Waratahs vs Crusaders - 2011R03

[fatprop]

Massive step up for the Tahs, so far they have played well, but they haven't been challenged physically or technically.

The Rebels collapsed and gave them an opposed training run and Reds where not up to the physical battle.

The Crusaders will match our physicality, and it will then come down to the technical stuff.

Who kicks to space better (both sides have deadly kick return options, but can Hangers be accurate under pressure), who is more accurate at ruck and maul, can Baxter keep his side up against a technically decent prop who can scrummage as low as he does and can Tom Carter et al stop the short passing game of SBW.

 

[BRIX]

''People are mentioning names from the Crusaders, you hear about Sonny Bill, Dan Carter, Israel Dagg. When you mention [Kurtley] Beale and [Drew] Mitchell, those guys are more damaging than any other back three. Our back three probably strike fear more in other teams than any teams do to us, I'm very confident with the back line I'm playing with. Taking that into the game does give you confidence.''

Halangahu is keen to show that he is capable of running the show even when Barnes returns from a head knock in a fortnight.

''I've got aspirations to be starting for the side,'' he said. ''Last year I had the opportunity to leave the Waratahs to go to teams where I probably had more of a hold on the No.10 jersey, I chose to stay and I know the competition is going to be quite strong at the Waratahs.''

Some provocative words used by Hangers there. Also more importantly he seems himself a chance at 10 and will no doubt do everything possible to have a good hit out, he seems raring to go. Another thing worth mentioning is his kicking for posts which should work in the sky blues favor.

Weighing up all your points and using my gut instinct I'm going to go ahead and say Tahs by +13 on a sombre afternoon in Nelson

Cheers

 

[topo]

The big concerns for me are:
1. The front row. Kepu was not overly impressive against Somerville and only achieved parity with Slipper while Baxter and TPN were dominating their opponents. I think Franks will eat him
2. Hangers. I'm a big Hangers fan, but he hasn't played much footy for a long time. He had shoulder surgery after last years S14 and didn't play any Shute Shield and he's only had limited game time in the trials and the 2 matches so far. I hope his timing is up to it.

Despite both of these concerns, and the fact that I think the Crusaders will turn up and play well, I still reckon tahs by 10.

 

[qwerty51]

The big concerns for me are:
1. The front row. Kepu was not overly impressive against Somerville and only achieved parity with Slipper while Baxter and TPN were dominating their opponents. I think Franks will eat him
2. Hangers. I'm a big Hangers fan, but he hasn't played much footy for a long time. He had shoulder surgery after last years S14 and didn't play any Shute Shield and he's only had limited game time in the trials and the 2 matches so far. I hope his timing is up to it.

Despite both of these concerns, and the fact that I think the Crusaders will turn up and play well, I still reckon tahs by 10.

If Kepu starts getting dominated we can just bring on Fat Cat.. Ah what a luxury..

 

[Ash]

Any know the word on why Benn is not starting? Not fit enough yet for 50 - 60 mins+? Benn is the sort of player you just want on the park. And you'd think with being on the bench, he'd be close to being fit enough to start. Anyone on the bench could be on for 70 mins+ with an early injury.

Selection in my fantasy team is waiting...

 

[Lee Grant]

I thought it was because Kepu was going OK in the scrums and that Foley advised Hickey to follow that wave to see where it would go.

But I have to defer to topo's superior knowledge of what is actually happening at scrum time - and to his assessment of Kepu's efforts.

Whatever - it will be an enthralling scrum contest and so will the one in Canberra be.

 

[Hawko]

I thought it was because Kepu was going OK in the scrums and that Foley advised Hickey to follow that wave to see where it would go.

But I have to defer to topo's superior knowledge of what is actually happening at scrum time - and to his assessment of Kepu's efforts.

Whatever - it will be an enthralling scrum contest and so will the one in Canberra be.

They will both be enthralling but for different reasons: Can Kepu match up to Franks or will Fat Cat have to come on early? vs Will Palmer/Moore turn Daley/Fainga'a inside out in the first scrum or the second?

 

[spectator]

The Crusaders forwards are made of pretty stern stuff and will absorb a Tah's onslaught better than the Reds did last week.

Really hard result to pick this one.

 

[Lachlan]

Crusaders by less than 5.

 

[Tank]

The Crusaders forwards are made of pretty stern stuff and will absorb a Tah's onslaught better than the Reds did last week.

Really hard result to pick this one.

Credit where credit is due though, if the Tahs are as physical as they were last week, I reckon the Crusaders will get a touch up. I really thought (somewhat begrudgingly - ok a lot begrudgingly) that last week's Tahs forwards were so good, there would not have been a pack in the world that could have stopped them.

From and Australian Rugby viewpoint, I hope they keep it up but I do wonder if they can be that physical all the time.

 

[qwerty51]

Credit where credit is due though, if the Tahs are as physical as they were last week, I reckon the Crusaders will get a touch up. I really thought (somewhat begrudgingly - ok a lot begrudgingly) that last week's Tahs forwards were so good, there would not have been a pack in the world that could have stopped them.

From and Australian Rugby viewpoint, I hope they keep it up but I do wonder if they can be that physical all the time.

Well Deans will just pick powderpuffs from the Reds and Brumbies again...

Is anyone one else worried about the 4 Kiwi refs for the game? What's the bet the 50/50 calls go to the Crusaders because of their situation? The ref will give the Crusaders the game just like last year.

 

[whatty]

Is anyone one else worried about the 4 Kiwi refs for the game? What's the bet the 50/50 calls go to the Crusaders because of their situation?

Well that’s pretty cynical.

and NO I don't

 

[Muttonbird]

Well Deans will just pick powderpuffs from the Reds and Brumbies again...

Is anyone one else worried about the 4 Kiwi refs for the game? What's the bet the 50/50 calls go to the Crusaders because of their situation? The ref will give the Crusaders the game just like last year.

It was the same for the Sharks v Blues last weekend and though I didn't see the game no-one seems to have suggested the officials engineered the result. Why would you think that would happen in this case?

 

[qwerty51]

It was the same for the Sharks v Blues last weekend and though I didn't see the game no-one seems to have suggested the officials engineered the result. Why would you think that would happen in this case?

Because last year Beale wasn't offside?

 

[#1 Tah]

Because last year Beale wasn't offside?

Is anyone one else worried about the 4 Kiwi refs for the game? What's the bet the 50/50 calls go to the Crusaders because of their situation? The ref will give the Crusaders the game just like last year.

On the flipside, these refs may want to avoid looking like they are going the kiwis way, and some 50/50 calls may go the way of the Tahs.

Saying that, last years refs were atrocious. How was that a try, how was beale offside????

 

[Muttonbird]

Because last year Beale wasn't offside?

As you well know, wrong calls are part of the game and you're just going to have to suck these sorts of decisions up otherwise it will sound like sour-grapes.

I can't see any official jeapordising their career by "gifting" one team or other a game although whenever the Waratards are playing I could understand that, if it was tight at the end, most would want to send them packing.

Refs are only human after all.

 

[Lee Grant]

Just one little thing. Carter is a crafty bugger and invariably makes a long low kick under the arms of players attempting to charge the ball down. I'd like to see the arms of chargers going towards the line of a ball kicked low.

 

[qwerty51]

As you well know, wrong calls are part of the game and you're just going to have to suck these sorts of decisions up otherwise it will sound like sour-grapes.

I can't see any official jeapordising their career by "gifting" one team or other a game although whenever the Waratards are playing I could understand that, if it was tight at the end, most would want to send them packing.

Refs are only human after all.

I suppose Kaplan's record with the Waratahs is just a coincidence then?

 

[Hawko]

Weather is looking good. No rain today and nothing on the radar till 4pm their time at least. Rain forecast for tomorrow but tonight should be relatively dry. Fingers crossed.

 

[cheezel]

Can't see the Crusaders winning this one. Tahs by 12