@MiketheSnow said in Lions v Crusaders - Super Rugby Final:

@Frye said in Lions v Crusaders - Super Rugby Final:

@taniwharugby said in Lions v Crusaders - Super Rugby Final:

@antipodean I saw something on TV today saying that no Crusader fans would likely have been unable to get to go to watch this game (unless they anticipated this game weeks ago) as it takes about a month for a SA Visa at present

That's really shit.

That SA is responding in kind to NZ's lead?

From a rugby perspective it is shit for Crusaders fans.

From a political perspective.... I'm not sure. If they've slowed the process down for NZers than that is petty. But if NZ passports are just going through the same process as everyone else now then that I guess is just indicative of the terribly slow bureaucratic process in SA government in general.

For the record: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Peace_Index
NZ is ranked the 2nd safest country in the world. South Africa is ranked 123rd.

Kind of deluded to think the threat to each country is anywhere close to being in the same ballpark.

NZ tightened the entry on SA passports because of a big increase in both dodgy SA passports and dodgy SA people lying.
Reciprocal rights have therefore disappeared

Quite interesting reading looking at previous finals:

For the UK viewers the match is on the Sky Sports Mix channel from 14.30

121 Sky Sports Mix HD
287 Sky Sports Mix

The new sports set up is already getting on my wick.

About the only time since about round 6 that I've had genuine doubts that the Crusaders will win this comp.

Lions are good -not their fault the draw is fucked. They have that ability to put on lots of points in a short space of time, and I'm yet to see them tire at the end.
Crowd should be superb.

As I look around the world rugby landscape, and the amount of "victim" and whinging unions around at the moment I feel the kinship with the Saffas is as strong as ever. Good rugby folk, the fans, who pretty much see the game and rugby culture the way we do. Mutual respect is a rare commodity these days.

The winner tonight will deserve it wholeheartedly

Crusaders could nick this though (the away team disadvantage in a final thing is undeniably strong), and it'll be through massive pro-active defence and then trying to control possession and territory - which is a wank way of saying they must play top rugby in all facets for 80 mins - that'd be good to watch.

Kicking at altitude is going to be a good battle, an Izzy blinder would be good to see

can't help but want a win to add to Razor's legend - whatever he does certainly works

Big send off for Ackermann too though

Fuck should be a ripper.

I hate every other kiwi team that not's mine, but it's fun supporting the other fluffybunnies at times!

Lions to win though

@MiketheSnow Fuck yeah it is a complete bucketful of shite. FFS how many wendyball channels do we need?? Plus is there really a need for stand-alone golf and cricket channels?? I think Sky Sports has over-estimated their own popularity, or perhaps feeling the heat from BT Sport and web-based live-streaming sports channels.

Back on topic - I feel for Saders fans who want to travel but can't because of visa changes. The whole world has gone mad with this sort of shite.

@MiketheSnow said in Lions v Crusaders - Super Rugby Final:

For the UK viewers the match is on the Sky Sports Mix channel from 14.30

121 Sky Sports Mix HD
287 Sky Sports Mix

The new sports set up is already getting on my wick.

Mine too. I have just discovered that my Virgin package doesn't have that channel. I only pay them so I can watch the rugby and now it's been moved off my package. Fuckers.

Jantjies misses the drop

Lions mistake and Crusaders run in a try down the left sideline. Good 60m.

@MiketheSnow fucking thank you! What a shamozzle. All the sports channels are in the 400s and it's not even showing in live now. Dicks.

@Bones said in Lions v Crusaders - Super Rugby Final:

@MiketheSnow fucking thank you! What a shamozzle. All the sports channels are in the 400s and it's not even showing in live now. Dicks.

It is available

Crusaders 2nd try

This is a replica of the Canes 1st half semi
Tamanivalu looked in cruise mode

Fuckin Sky Sports can't even get the feed right, no sound and loss of picture at one point. Are we in 2017 or 1917.

Aah lost forward shit. Dagg looks keen

@Crash said in Lions v Crusaders - Super Rugby Final:

This is a replica of the Canes 1st half semi
Tamanivalu looked in cruise mode

Yep - and taking lessons from the semi, you'd want the Crusaders to be 3 tries up after 20min, to feel safe.

Tamanivalu pushing his case for All Black inclusion. Much more dangerous power winger than Julian Savea this season.

@JustAnotherFan yeah nah I mean if you go to sports and look for live it doesn't even feature.

Matt Todd take a bow boy.

Jaco where's the gap on the Saders lineout throws?

Is it just me or is Peyper being overly pedantic?

Both sides making errors at crucial times

@Wally said in Lions v Crusaders - Super Rugby Final:

Is it just me or is Peyper being overly pedantic?

Not unusual for him. He's a very good ref.

Oh Smith's in trouble...

Wow, what a collision. Havili putting his body on the line there.

Eish. Card time

Massive call here.

I think red?

This is where the neutral referee & TMO would be ideal.

Referee and TMO said it was going to be a red when Marshall was prattling on in the background there.

It goes with the colour of his jersey. Lol.

@rotated said in Lions v Crusaders - Super Rugby Final:

This is where the neutral referee & TMO would be ideal.

Nah. The right process and decision was made.

Take the shot Richie.

@ACT-Crusader said in Lions v Crusaders - Super Rugby Final:

@rotated said in Lions v Crusaders - Super Rugby Final:

This is where the neutral referee & TMO would be ideal.

Nah. The right process and decision was made.

I agree - well done for Peyper making it. Certainly was a tense moment after the red was recommended by the TMO then Peyper wanted to go through everything a third time from the beginning.

So much for Jako favouring the home side. Always felt he was a fair and neutral ref.

Shit - always hate to see a red card, and gotta feel sorry for the guy when it was nothing deliberate, but it was obviously a call they had to make... Peyper sounded sad but resigned to it.
It's been discussed ad nauseam already - but for this whole "safety of the player in the air" thing... would it be practical to limit how high somebody's allowed to jump? Too hard to police, I guess.

Fairly stop start sort of half. Errors and turnovers from both sides.

We look good when we play a little wider. Crotty and Tamanivalu playing well.

Lions defending pretty well and look good in attack close to the ruck.

Lions do a love a dummy runner or four in front of the ball.....

Okay - so slightly off-topic, but an advertisement on UK Sky Sports... when did "Conservatory Valet" become a thing?

@KiwiMurph said in Lions v Crusaders - Super Rugby Final:

Tamanivalu pushing his case for All Black inclusion. Much more dangerous power winger than Julian Savea this season.

Wouldn't be a bad bench option as a midfield/wing player.

@Crucial said in Lions v Crusaders - Super Rugby Final:

@MiketheSnow said in Lions v Crusaders - Super Rugby Final:

For the UK viewers the match is on the Sky Sports Mix channel from 14.30

121 Sky Sports Mix HD
287 Sky Sports Mix

The new sports set up is already getting on my wick.

Mine too. I have just discovered that my Virgin package doesn't have that channel. I only pay them so I can watch the rugby and now it's been moved off my package. Fuckers.

@Crucial said in Lions v Crusaders - Super Rugby Final:

@MiketheSnow said in Lions v Crusaders - Super Rugby Final:

For the UK viewers the match is on the Sky Sports Mix channel from 14.30

121 Sky Sports Mix HD
287 Sky Sports Mix

The new sports set up is already getting on my wick.

Mine too. I have just discovered that my Virgin package doesn't have that channel. I only pay them so I can watch the rugby and now it's been moved off my package. Fuckers.

Ocean going tankers! Irony is that it's a freebie to Sky viewers with basic package. http://live.shwidget.com/static/freeplayer/489581995376170.html