Crusaders vs Blues: Super Rugby Pacific live scores

Allow me to explain myself Chiv. Teams contract players who hadn’t previously had a contract all the time, that’s the system. Or you get a Brett or Black moving because they’re behind better stars that’s normal too. But when the Blues already have top props and take our two props who previously hadn’t been wanted elsewhere but we turned into All Blacks that’s different. I could have moved on, but then they take the main man at the Hurricanes for big money. Blocking the progress of Perofeta and Zarn. Then when Faine left they were looking to totally destroy the Canes and take Jordie, until RTS becomes available and they poach him instead. Everyone else develops players, or takes a second stringer if they are weak in a position. That strengthens kiwi rugby. I have a real problem with how the Blues go about it. We aren’t France.

I acknowledge that Canterbury has decent pathways… but the rest of what you say is nonsense… for example who brough Leom McDonald into the argument or tried to use BB and Caleb Clarke as examples which somehow back up your idea thar Auckland doesn’t develop players… but all you said was Canterbury is good at developing players.. ok. Thanks Cant believe I am even replying to someone who doesn’t know what they are typing. Have a good one mate…

wow :laughing: You have taken ‘missing the point’ right past expert level. I’m not interested in getting into a p issing contest about Canterbury and Auckland. You have already agreed with me in regards to the development pathways, which was the only real point being made. Again, I really don’t know why you are trying to escalate this into a big argument.

Grow up Paul. I waa having a bit of fun… but you seem to believe your own BS. So Leon McDonald is the saviour of Auckland rugby. You name a single player BB who was an established player and think that is the norm. You seem to be under the illusion that players are only developed in Canterbury and that not all players kick on. Its not even something worth discussing.. not because I haven’t got an answer, but because its silly rhetoric that you believe in and I dont wish to explain it all to someone who thinks they know better… enjoy your day in the sun, but be aware not every day is a sunny day… the Blues had their day too and I daresay will again. And in their heyday they were as one eyed and ignorant as you are now being. Canterbury is not even top pf the table and you are still crowing. If you bothered to actually read the diatribe, you might actually gain some insight, rather than thinking it some battle ypu need to win for lack of whatever it is you are missing or feel aggrieved about… like that you don’t live in Auckland :happy:

“no doubt Canterbury has established their pathways berter (sic) than any other province,” Yea, that’s pretty much what my point was. The rest just illustrated it. You may not like what I said to back it up, but you have essentially agreed on the main point. I don’t get why you’re arguing? As for the rest of that diatribe, For every star the Blues have, we could name someone who is almost there, but lacks consistency or that extra little bit to take them to the next level. Akira or Big Patrick are good examples. Good, or even great, players when they are on, but just haven’t kicked on to be undisputed in their role. Yes, they have a lot of AB caps, but they are not immediate picks on most people’s team sheets. That is what I mean by plateauing. The Blues have underachieved for years, until Leon took over. Now they are starting to deliver the results they always seemed capable of. The results seem to suggest that they needed a coach who could take them to that next level.

I though he had played for the NZ Maori and was on the verge… i actually thought I had seen him playing in an Auckland jersey, from where he got poached… But its ok to steal players while they are developing… oh no. I got it. Auckland can’t develop players. They just buy the completed article. If he hadn’t of left he wouldn’t have made it. Paulo explained it to me… And every other team and player outside of canterbury? The rivalry between Canterbury and Auckland goes back a long ways… most Aucklanders acknowledge they are biased.. plenty of Canterbury fans can’t see their own.. must be the eye patch they are so proud of :happy:

Whatever you say Paulo…no doubt Canterbury has established their pathways berter than any other province, but the rest of what uou say and imply is your own personal bias.. BB is one player in a that came in.. he doesn’t epitomise the entire team. As for players plateau at the Blues but not at Canterbury… thats your spin again… so Reiko Ioane, Dalton Papaii all need to go to Canterbury to become the complete article… Im sorry, talking about letting bias cloud judgements… you need to get out more if you believe what you are saying.. Auckland is not that far off the pace with all their undeveloped players and buy ins.

It is beyond JK's capacity to be impartial vis a vis the Blues. Last night he several times referred to them as us. Sky have a lot to answer for in their choice of commentators. GTHey make the Stan crew look professional and that is very difficult to do.

Probably 3rd trio at best, behind Chiefs and Cru. Papalii seems way off the pace this year too. Sotutu is putting in a shift which is a big step up

Mo'unga controlled that game, saw reported this morning he had beaten more defenders than the entire Blues side in the opening 40. In the second half with 50% possession they had 57% territory. Won the kicking game and tactical battle quite easily. Havili was just class, and like RM running the ball in the narrow channels keeping the ball in front of his forwards. His fend on Sotutu for the LF try was text book. Hoskins will cop a team fine at the video review monday for being so easily pushed off by a back. Choat is massively underrated, really good footballer and into everything, huge engine. BB, while still has the ability for that flash of brilliance, is way out of form - how many poor decision and kicking errors in that opening hour. He is competing with Dmac now for that 23 shirt and hes behind.

Interesting to reflect on Christy's statement pre season when he rated the Blues as favorites for the title. One of the reasons he gave was that in Papaili, Ioane and Sotutu they had the best loose forward combination in the comp. Not much evidence of that last night and the Crusaders were missing Blackadder injured.

And commentators on this thread are saying that Mounga and Havili both had very average games. The anti Crusader bias is so plain to see in many kiwis. BB once again shows that he is not a number 10. And no-one is picking Choat for the ABs but a number of deluded people [including JK] are still picking Ioane. On the evidence of this game there is no comparison.,

I thought Hoskins and bit Patty both played well last night and never gave up. Caleb was disappointing again on defence. Has to put his All Blacks position at risk even with his miracle restarts with Beauden. I think Beauden is not far away from his best and should thrive in the All Blacks environment being surrounded by sharper exponents. Same with Richie Mounga. They all know each others game so well they cancel each other out. Great game though. No prisoners. Leicester has to be one of severay form left wingers going around. It concerns me how much contact Jordy and Reiko are taking/seeking. Not much manipulation of opposition defences going on with those 2.

No one is saying players are born and raised in Canterbury. It’s how they get developed and grown once they arrive. It’s pretty uncontested that the Crusaders have the best development set up currently, and that this leads to their consistent success. If you think anything else, you’re letting your bias against them cloud your judgement. What JD is saying is that the Blues have self-developed as many players. They tend to bring in finished products, line BB. Or the players they develop get to a certain level and then plateau, like C Clarke.

Yea, definitely a miss. But it’s just hypocritical when you someone only points out the things that went against his side. Why doesn’t he point out that at this level the refs shouldn’t miss Ricky Riccitelli (sic) standing a foot inside the field of play when he throws in the lineout? Always done it, always illegal. I get it, and obviously Kirwan isn’t the only one, but he is one of k lot a few people paid for his commentary and I’d expect more impartiality from him.

Aaron wasn't an established international when he moved. He was a hairdresser. That's the big difference.

Blues kicked away too much possession and also seem to kick for the sake of kicking at times. Their defence was strong. Crusaders kept coming at them. Let’s hope Leicester Fainganuku stays in NZ. Will be a shame if he goes to France wit the form he’s in.

Chivas I'm liking what I'm seeing and that's our teams coming home with wet sail nicely into super finals leading into Championship and on to historic WC you can feel it..

Another example of why Beauden shouldn’t be starting for the AB’s. He is not a world class 5/8 anymore and anyone that thinks so is still living in 2016. Also proves why Reiko is not a centre, Caleb Clarke and Akira Ioane should be left out of the AB’s this year.

Sounds good mate.. :happy: