Super Rugby 2020

sydthebeat · 04-07-2020 10:46pm

stephen_n wrote: »

It kind of amazed me how the Highlander’s managed to stay in the game. Without a scrum or a lineout, fairplay to them. Great game but the Crusaders are just phenomenal.

Our aggressive defense and pin point spot tackles kept us in it.... But it was clear we were hanging on. 5 substitutions made before crusaders made their first. It was telling in the last five minutes that we simply couldn't contest the ruck, we were so bolloxed.... Against the saders that's the smell of blood

Our line out wasn't the worst, I think we got parity there, but DLB took a bad back injury in the first half and simply couldn't match up... Crusaders scrum is so powerful even when at full strength to defend it.

I thought it was a great game though. Not a ruck pen great like the first few weeks, and great example of how fast pressured phased play opens cracks in defense.

05-07-2020 9:10am

So the Canes have ended the Chiefs chances in the competition. Gatland not having much of an impact so far.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd4_X9Bdj2c

Decent kick from Jordie at around 2:40. Near on 60m, clears the bar easily.

stephen_n · 05-07-2020 10:51am

sydthebeat wrote: »

Our aggressive defense and pin point spot tackles kept us in it.... But it was clear we were hanging on. 5 substitutions made before crusaders made their first. It was telling in the last five minutes that we simply couldn't contest the ruck, we were so bolloxed.... Against the saders that's the smell of blood

Our line out wasn't the worst, I think we got parity there, but DLB took a bad back injury in the first half and simply couldn't match up... Crusaders scrum is so powerful even when at full strength to defend it.

I thought it was a great game though. Not a ruck pen great like the first few weeks, and great example of how fast pressured phased play opens cracks in defense.

The highlanders attacking play is very impressive. They run some brilliant lines, identifying soft shoulders very quickly. Crusaders defense and line speed is very aggressive but they still managed to find weaknesses to exploit. Was a great game to watch that’s for sure.

Yeah_Right · 05-07-2020 1:12pm

It's all being set up for the Crusaders v Blues in Eden Park in the last round to be grand final. I hope so any way.

Now that I've put a jinx on them, the Blues will lose the rest of their games.

hahashake · 06-07-2020 10:32am

Chiefs season is over. Hard to believe pre-lockdown they were 4-2 with wins over both the Crusaders and Blues.

Burkie1203 · 07-07-2020 1:50pm

Melbourne in a 6 week lockdown. Wonder how that impacts super rugby now

sydthebeat · 07-07-2020 1:56pm

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Melbourne in a 6 week lockdown. Wonder how that impacts super rugby now

the rebels are based out of canberra for the next four weeks at least.

Yeah_Right · 07-07-2020 4:29pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

the rebels are based out of canberra for the next four weeks at least.

Poor bastards. I'd rather be in lockdown than Canberra.

sydthebeat · 10-07-2020 12:06pm

first game to go to 'golden point' is currently on...

rebels 18 - 18 reds

sydthebeat · 10-07-2020 12:17pm

full time, ends in a draw 18 18

one 50m penalty attempt which dropped short

sydthebeat · 11-07-2020 8:33am

Are the blues going to do something special here?

sydthebeat · 11-07-2020 8:53am

I hope anyone who thinks there's no defending in super rugby is watching this, every millimeter is fought for tooth and nail

errlloyd · 11-07-2020 9:27am

I am really enjoying this game of rugby.

sydthebeat · 11-07-2020 9:31am

Richie mounga is on a different level to every other player on the field

sydthebeat · 11-07-2020 9:50am

That crusaders team is simply relentless....

Great game

Yeah_Right · 11-07-2020 11:13am

Bugger.

sydthebeat · 11-07-2020 11:31am

This tahs force game is like a different sport... Mistakes all over the place

12-07-2020 6:24am

Good win for the Canes. Pretty crazy they could have ended up losing, had plenty of opportunities to put the game to bed, but didn't capitalise.

Highlanders lineout was abysmal. They would have been better to take a scrum or tap at the end, it was always going to be a complete lottery whether they'd get the ball back from the lineout.

18-07-2020 12:05pm

Another good win for the Canes. Only watched the highlights, but looked like a cracker.

Was pretty crazy to see Laumape beat Beauden Barrett on the outside for a try.

sydthebeat · 18-07-2020 2:11pm

Basil3 wrote: »

Another good win for the Canes. Only watched the highlights, but looked like a cracker.

Was pretty crazy to see Laumape beat Beauden Barrett on the outside for a try.

You could make the argument that Beauden currently isn't the best rugby player in the barrett household.

He was flaky and ineffective today, whereas jordie was assured and influential for the Canes

18-07-2020 2:41pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

You could make the argument that Beauden currently isn't the best rugby player in the barrett household.

He was flaky and ineffective today, whereas jordie was assured and influential for the Canes

He did score a classic BB try, though. That's the thing with him, he generally does create a moment of magic.

Buer · 19-07-2020 9:19am

Chiefs lose yet again. Is Gatland going to find himself under pressure to keep the job?

Is a winless campaign on the cards now? The only home game they have left is hosting the Crusaders.

It they go 8 defeats on the bounce then surely his position is under review.

sydthebeat · 19-07-2020 9:42am

Buer wrote: »

Chiefs lose yet again. Is Gatland going to find himself under pressure to keep the job?

Is a winless campaign on the cards now? The only home game they have left is hosting the Crusaders.

It they go 8 defeats on the bounce then surely his position is under review.

I think he can point to the precovid form of 4 from 6 for the chiefs, which included an impressive victory over the crusaders.

It doesn't help that they will probably go 0 from 8 in this comp, and the fact he's leaving his post immediately after the end of the season. I don't think hes at risk of being sacked, but maybe his head could be turned to another job if his likelihood of taking over from Foster is lessened.

19-07-2020 10:35am

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Going to support the chiefs. I couldn't go for the crusaders as they're favourites. Picking a team likely to win seems a bit cheap, and I get enough of that as a Leinster supporter. I actually don't hate Gatland so having him at helm will add some familiarity. Damien McKenzie is a joy to watch. And crucially I like the jersey.

Whoops

sydthebeat · 19-07-2020 11:07am

Just finished watching this mornings game. Wow the Highlanders always provide something entertaining. Two worldy tries from Smith and nareki. Huge impact after Thompson went off and we switched to ioane at 10, collins at 12 and hunt at 15. Smith was just world class again.

On gatland and the chiefs... 31 - 7 up after 43 mins and looking like hitting half a century. Their discipline was atrocious, and it will kill gatland that it was a truck n trailer pen that got them in the end.
I'm convinced that the chiefs backline just isn't good enough, especially in defense, apart from ALB. McKenzie is a good spot tackler but positionally isn't the best 15. Alaimalo and Wainui just aren't good outside defenders, whether that's because of the system or other, and nankeville is suspect.

Digifriendly · 19-07-2020 12:22pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

Just finished watching this mornings game. Wow the Highlanders always provide something entertaining. Two worldy tries from Smith and nareki. Huge impact after Thompson went off and we switched to ioane at 10, collins at 12 and hunt at 15. Smith was just world class again.

On gatland and the chiefs... 31 - 7 up after 43 mins and looking like hitting half a century. Their discipline was atrocious, and it will kill gatland that it was a truck n trailer pen that got them in the end.
I'm convinced that the chiefs backline just isn't good enough, especially in defense, apart from ALB. McKenzie is a good spot tackler but positionally isn't the best 15. Alaimalo and Wainui just aren't good outside defenders, whether that's because of the system or other, and nankeville is suspect.

Can you possibly explain what 'worldly tries' are as I'm in the dark on this one?

Squidgy Black · 19-07-2020 1:56pm

Digifriendly wrote: »

Can you possibly explain what 'worldly tries' are as I'm in the dark on this one?

World class

sydthebeat · 19-07-2020 5:34pm

Digifriendly wrote: »

Can you possibly explain what 'worldly tries' are as I'm in the dark on this one?

Maybe I spelt 'worldie' wrong?

Anyway..... Highlights....

https://youtu.be/z4k-PJE08x4

hahashake · 19-07-2020 7:49pm

Aaron Smith is in some of his best ever form, such a brilliant player.

sydthebeat · 20-07-2020 2:32pm

https://www.ultimaterugby.com/news/referees-boss-admits-error-on-disallowed-damian-mckenzie-try/628620

just to add salt to gatlands wounds

ionadnapokot · 24-07-2020 12:54pm

hahashake wrote: »

Aaron Smith is in some of his best ever form, such a brilliant player.

Funny. Im watching it here now & i thought it was live! I came here to say Smith is playing exceptional stuff even though the Chiefs are whipping them.
A joy to behold.
And now i see the Highlanders won!
Great to watch "live" rugby again. Brilliant entertainment and a crowd!

Digifriendly · 24-07-2020 10:26pm

Wales Online reporting impressive viewing figures in UK for Super Rugby with Highlanders vs Crusaders attracting largest audience so far.

sydthebeat · 25-07-2020 9:29am

Looks like we're in for a big upset this morning.

Absolutely cracking game

fitz · 25-07-2020 9:35am

sydthebeat wrote: »

Looks like we're in for a big upset this morning.

Absolutely cracking game

Some fantastic tries... Great game!!

25-07-2020 9:37am

That was a big call. Definitely came out the back, but not sure the ball wasn't still moving towards the line.

fitz · 25-07-2020 9:48am

Basil3 wrote: »

That was a big call. Definitely came out the back, but not sure the ball wasn't still moving towards the line.

Ah, think it would have been incredibly harsh to call it a knock on.

Beautiful dummy for that last try by Mo'unga.

25-07-2020 9:49am

Good work, Jordie. That was awesome.

fitz · 25-07-2020 9:51am

Basil3 wrote: »

Good work, Jordie. That was awesome.

Terrific game

BonnieSituation · 25-07-2020 2:00pm

Dozed off on the couch with about 10 to go this morning. Avoided the rugby WhatsApp like the plague til I watched the ending just now.

Cracking game. Great ebb and flow to it.

hahashake · 25-07-2020 4:38pm

This result means the final weekend everything will still be to play for, as long as the Blues and/or Hurricanes don't drop a game (or the Crusaders drop another).

Squidgy Black · 25-07-2020 5:04pm

Unbelievable game, the pass from Mo'unga for Reece's last try was ridiculous

hahashake · 25-07-2020 5:29pm

Mo'unga really is a magician, seems to pull out eye-catching and game-changing plays in every game

26-07-2020 9:58am

Who would want to be a Chiefs supporter? They had plenty of chances to win the game, but you just knew they were going to make a balls of it.

bilston · 26-07-2020 10:07am

The Lions coach is having some impact in NZ...

Dave_The_Sheep · 26-07-2020 1:04pm

Basil3 wrote: »

Who would want to be a Chiefs supporter? They had plenty of chances to win the game, but you just knew they were going to make a balls of it.

I only got around to watching the Chiefs-Highlanders game last night (and **** me they blew it), oddly enough. You'd feel for the fans, but I will admit I am really enjoying watching this happen (repeatedly) to Gatland.

hahashake · 26-07-2020 1:13pm

I'll put my hand up as a Chiefs supporter. We are probably the team most wracked by injuries and absences. Case in point 2nd row where we had to run out a geriatric loose forward off the bench (no disrespect to Thomson but he's well past it), which severely depowered our scrum. Hence the decision to take the tap rather than scrum, which given the Blues where a man down, would've been the right call. Last pen was an oddity, not saying it was the wrong call but would have loved to seen camera angles + slowmo.

Realistically both team were fairly poor, but with the possession, territory and penalty count we should have won that. I remain unconvinced by Gatland but also think it's hard to judge him based on this season alone. If we come good in his absence it will make it awkward however.

26-07-2020 1:13pm

Dave_The_Sheep wrote: »

I only got around to watching the Chiefs-Highlanders game last night (and **** me they blew it), oddly enough. You'd feel for the fans, but I will admit I am really enjoying watching this happen (repeatedly) to Gatland.

Why is that? I've never understood why a lot of people don't like him here, and everyone seems to have a different reason. Will you also be hoping the Lions get hammered by SA?

BonnieSituation · 26-07-2020 1:48pm

Dave_The_Sheep wrote: »

I only got around to watching the Chiefs-Highlanders game last night (and **** me they blew it), oddly enough. You'd feel for the fans, but I will admit I am really enjoying watching this happen (repeatedly) to Gatland.

I'm the same.

---

Just finished watching the recording of it there. Serious finish to the game.

Honestly thought they had it... Surely they wouldn't feck it up...

Dave_The_Sheep · 26-07-2020 2:16pm

Basil3 wrote: »

Why is that? I've never understood why a lot of people don't like him here, and everyone seems to have a different reason. Will you also be hoping the Lions get hammered by SA?

No, I won't. I'll be cheering for them and hoping they win. It just takes the gloss off it a little with Gatland in charge (and yes, I know he was involved in other tours as non-head coach). I'll be supporting them in spite of Gatland, not being against them because of him.

I don't like him for a variety of reasons.
- Large reason: His coach* personality, mind games and media comments about other teams, etc. It's not quite Eddie Jones level, but it's close and is poles apart from someone like Schmidt (who as a Leinster/Ireland supporter, I'm contractually obliged to idolise).
- Largest reason, if I'm honest with myself, the Wales Connection.
Coaching Wales during a period where when we should have done a lot better (our Golden generation, then the 2010s etc) but didn't with Wales often doing very well often at our expense. Examples, they knocked us out of a world cup, various 6N losses including that Mike Phillips try. Having to listen to him and watch him during that period got a bit tiresome.
- Minor reason: dropping BOD. Petty, I know. Don't care. Personal belief is that he did it out of spite, though I'm glad JD had a good game - he was stuck in the middle of that minor ****storm not of his making.

My dislike of Wales and Gatland feed back into each other, I suspect, hard to disconnect him from that Wales time. And yeah, I realise this might be coming across as petty and immature. I wouldn't be taking it too seriously though.

*He seems to be a very likeable person when not in coach mode, from the various non-rugby-coaching stuff I've read/seen/heard of him. Nothing against him personally, this is just in terms of rugby. And in rugby terms, there's no denying that he's had a superb career as a coach.

Bazzo · 26-07-2020 5:34pm

I think a lot of people in Ireland dislike Gatland because Eddie very much made it me or him and people backed him as the current coach. Then of course he went to one of our main rivals in Wales, and he's not afraid of sniping in the media so probably wound people up.

There's probably still a bit more of a grá for him out west where he came through the ranks as a player/coach for Wegians(or was it Corinthians? I forget) and then on to Connacht coach in a very old school manner. I think I remember reading that he was on a playing tour of Ireland with the All Blacks when he came to Galway and having never played prop as a hooker(might have that backwards...)Wegians asked him if he could play prop for them and coach, he blagged it and said no bother and gave it a shot. It was in one of the Connacht books.

Super Rugby 2020

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