@Chester-Draws said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

@Canes4life said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

The old saying where "forwards win you matches and backs dictate by how much" will most likely determine this scoreline.

It's a stupid saying.

The Crusaders had a magnificent forward pack through the Blackadder years yet didn't win titles because their backs couldn't capitalise on the ball they were given.

Meanwhile the Chiefs won titles without the best forward pack in the competition. As did the Hurricanes the year they won.

If forwards are everything, how come Kiwi sides keep beating South African sides?

Dunno about that, I think the chiefs forward pack actually had the wood over us in the couple of years they won the title.

@Chester-Draws I'd also argue the Canes pack weren't half bad either with the likes of Uhila & Fatialofa coming in to bolster a pack that already included Goodes, Coles, Vito, Shields and Savea.

@Chester-Draws The game plan under Blackadder was flawed and easy to shutdown it was too predictable plus he failed to motivate the AB's like Razor does.That's why we never won titles under him.We had no 2nd or 3rd options under pressure.We would have failed to win titles with the whole AB squad under Blackadder.

@Chris said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

@Chester-Draws The game plan under Blackadder was flawed and easy to shutdown it was too predictable plus he failed to motivate the AB's like Razor does.That's why we never won titles under him.We had no 2nd or 3rd options under pressure.We would have failed to win titles with the whole AB squad under Blackadder.

This is true. Blackadder would be way to unco to breakdance after games too.

@SammyC said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

@Chester-Draws said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

@Canes4life said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

The old saying where "forwards win you matches and backs dictate by how much" will most likely determine this scoreline.

It's a stupid saying.

The Crusaders had a magnificent forward pack through the Blackadder years yet didn't win titles because their backs couldn't capitalise on the ball they were given.

Meanwhile the Chiefs won titles without the best forward pack in the competition. As did the Hurricanes the year they won.

If forwards are everything, how come Kiwi sides keep beating South African sides?

Dunno about that, I think the chiefs forward pack actually had the wood over us in the couple of years they won the title.

Yeah, that was a strong pack. Blackadder didn’t seem to let his pack meet them with the same aggression which was weird and it seemed to put them off their game a bit.

Was helped by being half a Magpies pack.

@Nepia There was a "don't react to any provocation" policy under Blackadder which the Chiefs (and the Canes) sensibly exploited. It used to drive me mad.

@Nepia said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

@SammyC said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

@Chester-Draws said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

@Canes4life said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

The old saying where "forwards win you matches and backs dictate by how much" will most likely determine this scoreline.

It's a stupid saying.

The Crusaders had a magnificent forward pack through the Blackadder years yet didn't win titles because their backs couldn't capitalise on the ball they were given.

Meanwhile the Chiefs won titles without the best forward pack in the competition. As did the Hurricanes the year they won.

If forwards are everything, how come Kiwi sides keep beating South African sides?

Dunno about that, I think the chiefs forward pack actually had the wood over us in the couple of years they won the title.

Yeah, that was a strong pack. Blackadder didn’t seem to let his pack meet them with the same aggression which was weird and it seemed to put them off their game a bit.

Was helped by being half a Magpies pack.

I think on paper the crusaders forward pack was stronger, but on the pitch those chiefs forward packs had our number. That was probably a combination of their aggression and good game planning by Rennie.

@Wally said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

@Nepia There was a "don't react to any provocation" policy under Blackadder which the Chiefs (and the Canes) sensibly exploited. It used to drive me mad.

That didn’t go too well for the 1999 ABs

@Chris said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

@Chester-Draws The game plan under Blackadder was flawed and easy to shutdown it was too predictable plus he failed to motivate the AB's like Razor does.That's why we never won titles under him.We had no 2nd or 3rd options under pressure.We would have failed to win titles with the whole AB squad under Blackadder.

But Todd was a good steady hand on the tiller.
As honest as the day is long.
A toiler.
A team man.
A hard man.
A farmer.
And most of all a proud Cantabrian.

Under Blackadder we did commit less to the breakdown.

There were some quality sides that defeated us during those years (except the Waratahs team, thanks Joubert...) but poor tactics and selections will be a hallmark of the Blackadder era.

I will say that he did some very good stuff as well. He did get the team up during the earthquake period. He help develop a few young players into ABs.

@Frank Great but a game plan of not committing enough numbers to the breakdown and going from side to side to go around teams or force the players to come in to defend to go wide ,Does not work when the opposition use a drift defence and commit numbers to the breakdown.Game plan Fuked. no alternative gameplans just keep sticking to the one that is not working.Todd was a great bloke honest player but that doesn't always equate to a great tactical Brain.

@Chris
Ha ha - I was being sarcastic.
I had very low regard for Todd B's coaching ability.

The Hurricanes' pectoral pair are in the selection mix for their side's semifinal showdown in Christchurch.

Centre Matt Proctor injured a pectoral (chest) muscle against the Sharks on June 2, while lock Sam Lousi has not played this year after undergoing surgery on a torn pectoral muscle in pre-season.

Both played Wellington club rugby last weekend and Hurricanes assistant coach Carlos Spencer said they were being considered for selection against the Crusaders on Saturday night.

Loose forward Vaea Fifita will definitely be back for the semifinal after serving his three-week suspension for a high shot against the Sharks.

Winger Wes Goosen is expected to be out after aggravating his hamstring injury against the Bulls. 

Chase Tiatia may be available to fill that void after missing the quarterfinal with a calf injury. Otherwise it will likely be Salesi Rayasi who is given the chance. 

@Frank said in Semi Final 1: Crusaders vs Hurricanes:

@Chris
Ha ha - I was being sarcastic.
I had very low regard for Todd B's coaching ability.

Well played. Any sarcasm was completely lost on me ! I just thought it was genuine drivel from a Cantab wanking on about Toddy hahaha

@Stargazer Would Lousi be eligible though? I remember in 2016 when Messam returned to the Chiefs after the failed sevens campaign he wasn't eligible to play in the QF because there was some kind of minimum amount of games. Though because Lousi was injured, it might be different.

@Yeetyaah I think Messam's ineligibility had to do with the fact that he had played sevens and came back mid-season. Lousi has been injured and has been contracted to the Canes from the start; he got injured during preseason.

Edit: see this article

Messam was a late addition to the Chiefs' squad this month, after missing selection in the Olympics sevens team. Because he was not part of the original squad of 40, to be eligible for finals matches he had to be in the country from April 1, which he was, but also play four regular season matches. He played two, against the Reds and Highlanders.

I thought Toddy was an excellent forwards coach, but struggled as a head coach. I'd happily see him coaching forwards at any level, he oversaw the development some great forwards.

@Frank You got me :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

@Stargazer Ah so he wasn't in the original Chiefs squad and was seen as a late signing. Fair enough.

The Crusaders are massive favourites for this game and the title. Lots of battlers in that Canes squad, but the gulf in the quality of the tight forwards is enormous.

I wonder if Razor is practising any new moves to include in his victory breakdance once the Crusaders pick up their third title?