@Darth-Sader said in QF Crusaders v Reds:

@Bones said in QF Crusaders v Reds:

@Darth-Sader said in QF Crusaders v Reds:

If the Saders are a chance in this comp, this is how they’ll win it. Tight attack with the odd flourish, defensive dominance and strangling the life out of the opposition. Limited game plan, but effective when it works

Yeah they've seemed very unconvincing this season, but just got the job done. Was always surprising to me seeing them at the top of the table. Not your typical crusaders crusade.

Tbh Chiefs, Canes and Blues are all better to watch this year. All three are a chance to win the comp, but if Chiefs don’t take it, it rates as another choke for me.

All three of those teams can take it to this Saders team at home IMO, especially if Williams is out.

4 degrees, freezing rain, a comfortable win and you dickheads are criticising the wingers
They showed plenty of wide shots….., the game plan was for them to stay wide and deep and diffuse the reds kicking game. Which they did very well

“Looking for work” would risk being out of position in a game where field position won us the match

Tamaiti Williams on crutches there at the end.

@SammyC don’t bring logic and tactical common sense to this thread. Most on here think Penny doesn’t have a clue.

@Mr-Fish said in QF Crusaders v Reds:

Tamaiti Williams on crutches there at the end.

I hope Saders don’t break him… ABs need him big time this year

@SammyC said in QF Crusaders v Reds:

4 degrees, freezing rain, a comfortable win and you dickheads are criticising the wingers
They showed plenty of wide shots….., the game plan was for them to stay wide and deep and diffuse the reds kicking game. Which they did very well

“Looking for work” would risk being out of position in a game where field position won us the match

On attack you mental midget.

@Mattasaurus Crusaders are favorites for mine If the blues do them a favour tomorrow and push them upto top seeding

@antipodean obviously I realise that

Don’t the reds have more turnovers than very other team in the comp? They got 21 of them last week

If he’s looking for the work around the ruck on attack and the reds turn the ball over he’s out of position.

Gameplans change in the cold and wet

@SammyC said in QF Crusaders v Reds:

@antipodean obviously I realise that

Don’t the reds have more turnovers than very other team in the comp? They got 21 of them last week

If he’s looking for the work around the ruck on attack and the reds turn the ball over he’s out of position.

Gameplans change in the cold and wet

They risk that every week.

It wasn't a criticism either, just an observation. Strangely I wasn't taking this match as an opportunity to take a giant shit on every Crusader. Some of them I pointed out were playing very well.

Tamaiti limping pretty badly, don’t think we’ll see him again during the playoffs.

@Grooter said in QF Crusaders v Reds:

@Mattasaurus Crusaders are favorites for mine If the blues do them a favour tomorrow and push them upto top seeding

Yep, exactly why we need the Chiefs to win. But then again if I want the Canes to go far it won’t matter.

@Canes4life said in QF Crusaders v Reds:

Tamaiti limping pretty badly, don’t think we’ll see him again during the playoffs.

100% should of taken him off earlier when they had the chance, especially with Bower on the bench who is more than capable. Could well pay the price for it next week

@Mattasaurus said in QF Crusaders v Reds:

Saders being talked down in the finals...... they have been here far too many times to write them off....

Who is writing them off?

@antipodean said in QF Crusaders v Reds:

@SammyC said in QF Crusaders v Reds:

4 degrees, freezing rain, a comfortable win and you dickheads are criticising the wingers
They showed plenty of wide shots….., the game plan was for them to stay wide and deep and diffuse the reds kicking game. Which they did very well

“Looking for work” would risk being out of position in a game where field position won us the match

On attack you mental midget.

Really? That is an arse comment.

The Crusaders doing what the Crusaders do. Ruthlessly grinding out a playoff win. The Reds were made to look very ordinary.

@Darth-Sader said in QF Crusaders v Reds:

If the Saders are a chance in this comp, this is how they’ll win it. Tight attack with the odd flourish, defensive dominance and strangling the life out of the opposition. Limited game plan, but effective when it works

Sorry, but haven't you exactly described how most teams play who actually win trophies?

Just watched the replay of the game. Cannot believe they left Williams on for so long when he was obviously injured and in pain. Idiots.

@akan004 said in QF Crusaders v Reds:

Just watched the replay of the game. Cannot believe they left Williams on for so long when he was obviously injured and in pain. Idiots.

I am guessing they were being led by Williams in that regard. Williams might have thought he could 'run it off.'

Felt like I’d seen that game before

Can someone clarify why the Christchurch semi was announced on SKY as being on Friday the 13th? The official Super Rugby website has had Sat 14 (tbc) for both semis all season.. It has just been amended to the 13th this morning. Seems unfair on whoever the opposition will be as they will be traveling to Chch (possibly from CBA regardless of whether it’s Hurr or Bru) and have 1 less day to prepare. Is the fix in?

@SecFid I think the clue is in the TBC? Wasn't confirmed when draw came out?

Had another look at the scrums. While Nonggor isn't the best - and I assume was the only one available given the absence of other THPs - he was being horribly let down by Ryan Smith behind him.

If George Bower had come on earlier it wouldn't have made much difference to the Crusaders dominance

@Dan54 for sure - still feels a bit odd

@NTA said in QF Crusaders v Reds:

Had another look at the scrums. While Nonggor isn't the best - and I assume was the only one available given the absence of other THPs - he was being horribly let down by Ryan Smith behind him.

If George Bower had come on earlier it wouldn't have made much difference to the Crusaders dominance

Ryan who?

Watching some key moments this morning and holy fuck the Reds should feel aggrieved at the Reece kick, Jordan chase resulting penalty. Jordan clearly never releases and then he and the two supporting Crusaders players all go off their feet at the ruck.

Result: Williams penalises the Reds.

@antipodean said in QF Crusaders v Reds:

Watching some key moments this morning and holy fuck the Reds should feel aggrieved at the Reece kick, Jordan chase resulting penalty. Jordan clearly never releases and then he and the two supporting Crusaders players all go off their feet at the ruck.

Result: Williams penalises the Reds.

Classic Crusaders play.

@ACT-Crusader
Munster says hi.

@antipodean TBF, ref didnt blow a pen at the other end 2 or 3 plays prior when a reds player dove straight on Jordan (I think) on the ground when he had recovered it at the back near thier own line...so didnt blow one there against the Reds when he should have, but blew one the wrong way against the Reds 70m downfield...

@taniwharugby said in QF Crusaders v Reds:

@antipodean TBF, ref didnt blow a pen at the other end 2 or 3 plays prior when a reds player dove straight on Jordan (I think) on the ground when he had recovered it at the back near thier own line...so didnt blow one there against the Reds when he should have, but blew one the wrong way against the Reds 70m downfield...

Tim Ryan, Junkyard Dog, I think.

I did wonder if this would come up because I agree with @antipodean if you take it in isolation but the Reds were lucky to find themselves in a position to feel aggrieved because the Saders could feel aggrieved.

@Landers92 said in QF Crusaders v Reds:

@Canes4life said in QF Crusaders v Reds:

Tamaiti limping pretty badly, don’t think we’ll see him again during the playoffs.

100% should of taken him off earlier when they had the chance, especially with Bower on the bench who is more than capable. Could well pay the price for it next week

s/of/have
or
s/ of/'ve

@JKP said in QF Crusaders v Reds:

@ACT-Crusader
Munster says hi.

I hope they do say hi at his 60+ percent win record at one of the more politicised clubs in all of rugby. I’m sure there was a coach of the year award in there as well.

How so politicised? Is 60% that stunning for Munster given its resources etc ?