Super XV 2015 General Discussion Thread

sydthebeat · 27-06-2015 12:23pm

Terrence Odd Baton wrote: »

If it was on half way nobody would have noticed and the game would have continued.

Don't agree with that at all.
It was a swinging arm, no doubt.

The harshness was due to the case for claiming he was trying to get under the ball. There's no need to get under the ball on the half way line

razorblunt · 27-06-2015 12:30pm

Terrence Odd Baton wrote: »

Once he gave the penalty try the card has to follow I think.

If you police it that strictly though you'd never have lads trying to get under the ball. I thought it was the first tackle that prevented him from reaching out and scoring, the lad caught between the bicep and forearm which was clever.

Joubert called advantage over from the knock on with the waratahs a couple of yards behind where the initial infringement occurred.

Highlanders line is great.

razorblunt · 27-06-2015 12:31pm

There's a few sneaky punches flying round here.

27-06-2015 12:33pm

razorblunt wrote: »

If you police it that strictly though you'd never have lads trying to get under the ball. I thought it was the first tackle that prevented him from reaching out and scoring, the lad caught between the bicep and forearm which was clever.

Joubert called advantage over from the knock on with the waratahs a couple of yards behind where the initial infringement occurred.

Highlanders line is great.

?

I've been saying I think the call was wrong.

But when you give a PT I'm pretty sure the laws say you card the guy who committed the foul play.

sydthebeat · 27-06-2015 12:34pm

The line speed, aggression and tactics from the highlanders has been excellent today.

The dream final looks on.

Kiwi_knock · 27-06-2015 12:37pm

And there is the game

sydthebeat · 27-06-2015 12:37pm

Yes!!!!!

That should be the game

matthew8 · 27-06-2015 12:38pm

Has to be said the NZ sides were miles ahead of the rest this year, best 2 teams going to be in the final and tbh the next best 2 with all players fit would be the Chiefs and Crusaders too. Cheika's new rule isn't going to help the Aussie clubs either.

Kiwi_knock · 27-06-2015 12:41pm

Very deserved win for the Highlanders, great attitude throughout the game. The final is looking very tasty, should be a great watch.

sydthebeat · 27-06-2015 12:44pm

On we March to the final !
Bring on the canes!

razorblunt · 27-06-2015 12:56pm

Terrence Odd Baton wrote: »

?

I've been saying I think the call was wrong.

But when you give a PT I'm pretty sure the laws say you card the guy who committed the foul play.

Ah I misread!

Swiwi. · 27-06-2015 9:25pm

I think this final series has shown the weakness of the current tables system: a 7th placed stormers get moved to 3rd and a home 1/4 final...where they get thrashed by the Brumbies who themselves had got thrashed by the Crusaders the week before. The Brumbies then looked fairly blunt on attack v the Canes, who only kept the Canberra side in it with their first half profligacy. The highlanders score higher than the tahs but have go to sydney.

I disagree with the penalty try call, changed the game from being on a knife-edge to a handy enough highlanders win. However, the Tahs have played dirty all season, and would not be what I would describe as gracious losers, so my sympathy is skin-deep. In any case, the Tahs lineout was a disaster all game.

If the Highlanders actually win the comp, I reckon its won of the greatest coaching achievements ever, given their forward pack.

Buer · 27-06-2015 9:44pm

Swiwi. wrote: »

If the Highlanders actually win the comp, I reckon its won of the greatest coaching achievements ever, given their forward pack.

Given how the previous decade has gone for them, it's a pretty remarkable achievement. Only once in the past decade have they won more games than lost in a season (2012) and still managed to finish 9th in the table.

My mental equivalent of them in Pro12 terms would be to see the Dragons become title contenders in recent times. They lived off scraps and developing players. Always the poor relation of their more glamorous compatriots.

The only place where I reckon NZ has more of an embarrassment of riches than their rugby players is their rugby coaches. Joseph, Brown, Plumtree, Rennie, Boyd, Smith, Coventry....not one of them involved in the national set up and I suspect all of them could secure a pretty high level appointment in the northern hemisphere (Coventry already has taken the top job at LI).

stl.ire · 28-06-2015 7:01am

Just had a lot of fun watching the games!
If I'm honest I thought the NZ teams might have slipped up when they ran into tough, well coached teams, particularly as neither the Highlanders or Canes have a lot of knockout experience and seemingly weakish packs. What a set of performances though. Both packs were dominant and when they got into attack they were absolutely ruthless (bar the 1st half Canes). I hadn't quite believed there was a gap between the top Oz and NZ sides but it was clear as day.
The final has all the makings of a classic. Has there ever been a game where you could not only guarantee there will be tries but also that there will be incredible tries? It really is the perfect final and more than makes up for this messy super rugby season.
As a Canes fan I am so excited that after all the failures down the years they're in form and in the final. But of course fate would put them up against Aaron Smith, easily the best player in the world at this moment and a man who has palmed off 2 good sides with ease in the last 2 weeks! I fear there is no way to stop him.

sydthebeat · 28-06-2015 10:14am

stl.ire wrote: »

As a Canes fan I am so excited that after all the failures down the years they're in form and in the final. But of course fate would put them up against Aaron Smith, easily the best player in the world at this moment and a man who has palmed off 2 good sides with ease in the last 2 weeks! I fear there is no way to stop him.

perenara has gotten the better of him the couple of times theyve played each other, so id say the pressure is on smith to perform.

why wasnt barrett kicking yesterday? he didnt kick from tee or from the hand on penalties.....

pickarooney · 28-06-2015 10:41am

He hasn't been kicking for a few weeks. He doesn't look injured so I guess it's the yips. I had him pegged as the post WC starting 10 for NZ but there are a few others like Sopoanga putting pressure on him.

sydthebeat · 28-06-2015 10:47am

pickarooney wrote: »

He hasn't been kicking for a few weeks. He doesn't look injured so I guess it's the yips. I had him pegged as the post WC starting 10 for NZ but there are a few others like Sopoanga putting pressure on him.

im not sure, hes only back a couple of weeks from an knee ligament injury which kept him out fo a month, so im wondering if its more precaution not to aggravate it

Jacovs · 28-06-2015 1:59pm

Swiwi. wrote: »

I think this final series has shown the weakness of the current tables system: a 7th placed stormers get moved to 3rd

Someone mentioned this too in an article I read, but pointed out that had the Stormers not known they would end at least 3rd before the final round of games they probably wouldve picked a full strength team for their last game against the Sharks and stood a very good chance of winning and ended on 49 points (4th). Ifs and buts.

On an unrelated note, wonder what Paul Treu was doing in Dublin this week. Official WP rugby business or personal visit?
Please not to try and lure Kirchner to WP :pac:

sydthebeat · 29-06-2015 12:40pm

so.... one more round of the predictor competition

as we stand

1 sydthebeat 122.49
2 Kiwi_knock 121.58
3 Swiwi 118.91
4 Luckygent88 115.91
5 Yeah_Right 112.16
6 Pudsy33 95.00
7 Bridge93 91.16

i think swiwi is mathematically out at this stage, afaik theres only 3 max points available for the final game.

so it comes down to kiwi_knock and me....... bring it on!!

Swiwi. · 29-06-2015 9:20pm

Terrence Odd Baton wrote: »

I really think that is absurd.

Joubert and NZ again.

You mean like this IO?

Swiwi. · 30-06-2015 5:56am

Maori All Blacks squad to play Fiji and the NZ Barbarians (whatever that is)

Forwards: Hookers: Joe Royal, Ash Dixon, Quentin MacDonald. Props: Chris Eves, Brendon Edmonds, Josh Hohneck, Ben May. Locks: Hayden Triggs, Jacob Skeen, Blade Thomson. Loose forwards: Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon, Akira Ioane, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Mitchell Crosswell. Backs: Halfbacks: Jamison Gibson-Park, Brad Weber. First five-eighth: Damian McKenzie, Otere Black. Midfield backs: Jason Emery,Charlie Ngatai (captain), Sean Wainui. Outside backs: Kurt Baker, Rieko Ioane, Marty McKenzie, Matt Proctor, Codey Rei.

That is a pretty good squad, and a decent return for the Highlanders pack.

sydthebeat · 30-06-2015 8:06am

Maori?

There's not many maoris in that squad, or maybe I'm just rascist.

total former · 30-06-2015 8:21am

I think you have to be able to prove some level of Maori heritage to be eligible these days.

sydthebeat · 30-06-2015 8:33am

Maybe I'm just of an age where I remember maori teams as actually looking maori.
But your right, there has to be some geneology I think.
I suppose as the generations increase the lines become more blurred.

Damn good squad though, and they always have a cracking jersey too.

Swiwi. · 30-06-2015 9:35am

sydthebeat wrote: »

Maori?

There's not many maoris in that squad, or maybe I'm just rascist.

It's actually quite hard to know who is Maori and who isn't by looking at them as there are many people with a little bit of Maori in them. Obviously some people just look Maori, and some people have Maori names, but there are others who could pass for a pasty white Kiwi of British or Irish descent.

I don't know what the exact requirement is any more, as it's a sensitive topic in general in NZ, but I think for the Maori ABs there has to be at least some Maori blood, whereas I think for General Elections etc you can now identify as Maori even without having Maori blood (eg adopted child who grew up in a Maori household can say they are Maori).

Yeah_Right · 30-06-2015 12:02pm

There's a couple of guys in that squad that I would never have guessed were Maori. A bit like Tony Brown, Paul Tito, Robbie Robinson and the Braid brothers. As far as I know, to be eligible you have to be 1/8 Maori (so a great grandparent) and be able to prove it with documents.

sydneybound · 02-07-2015 3:38pm

Anyone know where the new Super Rugby TV deal is at? The term were agreed at the start of this year but hasn't been signed yet. I'm surprised there isn't more news about it.

sydthebeat · 07-07-2015 1:22pm

ok, just to draw two lines under this seasons predictor comp (and not to gloat, i swear

final standings

1 - sydthebeat 126.99
2 - Kiwi_knock 121.58
3 - Swiwi 118.91
4 - Luckygent88 115.91
5 - Yeah_Right 112.16
6 - Pudsy33 95.00
7 - Bridge93 91.16

the gaps between 1 and 5 really belies the closeness of the competiton all season, with some players missing some rounds.
Seeing as i was the only backer of the Highlanders in the final (ye of little faith ) i benefited from a 4.5 point reward.

thanks for playing guys and hope to do it again next season !!
and maybe try to drag in more of the big rugby brains on this forum.

Wang King · 07-07-2015 1:53pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

and maybe try to drag in more of the big rugby brains on this forum.

Oh alright you beautiful sweet-talker you, I'm in!

sydthebeat · 07-07-2015 2:17pm

Wang King wrote: »

Oh alright you beautiful sweet-talker you, I'm in!

good man wang!!!

Jacovs · 07-07-2015 2:46pm

Id give it a shot too next season.

SuprSi · 07-07-2015 4:46pm

Yeah I'll be in this time around too.

Swiwi. · 08-07-2015 5:37pm

Yeah_Right wrote: »

I know Alex fairly well. He is a good solid journeyman player who will give you 100% all day. He has played in Italy, Japan and the UK. This is his first Super rugby contract. Very tough and abrasive player, sometimes a bit too abrasive. He celebrated his 50th match for Tasman with a try and a red card. I'm hoping for a big season from him. It won't be anything spectacular, just lots of hard work.

It worked out well for your mate there Yeah_Right!

Yeah_Right · 10-07-2015 11:05am

Swiwi. wrote: »

It worked out well for your mate there Yeah_Right!

Very happy for the man. Seen a few photos on Facebook over the past couple of weeks from mates. After they thumped the Blues at Eden Park, he went and joined a few of the lads for a couple of beers on the sideline before going into the changing rooms.
Also some great pics of him with the trophy. The best one is him behind the bar filling the trophy up. I imagine it was some session in Dunedin.

sydneybound · 22-07-2015 7:12am

Jamie Hagan signed a two year contract with the Rebels.

What an experience for a 28 year rugby player to go off to Melbourne for a couple of years. Hope he plays a bit out there. That's three signing in three days for the Rebels, new owners must be putting a bit of cash in.

Buer · 22-07-2015 8:45am

That's a brilliant coup for Hagan. Hopefully he gets a half decent salary there and gets to enjoy life a little. I honestly don't think he'd remain in the game if he hung around Ireland/England.

total former · 22-07-2015 9:10am

I'm delighted for him personally but genuinely in shock that he's got a Super Rugby deal.

.ak · 22-07-2015 9:16am

Bit of SH conditioning could do him well. He's potentially a very mobile prop so he could do well there.

total former · 22-07-2015 9:24am

.ak wrote: »

Bit of SH conditioning could do him well. He's potentially a very mobile prop so he could do well there.

I'm sorry to be so negative but we're hearing about his potential for so long now, he's nearly into Tony Buckley territory. Is the conditioning in Super Rugby that much different/more intense? (considering he was coached by three Kiwis at Leinster and couldn't shape up)

irishbucsfan · 22-07-2015 9:29am

Rebels have no quality left at TH after losing Paul Alo-Emile to SF.

I still would be surprised to see Hagan starting for them at any point really. There are props in the Championship, Irish props even, I'd take over him.

.ak · 22-07-2015 9:58am

total former wrote: »

I'm sorry to be so negative but we're hearing about his potential for so long now, he's nearly into Tony Buckley territory. Is the conditioning in Super Rugby that much different/more intense? (considering he was coached by three Kiwis at Leinster and couldn't shape up)

Well you're looking at a different approach. If you're looking to play on a harder surface then the condition requirements are very different. Neither is more intense or better etc, but it would be quite different.

Buer · 22-07-2015 11:29am

total former wrote: »

I'm delighted for him personally but genuinely in shock that he's got a Super Rugby deal.

Not that surprised in terms of standard, more that it's quite out of left field.

There's some awful dross with S15 propping divisions, particularly in Australia. Remember, Ruaidhri Murphy has 29 appearances for the Brumbies!

22-07-2015 11:31am

I heard Jamie Hagan turned down an offer from Toulouse before signing for Melbourne.

pickarooney · 22-07-2015 2:27pm

Deleted User wrote: »

I heard Jamie Hagan turned down an offer from Toulouse before signing for Melbourne.

Yeah, Trevor Brennan offered him a couple of weekends a month shifting kegs.

Super XV 2015 General Discussion Thread

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