Crusaders vs Chiefs: See how Super Rugby Pacific started with a big upset

In answer to your last comment I believe that will be are sounding no.

Robertson too focused on the ABs? Very rare for the Saders get pumped at home..

Just reach for a beer ….Takes the edge off :laughing:

Yeah unfortunately, we cant count on that happening again and DMac had an excellent kicking game. Hope he keeps it up.

“ will we have to listen to …..Jacko crowing all week?” A week?

Well its not often that you see that

I was just thinking that Jacko was being surprisingly quiet! Certainly not going to be gloating. The Saders will be there when it matters. But that was very promising.

I wonder how much the loss of Ryan will affect the 'saders.

Mounga made some crucial mistakes ...

And those who think they are done should also pause ...

Fast? You could make a cuppa between each play! Did you hear Geoff Wilson pick the the ‘Landers over the Blues!! God bless a believer. Actually spend 3 happy years in Otago.

For mine, BOK still seems a mite too lenient allowing the Saders (mainly their props and the #6) to come into rucks at angles well past 45°. But he was good and fair in most of the game and kept the game flowing nicely. I hope he gets a gig at RWC2023 as I think he is the best referee in the Southern Hemisphere by a mile.

JDK, will we have to listen to you and Jacko crowing all week? The Borg put on some big pressure but the Chiefs showed some real ticker to finish running away. And didn't the game flow nicely? Damn, keep this up and we might even get some mungos enjoying the Union. :silly:

Farmlands Cup - 2 weeks ago

A fine wse start to the tipping contest, not bad for a bloke who supposedly doesn’t know much about rugger in the olde Te Waipounamu. I must admit even I was surprised at some of the Crusader’s weak tackling in the 2nd half. For mine the Chiefs looked cooked after 32 minutes and were lucky to be just 3 points off at half time. But they drank some magic elixar in the sheds and blitzed the Crusaders in the 2nd half, who played as if they ate a huge bowl of porridge at half time. They seriously looked like they had “hit the wall” and, to be sure, losing E.Blackadder for 10 minutes gassed them even more. The Thugby box of chocolates goes to that well-known 2nd rower Big Bad Brodie. I felt some of his tackles 3000 km away and his runs were immense. S.Taukei’aho and Captain Cane also loved the tough stuff and L.Jacobson inflicted some hurt. In the backs A.Nankivell and S.Stevenson ripped their opposites a new one. D.McKenzie and B.Weber always kept the game going and the Crusaders guessing. The Borg were just not the Borg. S.Barrett and E.Blackadder held their team together while their backs D.Havili, R.Mo’unga and S.Reece put in very good games. One other point, the two ‘Sader centres looked big bodies good for crash ball and heavy tackles (if the opponent was lined up) but they looked like yesterday’s men compared to the two Chiefs centres. Maybe it is not fit enough or too many injuries. But tonight, Sadie the Cleaning Lady was cleaned up big time, 4 tries to 1 or 5 SRP points to zip for the Cheifs is a very nice start.

OK I've finally managed to descend from the ceiling. Great performance from the forwards physically outmatching the perennial champions. Brodie and Cane absolutely immense and outplaying their opponents. Stevenson has now come of age in his best position and looks test ready. Nankivell another who has matured very well. Ioane had one of his diamonds days. But whisper it gently... could this be the year that DMac proves himself a test quality first five?

So good he clamped down on players taking an injury timeout. Harsh for ALB but the game was better for it.

Be interesting to see how fast the next one is Lano

Thought O'Keeffe reffed that so well Otago Man, he kept the game going all the time! Geez that was a great opening game for the season.

I wasn't lol