Super Rugby Pacific

[Gumboot]

An away win against the form Aussie team is a big win for the lads. Well done.

Yep, that was a big improvement on their recent form, and against a quality opponent.

[Guy Smiley]

An away win against the form Aussie team is a big win for the lads. Well done.

Yep, that was a big improvement on their recent form, and against a quality opponent.

Interesting that they could put it all together and play such a high quality game at the end of 3 weeks on the road. That's impressive.

The intercept for the Brumbies was a gimme... he gathered with one arm. Jordan owned it in his post game presser but he'll be kicking himself for that, it was a poor pass.

Good game to watch, high quality play and some cameos from lesser known players who stepped up.

Oh... and Barrett didn't cost a card. I don't think he conceded a penalty, actually.

[Kiwias]

No yellow cards in the match!

[Kiwias]

Interesting that they could put it all together and play such a high quality game at the end of 3 weeks on the road. That's impressive.

Especially given that the final opponent on the tour was the red-hot form Aussie team.

[Gumboot]

Normal service is resumed?

[Guy Smiley]

Normal service is resumed?

Assumption is the mother of complacency....

so yes, allow me to exercise the maternal aspect of my subconscious.

[Certain Navigator]

Anyone else steaming?

Dunno if it’s my connection but it keeps just dropping out every few minutes.

I'm watching via my Virgin media stream and it's fine.


I usually like Justin Marshall on comms but he's very wrong about that not being a card.

He’s an idiot.

Whatever else he may be, he's certainly not that. His description of how Rodda cleverly forced a turnover from a kickoff was masterly, and he regularly comes up with similar insights that are beyond any other NZ commentators.

[Certain Navigator]

An away win against the form Aussie team is a big win for the lads. Well done.

The inexperience of the tight-5 bench was noticeable though and will continue to be a worry for them. With their two first-choice props out injured or sick, the benchies are the 5th and 6th options. With McCallister injured, Taylor is so far ahead of the other hookers he's in a different galaxy and Robertson will be grinding the worry balls over the knock he picked up last night. And they didn't even risk bringing on the bench lock, which isn't surprising given that he's at best 7th on the depth roster.

[Guy Smiley]

I'm watching via my Virgin media stream and it's fine.


I usually like Justin Marshall on comms but he's very wrong about that not being a card.

He’s an idiot.

Whatever else he may be, he's certainly not that. His description of how Rodda cleverly forced a turnover from a kickoff was masterly, and he regularly comes up with similar insights that are beyond any other NZ commentators.

He yaps away so much he's bound to be right sometimes... but if you can concentrate hard enough to hear the ref's mic feed while Justin yammers on and on about what he thinks is happening, you'll often hear the ref contradict what he's on about as he explains to the players why he's ruled on whatever it is. The number of times Marshall reads it wrong is frustrating at best and ruins the game experience for anyone with a decent idea of how it's run.

I don't think Marshall offers much more than sheer noise, with an occasional insight... very occasional.

[Kiwias]

An away win against the form Aussie team is a big win for the lads. Well done.

The inexperience of the tight-5 bench was noticeable though and will continue to be a worry for them. With their two first-choice props out injured or sick, the benchies are the 5th and 6th options. With McCallister injured, Taylor is so far ahead of the other hookers he's in a different galaxy and Robertson will be grinding the worry balls over the knock he picked up last night. And they didn't even risk bringing on the bench lock, which isn't surprising given that he's at best 7th on the depth roster.

Ali's Choice over on PR sums up the bench situation at the Crusaders excellently so with thanks to him, here goes.

Our bench consists of club players who are only near a Crusaders jersey because of COVID-19 and an injury crisis. Liam Hallam-Eames was on the bench for this match, he's our 9th choice lock. He is a club Rugby player from Northland who only met his Crusaders teammates this week after being called up.

[Guy Smiley]

Trademark Crusaders cohesion... make 5personnel changes to the starting team which includes swapping Bridge from right to left wing, Grace from second to back row, Blackadder from blindside to openside AND bring in club players to fill the bench...

and come away with an excellent performance against top opposition.

Smart coaching and team management.

[Jb1981]

Trademark Crusaders cohesion... make 5personnel changes to the starting team which includes swapping Bridge from right to left wing, Grace from second to back row, Blackadder from blindside to openside AND bring in club players to fill the bench...

and come away with an excellent performance against top opposition.

Smart coaching and team management.

If that photo was part of a caption competition I would go with:

“Wistfully thinking of Barretts.”

[Torquemada 1420]

This is a bit if surprise to me. MP has been so much more organised than FD that I expected it to be the telling factor in this one.

[Torquemada 1420]

I know conditions not great but the handling and error count has been disappointingly high by both sides.

[Gumboot]

Blues vs Reds kicking off in 15 minutes.


Blues: 1-Alex Hodgman, 2-Kurt Eklund, 3-Ofa Tuungafasi, 4-James Tucker, 5-Tom Robinson, 6-Akira Ioane, 7-Dalton Papalii (c), 8-Hoskins Sotutu, 9-Finlay Christie, 10-Beauden Barrett, 11-Caleb Clarke, 12-Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 13-Rieko Ioane, 14-Mark Telea, 15-Stephen Perofeta
Reserves: 16-Soane Vikena, 17-Jordan Lay, 18-Nepo Laulala, 19-Luke Romano, 20-Adrian Choat, 21-Sam Nock, 22-Bryce Heem, 23. Zarn Sullivan

Reds: 1-Dane Zander, 2-Albert Anae, 3-Feao Fotuaika, 4-Ryan Smith, 5-Angus Blyth, 6-Connor Vest, 7-Angus Scott-Young, 8-Seru Uru, 9-Tate McDermott, 10-James O’Connor, 11-Jordan Petaia, 12-Hunter Paisami, 13-Josh Flook, 14-Suliasi Vunivalu, 15-Jock Campbell
Reserves: 16-Matt Faessler, 17-Harry Hoopert, 18-Sef Fa’agase, 19-Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20-Tuaina Taii Tualima, 21-Kalani Thomas, 22-Hamish Stewart, 23-Lawson Creighton

[Guy Smiley]

Hands moving backwards in the act of passing eh?

[lemonhead]

This is a bit if surprise to me. MP has been so much more organised than FD that I expected it to be the telling factor in this one.

Gave up too many daft scores while working hard for their own.

Those two first half tries should not be happening.

[Gumboot]

Turnstile Clarke.

[Guy Smiley]

I’m enjoying the Reds and Blues clash… the Reds look outclassed but they’re having a crack. Funny to see the ref coaching their hooker on a line out throw after he had a few issues… poor bugger is a club player drafted in and he didn’t make to half time .

Blues rushing up in defense something savage and they’re good at it but they’ve got players offside a lot and the Reds have managed to cut them open a couple of times. That try on half time was a pearler.

Commentators love Beaudy of course…. But why? He’s not doing anything special and his passing is still fucking shocking for a test 10.

Mark Telea has to be on the frame for a possible AB call up, RTS is getting scary good and Bryce Heem is having a dream night out.

[Gumboot]

I hope Ofa holds his fine form for the Ireland series.

[Gumboot]

Commentators love Beaudy of course…. But why? He’s not doing anything special and his passing is still fucking shocking for a test 10.

Yeah, he's useless.

[Guy Smiley]

Commentators love Beaudy of course…. But why? He’s not doing anything special and his passing is still fucking shocking for a test 10.

Yeah, he's useless.

He’s the George Bridge of first fives

[ASMO]

Ref fucked that up, should have been a penalty Reds

[Jb1981]

Commentators love Beaudy of course…. But why? He’s not doing anything special and his passing is still fucking shocking for a test 10.

Yeah, he's useless.

He’s the George Bridge of first fives

As was pointed out to me on the other site when I suggested that Mo’unga was building into the season and was now the form first-five, Barrett is front and centre on NZ Rugby’s advertising for this year.



I believe it is a contractual requirement for the commentary team to narrate a Beauden Barrett love in.

[Gumboot]

Turnstile Clarke.

[Guy Smiley]

Turnstile Clarke.

[Biffer]

How many pens do the reds have to concede to get a card here?

[Guy Smiley]

How many pens do the reds have to concede to get a card here?

Did you miss the first half?

[Biffer]

How many pens do the reds have to concede to get a card here?

Did you miss the first half?

Yes

[Guy Smiley]

How many pens do the reds have to concede to get a card here?

Did you miss the first half?

Yes

The Blues racked up a shed load of ruck penalties and an interesting interpretation of foul play with no cards. Just a team warning.

[Gumboot]

Sweet try, Reds.

[Biffer]

Trying to find a crack in the defence

[Guy Smiley]

Trying to find a crack in the defence

[Gumboot]

Blues win 53-26. Humming.

[Guy Smiley]

Commentators love Beaudy of course…. But why? He’s not doing anything special and his passing is still fucking shocking for a test 10.

Yeah, he's useless.

So, I feel that I should explain my comments here... although chances are you know what I'm going to say.

My major complaint about BB (and Jordie) is the amount of unwarranted manlove they're showered with by the commentary teams. Average play is hailed as brilliance, time after time. No-one else is favoured with this in NZ.... it bears examination on its own.

As for this game... in the first half BB was prominet for doing bugger all other than shoveling the ball on. His passing is dire and most of the time forward. It's actually improved... marginally. He moves it own a lot quicker than he used to. Maybe he knows he can't run sideways across the field so much now.

Second half he's on hand to capitalise on someone else's work with his speed and scores. Cue the gushing from the commentary box.

He's not doing anything a test standard player should do. Tonight James O'Connor played equally well opposite him. The Blues look better when Perofeta runs the backline.

Tactically and technically, BB's game can be exposed badly. His great gift is his sheer speed. He'd be shown up badly in Europe against hardened teams playing tight defensively.

[Guy Smiley]

Blues win 53-26. Humming.

They're away to the Brumbies and Waratahs for the last two rounds. I can't see them dropping either game, let alone giving up a defensive BP. They're the best team across the comp.

[Certain Navigator]

He’s an idiot.

Whatever else he may be, he's certainly not that. His description of how Rodda cleverly forced a turnover from a kickoff was masterly, and he regularly comes up with similar insights that are beyond any other NZ commentators.

He yaps away so much he's bound to be right sometimes... but if you can concentrate hard enough to hear the ref's mic feed while Justin yammers on and on about what he thinks is happening, you'll often hear the ref contradict what he's on about as he explains to the players why he's ruled on whatever it is. The number of times Marshall reads it wrong is frustrating at best and ruins the game experience for anyone with a decent idea of how it's run.

I don't think Marshall offers much more than sheer noise, with an occasional insight... very occasional.

Marshall, an 81 test AB, doesn't have a 'decent idea' of how the game's run? That's certainly an interesting view...

Yes, he suffers from verbal diarrhea, and like all halfbacks he has an instinctive aversion to refs, but his understanding of rugby, and his ability to articulate it, far exceeds any other NZ (or Australian) commentator. Appreciating it just requires the ability to separate the wheat from the chaff.

[Guy Smiley]

Justin would be so wrapped up in listening to himself talk about how the ball was passed that he wouldn't realise it had been kicked.

[Ymx]

Whatever else he may be, he's certainly not that. His description of how Rodda cleverly forced a turnover from a kickoff was masterly, and he regularly comes up with similar insights that are beyond any other NZ commentators.

He yaps away so much he's bound to be right sometimes... but if you can concentrate hard enough to hear the ref's mic feed while Justin yammers on and on about what he thinks is happening, you'll often hear the ref contradict what he's on about as he explains to the players why he's ruled on whatever it is. The number of times Marshall reads it wrong is frustrating at best and ruins the game experience for anyone with a decent idea of how it's run.

I don't think Marshall offers much more than sheer noise, with an occasional insight... very occasional.

Marshall, an 81 test AB, doesn't have a 'decent idea' of how the game's run? That's certainly an interesting view...

Yes, he suffers from verbal diarrhea, and like all halfbacks he has an instinctive aversion to refs, but his understanding of rugby, and his ability to articulate it, far exceeds any other NZ (or Australian) commentator. Appreciating it just requires the ability to separate the wheat from the chaff.

He’s not exactly great with the laws of the game. And his overwhelming bias at being impartial lead to much of his observations to be very skewed/erroroneous.

Give me Mehrts any day.

[Guy Smiley]

Give me Mehrts any day.

Yup. Funny, knows his shit and doesn't try to be The One Who Must Talk.