@mohikamo said in Force v Crusaders:

Actually got a bit excited at this game.
Usually not like that at all; cool, calm, analytical.

Thought the saders actually went quite well.
Great effort by the force to run them down after giving them a 20 pt start.
Force saved their dumb shit for the start of the game this time, usually its at the end, when it really matters.

The referee heavily favoured the team in possession, which i'm ok with, but the force kicked all theirs away in the first period and allowed the saders to build lots of momentum, and get points and YCs.
Once force started holding onto the ball the game evened up.
And the saders didn't really even score again.

The Stringer pass to Hotham was definitely forward.
Stringer was just about stationary when he passed it, no forward momentum in that pass.
But the ref was favouring the attacking team, so that's ok.

Force kicked away possession a bit early at the finish, and just invited the saders to have a good crack at them, which they did.
Force D did well tho, didn't even let them into the red zone.

McNicholl still goes pretty good.
He had a nice cuddle with Zac too!

I know it's all about the rugby, and I dont wanna sound like one of those 6N F wits who just show up for a beer and a chit chat with their mates, but the sax player at the half-time break was sooooo cool.
Even Georgie Bower was havin a bit of a jive at the restart; until he realized what he was doing.

Yeah was easily the best atmosphere last night. Crowd seemed to be a bit bigger, a bit more pre match entertainment, and when Lomax scored, the place erupted. It really was 'party at the park' which was advertised before the game. Had a few loudmouth Crusaders fans behind me who were very chirpy when 19-0 up, they were much quieter as the night went on. A good night all round.

Bit of a shame for Crusaders, as they now have no chance of top 3 , so they won't have any finals at new stadium.

I think that loss may mean the Crusaders do not make the 6.
5 games left will need to win 3, I don't think we can beat the Canes who we play twice or the Chiefs.
The Blues probably as well unless there is a major shift.
Force or Waratahs could pinch that 6th spot.
The Force have Dura and Waratahs at home both winnable and the Tahs at away all winnable.
The Tahs have Dura away Force home and away all winnable as well.

@Chris said in Force v Crusaders:

I think that loss may mean the Crusaders do not make the 6.
5 games left will need to win 3, I don't think we can beat the Canes who we play twice or the Chiefs.
The Blues probably as well unless there is a major shift.
Force or Waratahs could pinch that 6th spot.
The Force have Dura and Waratahs at home both winnable and the Tahs at away all winnable.
The Tahs have Dura away Force home and away all winnable as well.

Probably depends who comes back from injury and when...

@Chris We won't with the team that played last night - or last week. These points have been gifts to the other contenders.

But, we've got heavy duty reinforcements coming - just a question of whether enough of them arrive in time.

Not sure we'd be good enough to win three play-off games away from home, anyway - but, no-one would want to have to play our top team and find out!

The thing that has changed about the Crusaders is yes, they will always be up there, but when they lose frontline players, they are now big losses. A few years back under Razor's regime, they could lose a few players but it wouldn't make too much of a difference, as their depth was so strong at the time. Now, they lose guys like Jordan, Taylor, Barrett, Newell etc. and the oppositions eyes light up and see a big chance at beating them.

At full strength, they can go all all the way, minus a couple of bigger names these days, their level drops a fair way.

@Mr-Fish said in Force v Crusaders:

@Chris said in Force v Crusaders:

I think that loss may mean the Crusaders do not make the 6.
5 games left will need to win 3, I don't think we can beat the Canes who we play twice or the Chiefs.
The Blues probably as well unless there is a major shift.
Force or Waratahs could pinch that 6th spot.
The Force have Dura and Waratahs at home both winnable and the Tahs at away all winnable.
The Tahs have Dura away Force home and away all winnable as well.

Probably depends who comes back from injury and when...

Too many top players are 3 weeks away from coming back.
Too late to make a difference.

@Chris-B. said in Force v Crusaders:

@Chris We won't with the team that played last night - or last week. These points have been gifts to the other contenders.

But, we've got heavy duty reinforcements coming - just a question of whether enough of them arrive in time.

Not sure we'd be good enough to win three play-off games away from home, anyway - but, no-one would want to have to play our top team and find out!

While being a Canes man Chris, I kind of disappointed for Crusaders supporters, who have been turning up in shit conditions etc, even when team not going well. I certainly thought they deserved some finals to attend in the cover at new stadium.

@Dan54 said in Force v Crusaders:

@Chris-B. said in Force v Crusaders:

@Chris We won't with the team that played last night - or last week. These points have been gifts to the other contenders.

But, we've got heavy duty reinforcements coming - just a question of whether enough of them arrive in time.

Not sure we'd be good enough to win three play-off games away from home, anyway - but, no-one would want to have to play our top team and find out!

While being a Canes man Chris, I kind of disappointed for Crusaders supporters, who have been turning up in shit conditions etc, even when team not going well. I certainly thought they deserved some finals to attend in the cover at new stadium.

Have the Highlanders played a single home playoff game under the roof since they moved there in 2012? I dont believe so

@KiwiMurph said in Force v Crusaders:

@Dan54 said in Force v Crusaders:

@Chris-B. said in Force v Crusaders:

@Chris We won't with the team that played last night - or last week. These points have been gifts to the other contenders.

But, we've got heavy duty reinforcements coming - just a question of whether enough of them arrive in time.

Not sure we'd be good enough to win three play-off games away from home, anyway - but, no-one would want to have to play our top team and find out!

While being a Canes man Chris, I kind of disappointed for Crusaders supporters, who have been turning up in shit conditions etc, even when team not going well. I certainly thought they deserved some finals to attend in the cover at new stadium.

Have the Highlanders played a single home playoff game under the roof since they moved there in 2012? I dont believe so

Played 1 in 2015 against the Chiefs but yes, otherwise, I agree with your point.

@African-Monkey Probably true to a large extent - it was never put to the test with losing Mo'unga for a play-off game. I've pointed out before that there was a huge statistical difference between Razor's win rates with and without Mo'unga.

Enough that you could theorize at least that Richie more than anyone killed Razor's AB coaching career.

@Chris-B. Still find it fishy his number one guy buggered off when he was in the box seat and seemed reticent to come back.

@KiwiMurph said in Force v Crusaders:

@Dan54 said in Force v Crusaders:

@Chris-B. said in Force v Crusaders:

@Chris We won't with the team that played last night - or last week. These points have been gifts to the other contenders.

But, we've got heavy duty reinforcements coming - just a question of whether enough of them arrive in time.

Not sure we'd be good enough to win three play-off games away from home, anyway - but, no-one would want to have to play our top team and find out!

While being a Canes man Chris, I kind of disappointed for Crusaders supporters, who have been turning up in shit conditions etc, even when team not going well. I certainly thought they deserved some finals to attend in the cover at new stadium.

Have the Highlanders played a single home playoff game under the roof since they moved there in 2012? I dont believe so

Yep I realise the Clan hasn't had much either., I was just saying after the Crusaders supporters have stuck it out in the cold and wet (was real impressed in 24) it would of been good reward to have finals under the roof, just for them.

@Dan54 said in Force v Crusaders:

@KiwiMurph said in Force v Crusaders:

@Dan54 said in Force v Crusaders:

@Chris-B. said in Force v Crusaders:

@Chris We won't with the team that played last night - or last week. These points have been gifts to the other contenders.

But, we've got heavy duty reinforcements coming - just a question of whether enough of them arrive in time.

Not sure we'd be good enough to win three play-off games away from home, anyway - but, no-one would want to have to play our top team and find out!

While being a Canes man Chris, I kind of disappointed for Crusaders supporters, who have been turning up in shit conditions etc, even when team not going well. I certainly thought they deserved some finals to attend in the cover at new stadium.

Have the Highlanders played a single home playoff game under the roof since they moved there in 2012? I dont believe so

Yep I realise the Clan hasn't had much either., I was just saying after the Crusaders supporters have stuck it out in the cold and wet (was real impressed in 24) it would of been good reward to have finals under the roof, just for them.

I dont think theyll have to wait too long. With Richie Mo and some injury luck next year they'll be right in the mix.

@Dan54 said in Force v Crusaders:

@KiwiMurph said in Force v Crusaders:

@Dan54 said in Force v Crusaders:

@Chris-B. said in Force v Crusaders:

@Chris We won't with the team that played last night - or last week. These points have been gifts to the other contenders.

But, we've got heavy duty reinforcements coming - just a question of whether enough of them arrive in time.

Not sure we'd be good enough to win three play-off games away from home, anyway - but, no-one would want to have to play our top team and find out!

While being a Canes man Chris, I kind of disappointed for Crusaders supporters, who have been turning up in shit conditions etc, even when team not going well. I certainly thought they deserved some finals to attend in the cover at new stadium.

Have the Highlanders played a single home playoff game under the roof since they moved there in 2012? I dont believe so

Yep I realise the Clan hasn't had much either., I was just saying after the Crusaders supporters have stuck it out in the cold and wet (was real impressed in 24) it would of been good reward to have finals under the roof, just for them.

I'm sure they'll be ok Dan.

The Crusaders haven't made Perth a happy hunting ground over the years have they? I have this feeling they'd often make a stop coming back from SA and get humbled.

@African-Monkey said in Force v Crusaders:

Had a few loudmouth Crusaders fans behind me who were very chirpy when 19-0 up, they were much quieter as the night went on.

Haha same.
So good.
BTW, I'm 100% sader by heritage, dont like them, it's an anti Canterbury PU thing (only 50% Canterbury)

@mohikamo said in Force v Crusaders:

@African-Monkey said in Force v Crusaders:

Had a few loudmouth Crusaders fans behind me who were very chirpy when 19-0 up, they were much quieter as the night went on.

Haha same.
So good.
BTW, I'm 100% sader by heritage, dont like them, it's an anti Canterbury PU thing (only 50% Canterbury)

Yeah haha, lived in Chch for 11 years, thought I was back at a Crusaders home game for a bit listening to them.

@Bones said in Force v Crusaders:

@Chris-B. Still find it fishy his number one guy buggered off when he was in the box seat and seemed reticent to come back.

Richie took the yen!

But, it is a bit odd that he couldn't be convinced to stay. Be interesting to have a chat with him one day about that decision.

@mohikamo said in Force v Crusaders:

@African-Monkey said in Force v Crusaders:

Had a few loudmouth Crusaders fans behind me who were very chirpy when 19-0 up, they were much quieter as the night went on.

Haha same.
So good.
BTW, I'm 100% sader by heritage, dont like them, it's an anti Canterbury PU thing (only 50% Canterbury)

Me too - though I'm Nelson Bays by birth and current location. Even though I've spent several years in Wellington, I grew up in Canterbury, etc, etc so there was never really a question that I'd support the Crusaders.

I know a few Nelsonians who hitched their wagon to the Canes, though.

I've never regretted my choice!

@Chris-B. said in Force v Crusaders:

@Bones said in Force v Crusaders:

@Chris-B. Still find it fishy his number one guy buggered off when he was in the box seat and seemed reticent to come back.

Richie took the yen!

But, it is a bit odd that he couldn't be convinced to stay. Be interesting to have a chat with him one day about that decision.

You'd have to think Razor would have given him top dollar here! But yeah probably not close to what he's earning there.

@Chris-B. said in Force v Crusaders:

Me too - though I'm Nelson Bays by birth and current location. Even though I've spent several years in Wellington, I grew up in Canterbury, etc, etc so there was never really a question that I'd support the Crusaders.

I know a few Nelsonians who hitched their wagon to the Canes, though.

I've never regretted my choice!

Haha
My attitudes hardened in the pre-SR days.
Became very prejudiced against both Auckland and Canterbury.
Have no connection with the chiefs/canes/landers; but perfectly ok with them.

@mohikamo said in Force v Crusaders:

@Chris-B. said in Force v Crusaders:

Me too - though I'm Nelson Bays by birth and current location. Even though I've spent several years in Wellington, I grew up in Canterbury, etc, etc so there was never really a question that I'd support the Crusaders.

I know a few Nelsonians who hitched their wagon to the Canes, though.

I've never regretted my choice!

Haha
My attitudes hardened in the pre-SR days.
Became very prejudiced against both Auckland and Canterbury.
Have no connection with the chiefs/canes/landers; but perfectly ok with them.

This hatred for the team from your region you have heritage in, Does it stem from a bottom of a ruck with Grizz standing over you.

@Chris

Nah.
Stems from a whole lot of school days aquaintances going orn and orn and orn about how good Canterbury were.
Resulted in a major fuck Canterbury complex.
Lyn Davis at half back instead of Sid; get fuckin real!
The times of the Grizz.
Got lots of time for all the other saders PUs.

@mohikamo said in Force v Crusaders:

@Chris

Nah.
Stems from a whole lot of school days aquaintances going orn and orn and orn about how good Canterbury were.
Resulted in a major fuck Canterbury complex.
Lyn Davis at half back instead of Sid; get fuckin real!
The times of the Grizz.
Got lots of time for all the other saders PUs.

Fair enough there are some who see nothing past there own backyard.