Super XV 2014 General Discussion Thread

Hagz

Ouch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s69QldBktK8

Swiwi.

Crusaders: Colin Slade, Rob Thompson, Reynold Lee-Lo, Ryan Crotty, Nafi Tuitavake, Tom Taylor, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (c), Richie McCaw, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Dominic Bird, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Tim Perry. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Matt Todd, Willi Heinz, Adam Whitelock Israel Dagg.

Hmmm. Todd Blackadder is really more & more like Lievremont or PSA these days with his selection policy.

Game of the week is definitely Waratahs v Reds, but Blues v Saders and Chiefs v Highlanders will also be worth a look-see.

Morf

A Smith's pass to B Smith for his try was a peach.

errlloyd

06:30 am Saders v Blues on ss2
08:30 am Rebels v Cheetahs on ss2
17:10 pm Stormers v Hurricanes live on ss4

Decent chunk of super rugby action tomorrow. I think I am going to aim for the 8:30 game, because its already like 3:25 am and I am still posting.

Swiwi.

errlloyd wrote: »

06:30 am Saders v Blues on ss2
08:30 am Rebels v Cheetahs on ss2
17:10 pm Stormers v Hurricanes live on ss4

Decent chunk of super rugby action tomorrow. I think I am going to aim for the 8:30 game, because its already like 3:25 am and I am still posting.

I'm going to aim for the 7.35pm game. It's a tad past my bedtime, but just this once I'm allowed to stay up. Being a Crusaders game and all...

LuckyGent88

Nice first try from the crusaders.
Great hands from the forwards in the build up to the try.

LuckyGent88

Cracking game here.
Some quality tries being scored.
Great individual brilliance from Tuipulotu for the blues second try.
Mccaw's age may be showing as he has been caught out for both blues first half tries.
17-15 ht score

Another 2 tries after 5 mins of the second half to the blues.
Crusaders are she'll shocked

Swiwi.

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

Cracking game here.
Some quality tries being scored.
Great individual brilliance from Tuipulotu for the blues second try.
Mccaw's age may be showing as he has been caught out for both blues first half tries.
17-15 ht score

Blues line out diabolical. But still in this. McCaw caught out but not the first against flying Polynesians.

Swiwi.

Thoroughly underwhelmed by Ray Lee-Lo so far.

LuckyGent88

Swiwi. wrote: »

Thoroughly underwhelmed by Ray Lee-Lo so far.

The crusaders back line has been thoroughly underwhelming.

LuckyGent88

Massive result for the blues.
Never looked like they would win after the first 25 minutes but showed great effort to come back and take the victory.

No points after two games for the crusaders is quite surprising but I'm sure they will come good.

Swiwi.

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

Massive result for the blues.
Never looked like they would win after the first 25 minutes but showed great effort to come back and take the victory.

No points after two games for the crusaders is quite surprising but I'm sure they will come good.

Blackadder is having a mare. I know he's a Crusader legend, but he's proving to be a terrible coach. Rob Penney please. I mean starts Slade a 10 at 15, starts Taylor a 12 at 10, starts Dagg a 15 at 23, and then brings him on at 11, and recruits Ray Crap-Lo to the midfield while letting Fruean and Marshall escape to the Chiefs. Not to mention Crockett, Romano, Todd on the bench.

pickarooney

Swiwi. wrote: »

Blackadder is having a mare. I know he's a Crusader legend, but he's proving to be a terrible coach. Rob Penney please. I mean starts Slade a 10 at 15, starts Taylor a 12 at 10, starts Dagg a 15 at 23, and then brings him on at 11, and recruits Ray Crap-Lo to the midfield while letting Fruean and Marshall escape to the Chiefs. Not to mention Crockett, Romano, Todd on the bench.

He could have a great career in Scotland

Swiwi.

pickarooney wrote: »

He could have a great career in Scotland

Or France.

pickarooney

Think I'll have to wait for the weekend roundup before I get to see any of this. My boys are in Melbourne at the minute. Any good sites for play by play updates?

Swiwi.

pickarooney wrote: »

Think I'll have to wait for the weekend roundup before I get to see any of this. My boys are in Melbourne at the minute. Any good sites for play by play updates?

Planetrugby does livescoring.

5-0 to the Rebels who look pretty darn good so far.

danthefan

Scott Higginbotham cross field kick sets up a try!

pickarooney

Why can't anyone land a place kick in the Super XV?

Swiwi.

danthefan wrote: »

Scott Higginbotham cross field kick sets up a try!

pickarooney wrote: »

Why can't anyone land a place kick in the Super XV?

Dunno if you're watching this Dan, but Rebels pretty decent first half. Their SH has been taking all the good options.

Goalkicking has been woeful in the Super XV to date...unless you're a Lions fan.

danthefan

Swiwi. wrote: »

Dunno if you're watching this Dan, but Rebels pretty decent first half. Their SH has been taking all the good options.

Goalkicking has been woeful in the Super XV to date...unless you're a Lions fan.

Have had half an eye on it, Rebels totally in control.

Kiwi_knock

Dreadful decision to go to touch. Plenty of time to get a bonus point.

Kiwi_knock

Dreadful decision by the ref, never a yellow card.

keano_afc

Come on Rebels.

errlloyd

Rebels need to kill this I think

errlloyd

And that'll do it

danthefan

Some of the defence is awful tbf.

Kiwi_knock

Great try with 14 men. Rebels are looking good, will be a good team to watch

Swiwi.

danthefan wrote: »

Some of the defence is awful tbf.

I reckon the conditions play a part. Like it is often really hot & humid in Australia. Try tackling after playing a game of squash and you'll know what I mean.

I don't know why Tamati Ellison didn't want to extend his AB career, he is a very good centre.

errlloyd

Red jersey is a bit close to the Rebels one.

Swiwi.

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

Great try with 14 men. Rebels are looking good, will be a good team to watch

They will win a few alright. Pyle & Burgess have impressed tonight.

hahashake

Swiwi. wrote: »

Blackadder is having a mare. I know he's a Crusader legend, but he's proving to be a terrible coach. Rob Penney please. I mean starts Slade a 10 at 15, starts Taylor a 12 at 10, starts Dagg a 15 at 23, and then brings him on at 11, and recruits Ray Crap-Lo to the midfield while letting Fruean and Marshall escape to the Chiefs. Not to mention Crockett, Romano, Todd on the bench.

I actually think Taylor is a very good 10. He plays 12 and 15 well too but 10 is his preferred position I believe.

Hickey for the Blues was a revelation. Basically faultless, some decent playmaking and 6/7 goal kicks.

Blackadder has to go after this season unless he pulls a miracle out of the bag. Hammett will be gone unless he somehow can do the same.

Swiwi.

hahashake wrote: »

I actually think Taylor is a very good 10. He plays 12 and 15 well too but 10 is his preferred position I believe.

Hickey for the Blues was a revelation. Basically faultless, some decent playmaking and 6/7 goal kicks.

Blackadder has to go after this season unless he pulls a miracle out of the bag. Hammett will be gone unless he somehow can do the same.

You might be right about Taylor, but in any case TB is making a dog's breakfast of selecting. I thought Tuitivake looked the best of the back 3, but he was pulled to make way for Dagg.

I agree Hickey looked the business for the Blues.

And I also agree that Blackadder and Hammett are on last chance saloon. It's ridiculous that Rob Penney with multiple ITM cup titles couldn't get a super rugby post, and I think from memory Vern Cotter, and maybe even Schmidt were snubbed in their time.

hahashake

Swiwi. wrote: »

You might be right about Taylor, but in any case TB is making a dog's breakfast of selecting. I thought Tuitivake looked the best of the back 3, but he was pulled to make way for Dagg.

I agree Hickey looked the business for the Blues.

And I also agree that Blackadder and Hammett are on last chance saloon. It's ridiculous that Rob Penney with multiple ITM cup titles couldn't get a super rugby post, and I think from memory Vern Cotter, and maybe even Schmidt were snubbed in their time.

The fact a ex-Canterbury front-rower is coaching the Hurricanes makes me think there is too much politics involved. Yes, he was an AB but there are many great coaches who weren't particularly notable players. That being said, I would like Tana to get the Hurricanes job. He has proven to be a decent coach at Counties (not sure how he was at Toulon but that was his first coaching gig).

.ak

I've got the place to myself this Sunday, so gonna try and watch one of the Crusaders games. Anyone of them particularly worth watching?

Yeah_Right

.ak wrote: »

I've got the place to myself this Sunday, so gonna try and watch one of the Crusaders games. Anyone of them particularly worth watching?

From this year? The one where the Blues won

From their entire history? The one where they beat the Warratahs 96-19. Unbelievable game.

Judgement Day

And here it is - wish I'd seen it at the time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-fuHGBfKCI

SimmerDean

stormers the better team but individuals not giving the pass on 3 occasions. Hurricanes score with their first chance. Bit of class from Conrad and TJ with finish by Savea

errlloyd

Can't believe Walsh didn't check offside

SimmerDean

and another try. great rugby by the canes

Jacovs

Stormers or Bulls for the SA conference wooden spoon.
Coming from a Stormers supporter.
I havent watched either of the games, but doesnt look like their new attacking plan is working.

pickarooney

Well, they still won...

Swiwi.

Yeah_Right wrote: »

From this year? The one where the Blues won

From their entire history? The one where they beat the Warratahs 96-19. Unbelievable game.

Was at that game. From memory Mehrtens kicked 13/14 conversions. Those were the days...

Pudsy33

Debating wether or not I will get up to watch the Reds in the morning.

Swiwi.

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Debating wether or not I will get up to watch the Reds in the morning.

2 words. Cooper. Folau.

Swiwi.

Anyone else up with the earlybirds to watch this? Nicely taken Chiefs try there makes it 7-3.

sydthebeat

Highlanders looking like a completely different team than last year. .... dare i say that they've gotten rid of some dead wood during the summer?

I'm expecting good things this year.

Swiwi.

sydthebeat wrote: »

Highlanders looking like a completely different team than last year. .... dare i say that they've gotten rid of some dead wood during the summer?

I'm expecting good things this year.

Played well, didnt set for the droppie at the end there, but then which NZ team ever does? Slight lack of X factor, but looking much better than 2013.

sydthebeat

Swiwi. wrote: »

Played well, didnt set for the droppie at the end there, but then which NZ team ever does? Slight lack of X factor, but looking much better than 2013.

Yeah they look a lot more structured and consistent at 1 - 23. Some silly mistakes but I'll put that down to opening game cobwebs.

Swiwi.

2.31 for Folau this week.

Kiwi_knock

Lovely offloads there for the try. Folau is really struggling in his second season. :P