@nzzp said in Crusaders v Blues (SF):
hahaha, Crusaders supporters starting to talk down their team's chances.
We've won once there in forever.
Never lost a home playoff game.
Blues have stunk up the joint this year.Seriously, stop the race to the underdog ... TAB has Blues at $2.70 to win and that seems about right
I fully expect a Blues win.
@ACT-Crusader said in Crusaders v Blues (SF):
@nzzp said in Crusaders v Blues (SF):
hahaha, Crusaders supporters starting to talk down their team's chances.
We've won once there in forever.
Never lost a home playoff game.
Blues have stunk up the joint this year.Seriously, stop the race to the underdog ... TAB has Blues at $2.70 to win and that seems about right
I fully expect a Blues win.
Loss insurance!!!
@brodean said in Crusaders v Blues (SF):
Any news on Williams injury?
He's basically the Crusaders and the ABs best player. Well there is Savea for the ABs.
And Blackadder
Blackadder must have the highest ratio of times he is mentioned on here to minutes "actually" playing of any current player.
Good luck to him.
@nostrildamus ChatGPT throws up some interesting results...
Who are the most criticised All Blacks on thesilverfern.com website?
ChatGPT said:
Here's a summary of some of the most heavily criticised All Blacks on the thesilverfern.com forums:
1. Beauden Barrett
Often lambasted for form issues and confidence:
In a 2023 thread, one user declared:
“Beauden Barrett should not be near an AB 10 Jersey. The older he gets, the worse he gets.”
en.wikipedia.org
+15
forum.thesilverfern.com
+15
forum.thesilverfern.com
+15
Another lamented his decline, noting he’s “never been the same since he moved to Japan and/or got married”
forum.thesilverfern.com
.
2. Fihaki & Bell
Specifically called out as dubious selections:
In a 2025 selection thread, one poster argued:
“Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time… Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger… by some distance.”
en.wikipedia.org
+15
forum.thesilverfern.com
+15
forum.thesilverfern.com
+15
3. Blackadder (Akira Blackadder)
Mentioned alongside Fihaki by users unhappy with his inclusion:
Forum comment: “Havilli and Blackadder want you to hold their beers,” sarcastically comparing their picks
forum.thesilverfern.com
.
4. Richie McCaw
Though less frequent, he’s criticised for exploiting referee leniency on the breakdown:
Wikipedia notes he was “labelled a ‘cheat’ by…” opponents and accused of “testing the referee early to know what you can get away with”
en.wikipedia.org
+13
en.wikipedia.org
+13
en.wikipedia.org
+13
.
5. Coaches (Graham Henry, John Mitchell)
Though not players, they are often scrutinised harshly—especially for coaching choices and team selection:
Graham Henry faced heat for rotating players during the 2005 Grand Slam and controversial World Cup tactics
reddit.com
+2
en.wikipedia.org
+2
en.wikipedia.org
+2
.
John Mitchell drew criticism for dropping Christian Cullen before the 2003 World Cup
theniche-cache.com
+1
forum.thesilverfern.com
+1
.
🧭 Summary of Most Criticised
Name Reason for Criticism
Beauden Barrett Declining form and increasingly error-prone performances
Fihaki & Bell Questionable squad selections cited as biased and statistically weak
Akira Blackadder Perceived as a poor selection relative to other options
Richie McCaw Accused of violating breakdown laws and testing referees
Graham Henry, John Mitchell Strategic decisions and non-transparent team management
@Mr-Fish said in Crusaders v Blues (SF):
Akira Blackadder eh?
That one made me laugh!
AI has a little way to go - or perhaps not?!!
@brodean said in Crusaders v Blues (SF):
@ACT-Crusader said in Crusaders v Blues (SF):
Saders have already overachieved this season by just being in the finals after finishing 9th last year with pretty much the same team.
And now we face the defending champions in a semi final.
No expectations from here on in.
Crusaders have never lost a home semi. There will be an expectation to win for the team.
Nah. Some of the boys are already planning their Mad Monday session and a few others like Havili, McLeod, Ennor, Hotham and Fihaki are just thinking about their names being called out on June 23.
Blues by 8
@ACT-Crusader Yeah - relying on the Christchurch hex doesn't seem like sound rugby strategy.
I'd have rather had the Brumbies than the Blues - I think we match up better against their strengths.
Will be a tough ask to maintain that 30-0 record two weeks running vs Blues and Chiefs (assuming the Brumbies get scuppered).
However, some advice this week for Vern.
Have your all boys spend 15 minutes before going to bed chanting something like the Dune" Litany against Fear."
"I must not fear Christchurch. Christchurch is not a mindkiller. Christchurch is not a little death... We are not ordained to lose... We can definitely win!".
Don't overdo it though. 
Blues have a short turn-around after a very physical game. The Crusaders should be heavy favourites. Especially with their tight five in expected conditions.
I'm expecting it'll be a bit like last year's semis to final, or the 2019 WC. Chiefs and England could back-up after upsetting their opposition - figure it'll be the same in Christchurch.
@Chris-B said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
@nostrildamus ChatGPT throws up some interesting results...
Not my question though.
I did ask Chat GPT this (which could be better worded)
-Which New Zealand Rugby Player has have the highest ratio of times he is mentioned in a negative way to minutes "actually" playing of any rugby player in New Zealand?
"Determining the New Zealand rugby player with the highest ratio of negative mentions to actual playing time is challenging due to the lack of comprehensive data on media coverage and player minutes. However, based on recent reports and public discourse, Sam Cane, the former All Blacks captain, has been a focal point of criticism relative to his on-field contributions.
reuters.com+2planetrugby.com+2thetimes.co.uk+2
Cane's leadership came under scrutiny, especially following his red card during the 2023 Rugby World Cup final against South Africa. This incident not only impacted the team's performance but also sparked debates about his role and decision-making as captain. Comparisons were drawn between Cane and South African captain Siya Kolisi, with some commentators highlighting Kolisi's strategic acumen and leadership qualities as superior.
thetimes.co.uk"
@chchfanatic said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
Never lost a home playoff game. That’s some stat.
It is.
Cotter's response was good too: "yet"
In my view it's going to come down to tight 5 and discipline. If Blues can avoid penalties (including scrum penalties) and get set piece parity then they have a shot. Otherwise Crusaders will kick to the corner and maul Blues into the ground.
@KiwiMurph said in SF Crusaders v Blues:
In my view it's going to come down to tight 5 and discipline. If Blues can avoid penalties (including scrum penalties) and get set piece parity then they have a shot. Otherwise Crusaders will kick to the corner and maul Blues into the ground.
Can rephrase this - if Tamaiti Williams is out, we're a good shot as the prop quality drops off hard for the Crusaders. If not, we're smoked.
