the big bambino
Cricketer Of The Year
Unfortunately. Its why I'm going for the Sharks. We'd have a better chance of going there and beating them.
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Official Rugby Thread
- Thread starter KennyD
- Start date
Unfortunately. Its why I'm going for the Sharks. We'd have a better chance of going there and beating them.
the big bambino
Cricketer Of The Year
Took a walk to the pub and watched the game there. Disappointing result for the Brumbies but they played well. Brumbies have the best lineout and they take there's cleanly. They have an ability to upset their opponents lineout as well. Scrum battle was close but the Waratahs showed an ability to counter attack with pace and that ability accounted for most of their points.
BoyBrumby
Englishman
It was a great defensive effort from NSW. I thought the extra game would do for the namesakes, but yer Brumbies hammered at the Waratahs door for more or less the whole game.
Wasn't sure of some of the Brumbies' options; lacked that bit of nous to puncture the Tahs' defence, but was a sterling effort from them. Physically fronted right up.
Will be (guiltily) hoping for a Tahs' win next week; Crusaders are pretty much the ManU of Super Rugby, after all. Them winning makes Baby Jeebus cry.
Wasn't sure of some of the Brumbies' options; lacked that bit of nous to puncture the Tahs' defence, but was a sterling effort from them. Physically fronted right up.
Will be (guiltily) hoping for a Tahs' win next week; Crusaders are pretty much the ManU of Super Rugby, after all. Them winning makes Baby Jeebus cry.
ripper868
International Coach
I'm a Reds man through and through but will be at the game getting vocal for the Tahs on Saturday night. Love to see them deny the Crusaders yet another title.
Will also bring us equal with New Zealand for number of different teams to have won the title (Reds, Brumbies, Tahs v Crusaders, Blues, Chiefs - RSA only have the Bulls to have won the title)
Have a group of about 10 mates going, some of whom I haven't seen for 12 months, and a pass from Mrs ripper to drink as many beers as I can. Huuzah!
Will also bring us equal with New Zealand for number of different teams to have won the title (Reds, Brumbies, Tahs v Crusaders, Blues, Chiefs - RSA only have the Bulls to have won the title)
Have a group of about 10 mates going, some of whom I haven't seen for 12 months, and a pass from Mrs ripper to drink as many beers as I can. Huuzah!
ripper868
International Coach
Tips for the weekend?
The Crusaders looked at their clinical best last week and if Carter and Read decide to play their best rugby, the Waratahs will struggle. What I found from watching the extended highlights was that the Crusaders seemed to create their tries whereas the Waratahs jumped on opportunities - Alofa picking up a poor pass, Beale ripping the Ball off Mogg - the Foley try being the exception with Skelton walking through the Brumbies small men.
I hope the Tahs win, however i think it'll be the Crusaders who turn in a clinical performance (and winat least 4 Waratah lineouts in the process) to win it by 22 (3t,2c 1p) -13 (1t,1c,2p)
This may or may not be a horrid attempt to put a knocker on the Crusaders.
The Crusaders looked at their clinical best last week and if Carter and Read decide to play their best rugby, the Waratahs will struggle. What I found from watching the extended highlights was that the Crusaders seemed to create their tries whereas the Waratahs jumped on opportunities - Alofa picking up a poor pass, Beale ripping the Ball off Mogg - the Foley try being the exception with Skelton walking through the Brumbies small men.
I hope the Tahs win, however i think it'll be the Crusaders who turn in a clinical performance (and winat least 4 Waratah lineouts in the process) to win it by 22 (3t,2c 1p) -13 (1t,1c,2p)
This may or may not be a horrid attempt to put a knocker on the Crusaders.
Hurricane
Hall of Fame Member
I think it comes down to the crowd. I think the Crusaders are about ten points better as a team on neutral territory. But if the crowd gets in behind NSW then anything is possible.
The crowd in the semi final were quiet and might as well have been eating cucumber sandwiches while they were watching. Get in behind your team Australians FFS.
As far as the match up of the teams go.
Front row advantage Cantabs
Locks - Cantabs
Loose Forwards - NSW due to Hooper being 10 times better than Matt todd.
Half back - Cantabs with apologies to Heef who doesn't rate Andy Ellis
1st 5 - NSW with apologies to Ripper who said he had reservations about Foley. Slade takes all the right options but will usually not make a line break in a typical game.
Centres - NSW - Carter is contributing kicking only atm.
Wings - Cantabs
Full Back - NSW
These games aren't won however they are lost. And the team with the fewer weak links will get up and do it.
NSW probably have more weak links (players who aren't super rugby standard) and cantabs are just solid overall.
All other factors being equal this is Cantabs all the way. But it isn't all factors being equal as NSW are at home.
The crowd in the semi final were quiet and might as well have been eating cucumber sandwiches while they were watching. Get in behind your team Australians FFS.
As far as the match up of the teams go.
Front row advantage Cantabs
Locks - Cantabs
Loose Forwards - NSW due to Hooper being 10 times better than Matt todd.
Half back - Cantabs with apologies to Heef who doesn't rate Andy Ellis
1st 5 - NSW with apologies to Ripper who said he had reservations about Foley. Slade takes all the right options but will usually not make a line break in a typical game.
Centres - NSW - Carter is contributing kicking only atm.
Wings - Cantabs
Full Back - NSW
These games aren't won however they are lost. And the team with the fewer weak links will get up and do it.
NSW probably have more weak links (players who aren't super rugby standard) and cantabs are just solid overall.
All other factors being equal this is Cantabs all the way. But it isn't all factors being equal as NSW are at home.
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ripper868
International Coach
For the Crusaders that aren't up to standard I'd point to Kieran Read, Richie McCaw and Dan Carter. All terrible players. To top it off the Crusaders have had to look to a Waratah reject in Nemani Nadolo, so they are clearly the weaker team on paper.
In seriousness I'd have every Waratah back over the Crusaders opposite, except for Nadolo v Alofa. Put Carter at 10 and I'll have Carter though. The forwards are more even than people think. Hooper is world class, Palu and Potgeiter have been immense recently, Hoiles is finding some of the best rugby of his career and the front row is 3 Wallabies, including the destructive TPN. Oh and there is Skelton who has been stopping mauls on his own.
Tahs lineout is the key area they give away an advantage to the Crusaders. When the Crusaders kick, it won't be for open space, it'll be for touch and to contest the lineout.
In seriousness I'd have every Waratah back over the Crusaders opposite, except for Nadolo v Alofa. Put Carter at 10 and I'll have Carter though. The forwards are more even than people think. Hooper is world class, Palu and Potgeiter have been immense recently, Hoiles is finding some of the best rugby of his career and the front row is 3 Wallabies, including the destructive TPN. Oh and there is Skelton who has been stopping mauls on his own.
Tahs lineout is the key area they give away an advantage to the Crusaders. When the Crusaders kick, it won't be for open space, it'll be for touch and to contest the lineout.
dermo
International Vice-Captain
this is so true, but its not surprising because kiwi's just dont rate aussie forward packs as a rule
Hurricane
Hall of Fame Member
Good on you for calling me out.
On retrospect the players I thought weren't up to snuff were probably the bench players (I just noticed some front rowers who looked a bit lost out there) as the plays i noticed were about the 60 minute mark.
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