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2014 Super Rugby: Crusaders v Stormers (Round 4)
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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 628236" data-attributes="member: 24910"><p>I didn't see the Cheetahs vs Reds match so can't comment on it, but I have to say this match was rather boring in my opinion. I felt the low scoring in this match was not necessarily due to fantastic defense, but rather woeful attack (especially by the Crusaders). Don't get me wrong, I thought the Stormers defended well, but even if they hadn't the Crusaders wouldn't have scored many more tries given how poor their attack was. Both sides also made a large number of errors - kicking the ball out on the full, not finding touch from penalties, dropping simple passes - most of these weren't caused by any pressure from the opposition, but rather were unforced. The fact it was a tight match kept it interesting until the end, but I overall I felt the quality of rugby on display was rather poor.</p><p></p><p>Anyways.... not that many positives for the Crusaders (apart from getting the 4 points). Theie lineout was not as reliable as usual, while the scrum was a bit hit & miss. Read tried hard but wasn't as effective as he can be, while Matt Todd was probably the pick of the forwards. Luke Whitelock had a very accurate game at 6 - he made all his tackles and was good in the lineout - but he still struggles to make much of an impact with ball in hand. He does have good handling skills and seems to be used far more as a passing option than a running option at the moment (he passed the ball far more than he ran it, which is rather unusual for a forward...).</p><p></p><p>Heinz passing was a step up from Ellis's, but his decision making is pretty average, and he does muck around at the back of the breakdown a bit too much. It was nice to see him make that big break though just before he went off. Tom Taylor had a very mixed game. He still struggles to get the backline going, and made a few errors with ball in hand. However he did make a couple of key defensive plays (including a brilliant try saving cover tackle with a couple of minutes to go), and kicked the key goal near the end. Crotty was rock solid as he always is, while Lee-Lo was a bit better than last week, but was pretty quiet. The outside backs were all pretty quiet, but all probably had their best games of the season (which says more about how poor they have been so far than how good they were in this match!).</p><p></p><p>The Crusaders obviously need to change something against the Rebels next week. George Whitelock should probably return and replace his brother Luke at 6, though I would love to see Taufua given a shot there. The backline is where the major changes need to happen though. Ellis should be back starting at halfback, and I think they should give Slade a shot at 10. He is still pretty inconsistent, but if he can run hard at the line he could give the Crusaders the momentum in the backs they need (they may look at bringing back Bleyendaal too, which wouldn't be a bad idea either). Tom Taylor needs to be playing at 12 (as that is his best position in my opinion), with Crotty at 13. Dagg should be back at fullback, and I would go with McNicholl and whoever out of Guildford and Tuitavake is fit (if both are fit I would give Guildford at shot). Nadolo can't be too far away from being available, but I would use him as impact player from the bench rather than starting him (at the beginning at least).</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 628236, member: 24910"] I didn't see the Cheetahs vs Reds match so can't comment on it, but I have to say this match was rather boring in my opinion. I felt the low scoring in this match was not necessarily due to fantastic defense, but rather woeful attack (especially by the Crusaders). Don't get me wrong, I thought the Stormers defended well, but even if they hadn't the Crusaders wouldn't have scored many more tries given how poor their attack was. Both sides also made a large number of errors - kicking the ball out on the full, not finding touch from penalties, dropping simple passes - most of these weren't caused by any pressure from the opposition, but rather were unforced. The fact it was a tight match kept it interesting until the end, but I overall I felt the quality of rugby on display was rather poor. Anyways.... not that many positives for the Crusaders (apart from getting the 4 points). Theie lineout was not as reliable as usual, while the scrum was a bit hit & miss. Read tried hard but wasn't as effective as he can be, while Matt Todd was probably the pick of the forwards. Luke Whitelock had a very accurate game at 6 - he made all his tackles and was good in the lineout - but he still struggles to make much of an impact with ball in hand. He does have good handling skills and seems to be used far more as a passing option than a running option at the moment (he passed the ball far more than he ran it, which is rather unusual for a forward...). Heinz passing was a step up from Ellis's, but his decision making is pretty average, and he does muck around at the back of the breakdown a bit too much. It was nice to see him make that big break though just before he went off. Tom Taylor had a very mixed game. He still struggles to get the backline going, and made a few errors with ball in hand. However he did make a couple of key defensive plays (including a brilliant try saving cover tackle with a couple of minutes to go), and kicked the key goal near the end. Crotty was rock solid as he always is, while Lee-Lo was a bit better than last week, but was pretty quiet. The outside backs were all pretty quiet, but all probably had their best games of the season (which says more about how poor they have been so far than how good they were in this match!). The Crusaders obviously need to change something against the Rebels next week. George Whitelock should probably return and replace his brother Luke at 6, though I would love to see Taufua given a shot there. The backline is where the major changes need to happen though. Ellis should be back starting at halfback, and I think they should give Slade a shot at 10. He is still pretty inconsistent, but if he can run hard at the line he could give the Crusaders the momentum in the backs they need (they may look at bringing back Bleyendaal too, which wouldn't be a bad idea either). Tom Taylor needs to be playing at 12 (as that is his best position in my opinion), with Crotty at 13. Dagg should be back at fullback, and I would go with McNicholl and whoever out of Guildford and Tuitavake is fit (if both are fit I would give Guildford at shot). Nadolo can't be too far away from being available, but I would use him as impact player from the bench rather than starting him (at the beginning at least). [/QUOTE]
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2014 Super Rugby: Crusaders v Stormers (Round 4)
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