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All Blacks, then Crusaders, then daylight to the rabble.
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I’m pretty confident with this Crusaders team, though there are some new combinations in the backs that are a bit unpredictable with Havili and Halfpenny stepping into key roles. No shortage of class, though, and the piggies are looking better by the week.
Super Rugby Pacific teams round 11: Harrison in for Edmed, Lynagh, White out, Rebels change entire front row
I said at the outset that, given all the challenges they are facing, it would be great if the Crusaders made the playoffs, even the semi’s. So at this critical stage in the comp, it seems apt to paraphrase Tim Bean’s last words on the highjacked plane that crashed in Washington; “My fellow Crusaders, let’s rock and roll!”
The Wrap: Rebels young gun rockets out of Wallabies contention, and why Samipeni Finau's 'brutal' hit on Edmed was fair game
Yes there are basic and also strategic issues that we should question the coach about, and knowing a bit about the Mainland culture I’m sure that’s not lost on him. By ‘a decent bloke’ I meant he’s no Eddie Jones. Razor, Jason, Ted, Hansen, even Foster are all decent blokes. Decent, but also staunch. Even Vern, under that facade, is a decent bloke.
The Wrap: Why SANZAAR must hold Frank Lomani accountable for 'going back for his hat'
Yes Lux, agree – credit to the Force. I watched the game and they were up for it.
The Wrap: Why SANZAAR must hold Frank Lomani accountable for 'going back for his hat'
I’m clinging onto those memories and that knowledge, Woodart. We’ve done it before.
The Wrap: Why SANZAAR must hold Frank Lomani accountable for 'going back for his hat'
I agree Bluesfan, 9/10 is the biggest challenge right now. And the options are limited. I also feel for the youngsters that have been thrown in at the deep end here, when they were anticipating the usual, meticulous Crusader introduction and development processes. Very hard for them not be be scarred. I was really despondent when the Burke announcement came out. He has real potential and I felt he could step up this season. I respect his decision, and suspect he may very well come back a better player. Unless of course he has given up on the Black jersey altogether.
The Wrap: Why SANZAAR must hold Frank Lomani accountable for 'going back for his hat'
Too early to shoot the coach, Todd. The odds are stacked against the guy, I’d be happy to give him a season or even two to settle in. He’s not a bad coach, and a decent bloke. I’m sure he’s growing through adversity right now, as much as some of the players are.
The Wrap: Why SANZAAR must hold Frank Lomani accountable for 'going back for his hat'
With regard to my beloved Crusaders – it seems we have to feel the pain a bit longer, but we’ve been there before and will rise again. I am now no longer arguing a defence, I’m merely pleading mitigation, my Lord. Massive loss of key players, old players that are no longer sharp, young players being sacrificed, a new coaching team finding their feet – I respectfully ask for home detention at this stage, if it pleases the court.
The Wrap: Why SANZAAR must hold Frank Lomani accountable for 'going back for his hat'
For the first time in many years I am truly apprehensive about the Wallaby coaches. If these guys can’t lift them to competitive levels no-one can.
'It can be something great': Schmidt turns to 'scrum doctor' as next step in Wallabies rebuild
Agree about the pecking order Muzzo, I’d rather have Jacobson, or Grace, or Blackadder before selecting Sotutu, but it’s good to see a man respond so strongly after going off the boil.
The Wrap: Wallaby's brain fade that cost the Tahs, con job worthy of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
To add to your list Coker – both Clarke and Sotutu have clearly decided they still want that black jersey. Will be interested to see how they go in the rest of the comp.
The Wrap: Wallaby's brain fade that cost the Tahs, con job worthy of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Well done to the ‘Canes, some really scintillating stuff in that game. Godfrey impressed. On a positive note for the Aussie/Wobblies, C Gordon seems to be recovering from the WC debacle (confident in everything except, still, his kicking), and his younger brother shows a lot of promise. Maybe the Gordons are the Oz version of the Barretts?
Hurricanes put half-century on Rebels in ugly scoreline for embattled Super Rugby franchise as injuries add up
Cool photo of Harry in that article. He seems not to be enjoying what the guy in the beret is doing. And there are two guys filming it. On a rugby note, if the French players were so catastrophically impacted by ref decisions, they clearly have a problem in the top two inches. That’s the coache’s failure right there.
'Grow up': France coach still crying salty tears over RWC exit, makes 'disgusting' claim about Kiwi ref
Cheers Cooney, a thoughtful and sobering piece. Realistically we can’t expect a smooth transition given all the changes you’re enumerated. We are losing to worthy opponents, the Drua played a brilliant game this weekend, as did the Tahs and the Chiefs before that. So, I’ve adjusted my expectations – at this stage all we need to do is make the playoffs. In that process, considering current standards, we’re going to struggle in the NZ derbies. A steep climb awaits, and much is being learned right now, which is precisely how previous Crusader dynasties were created. I have faith in that system, and though the present losses hurt, I know we’ll be back. In the bigger scheme of things it doesn’t really matter whether it is this season or next. This season would be an amazing achievement, though. Professional sport is a tough gig – some careers will be made, others destroyed in this year. How cruel would it be to see Kemara ride the wild bronco early in the season, only for Burke to step in later and make his name?
Scott Robertson did but can Penney turn the Crusaders' trainwreck season around?
Chill mate, just joking.
'No one backed us': $8 outsiders Waratahs upset Crusaders AGAIN as Edmed steps up to deliver famous win
Have mercy Bliksem, you don’t know how hard it is to be a Crusaders supporter.
'No one backed us': $8 outsiders Waratahs upset Crusaders AGAIN as Edmed steps up to deliver famous win
No mate, JC will always be Jesus Christ and DC will always be Dan Carter. You had me worried there for a minute, thought DC might be coaching in Oz.
'No one backed us': $8 outsiders Waratahs upset Crusaders AGAIN as Edmed steps up to deliver famous win
All credit to the Tahs, we’ve been well and truly educated. We deserved this loss. Edmed seems to me to be a real prospect, while the Crusaders lack of cohesion and fire showed most clearly in D. Havili had an absolute shocker, but none of the Crusaders really stepped up. Last week Penney was able to wake them up at halftime, and this time round there were glimmers of that, but clearly the coach now has to get a grip on the top two inches. Good thing they’re on the road, lots of time to face each other.
'No one backed us': $8 outsiders Waratahs upset Crusaders AGAIN as Edmed steps up to deliver famous win
Cheers Geoff, great to be back in amongst it, with the Wrap to look forward to on Mondays. A few impressions from my view:
1) The young guns are going to have to lift their game massively to be better than DMac at 10.
2) Impressed with Lolesio’s progress – he’s had a tough intro to international footy but seems to be showing resilience.
3)Not at all worried about the Crusaders’ slow start, and very pleased to see that Rob Penney has the ability wake them up at half time. Great second half. We’ll be there at the pointy end.
4) All the NZ sides look sharp at this stage, which is very encouraging. Razor will have his selection job cut out.
The Wrap: Opening round of SRP a case of the more things change, the more they stay the same
So Mannetjies Roux is still alive then? The GOAT midfielder ever in my view. Danie Gerber emulated him and became the 2nd GOAT.
The game they play in heaven: A 'Dream XV' made up of unforgettable players
Thanks Geoff, your articles on this topic are excellent and much needed. I’ve stated my disclaimer of professional involvement in neuro-rehabilitation before so won’t go into it again here, save to briefly point out the anticipated conclusion of this sorry saga. The emerging trend in research findings on the aetiology of CTE reflects how medical science works; increased complexity in observed variables lead to emergence of new technologies in research, gradually building towards a definitive understanding of the disease studied. A slow, but beautiful process that reminds one of Hemingway’s answer when asked how he went bankrupt – “Gradually, then suddenly”. That, sadly, is how rugby will lose its social license and turn into something similar to darts, or a virtual reality game. We working in the field know where the science is heading, and your exasperation at the inability of the governing bodies to respond adequately is justified. Not necessarily because they are devious or don’t want to, but because of the undeniable truth unfolding before them – the longer-term sequelae to repeat concussive events are dire. You cannot play rugby the way it is now and avoid those sequelae. The governing bodies at various levels will eventually be held to account, but before that the parents and prospective players will sanction participation, as they slowly turn to other, safer sports. It deeply saddens me, but that’s where I see it heading.
The Wrap: Concussion is a key area where Australian rugby can become a leader, not a follower
I’m with you on this issue Colvin. Not to the point that I’d ever walk away, but man it’s shocking how the impact of red cards is being normalised. Rugby is a 15 vs 15 game, and when you have 15 vs 14 for the biggest part of the game it is no longer competitive rugby. Surely there must be ways to keep 15 on the field, with a shorter (5 or 10 min) sanction, that will still discourage dangerous tackle technique? Like when a yellow is bunkered up to red, the player is out of the game, but replaced from the bench. That will make bench selection strategy critical, but keep the match itself competitive. A 5 or 10 min sanction can be played through strategically, like the 2 min power play in Ice Hockey (note the capitals – it’s one of the last truly gladiatorial sports), but the current red card just rips the guts out of the competition. Even though the ABs came agonisingly close to victory in spite of it in RWC23, the millions of people watching the game pretty much knew the outcome from the minute the red was shown. I’m not criticising the rules or their application, but find the sanctions laughable. All the rules of rugby are ostensibly aimed at ensuring a fair competition (ruck, scrum, etc.), but the red card sanction turns the entire game into an unfair competition from that point on. What a stupid contradiction.
Six Nations 2024: 'Marseille massacre!' - solid Ireland crush 14-man France in series opener
I hope ‘fewer but meatier’ means you are taking time to work on that Book, Harry. Really admire your writing man. Fornicating ball and Steinbeck, vintage Jones.
'The putative heir or the actual king': Ireland and France think they're the world's best - the Six Nations opener could settle it
said the proctologist to the patient.
'The putative heir or the actual king': Ireland and France think they're the world's best - the Six Nations opener could settle it
Well done to the Reds, you guys played well and above all brought some heart to the battle. Deserved win.
Reds snap 25-year drought in Christchurch to beat Crusaders as Wilson, Ryan star