Super Rugby Pacific

[Torquemada 1420]

In a way, I'm not really enjoying this because it's just going to become a bumming.

I can understand how a neutral could see it that way but them's my boys out there, wanting to lay down yet another marker heading into the semis. I am also enjoying watching players like Bridge and Whitelock in such excellent form, along with youngsters like Burke, Ennor, and Bower playing so well. The backrow is performing really well too.

Fair points from Guy and you: I often watch games where I only have specific player interest. Having to watch this for a form guide for the FR!

[Gumboot]

Bower's no spring chicken. He was a late bloomer. It's my one reservation about him - he seems a natural replacement for the injured Moody in this year's starting test pack, but is he a long term test starter? Doubtful, imho.

[Guy Smiley]

Jordan surely has to be our starting test fullback now? Jordie on the bench covering 10,11,12,13,14 and 15.

And 5

[Torquemada 1420]

Red

[Kiwias]

Red

Landed on his shoulder so a fair YC. Stupid prick.

[Gumboot]

Matera very lucky.

[Jb1981]

Could have been red if he’d landed differently. Heading into knock out rugby isn’t the time to lose Matera to a ban.

[Kiwias]

Matera very lucky.

Yep

[Guy Smiley]

Could have been red if he’d landed differently. Heading into knock out rugby isn’t the time to lose Matera to a ban.

I think Matera was very lucky.

So was Petaia.

[Kiwias]

The game has become totally disjointed, with neither team playing particularly well at the moment.

[Grandpa]

I had the commentary off... but that looked red all day.... regardless if he tried to break his fall with his arm/shoulder.. he still hit his head hard on the ground... similar to Hooper last week...

[Gumboot]

The game has become totally disjointed, with neither team playing particularly well at the moment.

It's been a disappointing second half so far.

[Jb1981]

That eases a few nerves.

[Kiwias]

I had the commentary off... but that looked red all day.... regardless if he tried to break his fall with his arm/shoulder.. he still hit his head hard on the ground... similar to Hooper last week...

If his head had hit first, straight-up red, but his arm/shoulder made first contact. YC. But Matera is fucking stupid and fucking lucky.

[Guy Smiley]

I had the commentary off... but that looked red all day.... regardless if he tried to break his fall with his arm/shoulder.. he still hit his head hard on the ground... similar to Hooper last week...

I expect it to go further. I really think it was worth a red and some time.

[Kiwias]

That eases a few nerves.

[Guy Smiley]

The game has become totally disjointed, with neither team playing particularly well at the moment.

Yeah. Too many aimless kicks and then just opportunistic broken play.

[Enzedder]

The game has become totally disjointed, with neither team playing particularly well at the moment.

Yeah. Too many aimless kicks and then just opportunistic broken play.

I think they are thinking about next week. If the Reds get too close I expect they'll wake up

[Kiwias]

The game has become totally disjointed, with neither team playing particularly well at the moment.

Yeah. Too many aimless kicks and then just opportunistic broken play.

Like that one from Havilii

[Torquemada 1420]

I had the commentary off... but that looked red all day.... regardless if he tried to break his fall with his arm/shoulder.. he still hit his head hard on the ground... similar to Hooper last week...

If his head had hit first, straight-up red, but his arm/shoulder made first contact. YC. But Matera is fucking stupid and fucking lucky.

See, this is where I don't like the interpretation. The law is designed primarily to cut out dangerous play and that was as reckless as you get. It should not matter that there was a hair's breadth between shoulder and head first.

[Gumboot]

The game has become totally disjointed, with neither team playing particularly well at the moment.

Yeah. Too many aimless kicks and then just opportunistic broken play.

Like that one from Havilii

Not his first.

[Guy Smiley]

The game has become totally disjointed, with neither team playing particularly well at the moment.

Yeah. Too many aimless kicks and then just opportunistic broken play.

I think they are thinking about next week. If the Reds get too close I expect they'll wake up

Both teams are guilty and they’ve been at it from part way through the second half. As far as the Crusaders are concerned it seems like everyone except Ennor and Bridge in the backline think they’re a kicking guru and have to show the skills.


Nisbo and Marshall just never stop talking shit, do they?

[Kiwias]

I had the commentary off... but that looked red all day.... regardless if he tried to break his fall with his arm/shoulder.. he still hit his head hard on the ground... similar to Hooper last week...

If his head had hit first, straight-up red, but his arm/shoulder made first contact. YC. But Matera is fucking stupid and fucking lucky.

See, this is where I don't like the interpretation. The law is designed primarily to cut out dangerous play and that was as reckless as you get. It should not matter that there was a hair's breadth between shoulder and head first.

I would not have complained had it been a red card because it was utterly stupid and potentially very dangerous.

[Torquemada 1420]

If his head had hit first, straight-up red, but his arm/shoulder made first contact. YC. But Matera is fucking stupid and fucking lucky.

See, this is where I don't like the interpretation. The law is designed primarily to cut out dangerous play and that was as reckless as you get. It should not matter that there was a hair's breadth between shoulder and head first.

I would not have complained had it been a red card because it was utterly stupid and potentially very dangerous.

Matera has had such a great comp, it must be really annoying for Saders fans to see he still has the capacity to lose it and do something like that.

[Kiwias]

A basically pretty comfortable win for the Crusaders.

[Kiwias]

Matera has had such a great comp, it must be really annoying for Saders fans to see he still has the capacity to lose it and do something like that.

Yes.

[Kiwias]

Does anyone know the result of the curtain raiser?

[Gumboot]

This was the sort of game you'd expect Fainga'anuku to shine in.

[Dan54]

This was the sort of game you'd expect Fainga'anuku to shine in.

He was pretty average wasn't he?

[Gumboot]

This was the sort of game you'd expect Fainga'anuku to shine in.

He was pretty average wasn't he?

Yep.


Drua vs Chiefs just about to kick off in Lautoka.

Fijian Drua: 1-Haereiti Hetet, 2-Zuriel Togiatama, 3-Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, 4- Isoa Nasilasila, 5-Viliama Rarasea, 6-Joseva Tamani, 7-Rusiate Nasove, 8-Nemani Nagusa (c), 9-Frank Lomani, 10-Teti Tela, 11-Vinaya Habosi, 12-Kalaveti Ravouvou, 13-Apisalome Vota, 14-Ilaisa Droasese, 15-Kitone Taliga
Reserves: 16-Tevita Ikanivere, 17-Timoci Sauvoli, 18-Manasa Saulo, 19-Chris Minimbi, 20-Mesulame Dolokoto, 21-Peni Matawalu, 22-Caleb Muntz, 23-Onisi Ratave

Chiefs: 1-Aidan Ross, 2-Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3-Angus Ta'avao, 4-Brodie Retallick, 5-Tupou Vaa'i, 6-Samipeni Finau, 7-Luke Jacobson, 8-Pita Gus Sowakula, 9-Brad Weber (c), 10-Bryn Gatland, 11-Alex Nankivell, 12-Quinn Tupaea, 13-Rameka Poihipi, 14-Emoni Narawa, 15-Kaleb Trask
Reserves: 16-Bradley Slater, 17-Ollie Norris, 18-Atu Moli, 19-Naitoa Ah Khoi, 20-Kaylum Boshier, 21-Cortez Ratima, 22-Josh Ioane, 23-Jonah Lowe

[Gumboot]

Chiefs ahead 21-7 at HT.

[Enzedder]

Chiefs have run out of puff. I point in it with 1 minute to play

[Gumboot]

Chiefs win it 35-34 after a good Drua fightback.

[Kiwias]

The last few minutes were insane. Chiefs sneak it by 1

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

That was a hugely entertaining game. The Chiefs were lucky to win it in the end, and the Drua might have got up if not for a few poor decisions by some of their players.

Hats off to Brodie Retallick for the ol' "Piri Weepu assist", hacking the ball nicely for the Drua to score. He's got a mountain to climb to find his form of old.

[FalseBayFC]

Lets go go Ravovo! :lol Lovely crowd reaction.

[FalseBayFC]

This prop try has everything. Nice line, hot step and a good bosh.

[PCPhil]

What the hell happened to the Brumbies? Wish I'd watched it now.

[Gumboot]

Segner off early with what looks like a serious ankle injury.

[Ymx]

No force by the tackler? Or acknowledgment it struck him on head. Interesting.

Ironic after Hooper calling for a citing the week before.