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The sun set on Ellis Park and the 2017 Super Rugby season as Jaco Peyper’s final whistle rang out announcing the Crusaders as your new Southern Hemisphere champions. However, it wasn’t without controversy and a few talking points came out of the 25-17 result, which saw the Lions crash to their second failure on the biggest stage there is.
- Kwagga Smith got the second most embarrassing send off of all time. OK, Smith was unlucky but fully deserved his early shower. Red cards have a habit of being unfortunate but hard to argue with these days, especially given the precedent set with challenging other players catching the call. However, the Lions flanker managed to literally kiss David Havili’s backside in the process – and then come off second best injury-wise despite the Crusaders fullback almost landing on his head. At least he didn’t start a fight he was never going to win, get knocked out and then get sent off, though.
- Michael Alalaatoa has improved a hell of a lot. The big Crusaders prop made a real impact when he came on in the second half, one of a couple of obviously pre-planned changes that Scott Robertson made at halftime. The big man was a force at scrum time and in open field play, an has had a huge season.
- Ellis Park can be as loud as an airport…and as quiet as a tomb. Thanks to the highly officious South African border service, barely any Crusaders fans were able to make the trip to Johannesburg. Turns out you need to apply for an entry visa to South Africa months in advance if you’re coming from NZ, and it was evident on the match footage that there was no red and black presence in the vast stands. It meant that the volume level was enormous for the period up until Seta Tamanivalu ran away and scored, when you could suddenly hear a pin drop.
- Faf de Klerk should’ve come on a lot earlier. It was no coincidence that the Lions’ valiant but fruitless comeback coincided with the little halfback’s entrance to the action. He played a huge role in Malcolm Marx’s try, and played like he’d drank a triple strength dose of pre-workout. If only the rest of his team had had the same attitude at kickoff – sadly it’s de Klerk’s last game for the Lions.
- Ryan Crotty just reminded everyone how good he is. The All Black midfielder is often unfairly labeled as ‘competent’ or ‘unspectacular’, but he showed just how much of a game-breaker he is in a Man Of The Match performance. He has to be odds-on favourite to start in the number 12 jersey for the All Blacks in a couple of weeks, whether Sonny Bill Williams is free to play or not.
- This might be the start of a dynasty. The last week has seen a ton of player movement in the New Zealand Super Rugby franchises, with one notable exception – the Crusaders. This team will remain more or less intact for next season, and is full of guys that won’t have any plans to leave for a few years at least. The fact that a guy like Mitch Hunt has signed on despite being a likely starter at another team like the Blues, or cashing up and going overseas, speaks volumes.
- Beer tankards as individual player prizes are way better than medals. Good move by the organisers to make this post match decision. The winners can toast their success, and the losers can drown their sorrows.
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Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
6 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
11 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
6 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments