Crusaders v Waratahs. Christchurch.

[rugbywhisperer]

As much as I am a QLD fan, I have to say it is pretty strange that a team that is on top of the table and pretty consistently getting bonus points is getting so knocked. A bit of tall poppy syndrome.

I strongly support all of the Australian teams when they play the twin Evils from UnZid and Setheffrika. I really can't understand anyone who does differently.
Last weekend I watched the Tahs and Reds with a Qlander mate. He could not understand how I could support the Reds - he spent 80 minutes howling for Tah blood. Strange.

Totally agree - except maybe where that team if it wins keeps my team out of the semi's - does that make sense. The semi final race this year I believe will be very, very, very close indeed.

 

[TheRiddler]

21 February 2004 Crusaders 19 – 43 NSW Waratahs Jade Stadium, Christchurch

Happy memories. I was at that game and cleaned up at the bookies. The Southern Cross Blues Bar was very happy to relieve me of my winnings after the game.

 

[Lindommer]

The more I look at this game in the context of the overall competition and matches to come the more I see this is a season-defining one for the Saders. Lose, and I think they're gone. On the other hand if the Tahs are serious about winning this year they simply have to impose themselves on serious competitors such as the Saders. The Tahs can lose this weekend and should still make the semis but they'll only be making up the numbers if they do.

One massive thing going for the Tahs this year is the quality of their bench. To run on Caldwell, Mowen, Fitzy, Palmer/Kepu, Holmes and, dare I say it, Tarzan's Grip Tom to close out a match, is a wonderful luxury.

 

[RugbyReg]

the programs here lads.

 

[fatprop]

The more I look at this game in the context of the overall competition and matches to come the more I see this is a season-defining one for the Saders. Lose, and I think they're gone. On the other hand if the Tahs are serious about winning this year they simply have to impose themselves on serious competitors such as the Saders. The Tahs can lose this weekend and should still make the semis but they'll only be making up the numbers if they do.

One massive thing going for the Tahs this year is the quality of their bench. To run on Caldwell, Mowen, Fitzy, Palmer/Kepu, Holmes and, dare I say it, Tarzan's Grip Tom to close out a match, is a wonderful luxury.

Yep, the Tahs have are having a great injury run

 

[MrTimms]

Waratahs revise their crusade

* Iain Payten
* From: The Daily Telegraph
* April 09, 2010 12:00AM

THEY have scored more points in eight games than they did in all of 2009, but the table-topping Waratahs won't risk all-out attack against Richie McCaw and the Crusaders tomorrow night in Christchurch.

NSW's expansive attitude this year has helped them shake off the point-scoring doldrums of last year. They have a vastly superior tally of tries, linebreaks and points.

The emboldened Tahs are averaging 14.6 more points per game, making five more tackle busts and have slashed 266 kicking metres in favour of 150 more run metres each week.

But after running the ball consistently all year - including from inside their own half - the risk will intensify significantly at AMI Stadium against a Canterbury side unrivalled in making teams pay for their mistakes.

With McCaw the world's best scavenger and Dan Carter a lethal kicker, NSW know they can't afford to cough up any ball in their half and hand the Crusaders easy territory and points.Of the 23 tries the Kiwis have scored this year, 11 have come from turnovers.

It creates a dilemma for NSW. Kicking for field position reduces risk but dilutes the ball-in-hand success that has seen them score 265 points - 24 more than in 13 games last year.

"It's about getting the balance right," NSW captain Phil Waugh said yesterday. "There are times to run, there are times to kick - we have to choose the right times to do both things. We will certainly be looking to play footy over there but it is about getting the balance right and forcing them into errors in their half."

In what looms as their most important game of the season, Waratahs coach Chris Hickey suggested NSW would adjust their game to out-Crusader the Crusaders: play the game in their half and seize points when available.

"They have figured out a simple way to play the game. They stick to that, they're patient and they'll play for 80 minutes," coach Chris Hickey said. "They are a team that likes to play field position, and we're aware of that. If you play in your half for long enough against them, they are probably going to score points.

"If you turn over possession against the Crusaders, they will punish you for that. They put a lot of pressure on teams, so you have to be able to operate under that pressure and still play the strategies you want to play."

According to the man in the driver's seat for NSW, flyhalf Daniel Halangahu, running the ball will remain a key strategy. He said "you're probably not going to go too well in a kicking battle" with Carter and fullback Colin Slade.

NSW welcomed back Wycliff Palu (hamstring) into their starting line-up but, despite running well at training yesterday, doubt remains over Waugh (quad). The skipper was bracketed with Chris Alcock at No. 7.

Veteran lock Chris Jack has been recalled into the Crusaders' starting line-up for the clash.

I wonder about this, if you are a successful team, what you have been doing is working, shouldn't you be able to impose your game on the opposition. Do teams like the bulls play that differently based on the opposition, or do they make you play their way.

To me, the Tah's haven't beaten them since '04, and they have "adjusted" to suit them everytime, it hasn't worked.

If they thrive on turnovers, keep the support players up and don't give them any.

I know you have to keep an eye on opposition strengths, but don't change your whole game.

The Tahs can do this, but not if they go into their shells and kick it away.

 

[waratahjesus]

you have to adjust some things, teams always do, the thing is, nsw has been playing the type of game they should play, so i dont really think they will be changing to much, the only thing they need to do is make sure they put the ball out.

 

[mark_s]

The more I look at this game in the context of the overall competition and matches to come the more I see this is a season-defining one for the Saders. Lose, and I think they're gone. On the other hand if the Tahs are serious about winning this year they simply have to impose themselves on serious competitors such as the Saders. The Tahs can lose this weekend and should still make the semis but they'll only be making up the numbers if they do.

One massive thing going for the Tahs this year is the quality of their bench. To run on Caldwell, Mowen, Fitzy, Palmer/Kepu, Holmes and, dare I say it, Tarzan's Grip Tom to close out a match, is a wonderful luxury.

My thoughts exactly, the loser of this game will find it very difficult to secure a home semi unless other results miraculously go their way. Palmer is playing for souths this weekend so it will be Kepu waddling on.

 

[Hawko]

That quote from Hickey in the Tele terrifies me. I hope its just a smokescreen, but I fear its not.

We lost two finals by trying to out-Crusader the Crusaders. In both those games we only looked really good when we started to run at them in the second half. Then we were imposing our game on theirs, not the other way round. Out-Crusadering the Crusaders is the recipe to make sure you don't lose too badly, its not the recipe to win. The recipe to win is to run at the bastards all day with every ounce of strength you have, and then do it some more. Take a leaf out of the old Brumbies book when they put 40 points or so on them in the final, remembering that day that the Crusaders came back at them but just didn't have enough gas left.

It sounds to me like Hickey is playing for a close loss and hopefully fourth spot, expecting that he'll keep his job if he does. If the Tahs play field position and win then the Crusaders are not the team they used to be.

 

[Reddy!]

WHO THE SHIT IS GOING TO WIN THIS?

Tahs are in awesome form, but then again they are playing in Christchurch were they notoriously lose. Someone give me a tip.

 

[Biffo]

Tahs

 

[HG]

Crusaders by 16

 

[TheRiddler]

The tipping Hall of Shame could tell some very interesting stories come Monday......

 

[Ruggo]

Crusaders by 10.

Even when things don't quite look right with them, it is hard to ignore their previous achievments.

 

[Henry]

Tahs by 31.

 

[HG]

Not in your wildest wet dreams!

 

[Moses]

Is a tough one to tip, especially considering the first rule of super 14 tipping: Never tip against the Crusaders in Christchurch.

Tahs by 4!

 

[#1 Tah]

Tahs by a billion

 

[JJJ]

Crusaders by 13. They probably have enough to beat the Tahs at home anyway, but they'll lift even more to swat down an Aussie team with the impudence to be higher on the table than them.

:nau: to leave the field in the first half with an injury. Carter to have a blinder.

 

[Biffo]

Crusaders by 13. They probably have enough to beat the Tahs at home anyway, but they'll lift even more to swat down an Aussie team with the impudence to be higher on the table than them.

:nau: to leave the field in the first half with an injury. Carter to have a blinder.

As hooker replacement for TPN?