@TheMojoman said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

I'd really like to see the Chief step up and win in Christchurch. I think for them it will cement their status as contenders or pretenders. Yes they're without DMAC but the Crusaders aren't the Crusaders of old.

Also it would be great to see the Crusaders lose both their final games, at home and slide out of the 6.

I'd love to see the Crusaders lose but this Crusaders team isn't much different to the one that won SRP last year. I think they're mentally tougher than the Chiefs ( who have proven themselves flakey in tough games over the years ) and if LF keeps improving at 7 he offers a point of difference.

The Crusaders loose trio is a good balance when it comes to workrate and impact. The Crusaders are nuggety as f and they will be wanting to keep their win record at the new stadium intact for as long as possible. The fans love the new stadium.

If I were the Chiefs I'd attack the Crusaders lineout. The Crusaders have been lucky with a lot of not straight throws when oppo is competing being ignored. The Chiefs loosies and midfield need to shut LF down. If they can do that the Crusaders midfield is a bit stale and doesn't offer much. Jordan might be a bit quiet coming back.

If the chiefs are to win, they need their forwards to step up big time and dominate the Crusaders pack. There are some big battles out there tonight.

Big night for Jacobson. Bit of a forgotten man of NZ rugby.

@Tim most likely in the 4 names for Captain of ABs he is tho.

Also a big opportunity for Sione Ahio. Off contract at end of season?

@TheMojoman said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

I'd really like to see the Chief step up and win in Christchurch. I think for them it will cement their status as contenders or pretenders. Yes they're without DMAC but the Crusaders aren't the Crusaders of old.

Also it would be great to see the Crusaders lose both their final games, at home and slide out of the 6.

The trauma is strong in this one.

A pretty clear case of not-rolling/releasing.

Nice ruck speed from the Chiefs.

Nice try. Great work against some soft cover defence.

Well done Chiefs backs there

Surprised that Jacomb is kicking below 70%. Sharp passing in that movement.

@Tim said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

Surprised that Jacomb is kicking below 70%.

I'm not when I saw the kick....

Is it me or does Kyren just look a more well rounded player this year? He was an absolute turnstile in defence last year but he looks markedly better this year.

@Fale009 said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

Is it me or does Kyren just look a more well rounded player this year? He was an absolute turnstile in defence last year but he looks markedly better this year.

It's not just you. As the season has gone on he has gotten better and better. A function of going from a cellar dweller team to a top team

@Donsteppa said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

Nice try. Great work against some soft cover defence.

Straight through Sevu like it was nothing

@Landers92 Insane that he was an AB last year or the year before.

Great steal Vaa'i

@Tim said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Landers92 Insane that he was an AB last year or the year before.

Robertson should have been sacked for that alone...

Hotham has some real wheels

Now sleepy D from the Chiefs down that side of the park...

LCF could have ran a few more steps and tackled him normally there. Be regretting that when he sees the replay

good start from both teams good watching

2 defenders at the lineout anyway right? Not really overly sure of that law

Sign me up for Hutchinson. Making every post a winner.

Good shit Hutchie

Took the officials a while to spot that one. Especially the "Assistant Referee"

ffs just get on with it

Doleman you fucking clown

Just rule it out

@Bones said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

Sign me up for Hutchinson. Making every post a winner.

Kid is a gun

Sounds like he wanted to do the in goal replay so the crowd could see it. They weren’t seeing what we were seeing on TV. Never heard a ref do that before

@Bones said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

Sign me up for Hutchinson. Making every post a winner.

TJ is clearly signed up, I think he'd mentioned he's from Chch at least 3 times so far.

Cracking start to the game.

Luke (side entry ) Jacobson

Nice work from Newell to trap him in the ruck there. The dark arts

@KiwiMurph said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

@Fale009 said in Crusaders v Chiefs:

Is it me or does Kyren just look a more well rounded player this year? He was an absolute turnstile in defence last year but he looks markedly better this year.

It's not just you. As the season has gone on he has gotten better and better. A function of going from a cellar dweller team to a top team

He's gone from being built like Code Vai to being built like Macca Springer

Fair warning...

How long is Hutchinson signed for? He gonna be the next Brodie/ALB/DMac?

shocking reffing

Leicester is very useful around the fringes.

Well rewarded for a relentless few minutes of play.

Still getting used to Lester in 7.