SupeRugby Final 2011: Queensland Reds V Canterbury Crusaders

Worse than losing by 13 to the Cheetahs? They mustn't rate you guys at all.

Barbarian,

I think this post breaks a few forum rules.

And Australia just beat New Zealand by 1 point in netball right on the buzzer!

Mate, I think it was just a bad judgement call by QC at the time, DC was already over the line and QC probably just wrongfully assumed he was going to place it down where he was.. Hindsights a wonderful thing, and I'm sure if quade knew Dan was going to run the ball under the post then he would have attempted a tackle.

After the shitfight of the last few years with incompetent refs at big games, and the (considerable) expense on SANZAR's account flying neutral Saffer refs to Invercargill for a Clan/Tahs clash, etc, it was agreed by the three partners the best refs would/should control the most important matches. SOOO, how to get the best refs? SANZAR put this back to the franchises and asked them to rank each ref after each game. Guess who came out on top of the Super sides' refs' analysis reports. YYYEESS, step up Brycie. That, gentlemen, is how one B Lawrence was handed the whistle last night.

Amazing. Hard to believe. BUT, he didn't whistle StRtI as much as we would've liked him to, which made for a free-flowing game and a Reds win. Methinks a more pedantic referee would've made for a stop/start match and a lot more kicks at goal, from both sides. And, more likely, a Saders victory.

A Perfect simple explanation.

Watching the replay last night I noticed Crockett binding, the slipping his binding then 're-binding' on Holmes. Then, reading Bob Dwyer's article just now found this:

Can one more knowledgeable in the dark arts than me advise as to what sort of advantage would Crockett have gained from breaking this bind on Holmes?

You could argue that a more pedantic referee would have made for a stop start affair at the beginning, but the teams would then have to reduce their infractions to ensure they weren't giving away points and field position, and this in turn would have led to a more open and flowing game. I'm sure the Reds would have been happy to receive a few penalties from within their own half to set up a lineout and run a few backline moves off the back of it.

Breaking your bind and then going again allows you to better position your body to take advantage of opposition..it's like taking two bites at the cherry

Technically its a penalty, but it happens a lot

A bad judgement call? No judgement required, just the right attitude - if there is an opposition player with the ball about to score a try.TACKLE HIM! No analysis needed - rugby can really be that simple.

Benn Robinson does it sometimes.

Well, what a letdown in this biased man's eyes! Great intensity inthe match, but where the hell were the skills? So many dropped balls!

I texted a Qld mate of mine at half time & said the Crusaders didn't have enough points on the board for the victory at that stage & for the very first time in my rugby nostradamus world, I actually got it right! So much posession & good solid ascendancy in the forwards but it just didn't translate into points. Richie didn't do as much as her normally does, Carter apart from a moment of genius was rather quiet & the REds defence against SBW's offload was surely a standard which all other teams will need to follow. There is no doubt that they had the chances to win this match with 3 fluffed tries, but they didn't take them & frankly that's all it takes at this level.

This is not to say the Saders handed the REds the game, not even close to it! Had Simmons try been awarded the game would/could/should have been done & dusted. Dunno if that was legit or not - I had the Aussie comm's, who were the opposite of impartial when it came to these decisons so really got no idea. But on to their team, what unbelievable defence. It was written up earlier this week that the game would be won on defence and boy oh boy was that true. Holding up Brad Thorne (WHO SHOULD HAVE FUCKING PASSED~!!) was just typical of the effort & enthusiasm the lads in red put in. They got so few chances but they took them all. Classy side well worth of being champions.

Gotta be happy for the Reds fans - hell of a roller coaster for you guys the last few years, so you've gotta be chuffed to bits, so enjoy it. Super titles don't come easy & your boys have really really earned this one.

Crusaders have everybodies respect for their year & I bow my heads to them as well.

Lawrence was Lawrence. FUnnily enough Mr Dwyer only seems to have noticed where he let the Saders apparently "get away with stuff". Maybe he should have kept an eye on Robinson to see how things work both ways? Nah.. doesn't suit his agenda.

I call bullshit.

On another day Crusaders would have scored 4 tries. Their final execution let them down in this match so saying they didnt' have a way to score points is crap.

I bow to your superior knowledge and ability, but I still call bullshit on you saying the Crusaders didn't have a way to score points.

I'm not saying travel will be a big factor, and it won't take away brilliance, but the crusaders might struggle in the last 10 mins. You might have scored a great try, but you probably got a bit fatigued near the end if you played for a while. Also a non-competitive game of touch is nothing compared to a Super Rugby final.

Anthony Faingaa - great defence. I think he should be inside centre for the Wallabies, Giteau, Barnes, O'Connor and McCabe don't have styles that suit Cooper's game. Also Ben Tapuai defended well, cementing a place in the magic Reds backline.

I agree with MajorlyRagerly. And I'm a Reds supporter. They were the exciting team before the Reds and with guys like Carter, SBW (I hate to say it), Fruean, Maitland, Guilford and Dagg (although injured) they still have a great backline that can score points. And I do not bow down let alone acknowledge your apparent superior knowledge and ability.