[2017 Super Rugby] Round 6: Waratahs vs. Crusaders (02/04/2017)

[TRF_heineken]

Venue: Allianz Stadium
Time: 08:05 CAT (SA, GMT+2)​

 

[galumay]

So far Tahs just showing they are likely the stupidest team in Super Rugby, constantly kicking possession back to the best counter attackers in the comp. Either Gibson is a halfwit, or the players dont listen to what he says.

The amazing thing is they actually would have been there or there abouts at the end of the game if they hadnt kicked the possession away at every opportunity. They actually played as well as the Reds last night in patches. Interesting that the two best games by Aus franchises came against the Kiwis this weekend, I guess it just shows the gulf in skills, intensity and accuracy does make them lift their efforts for these cross ditch derbies.

The reality is that once again the best that Aussie franchises could do was score about half as many points as the Kiwis. Something has to be done or the game will be in dire straights, small crowds will shrink and $'s will disappear from TV rights if this chasm between the NZ sides and all the others continues. It will also have a terrible impact on our kids who will choose other sports where Australia is perceived as being competitive.

 

[Makos]

So far Tahs just showing they are likely the stupidest team in Super Rugby, constantly kicking possession back to the best counter attackers in the comp. Either Gibson is a halfwit, or the players dont listen to what he says.

Funny you say that, they actually had a snippet of Gibson at the start of the 2nd half after the Tahs had just conceded an early try from kicking the pill down the Crusaders throat. Kearnes and Clarke asked him how it was going and Gibson replied saying he was pretty angry as at half time team talk he had specifically said not to kick the ball away.

There maybe is some mutiny with the players. There's certainly a lot wrong with them, the players are probably not content with having Gibson in charge. I don't think it's appropriate myself, surely Australia some veterans that could take the position? He's been with the Tahs for 4 years now? 2 as assistant. But I don't think it's working with him as the head coach.

 

[Larksea]

while the chiefs and Crusaders are pretty much even at the top of the table, Chiefs maybe a nose in front having 2 extra bonus points and a game in hand. But it very much looks like the crusaders are the team to beat.

after a few wins based on the forwards this game very much seemed to be about the backs. Not all about the backs of course, Heck Matt Todd had a pretty Epic game.

Havili and hunt are looking very good, Crotty was good but got knocked around a fair bit and Tim Bateman has been excellent. He is such a classy player, probably fit right in at test level.

one has to pinpoint George Bridge, he has looked very good this year and maybe the best player on the park for this game. performances like that have to get him on the All Black selectors radar. The intensity he plays with is very Ben Smith like.

 

[smartcooky]

The reality is that once again the best that Aussie franchises could do was score about half as many points as the Kiwis. Something has to be done or the game will be in dire straights, small crowds will shrink and $'s will disappear from TV rights if this chasm between the NZ sides and all the others continues. It will also have a terrible impact on our kids who will choose other sports where Australia is perceived as being competitive.

Even worse when you consider that Super Rugby Australia is on Fox Pay TV while AFL, Football and NRL are free to air. Makes it very, very difficult for Super Rugby to compete for supporters.

Funny you say that, they actually had a snippet of Gibson at the start of the 2nd half after the Tahs had just conceded an early try from kicking the pill down the Crusaders throat. Kearnes and Clarke asked him how it was going and Gibson replied saying he was pretty angry as at half time team talk he had specifically said not to kick the ball away.

There maybe is some mutiny with the players. There's certainly a lot wrong with them, the players are probably not content with having Gibson in charge. I don't think it's appropriate myself, surely Australia some veterans that could take the position? He's been with the Tahs for 4 years now? 2 as assistant. But I don't think it's working with him as the head coach.

Australia is the land of Player Power... remember what happened withe Brumbies and David Nucifora a few years back. Nucifora turned the Brumbies into a team of Champs.... the players kicked him out because they didn't like his style of discipline, and they brought in Laurie Fisher, who, in one season, turned them into a team of Chumps.

This is not too dissimilar to the back stabbing that went on with the Wallabies and Robbie Deans.

 

[Larksea]

ha yeah but look at what David Nucifora did for the blues. The long slump that the blues have had started with David Nucifora as coach.

I kinda remember Eddie Jones had a similar issue, he was successful but tended to run players into the ground and the success was short lived or players didn't like him?

I think coaches can be good or bad depending on the type of players they are coaching. I think generally Grahame Henry was a master at coaching Pacific Island players. So its as much about a coach being a "good fit" as it is them being a good coach...

 

[Five Meters Out]

Funny you say that, they actually had a snippet of Gibson at the start of the 2nd half after the Tahs had just conceded an early try from kicking the pill down the Crusaders throat. Kearnes and Clarke asked him how it was going and Gibson replied saying he was pretty angry as at half time team talk he had specifically said not to kick the ball away.
.

Not only did the Warratah's kick that ball away, directly after halftime instructions not too from the Coach, they then proceeded to not tackle for the rest of that move. The final missed tackle by No.14 was so bad, you'd have to question "Match fixing??". ........Ok that's tongue in cheek, but seriously, he made no effort. No Coach can be blamed for that sort of play.