NPR

Niegs wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 11:44 pm

Grandpa wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 9:50 pm

Niegs wrote: ↑Sun Mar 14, 2021 1:39 pm I hear the same TMO made this howler of a decision?

That is an absolutely shocking decision... someone who doesn't understand basic physics is allowed to operate a TMO?

He's clearly never seen this (though you think a panel ref should probably be a complete nerd about knowing this sort of thing).

Gumboot wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 6:57 am Canes ahead 26-7 at HT.

Can't see the Chiefs coming back from here.

Ymx wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 3:00 am Captains referral.

Looked miles forward.

Close call on review.

Ref definitely tried to influence the TMOs opinion then.

Try holds.

FujiKiwi wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 3:55 am Absolutely maddening watching this Blues team. So much stupidity.

Ymx wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 3:00 am Captains referral.

Looked miles forward.

Close call on review.

Ref definitely tried to influence the TMOs opinion then.

Try holds.

FujiKiwi wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 5:05 am The crucial difference for me is that each back line player for the Crusaders is demonstrably superior to their Blues counterpart.

That’s not even controversial.

EDIT: With Reece vs Clarke being debatable, I suppose.

Grandpa wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 1:30 pm Crusaders are just better drilled. The Blues have got better but when the pressure comes on they squeal before the Crusaders do. The All Blacks have some how got to harness that Crusaders ruthless efficiency with power from somewhere that will stop them from caving in when sides like England or SA get overly physical.. the 2015 team had it. NZ has somehow lost that part of their game since then... selection or coaching?

I fear we'll have to suffer a Dr Foster World Cup balls up before we see Scott Robertson get a chance... if he is still available..

Trapper wrote: ↑Mon Mar 22, 2021 3:29 am

Grandpa wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 1:30 pm Crusaders are just better drilled. The Blues have got better but when the pressure comes on they squeal before the Crusaders do. The All Blacks have some how got to harness that Crusaders ruthless efficiency with power from somewhere that will stop them from caving in when sides like England or SA get overly physical.. the 2015 team had it. NZ has somehow lost that part of their game since then... selection or coaching?

I fear we'll have to suffer a Dr Foster World Cup balls up before we see Scott Robertson get a chance... if he is still available..

The Crusaders are not only the best coached team in NZ but they also have the best leadership group through the forwards and backs, no other franchise comes close to what they have in that regard.

Grandpa wrote: ↑Mon Mar 22, 2021 7:58 am
I totally agree, but that leadership group has been created and fostered by Razor, even with personnel changes over the years. This helps create an innate confidence... you could see at the weekend that one side knew they were going to in, no matter what. Success breeds that too of course.

You fear though that Razor may end up being lost to NZ rugby somehow... now is his time. Unless he has the patience to stay in NZ until the next World Cup... and they better not overlook him again...

Kiwias wrote: ↑Mon Mar 22, 2021 8:48 am

Grandpa wrote: ↑Mon Mar 22, 2021 7:58 am
I totally agree, but that leadership group has been created and fostered by Razor, even with personnel changes over the years. This helps create an innate confidence... you could see at the weekend that one side knew they were going to in, no matter what. Success breeds that too of course.

You fear though that Razor may end up being lost to NZ rugby somehow... now is his time. Unless he has the patience to stay in NZ until the next World Cup... and they better not overlook him again...

I definitely do not want the ABs to have a horror run but I can see the logic of that being a great way to get rid of Foster at the end of his two-year contract and install Razor.

Grandpa wrote: ↑Mon Mar 22, 2021 10:14 pm

Kiwias wrote: ↑Mon Mar 22, 2021 8:48 am

Grandpa wrote: ↑Mon Mar 22, 2021 7:58 am
I totally agree, but that leadership group has been created and fostered by Razor, even with personnel changes over the years. This helps create an innate confidence... you could see at the weekend that one side knew they were going to in, no matter what. Success breeds that too of course.

You fear though that Razor may end up being lost to NZ rugby somehow... now is his time. Unless he has the patience to stay in NZ until the next World Cup... and they better not overlook him again...

I definitely do not want the ABs to have a horror run but I can see the logic of that being a great way to get rid of Foster at the end of his two-year contract and install Razor.

The All Blacks will have to lose virtually every match this year for Foster not to get a contract extension at year end... but for some reason, I just can't imagine Foster coaching a world cup winning team...

FujiKiwi wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 5:05 am The crucial difference for me is that each back line player for the Crusaders is demonstrably superior to their Blues counterpart.

That’s not even controversial.

EDIT: With Reece vs Clarke being debatable, I suppose.

Dan54 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 23, 2021 7:17 pm

Grandpa wrote: ↑Mon Mar 22, 2021 10:14 pm

Kiwias wrote: ↑Mon Mar 22, 2021 8:48 am

I definitely do not want the ABs to have a horror run but I can see the logic of that being a great way to get rid of Foster at the end of his two-year contract and install Razor.

The All Blacks will have to lose virtually every match this year for Foster not to get a contract extension at year end... but for some reason, I just can't imagine Foster coaching a world cup winning team...

Not sure how far inside the NZR your contacts are to know all this whether Foster will hold his job etc, but I have heard Razor saying he would like to stick around with Crusaders if he doesn't get AB job. And he in negotiations with NZR to stay here for long term. I really don't have enough inside knowledge of workings of systems to know who should have job, I a bit of a fan of Razor's ,but have also say he stuffed up at his interview for job. He strikes me as a pretty honest straight guy, so don't disbelieve him. I personally not sure of Foster, but also know the easiest thing is to watch a game on tv and decide someone not good enough for job without knowing what goes on inside. Heard plenty of players etc say both coaches are bloody good, so I never going to know better than people who work with them. I certainly would never wish the ABs to have bad season anyway.
I do think Crusaders are superb team, they are well coached (always have been in my opinion) and I think most importantly they seem to have a great back up team running and recruiting for the outfit. I always a little worried at difference between coaching at super level and test level,, I give you a case of Robbie Deans, was very very successful coach for Canterbury and Crusader, but when he got to International level didn't seem to translate. Mind you I always though his problem was in selection anyway, which he didn't really have to do with Crusaders.