Planet Rugby Forum

mrbrownstone

Why are we naming the squad before the final? Small detail, but seems backwards to me. Also, Ta'avao has been routinely exposed as a weak scrummager at international level. Should be nowhere near the squad. Because the squad has to assemble nest week, so has to be named. Team has 2 weeks fron final...

mrbrownstone

Why are we naming the squad before the final? Small detail, but seems backwards to me.

Also, Ta'avao has been routinely exposed as a weak scrummager at international level. Should be nowhere near the squad.

mrbrownstone

JPNZ wrote: ↑Sat Jun 11, 2022 3:09 pm No surprises to see the NZ TAB instill the Blues as favourites. Just

Blues $1.72 v Crusaders $2.05 1.5 point start.

Correctly so. Those are generous odds. We're rank underdogs.

mrbrownstone

No Blues 2021 title in the OP? Shameless attempt to grab underdog status. It's the defending champs vs the plucky underdog forced to travel to the big city.

mrbrownstone

Yeah they were stiffed by that call or lack of one. Why should it be a penalty when they win clean possession? Clearly he wasn’t holding on long enough to prevent them getting the ball. Fans complain about so many penalties in the game then cry when when penalties aren’t given for immaterial things...

mrbrownstone

Dropping all the pretense, I cannot wait for this game. Should be an absolute classic, the two form teams of the comp and traditional rivals going at it. Incredible matchups across the park. Nothing would make me happier than the Crusaders winning at Eden Park, but I genuinely believe the Blues are...

mrbrownstone

And Barrett. Pakia Pakia suggested we drop Retallick, Whitelock and Barrett from the AB's, replacing them with Vaa'i, Josh Lord and Luke Romano. Soooooo not a clue basically. I never suggested any of those players be dropped from the ABs squad and I never suggested Romano should be in the squad. Va...

mrbrownstone

Dropping all the pretense, I cannot wait for this game. Should be an absolute classic, the two form teams of the comp and traditional rivals going at it. Incredible matchups across the park. Nothing would make me happier than the Crusaders winning at Eden Park, but I genuinely believe the Blues are ...

mrbrownstone

Any Blues fans want to get a Final match thread going early? The rivalry and match up are worthy of one.

mrbrownstone

Brumbies should be kicking themselves. Turn down so many kickable penalties and lose by one. Much like the Chiefs last night: take. Your. Points. In. Knockout. Rugby. Are you saying they should have taken penalties instead of scoring the 2 tries they had scored? Makes no sense to me It wasn't just ...

mrbrownstone

I hope I am wrong, but can't see the Blues winning next week. Papalii is a big miss and the lineout is malfunctioning. Plus the Crusaders just feel mentally stronger. Yes I agree. Crusaders showed last night that they don't waste any opportunities in finals footy whereas unfortunately the Blues for...

mrbrownstone

He's a the best defender of the three. He's a more well rounded player than Barrett and Mo'unga. Curious if you still think this after Perofeta's miss for the first Brumbies try?

mrbrownstone

[*]

towny wrote: ↑Sat Jun 11, 2022 9:54 am Great game!!

Ref must have had sand in his eyes right near the end when the Blues’ player was clearly hanging onto the ball in kicking range.

Yup. Shocking missed call that. Clear as daylight.

mrbrownstone

Brumbies should be kicking themselves. Turn down so many kickable penalties and lose by one. Much like the Chiefs last night: take. Your. Points. In. Knockout. Rugby. When normal maul laws don't apply to you I can understand why they kept kicking to the corner and setting mauls. Unfortunately for t...

mrbrownstone

JB1981 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 11, 2022 9:53 am A few more phases with the chance of earning a penalty or at least advancing for a better drop goal looked the better bet. Great charge down but I think the Brumbies went too early in the play.

Agree, weird option from that far out. They still had time to milk a pen.

mrbrownstone

Brumbies should be kicking themselves. Turn down so many kickable penalties and lose by one.

Much like the Chiefs last night: take. Your. Points. In. Knockout. Rugby.

mrbrownstone

Geez mate do you type that out each time or just copy and paste from the last time you posted it? You haven't stopped repeating that since about 9 o'clock last night on the Crusaders Chiefs match thread. I'm typing it out each time :nod: I imagine it's probably about as annoying to read as it is to...

mrbrownstone

I’m expecting to play the Blues at Eden Park next week, up to the Blues to make it happen, no pressure. As I've said a few times, most of the NZ rugby media believe the Blues have already won this game. TJ made that clear in commentary last night . I wonder if the Blues are believing their own hype...

mrbrownstone

JB1981 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 11, 2022 5:10 am How is Papalii? Is he able to be at the ground to give a team talk about making a fast start?

mrbrownstone

I've simply said Perofeta is a more rounded player than Barrett or Mo'unga who both are exceptionally good in some facets. How is that bias exactly? You answered your own question there. I think that shows your bias more than mine. Mo'unga is exceptionally good in some areas while being weak in oth...

mrbrownstone

I’m struggling to know which team to support tonight. I would love to see a Blues v Crusaders Final as it’s probably the Final that I have been waiting years to see, it’s the ultimate grudge match for me. On the other hand, the Blues are the enemy so watching them lose would be as funny as hell. I ...

mrbrownstone

I’m struggling to know which team to support tonight. I would love to see a Blues v Crusaders Final as it’s probably the Final that I have been waiting years to see, it’s the ultimate grudge match for me. On the other hand, the Blues are the enemy so watching them lose would be as funny as hell. I ...

mrbrownstone

Perofeta is better at running straight than Mo'unga and the way he runs is better suited to test rugby but he's not as good at running the ball as Barrett. Perofeta is better at managing a game than Barrett and his game management is better suited to test rugby than Barrett's but he's not as good a...

mrbrownstone

Did you not read the full comment? I qualified the comment by saying he's not as strong as either in those two facets. So he has Barrett's running game and Mo'ungas game management, but not really, as he's lacking the qualities that make those two elite in those areas? Makes sense... Perofeta is be...

mrbrownstone

Congrats in advance to the Blues. Tony Johnson made it clear on commentary last night that he believes you've already won, referencing on multiple occasions the Crusaders trip to Eden Park. Most of the NZ rugby media seem to think the same, and who am I to question their expert judgement. Don't see...

mrbrownstone

Ali's Choice wrote: ↑Sat Jun 11, 2022 2:14 am Brett Cameron is basically a combination of Grant Fox and Dan Carter. He has Fox's kicking game and Carter's running game. Albeit not as strong as either in those facets.

mrbrownstone

I think Mo'unga's crabbing like Mackenzie is shut down a lot quicker at test level. Stephen Perofeta is basically a combination of Barrett and Mo'unga. Barrett's straight running and Mo'unga's game management. Albeit not as strong as either in those facets. A strong defender too. :lol: :lol: Why st...

mrbrownstone

Congrats in advance to the Blues. Tony Johnson made it clear on commentary last night that he believes you've already won, referencing on multiple occasions the Crusaders trip to Eden Park. Most of the NZ rugby media seem to think the same, and who am I to question their expert judgement. Don't see ...

mrbrownstone

The break RMO made for grace try #2 was lovely. He does crab across a lot to the detriment of his outside players. I think Mo'unga's crabbing like Mackenzie is shut down a lot quicker at test level. Stephen Perofeta is basically a combination of Barrett and Mo'unga. Barrett's straight running and M...

mrbrownstone

Agree with jdog. I'd add, I thought Aiden Ross did his AB chances a world of good, having his way with the best scrum in the competition. Taukieaho also showed why he should be starting hooker, he's a tireless and powerful carrier - exactly what we need. Weber played his way out of a jersey imo (sh...

mrbrownstone

Gutted a bit - super happy they created more than enough chances - very unhappy that they were unable to execute on them. I thought Quin and Matera yellows were a little harsh but at least consistent. Chiefs failed to seize on the Saders weakness and were beaten by the better team. To the comments ...

mrbrownstone

Sounds like it'll probably be: 1. Latham 2. Young 3. Conway 4. Nicholls 5. Mitchell 6. Blundell 7. Bracewell 8. Jamieson 9. Southee 10. Wagner 11. Boult Very suspect middle order. Reckon we need to win the toss and bowl first, hopefully get into the game that way early. "Suspect"? 3-7 Look fine to ...

mrbrownstone

Agree with jdog. I'd add, I thought Aiden Ross did his AB chances a world of good, having his way with the best scrum in the competition. Taukieaho also showed why he should be starting hooker, he's a tireless and powerful carrier - exactly what we need. Weber played his way out of a jersey imo (sho...

mrbrownstone

If Matera does cop a ban, and he probably should just for sheer stupidity, what do we do with the loosies?

If Whitelock is back, are we better off starting Barrett at 6, than, say, Kellow or Gardiner?

mrbrownstone

IF the blues win tomorrow I’ll be absolutely fascinated to see who the TAB opens as favourites. The Blues, at home, on the back of a record win streak will be unbackable favourites. According to most of the NZ media, theyve already won, the next two weeks are just a formality. An extended victory l...

mrbrownstone

I keep wanting to congratulate you guys and top it off with "See you next week at Eden ..." ... then I stop myself. :lol: Let's just say I hope to see you at Eden Park next week. :nod: Don't worry mate, TJ already said it for you in the dying minutes. "Such a shame Blackadder won't be able to make ...

mrbrownstone

England win the toss and bowl.

Nicholls, Henry, M Bracewell in for Ajaz, Kane, CDG.

12/3 incoming

mrbrownstone

Pita Gus saved his worst game of the season for the last. Agreed. In fact, several of the Chiefs so-called big players had poor games. I don't want Tupaea anywhere near a black jersey if he's just going to play thug man when things don't go his way. PGS was mud, butchering a certain try, while Webe...

mrbrownstone

Have to wonder how much that will take out of us ahead of next week. According to TJ and most of the NZ rugby media the Blues have already won tomorrow's game. We'll do well to keep it close at Eden Park I fear. I keep wanting to congratulate you guys and top it off with "See you next week at Eden ...

mrbrownstone

For those questioning Goodhue's defence last week - 17 tackles for 0 misses, comfortably the most of any back on either team (next best Havili, 14 tackles for 2 misses). Goodhue, Leicester (only had to make 4 tackles), Gallagher, and Matera (only on for 20 minutes) were the only starting players not...

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