The Kiwis come out and play rugby no matter what. This is just utter shite.
Biggest load of bullshit written on this site.
The game was awful to watch unless you are a rugby tragic. Its no accident that the two worst games this year in terms of entertainment have been the Sharks/Cheetahs and the Brumbies/Sharks.
I don't really agree with Qwerty's post. No one expects a ten try extravaganza in those conditions but there was no need to make it an 90+ kickathon. The problem is that both teams are playing Jakeball, a game plan that relies on never running the ball unless you are closer than 30 metres to the opposition line.
The sole try in the game came from a lovely short ball to Carter when it looked like the Brumbies were going wide. The Sharks took the bait and left the hole (to mix my metaphores). That move would have paid dividends had it been used from the 30 metre mark on the Brumbies side of half way.
If its wet in Christchurch next week I think you'll see a much better game than tonight's because the Kiwi teams, especially the Crusaders, know how to play in the wet. It involves plenty of running close to the ruck, grinding forward pods, some kicking and occasional backline running.
People have said that the Brumbies game is slowly evolving beyond Jakeball but the rate of progression is positively glacial. I think the Brumbies could have won that game by 20, even if both kickers had kicked straight. To do so they would have had to make sure that they ran up to the advancing defensive line before kicking (to create a level of doubt) and to choose a few of those occasions on which to run the ball. At times the Sharks had four men back waiting for the kick - that means there had to be holes in the line that could have been run at.
Everyone has been raving about To'omua at 10 this year and he played well. But watching the game I thought that if Lilo was at 10 and To'omua at 12 then the backline would have had far more penetration. When Lilo runs at 12 its always big man on little man and the only way that Lilo gets past is if he dodges. That suits from 10 because he has so lots of options in running, passing, kicking or looping. At 12 his options are more limited and To'omua does that so much better.
And how McCabe can be left out given his form is a mystery. He should be playing 13 outside To'omua with Kuridrani on the bench. I don't care that Kuridrani is the incumbent Wallaby 13. McCabe has been playing way better and if there's a better 10,12, 13 in the comp its not obvious to me.
The Sharks just needed Lambie and I think they would have won that game. Their forwards were better in the loose, they had the better of the lineout and were good in the scrum till they got tired. Janie dP needs to be replaced at 40 mins every week.