Qualifying Final: 2.Crusaders v 5.Reds 6/06

[drewprint]

I think all you want in rugby is a contest where it is a fair fight. Are the Crusaders the better team tonight? Sure. But let’s reflect on what allowed them to grow into such dominance throughout the match. The damage was done in the first half where both teams were willing but one was being watched with laser scrutiny and the other wasn’t. Reds scrum gets hammered early despite a couple of clear Crusaders indiscretions that are ignored. Wild west at the ruck and offside line means Reds quick ball nullified. Reds get desperate and change their plans on the run, which then compounds those earlier issues. This builds and builds throughout the half, and with the trend set the Crusaders march on freely with carte blanch to do as they please. At this point some would contend that it’s up to the Reds to adapt to the ref, and maybe that’s true. But at this point is it even really possible? And bigger picture, with an eye on the health on the game, should they? Or should they, and all of us, just expect a higher quality of refereeing where both teams are scrutinised equally and we get the fair contest that rugby is meant to be all about?

So maybe it makes me a sook for complaining about the ref, but we deserve better. But I guess this is the game now. Anyway, fuck it. I hope whoever plays the Crusaders next week roll them, their wife beater on the wing, and all the sycophants who still hero worship the little twerp. Good luck Brumbies as the final Australian chance, but I’m not holding out any hope.

 

[TSR]

I seem to be the only one, hell Kiss just got promoted to the top job in the country behind 2 QF appearances with the best roster in Aus

How many people actually thought he had the best roster? It was better than last year, and definitely better depth. But the benefit of depth is out the window when you have 15 or so injuries. In any case most people still thought the Brumbies had a better roster and there were plenty of people saying the Tahs roster was too.

You appear to have an axe to grind but I’m not sure your rationale is anywhere near as sound as you appear to think.

 

[Mr Pilfer]

At the end of the day the Aussie teams are no chance of progressing if they don't finish top 2 and get a home final. The Brumbies will be the same, might win this weekend but won't win in NZ after that. Season promised a lot for Aussie teams at the start but fizzling out

 

[dru]

Guys (Reds fans), just stop feeding the troll. The more you rub it, the bigger it gets.

 

[Brumby Runner]

well…. Players are signing to stay with Kiss, and they were leaving under Thorn.. if as you say all other things remain the same; that does make Kiss better then Thorn.

as for Kiss as wallabies coach, I’ve said all year that I didn’t think any of the 3 x Super Rugby applicants were the ideal candidates. Dunno who is though.

One this year has shown a greater ability to adapt the game plan game to game and even in the half time break. And I'm not referring to Dan McKellar.

 

[Yoda]

I think all you want in rugby is a contest where it is a fair fight. Are the Crusaders the better team tonight? Sure. But let’s reflect on what allowed them to grow into such dominance throughout the match. The damage was done in the first half where both teams were willing but one was being watched with laser scrutiny and the other wasn’t. Reds scrum gets hammered early despite a couple of clear Crusaders indiscretions that are ignored. Wild west at the ruck and offside line means Reds quick ball nullified. Reds get desperate and change their plans on the run, which then compounds those earlier issues. This builds and builds throughout the half, and with the trend set the Crusaders march on freely with carte blanch to do as they please. At this point some would contend that it’s up to the Reds to adapt to the ref, and maybe that’s true. But at this point is it even really possible? And bigger picture, with an eye on the health on the game, should they? Or should they, and all of us, just expect a higher quality of refereeing where both teams are scrutinised equally and we get the fair contest that rugby is meant to be all about?

So maybe it makes me a sook for complaining about the ref, but we deserve better. But I guess this is the game now. Anyway, fuck it. I hope whoever plays the Crusaders next week roll them, their wife beater on the wing, and all the sycophants who still hero worship the little twerp. Good luck Brumbies as the final Australian chance, but I’m not holding out any hope.

Blame the ref. It’s all his fault.

 

[Adam84]

Ok.. looks like we’re not going to chat about the match.

Insufferable.. that’s me out

 

[Dan54]

We have something like 5 broken front rowers. Three wallabies (one all black) and a promising tight head all unavailable.

Aidan Ross next year will make a big difference.

Yep I forgot about Ross, he genuinely a bloody good prop.

 

[Yoda]

How many people actually thought he had the best roster? It was better than last year, and definitely better depth. But the benefit of depth is out the window when you have 15 or so injuries. In any case most people still thought the Brumbies had a better roster and there were plenty of people saying the Tahs roster was too.

You appear to have an axe to grind but I’m not sure your rationale is anywhere near as sound as you appear to think.

They got the benefit of Rebel players as did the Tahs. Only played one more game than the Tahs and Force in the end and were never in it. The gulf between the Kiwis and us is ever present at the end of the season.

 

[TSR]

Ok.. looks like we’re not going to chat about the match.

Insufferable.. that’s me out

Personally I find it less painful to debate the merits of Kiss as Wallaby coach then pick over the bones of that. And I don’t want to continue to bag the ref.

How shit were to commentaries though. Couldn’t even work out the difference between Joe Brial & Josh Canham!!!

 

[Dan54]

Just watched the interview with Les Kiss, he sounds an intelligent man.

 

[Brumby Runner]

How many people actually thought he had the best roster? It was better than last year, and definitely better depth. But the benefit of depth is out the window when you have 15 or so injuries. In any case most people still thought the Brumbies had a better roster and there were plenty of people saying the Tahs roster was too.

You appear to have an axe to grind but I’m not sure your rationale is anywhere near as sound as you appear to think.

TSR, mostly history now, but I agree that there were many people here saying the Tahs had the strongest roster before a ball had been kicked, and their early results tended to reinforce that opinion. But before the season proper got underway, most posters had the Brumbies coming third or fourth of the Aus sides because they had hardly recruited any players of note in the off season and had lost 7 from the 24 roster. It was almost unanimous, in my recollection, that the Reds would finish above the Brumbies in 25. Regardless of the numbers on injuries, the Reds had the roster on paper to do better than they did.

 

[TSR]

Just watched the interview with Les Kiss, he sounds an intelligent man.

Can coach too!!!

 

[Derpus]

If we want success, Wallabies coaching choice is slightly less important than recognising we have structural issues and working together to fix them.

They/we arent going though, eh? Wouldve by now.

 

[Adam84]

Personally I find it less painful to debate the merits of Kiss as Wallaby coach then pick over the bones of that. And I don’t want to continue to bag the ref.

How shit were to commentaries though. Couldn’t even work out the difference between Joe Brial & Josh Canham!!!

I dunno man, if fans from other teams want to whinge that their coach didn’t be the Wallabies gig, or which team got the best Rebels players, could he done elsewhere. I didn’t think any of the Super Rugby coaches were best candidate but still wouldn’t mind talking about the match.

agree on commentators though, they got players wrong half a dozen times.

 

[Dan54]

Can coach too!!!

I know it sounds weak, but I always watch aftermatch interviews and really enjoy listening to how coaches speak (and players) you hear sometimes cliches etc , but sometimes you really can't help but be impressed

 

[TSR]

TSR, mostly history now, but I agree that there were many people here saying the Tahs had the strongest roster before a ball had been kicked, and their early results tended to reinforce that opinion. But before the season proper got underway, most posters had the Brumbies coming third or fourth of the Aus sides because they had hardly recruited any players of note in the off season and had lost 7 from the 24 roster. It was almost unanimous, in my recollection, that the Reds would finish above the Brumbies in 25. Regardless of the numbers on injuries, the Reds had the roster on paper to do better than they did.

That’s really not my recollection BR. There was far more discussion about the Reds & Tahs & Force because of the squad turnover. And plenty of hope - because there is always is in pre-season. And people questioned what impacted losing Swain & and aging Slipper & Ala'alatoa would have (I know I did). I also questioned how Brumbies would go with a bad injury run given they lost some props before the season started. But when it came down to it most people still had Brumbies top and pointed to their consistency. I’m sure there were some outspoken outliers picking them to fail but it certainly wasn’t the consensus to my memory.

 

[Dan54]

I dunno man, if fans from other teams want to whinge that their coach didn’t be the Wallabies gig, or which team got the best Rebels players, could he done elsewhere. I didn’t think any of the Super Rugby coaches were best candidate but still wouldn’t mind talking about the match.

agree on commentators though, they got players wrong half a dozen times.

Commentators do it every week, unfortunately commentators from each country know their own players best. Just a fact of life I guess, When Aus ones got my Canes players mixed up, and then I just shrugged and thought how hard it is if you can't see numbers etc, and sometimes the buggers look similar.

 

[TSR]

I dunno man, if fans from other teams want to whinge that their coach didn’t be the Wallabies gig, or which team got the best Rebels players, could he done elsewhere. I didn’t think any of the Super Rugby coaches were best candidate but still wouldn’t mind talking about the match.

agree on commentators though, they got players wrong half a dozen times.

Don’t let it get to you mate. Whilst tonight is a disappointing night - tomorrow morning we’ll still wake up Queenslanders.

And they won’t.

Probably why they’re miserable.

 

[Adam84]

That’s really not my recollection BR. There was far more discussion about the Reds & Tahs & Force because of the squad turnover.

and more fans of those teams….

Brumbies players made up a 1/3 of the Wallabies starting XV, more than any other team even including reserves and across key positions. There was never any doubt Brumbies would still be there at the pointy end, excited fans were just happy to talk Reds and Tahs, reasonably so.. good to see it hasn’t being a sore point though.

Don’t remember any brumbies playing tonight though.