SupeRugby Final 2011: Queensland Reds V Canterbury Crusaders

[MajorlyRagerly]

MR, I doubt a read of the following will change your (IMO pretty over-brutal) assessment of QC (Quade Cooper)'s life and loyalties, but at the very least the anecdotes, family difficulties (why his Dad came to Aus looking for work, etc) and chequered path he's been down as a young footballer star, surely shows up his humanity and honesty (despite whatever else might be ascribed to him):

See: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...d-him-to-grow-up/story-e6frey4i-1226086719361

Decent read that.

I know my opinion of him is brutal. I wish it wasn't as he's great to watch. But unfortunately, it is what it is.

 

[kiwi_rugby_fan]

The only part I can agree with in this statement is the Crusaders defence. They weren't really tested at any stage by a Stormer's attack that was very average with ball in hand, the only real metres they made was from kick and chase with Habana again the only effective chaser

One seems to forget or like to over rate the Blues as an opponent on Saturday. To be honest they were pathetic in both defence and attack. The Crusaders are a completely different kettle of fish in both attack and defence.

 

[Bullrush]

Decent read that.

I know my opinion of him is brutal. I wish it wasn't as he's great to watch. But unfortunately, it is what it is.

My dislike is of Cooper is far more simple than that.

His tackling is pathetic but he acts like a hard man eg. Hong Kong last year. I couldn't care less how many guys you can step or how many behind the back passes you pull-off - if you want act like a tough guy, put a hit on someone.

The flashy stuff might amaze but the hard defence wins respect.

 

[kiwi_rugby_fan]

I'm fed up with this positive approach before every reaming and the inevitable "don't blame the ref mantra" afterward
We get screwed time and time again by Kaplan, Lawrence and Yonkers. We're got to be 10 points better on the day to have a shot at winning. It's BS.

now that is BS. grow a set and stop laying the ground work for your post game whinge. If the Crusaders get up and win, good luck to them. Not one home game, over 100 thousand KM's in travel and some Red's fans still won't give credit where it is due. This team is unbelievable.

 

[Elfster]

One thing about this game that really stands out for me is the capacity of the female to be totally oblivious to the wants, desires and needs of the male. In many things.

A good female friend of mine has decided to drag me to see Mary Poppins this Saturday night. A musical over the final of the Super Rugby. A trumped-up, saccharine dosed, Walt Disney creation of some fanciful tale of a flying umbrella holding nanny and singing penguins.

If she wasn't young, slightly naive and well meaning I would say it was a cruel act of wanton depravity on her part.

 

[Groucho]

I remember speaking to Simon Beazley (former VFL/AFL player turned bookie) a few years back and while he was fairly cagey, he talked about all these different factors that he takes into consideration in setting odds. I was quite surprised by it as for horse racing at least it I thought it was just form, track, weight. He talked about the "feel" for setting the right odds when surrounded by other bookies/agencies trying to do the exact same thing, and most of all make a dollar.

That's all true, but the final result is supposed to be the true price, they just use unconventional means to get there. If the bookies have the Reds at 2:1, it means they believe the Reds only have a 33% chance of winning. They're inviting punters who believe they have a better idea to bet against them. If they posted the wrong price, there'd be plenty of takers.

 

[kiwi_rugby_fan]

I'm counting Attack and Defence as two different areas. Just included them in the same paragraph because they go hand-in-hand. I didn't make it clear enough, sorry about that!

attack i might give you, but defence - sorry. after the stormers game the crusaders have to be rated the better defensive team. Also, conceded less points than the Reds for the competition (admittedly having played one less game).

 

[daz]

A good female friend of mine has decided to drag me to see Mary Poppins this Saturday night. I would say it was a cruel act of wanton depravity on her part.

Is this a new version of Mary Poppins I am not aware of? Does she do more than sing and dance with the chimneysweep?

 

[barbarian]

One thing about this game that really stands out for me is the capacity of the female to be totally oblivious to the wants, desires and needs of the male. In many things.

A good female friend of mine has decided to drag me to see Mary Poppins this Saturday night. A musical over the final of the Super Rugby. A trumped-up, saccharine dosed, Walt Disney creation of some fanciful tale of a flying umbrella holding nanny and singing penguins.

If she wasn't young, slightly naive and well meaning I would say it was a cruel act of wanton depravity on her part.

There is nothing worse. I was dragged along to the same musical on Thursday night by a particularly cruel female. I couldn't make rugby training because of it and had to make up some excuse about being held back at the office, as the truth would irreparably damage my standing at the club and in wider society.

But missing the Super final, that is pain that I cannot possibly imagine. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

 

[daz]

There is nothing worse. I was dragged along to the same musical on Thursday night by a particularly cruel female. I couldn't make rugby training because of it and had to make up some excuse about being held back at the office, as the truth would irreparably damage my standing at the club and in wider society.

Email dispatched to the club explaining the truth of the matter on your behalf, barb. Enjoy training this week!

 

[matty_k]

That is why you need to organise that stuff so the days can be picked and not interfere with your schedule.

 

[kiwi_rugby_fan]

The Reds will be too good. They have played the better rugby all year and have already beaten the Sader's at the same ground recently. Thier game is exciting and can you can tell they are playing for each other and thier fans and not just for Wallaby caps. They are extremely well coached and have been able to adjust to conditions and different game plans with amazing surety.

Quite happy with the Ref too. McCaw's attitude at post match interview in the last game was attrocious. He knows the rules, he breaks them, he knows he breaks them and then sulks like a 10 year old boy when he is called for breaking them. I always thought he had a little more class about him. Here's hoping that the game is won by the better Rugby team on the day and the game is referee'd the way it should be.

in the last reds v crusaders match didn't the crusaders play with their 3rd string half back who was throwing passes all over the place or am I confusing that with another game. Other than Dagg and Ellis (if unfit), this is the crusaders top team. Yes it will be hard, but my money is on them to roll the reds. If they have the defence they did last week the reds won't live with them.

ps. can we give the McCaw cheating bleat a miss, 10yr of being at the top of the tree deserves better respect. it's understandable the hate for him as he is so good, but open your eyes, your boys don't come out squeaky clean either

 

[kiwi_rugby_fan]

This match will be full of mouth-watering individual battles. The talent and credentials of these players is immense, to say the least. In bold are who I think are the superior players:

Daley & Holmes vs. Franks & Crockett
Fainga'a vs. Flynn
Horwill & Simmons vs. Thorn & Whitelock- Tie
Higginbotham, Samo & Robinson vs. Whitelock, Read & McCaw
Genia & Cooper vs. Ellis & Carter
Tapuai & Fainga'a vs. Williams & Fruean
Ioane, Lance & Davies vs. Guildford, Marshall & Maitland

Combined XV:
1. Franks
2. Fainga'a
3. Crockett
4. Horwill
5. Thorn
6. Robinson
7. McCaw
8. Read
9. Genia
10. Carter
11. Ioane
12. Cooper
13. Williams
14. Fruean
15. Guildford

cooper at 12????...lol

 

[ACT Crusader]

One thing about this game that really stands out for me is the capacity of the female to be totally oblivious to the wants, desires and needs of the male. In many things.

A good female friend of mine has decided to drag me to see Mary Poppins this Saturday night. A musical over the final of the Super Rugby. A trumped-up, saccharine dosed, Walt Disney creation of some fanciful tale of a flying umbrella holding nanny and singing penguins.

If she wasn't young, slightly naive and well meaning I would say it was a cruel act of wanton depravity on her part.

Blue flu it....

Otherwise, organise a mate to call you during the show, act like it's your boss and "have to take the call" and obviously calls from the boss take at least an hour giving you a chance to find the closest pub to watch at least part of the game.

 

[AngrySeahorse]

One thing about this game that really stands out for me is the capacity of the female to be totally oblivious to the wants, desires and needs of the male. In many things.

A good female friend of mine has decided to drag me to see Mary Poppins this Saturday night. A musical over the final of the Super Rugby. A trumped-up, saccharine dosed, Walt Disney creation of some fanciful tale of a flying umbrella holding nanny and singing penguins.

If she wasn't young, slightly naive and well meaning I would say it was a cruel act of wanton depravity on her part.

Lots of women, play and watch Rugby, you only have yourself to blame for keeping such 'poor female company'. Cant you just fake your own death or something and get out of it?

 

[kiwi_rugby_fan]

...plus some of the Comments under the article are highly amusing. It is fascinating how virtually no credit is given to the Reds for beating the Blues, it's overwhelmingly 'those badly coached, idiot Blues, with many poor players, cocked it up'.

funny, i was thinking the same thing about how this site has condemned the stormers for such woeful play against the crusaders.

 

[Sully]

MR, I doubt a read of the following will change your (IMO pretty over-brutal) assessment of QC (Quade Cooper)'s life and loyalties, but at the very least the anecdotes, family difficulties (why his Dad came to Aus looking for work, etc) and chequered path he's been down as a young footballer star, surely shows up his humanity and honesty (despite whatever else might be ascribed to him):

See: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...d-him-to-grow-up/story-e6frey4i-1226086719361

Thanks mate I hadn't read that. I always thought he came for the scholarship. If his family came for work like so many other Kiwis I have absolutely no problem claiming him as one of ours.

 

[No4918]

Odds on Sportsbet

Crusaders - $1.57
Reds - $2.40

Really surprised it's not closer and think the reds by 1-12 could be very attractive.

 

[tigerland12]

MR, I doubt a read of the following will change your (IMO pretty over-brutal) assessment of QC (Quade Cooper)'s life and loyalties, but at the very least the anecdotes, family difficulties (why his Dad came to Aus looking for work, etc) and chequered path he's been down as a young footballer star, surely shows up his humanity and honesty (despite whatever else might be ascribed to him):

See: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...d-him-to-grow-up/story-e6frey4i-1226086719361

I'm so happy Quade got his shit together, his transformation and maturity off the field has been outstanding. He was going down a pretty bad road (the Leagie lifestyle as I like to say), and now he is viewed so highly. I will be devastated if he ever leaves QLD or Union (i really hope he doesn't).

 

[daz]

Odds on Sportsbet

Crusaders - $1.57
Reds - $2.40

Really surprised it's not closer and think the reds by 1-12 could be very attractive.

Does this reflect the fact that the Saders have won the comp 1000 times, compared to this being a first-up appearance by the Reds? Rightly or wrongly, there is a sentiment that you have to lose one to win one.

I have no problem with the Saders being tagged as favourites. Someone has to be, and somehow I doubt Link is looking at SportsBet and throwing in the towel.

Having said that, I tend to agree that the margin is wider than I would have thought.