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

[KiwiM]

I really enjoyed that game (despite the result!)

Canes stacked their bench and it paid off.

Some great individual performances out there - Christie and Clarke were both brilliant I thought, RTS (Roger Tuivasa-Sheck) very encouraging, Goodhue was everywhere.

For the Canes Iose continues to impress, Rayasi is a game breaker and PUJ and Love made great impact. B Sullivan outshone his brother - he was brilliant in the NPC and is carrying that on.

Blues will be entertaining this year but to me Chiefs look the only team really capable of challenging with Crusaders. Blues/Canes/Landers to battle it out for 3rd best nz team.

 

[Dan54]

I agree on that Iose, I think I was ringing his bell earlier in this thread.
I have to say Sullivan looks pretty decent at 13, I wasn't giving him enough credit after a good NPC, but he looks genuinely a talent at this level.
Chirtie is continuing has good form fron last year, he certainly clears ball well etc, we starting to get a log jam of 9s behind Nugget, I liking Fakatava, Christie, Weber and Roe, and tend to probably hold them above or at very least equal of TJ.
I thought RTS (Roger Tuivasa-Sheck) looked ok too, will be interested to see how he kicks on, but if he gets a combo with Ioane could get interesting, and I think he will be more effective with BB back to create doubt in defences minds. Clarke I think is going to cause good headaches for AB selectors if he keeps going like he did.
Josh Goodhue certainly stood up with this is how you play lock display, he was real good.

 

[Marce]

I've watched Blues vs Canes game. I can't believe how quick Roger Tuivasa-Sheck step ip up his game in just one official game. It's early to say it but this could be the impact player of the year. He really shows interesting skills and make me think how skilfull are NRL top players. I know he has Union background but let's be honest, NRL is some steps ahead od Union in terms of hability with ball in hands.

And it makes sense, they dont have to worry about the breakdown, scrummaging, mauling or jump on the lineout, so they have more time to develop their personal skills

 

[Dan54]

I thought he was good for first up game, interesting you thought he was skilled, I didn't think he was exceptional in skills, mind you thats me, I don't think league players are in general, they don't I think pass under pressure well. Israel Folau was classic case to me , could pass right to left but when it came to passing other way under pressure he just couldn't or didn't do it. But that is not to take away from how well RTS (Roger Tuivasa-Sheck) went, though he did show the weakness in tackle that he will overcome, the 2 main ones he missed were players passing close to line and having to adjust quickly. Leaguies tend to tackle well head on ,but I think players sliding by them can use fend .

 

[Marce]

I thought he was good for first up game, interesting you thought he was skilled, I didn't think he was exceptional in skills, mind you thats me, I don't think league players are in general, they don't I think pass under pressure well. Israel Folau was classic case to me , could pass right to left but when it came to passing other way under pressure he just couldn't or didn't do it. But that is not to take away from how well RTS (Roger Tuivasa-Sheck) went, though he did show the weakness in tackle that he will overcome, the 2 main ones he missed were players passing close to line and having to adjust quickly. Leaguies tend to tackle well head on ,but I think players sliding by them can use fend .

Probably I used the wrong word. Athleticism is ok? I'm not sure if his passes and tackles are perfect but maybe his footwork is in another level. With more game time we'll see that.

The tackle in League is a bit different, they tend to tackle the upper body. So I think with more games he will be able to improve it

 

[Dan54]

Probably I used the wrong word. Athleticism is ok? I'm not sure if his passes and tackles are perfect but maybe his footwork is in another level. With more game time we'll see that.

The tackle in League is a bit different, they tend to tackle the upper body. So I think with more games he will be able to improve it

He definitely looks to have good footwork, and I certainly not knocking him, certainly one of best if not best first up game from a leaguie coming to union I can remember. I have never seen him play league so I had no preconceived ideas what he was like. He could be pretty good if he learns the subleties of union, and have no reason to think he won't.

 

[TSR]

Like most (all) I thought it was a cracking game - and not just the finish, but throughout the game. I often don’t get a chance to watch the NZ games, so glad I had a relatively quiet weekend and was able to plonk myself on the couch.

One observation though - there was a lot of dropped ball/turnover. And I find that to often be the case in Kiwi derby’s. The bit I don’t get is that when Aussie teams drop that much ball they get belted for it and generally people note how poor our players skills are compared to the NZ players. But when the NZ guys do it people can (rightly) look past that and see the intent and high tempo way the teams were playing and be more foregiving. I think part of that can be explained by the way a lot of the NZ teams pounce on mistakes and attack with intent - something the Aussie teams still need to work on. But I do think we still have a tendency to be a touch harsh/unfair on our own teams.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Week 3:
7:05 Friday Moana Pasifika v Crusaders - Mt Smart Stadium Edit: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
4:35 Saturday Blues v Chiefs - Eden Park
7:05 Saturday Hurricanes v Highlanders - Sky Stadium*

* literally a coupla hundred metres from the protest at/ occupation of Parliament & surrounds. Gunna be some issues there, I feel, wrt to getting even the limited number of allowed fans (corporate boxes & scattered groups of up to 100) in & out for starters.

 

[KiwiM]

Week 3:
7:05 Friday Moana Pasifika v Crusaders - Mt Smart Stadium
4:35 Saturday Blues v Chiefs - Eden Park
7:05 Saturday Hurricanes v Highlanders - Sky Stadium*

* literally a coupla hundred metres from the protest at/ occupation of Parliament & surrounds. Gunna be some issues there, I feel, wrt to getting even the limited number of allowed fans (corporate boxes & scattered groups of up to 100) in & out for starters.

I don't think NZ Rugby are going with any fans at this stage. Sounds like it's more hassle than it's worth.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ 'canes CEO was interviewed when the Queenstown bubble was announced & expressed disappointment at not being able to have at least some fans present for games as they'd planned for. That may have changed, of course. I've also been told that Chiefs have found ways of getting ~2K fans into FMG for home games.

 

[KiwiM]

Thanks - sorry WP - I saw Eden Park is going with no fans and I assumed the same.

 

[zer0]

I was really looking forward to going to at least some of these early season afternoon Auckland games too. By the time crowds return it'll be back playing in the dark amidst horizontal sleet. Ain't nobody got time for that unless it's a (semi)final.

 

[Dan54]

I hoping it opens up soon, I got a couple of nephews we already booked in first Canes home game. It only a 3 and a bit hour drive well worth it.

 

[Dan54]

Good games this week, feel the Crusaders/MP (Moana Pasifika) maybe a slight write off, but other 2 Blues/Chiefs and Canes/Clan real interesting.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Thanks - sorry WP - I saw Eden Park is going with no fans and I assumed the same.

Mate, with how quickly things are changing I'm not sure if Blues going fanless is new or was their plan all along - but I do recall Hore being very vocal wrt to the most recent set of restrictions so maybe it's been forced on them. If that's the case then 'canes & Chiefs may have had to scrap their plans, too.

 

[Dan54]

Mate, with how quickly things are changing I'm not sure if Blues going fanless is new or was their plan all along - but I do recall Hore being very vocal wrt to the most recent set of restrictions so maybe it's been forced on them. If that's the case then 'canes & Chiefs may have had to scrap their plans, too.

Don't think anyone has to go fanless, they can do what the Naki did in NPC, had groups of 100, just need toilet facilities etc for each group.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Moana Pasifika: William Havili, Tima Fainga’anuku, Levi Aumua, Danny Toala, Neria Fomai, Lincoln McClutchie, Ereatara Enari, Henry Time-Stowers, Alamanda Motuga, Solomone Funaki, Samuel Slade, Mike McKee, Sekope Kepu (captain), Luteru Tolai, Ezekiel Lindenmuth. Reserves: Samiuela Moli, Taukiha’amea Koloamatangi, Joe Apikotoa, Alex McRobbie, Jack Lam, Jonathan Taumateine, Christian Leali’ifano, Fine Inisi.

Crusaders: Chay Fihaki, George Bridge, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Dallas McLeod, Kini Naholo, Simon Hickey, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Pablo Matera, Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Quinten Strange (c), Mitch Dunshea, Oli Jager, Brodie McAlister, George Bower. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Dominic Gardiner, Corey Kellow, Bryn Hall, Richie Mo’unga, Isaiah Punivai.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

I don't think NZ Rugby are going with any fans at this stage. Sounds like it's more hassle than it's worth.

Story on TV sports news tonight said only members & sponsors are allowed in with 100-max-person groups.

 

[Dan54]

Intereting watching the Aotearoa Rugby Pod, James Parsons and Bryn Hall were really struggling to come up with winners for both Blues/Chiefs and Canes/Clan games. Have to say I agree, I not confident picking for either game.

 

[Dan54]

Canes and Clan teams. Nuggy Smith on bench giving Fakatava a good run with Clan
Julian Savea back on wing (after what I thought was a pretty ok run at 12) and Goosen out of 23. Be interested to see how young Delaney goes in first game at lock, hearing some are Wellington supporters are fairly keen on this young fella.

Highlanders: Connor Garden-Bachop, Sam Gilbert, Fetuli Paea, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Mitch Hunt, Folau Fakatava, Gareth Evans, James Lentjes, Shannon Frizell, Josh Dickson, Bryn Evans, Jermaine Ainsley, Liam Coltman, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Aaron Smith, Marty Banks, Scott Gregory.

Hurricanes: Jordie Barrett, Julian Savea, Bailyn Sullivan, Billy Proctor, Salesi Rayasi, Ruben Love, Jamie Booth, Ardie Savea, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Caleb Delany, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua. Reserves: Siua Maile, Xavier Numia, Tevita Mafileo, Devan Flanders, Brayden Iose, Richard Judd, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Peter Umaga-Jensen.