Some things in rugby do not change.

There is the Bulls’ “locks policy” – if you do not scone yourself on the door lintel as you pass through you’re not in with a chance for selection.

Then there is the Crusaders’ “just about everything policy” – it hasn’t been updated since Con Barrell took the field. One is expected to pass truly, to catch reliably, to tackle properly all the time, to back up always, to run with purpose and then to shovel it on to someone else with a similar mindset, and to switch instantaneously from disciplined defence to scintillating attack. Backs are all expected to be as clever as Aaron Mauger and everyone is required to be composed at all times.

Then there is the Crusaders’ expectation that the first few minutes of every second half shall be set aside to pay homage to, to honour, the rugby try.

Just a rugby clinic. Bulls are not a bad side but this is AB-esque. Todd has been excellent. Seriously reckon mounga will go past sopoaga

Crusaders just working on their points differential now.

The perfect Africa tour for the Crusaders, but next week will be tough against the Hurricanes.

@Billy-Tell said in Saders vs Bulls:

Just a rugby clinic. Bulls are not a bad side but this is AB-esque. Todd has been excellent. Seriously reckon mounga will go past sopoaga

Really? I've watched the Bulls a few times this year and I think they are a poorly coached side. They go really hard at the ball once it hits the deck and they have a really good lineout, but other than that, their kicking game, defensive alignment and attack is quite poor.

A team that plays with a pace and keep the ball alive, they really struggle with.

@ACT-Crusader said in Saders vs Bulls:

@Billy-Tell said in Saders vs Bulls:

Just a rugby clinic. Bulls are not a bad side but this is AB-esque. Todd has been excellent. Seriously reckon mounga will go past sopoaga

Really? I've watched the Bulls a few times this year and I think they are a poorly coached side. They go really hard at the ball once it hits the deck and they have a really good lineout, but other than that, their kicking game, defensive alignment and attack is quite poor.

A team that plays with a pace and keep the ball alive, they really struggle with.

I take your point. But they are not diabolical. They didn't just fall over, they got comprehensively outplayed by a currently on-fire Crusdaers side.

I agree with Richard Knowler about Havili - he is currently not in AB contention, but he is good enough that were he not contracted until 2019, there would be plenty of UK and French clubs knocking on the door with lucrative enough offers.

@Billy-Tell

David Havili = Andre Taylor?

He's going well!

@Chris-B. said in Saders vs Bulls:

@Billy-Tell

David Havili = Andre Taylor?

He's going well!

From memory Andre Taylor: hot (1st season), shit (2nd season), hottish (3rd)

I like Havili, he's good, still very young even though he seems to have been around awhile, and plays across the backline. Back 3 is extremely competitive in NZ though, he'll have to improve a good bit more to come into genuine contention.

A player who should definitely have higher ambitions is Jack Goodhue: I see Fekitoa and Crotty are yet to re-sign, SBW is getting on a bit, ALB has been a bit quiet this season to date, Ngatai we see, Laumape raw, Buckman not that young and uncapped, Ioane seems more like a wing than a centre to me etc...Goodhue has had an excellent first season at midfield, looks very calm and assured.

@Billy-Tell said in Saders vs Bulls:

Top rate first half. Organised, skilful, lethal. Can't wish for more. Canes vs Saders coming up soon, potential dress rehearsal for the final based on what I've seen this season.

The Saders are travelling a lot better then the Canes, I'm pretty worried it'll be a comfortable win for them. The Beauden factor will even it up a bit but the rest of the Canes players will need to up their game considerably.

Have to give Razor some credit, they've built into the season very nicely.

@No-Quarter said in Saders vs Bulls:

Have to give Razor some credit, they've built into the season very nicely.

His resume is looking very good.

@Billy-Tell On Havili, I'm mainly thinking "looks good at Super level, but can't quite see him as an AB". Doesn't quite have the size and/or speed. He would really need to become a sort of zero errors guy.

Goodhue looks the business. I think Kerevi might have broken through a goal line Goodhue tackle to score, but that's about the only significant "mistake" I can recall from him all season. He's doubtless made a few others.

Seems to have all the necessary attributes to make an international centre - though not against the Lions.

@Chris-B. Goodhue and ALB will be our long term AB centre combo. That pass that he threw to Seta which led to the try that was reversed was thing of beauty.

@Chris-B. said in Saders vs Bulls:

@Billy-Tell On Havili, I'm mainly thinking "looks good at Super level, but can't quite see him as an AB". Doesn't quite have the size and/or speed. He would really need to become a sort of zero errors guy.

Goodhue looks the business. I think Kerevi might have broken through a goal line Goodhue tackle to score, but that's about the only significant "mistake" I can recall from him all season. He's doubtless made a few others.

Seems to have all the necessary attributes to make an international centre - though not against the Lions.

Agree, signing Havilli up for 3 years was a great move... he wont be an AB but is an excellent Super Rugby Player.

I said last year on here that if given the choice between Goodhue and Jordie Barrett I'd take Goodhue (of course both would have been amazing).
He's a natural centre, tough as nails and looks to be one of the fittest players in the team.

I think George Bridge will be an All Black in the next few years also

@akan004 Wouldn't surprise me.

In the olden days the NZ Juniors would have played the Lions. I think they might have been Under 23s? Something like...

Taumateine, Mo'unga, Bridge, ALB, Goodhue, Ioane, J. Barrett...

...wouldn't be a bad set of backs.

@akan004 said in Saders vs Bulls:

@Chris-B. Goodhue and ALB will be our long term AB centre combo. That pass that he threw to Seta which led to the try that was reversed was thing of beauty.

I haven't watched a lot of the Saders this year but in another thread I had already penned in JB-ALB with Rieko on the bench. How are we going to fit them all in?

The Saders are playing a lot better this year under the Cross-eyed Surfer than Honest as the Day is Long Journeyman.

@No-Quarter said in Saders vs Bulls:

@akan004 said in Saders vs Bulls:

@Chris-B. Goodhue and ALB will be our long term AB centre combo. That pass that he threw to Seta which led to the try that was reversed was thing of beauty.

I haven't watched a lot of the Saders this year but in another thread I had already penned in JB-ALB with Rieko on the bench. How are we going to fit them all in?

It's a tough one. I don't think JB has the pace to be a test 15 and has defensive flaws at the back. He is a 2nd 5 or centre imo. Honestly, I rate Goodhue as a better player atm and therefore JB will have to miss out. Perhaps he could be a bench player due to his versatility but then Rieko would be considered unlucky to miss out. Either way, one of the three will end up being extremely unlucky.

@akan004 in the short term I think it will be Goodhue to miss out, given the other 2 are already exposed to the higher levels, which suits me as we will at least get some benefit of him at Mitre 10 Cup!!

Hopefully some of his play can rub off on Ranger who will likely suit up outside him on the wing!

@taniwharugby Agreed, I think Goodhue will miss out this year, especially for the Lions series as they seem to be really keen on Jordie. What I meant earlier was that I would have him in the ABs if I was a selector. But if he continues his form, then I think there's no denying his position in the future.