SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) 2022 - NZ & Drua matches with no match thread

[Dismal Pillock]

When in the match was the scrum analysis?

Around 34th minute I think. And again right on halftime. Something about Taavao having a chance to go to town because "blank spaces can't push back" or some other evil dark arts stuff like that.

 

[Pfitzy]

Around 34th minute I think. And again right on halftime. Something about Taavao having a chance to go to town because "blank spaces can't push back" or some other evil dark arts stuff like that.

That's actually a very good way to summarise how they're getting dominance.

If the tight five ain't tight, they're just five guys touching each other....

Imma need that lotion now....

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Round 8:

7:05 Friday Highlanders v Moana Pasifika at Forsyth Barr
4:35 Saturday Hurricanes v Crusaders at Sky
7:05 Saturday Chiefs v Blues at FMG

Crusaders sitting third on the table, Blues fourth & Chiefs sixth: all three have a game in hand. Hurricanes eighth & Moana 11th, both with two games in hand; Highlanders dead last with a game in hand & have made their worst start to a season since they went 0-8 in 2013.

 

[Dan54]

Gunna be a netball scoreline if they keep this up...

Edit: Dan got his wish, it's a cracker day in Wellywood & crowd looks fairly decent. Hard to beat Sunday arvo footy.

Well just got home today, stayed in Fielding overnight.
As can be xpected in wellington sunshine no wind etc you know usual stuff
Anyway not read any paper reports or seen match on tv as yet, so my thoughts on game.
F***en cracker of a game, first half was absolutely flat out, Canes looked like they were worn out early in second half (Chiefs too but not as bad), but got second wind.
On players I knd of noticed etc , thoughts were I thought TJP was a bit better than Weber, Josh Ioane (and his replacement Gatland) went pretty well. Tupaea looked prtty ok and Narawa looked elusive at 15. And Sam Cane is best 7 in NZ without a shadow of doubt.
For Canes I though TJ was good, Jordie looked ok for first game at 12 for a while really looking after backline, not sure how good I thought Love was at 15, Ardie is the man. And Rakete-Stones was energiser bunny in first half.
Other thing, 3.5 hour ech was, well worth the trip, rugby is agme to be watched live.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ watching TJP it seemed to me that any pass of 5m or more tended to be at or above the receiver's shoulder except where he tried a cutout: those tended to be rather slow & loopy.

If WR (World Rugby) don't let us pick Fakatava in July I'd rather see Weber & Christie as ASmith's backups with Drummond as the backup to the backups.

 

[Hawko]

Round 8:

7:05 Friday Highlanders v Moana Pasifika at Forsyth Barr
4:35 Saturday Hurricanes v Crusaders at Sky
7:05 Saturday Chiefs v Blues at FMG

Crusaders sitting third on the table, Blues fourth & Chiefs sixth: all three have a game in hand. Hurricanes eighth & Moana 11th, both with two games in hand; Highlanders dead last with a game in hand & have made their worst start to a season since they went 0-8 in 2013.

Once the crossovers get going at the end of the month, Crusaders, Blues and Chiefs will be top 4 with the Reds. Hurricanes, Brumbies and Waratahs plus an unknown will make up the top eight.
The Highlanders are starting to come good and will have three or four teams behind them come the semi's.

 

[KiwiM]

^ watching TJP it seemed to me that any pass of 5m or more tended to be at or above the receiver's shoulder except where he tried a cutout: those tended to be rather slow & loopy.

If WR (World Rugby) don't let us pick Fakatava in July I'd rather see Weber & Christie as ASmith's backups with Drummond as the backup to the backups.

on form I think it should be those 3 anyway (Smith, Christie, Weber). I like Fakatava but he's coming off of a long injury lay off and he's still fairly loose in a lot of his work (loose carries, inconsistent in defence).

One player that must infuriate Canes fans is Kirifi - I respect his engine but his discipline is horrendous - he gets penalised at the ruck so often and most of the time it's needless stuff. I think they'd be better off giving Iose a run at 7 (they clearly don't want to move Ardie from 8). Prinsep just offers nothing as well - be far better off starting Flanders at 6.

 

[Dan54]

on form I think it should be those 3 anyway (Smith, Christie, Weber). I like Fakatava but he's coming off of a long injury lay off and he's still fairly loose in a lot of his work (loose carries, inconsistent in defence).

One player that must infuriate Canes fans is Kirifi - I respect his engine but his discipline is horrendous - he gets penalised at the ruck so often and most of the time it's needless stuff. I think they'd be better off giving Iose a run at 7 (they clearly don't want to move Ardie from 8). Prinsep just offers nothing as well - be far better off starting Flanders at 6.

Yep seems a good idea to me Kiwi, they got Gibson who is a good 7 too. I would be real keen on seeing Flanders get the 6 jersey too.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

on form I think it should be those 3 anyway (Smith, Christie, Weber)...

Yeah but, y'know, it's Foster doing the selecting, not you or I.

 

[Dan54]

Yeah but, y'know, it's Foster doing the selecting, not you or I.

Yep well and selection panel, you know fellas that actually go to games.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Klein has been suspended for three weeks, Clarke is challenging his RC & has a hearing Wednesday night.

Edit: former Clan hooker Ricky Jackson has been training with CruSadists since McAlister was injured so will presumably be brought into the playing group while Klein serves his suspension.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Beaugan has declared himself fully recovered & good to go Saturday night.

 

[Jeffrey]

on form I think it should be those 3 anyway (Smith, Christie, Weber). I like Fakatava but he's coming off of a long injury lay off and he's still fairly loose in a lot of his work (loose carries, inconsistent in defence).

One player that must infuriate Canes fans is Kirifi - I respect his engine but his discipline is horrendous - he gets penalised at the ruck so often and most of the time it's needless stuff. I think they'd be better off giving Iose a run at 7 (they clearly don't want to move Ardie from 8). Prinsep just offers nothing as well - be far better off starting Flanders at 6.

One consideration is are the 3 of them too similar? I do wonder if you want a scrumhalf that plays differently in your wider squad of 30-35, so there is a second game plan.

Another thing about the Canes has to do with individual coaching. A lot of their players are pretty good but also have very obvious flaws. For example, Julian Savea has the penchant for sticking rigidly, and standing far too deep despite not being as quick as he used to be. Yet when he filled in as first receiver several times later into the game, his basics are still really good - his passing is crisp, and he picks the right option with the right timing. When he injects himself earlier in phase play, the defence has to answer different questions.

Another example is Justin Sangster - who started some of the early games but has since dropped out completely from the squad. Physically, Sangster is just not ready for top grade rugby. Since the probability of him being in the matchday 2023 is low, he shouldn't be doing the same programme as the rest. he doesn't need fitness, he needs a customised 5 day a week gym programme instead of the typical 3.

I quite like Rakete Stones. I hope Fidow gets an extended run because he's dynamic. But both of them also have deficiencies. I wonder about both of their binding in the scrum, and while Rakete-stones is so strong,I wonder if his feet should be further back when he sets up for scrummaging.

 

[Dan54]

I think Rakete-Stones has gone a little forward with his foot set up after getting penalised a few times for Hawkes Bay when a his feet seemed to be slipping a bit.
As for 3 9s behind Nuggett, only one game but TJP was certainly over top of Weber I thought on Sunday, and that was behind a struggling pack.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Highlanders: Connor Garden-Bachop, Sam Gilbert, Fetuli Paea, Scott Gregory, Mosese Dawai, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith (c), Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, James Lentjes, Shannon Frizell, Josh Dickson, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Jermaine Ainsley, Andrew Makalio, Ethan De Groot. Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Ayden Johnstone, Saula Ma'u, Max Hicks, Gareth Evans, Folau Fakatava, Vilimoni Koroi, Denny Solomona

Moana Pasifika: William Havili, Tima Fainga’anuku, Levi Aumua, Danny Toala, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Christian Leali’ifano, Ereatara Enari, Penitoa Finau, Alamanda Motuga, Solomone Funaki, Samuel Slade, Veikoso Poloniati, Sekope Kepu, Luteru Tolai, Ezekiel Lindenmuth. Reserves: Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Mahonri Ngakuru, Sione Tu’ipulotu, Jonathan Taumateine, Lincoln McClutchie, Fine Inisi

Stuff

i.stuff.co.nz

 

[Dan54]

Clan/MP (Moana Pasifika) game is one to look forward to!! Couple of good teams named.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Hurricanes: TBC

Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, David Havili, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Mitchell Drummond, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Pablo Matera, Quinten Strange, Scott Barrett (c), Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Ricky Jackson, George Bower, Tamaiti Williams, Zach Gallagher, Tom Christie, Bryn Hall, Fergus Burke, Leicester Fainga'anuku.

Looking forward to Dismal's take on that 3/4 line

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Hurricanes: TBC

Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, David Havili, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Mitchell Drummond, Cullen Grace, Ethan Blackadder, Pablo Matera, Quinten Strange, Scott Barrett (c), Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Ricky Jackson, George Bower, Tamaiti Williams, Zach Gallagher, Tom Christie, Bryn Hall, Fergus Burke, Leicester Fainga'anuku.

Looking forward to Dismal's take on that 3/4 line

 

[Dan54]

Chiefs baan named , a few still injured.

1. Aidan Ross
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho
3. Angus Ta’avao
4. Josh Lord
5. Naitoa Ah Kuoi
6. Kaylum Boshier
7. Sam Cane (cc)
8. Pita Gus Sowakula
9. Brad Weber (cc)
10. Bryn Gatland
11. Etene Nanai-Seturo
12. Alex Nankivell
13. Anton Lienert-Brown
14. Emoni Narawa
15. Kaleb Trask

Reserves:
16. Bradley Slater
17. Ollie Norris
18. George Dyer
19. Samipeni Finau
20. Luke Jacobson
21. Cortez Ratima
22. Quinn Tupaea
23. Chase Tiatia

Unavailable for selection:
Reuben O’Neill, Gideon Wrampling, Simon Parker, Xavier Roe, Brodie Retallick, Josh Ioane, Sione Mafileo, Laghlan McWhannell, Tupou Vaa’i

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ injuries starting to bite...

Saw a report on TV3 breakfast news that Clarke got three weeks. Haven't seen anything official but sounds about right IF they ruled he jumped into the other guy's running line.