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Rebels believe they can topple Crusaders

By Online Editors

Wallaby halfback Will Genia believes the Rebels are ready to take on the defending champion Crusaders, and if they can get the little things right they can come away with the win.

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“I honestly believe that if we play well and cut down the penalties and makes sure our defence stands up we’re every chance of getting a win,” he said.

“They play a really good brand of rugby – they can play free-flowing rugby and are very good at their set piece so it’s going to be a huge challenge for us.

The Rebels have suffered four consecutive losses and return from their South African tour with their season in freefall – they now sit seventh on the table after a hot start saw them at the top of the ladder.

“Our defence needs to get a hell of a lot better.

“When we’ve won games we’ve scored tries but we’ve also sometimes conceded 20 points so coming up against the better teams we won’t be able to get away with that.

The Crusaders come into the match after dispatching the Brumbies 21-8 in Canberra last weekend, continuing the Australian sides winless streak of 36 matches against New Zealand opposition. If they are to arrest that streak, Genia believes the key will be limiting first five-eighth Richie Mo’unga.

“Richie is exceptional and he’s next in line for that All Blacks jersey alongside Beauden (Barrett).

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“He’s one of the key reasons they won the competition last year and he will bring a different dimension to their attack.

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Bull Shark 1 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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