Norselander I appreciate your analysis however my read of the Nudgee Churchie game (I was there with some Churchie and Nudgee supporters) was that Nudgee were dominant when RT was on, but once he was off, the Churchie smarts won the game and Nudgee did not adapt well at all. The rushing defence from Churchie unsettled Nudgee and it was a masterstroke in smart rugby. The intercept try towards the end of the game was not luck, it was a consequence of Churchie's rushed defence. Brilliant teams like some of the ABs sides we have seen under pressure adapt to emergency situations. Crisis management. Nudgee didnt do this. Churchie won. It was a great victory. It's in the history books and as a purist in rugby, it was a superb game to watch and appreciate, albeit being on the losing end on this occasion.
Hey Rugby Man - i would like to think we were sitting together as I had a couple of Nudgee supporters behind me who were level headed, Intelligent types who obviously had a good handle on the game.
RT did run riot early on and Churchie fully expected it. He was going to be tough to contain but they knew they had that breeze in the second half so they just needed to keep a lid on things. Lets not forget that the Centres for Churchie being Dre and Frankie are no shrinking violets both, I understand with Professional contracts in place post school too and in the second half they did their share of damage too.
Their rush defence in the 2nd Half did prove instrumental as did "Dre" hefty left? boot which had Nudgee pinned on their goal line for much of the 2nd 35 min.
Your crisis management point is a good one, and perhaps the reason why this Nudgee team will not be considered as one of the greats. To the counter, Nudgee scrum pushed Churchie around all over the park, but Churchie countered with Chanel 1 feeds and quick ball away- they adapted.
I truely enjoyed the game and enjoyed talking with the Nudgee supporters with me after the game. They were knowledgeable of the Nudgee team and I could not help think they were somehow involved in the Nudgee Coaching staff - as was their depth of knowledge. They were a little stunned and shocked at the result but gave credit where credit was due- a couple of class acts. These gents were fair minded and level headed and who loved watching the spectacle of the 2021 ACGS Class of Old boys who were having their first reunion, run out on the field to join their successors in victory. They did not cast morale judgement on these young lads, but embraced the moment.
For mine , I would encourage the 2023 and following years Old Boys to repeat the action witnessed in 2022, and suggest that the other schools work on their old boys spirit rather that cast judgement on others. They should all be proud of their school and they should not in anyway be ashamed of their actions and those " Karens " who criticise the public display of support for their school , should wallow in their own pit of negativity forever. I won't buy it.
Rugby Man, Some very valid comments from you, and if that was you this year sitting with me, unknowingly,I would welcome the opportunity to sit with you at the Next Nudgee Churchie game. I enjoyed your comments and your sportmanship and look forward to further crossing friendly swords with you on this forum.
Isnt that what its all about?