickets sold for this game. Not many cheap tickets left in West/East stands and a few single tickets in the others.

Condor Sevens

The dates for the Condor Sevens have been announced:

Thu 10 - Fri 11 December 2020: Open boys & girls (seniors)

Sat 12 - Sun 13 December 2020: U15 boys & girls (juniors)

Normally, the seniors would play on the weekend and the juniors on Thursday and Friday, but because - due to Covid-19 - several tournaments had to be squeezed into one weekend (because of changed NCEA examination dates), they have swapped the dates for the seniors and juniors, to allow students to play at multiple events.

http://www.nzsssc.co.nz/newsarticle/92047

And some line-out drives ...

. See also this media release on the Mako website: https://www.tasmanrugby.co.nz/news/mako-wider-training-group-side-to-play-wellington-named

@Yeetyaah I don't think you should see it as Jordan being dropped. They have a lot of players to chose from and can only name three outside backs in the starting XV; they preferred three other, more experienced players. It's all about the 23 nowadays. He'll provide great impact from the bench.

@Machpants said in Crusaders v Blues:

Everyone better play a blinder!

fixed better

So there may not be two Barretts playing on Saturday, but at some point we may have two Goodhue's, two Havili's, two Ioane's and two (unrelated) Christie's on the paddock.

I hope the commentators do a better job than last Saturday, and include the first names in the commentary, so the camera doesn't zoom in on the wrong players (I noticed that happening, last Saturday).

Blackadder, who had major shoulder surgery last year, is set to go under the knife in the next week, after feeling discomfort in his knee, Robertson said.

‘’We really feel for him, he's been through a lot. He just had a wee episode with his knee, something is floating in it. It just locked up a couple of times. The surgeon said he will go inside and have a look.

With Grace likely to miss the remainder of the competition, the Crusaders have brought in Canterbury loose forward Hugh Renton as injury cover.

. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300052943/super-rugby-no-room-for-form-outside-back-will-jordan-in-crusaders-xv