Amobokoboko
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chiefs-sign-anscombe
- Thread starter Amobokoboko
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it's a shame, reality is this year Cruden Dominated the #10 jersey in terms of gametime. There was a point late in the season and he was the only chiefs player to take a shot at goal after well over 10 games. I think Anscombes a good player, maybe even has the potential to be up with Cruden in terms of ability. But he's not going to get much gametime behind Dave Renee's golden boy.
Things will change a lot this year with no SBW. Chiefs are going to have to change a lot of what they do if they want to challenge for the ***le without the big man, his X-factor, offloads, solid defense and 1500 odd running meters.
Maybe they wont be able to protect Cruden as much as they did this year with SBW at 12. Cruden received the ball at first receiver less as a %age than any other regular 10 in super rugby and he was well supported on defense. Basically leaving him to sit back, shoot for goal and come into the line when gaps and overlaps appear. I dont think he will have such an easy ride with SBW out - may mean Anscombe will get chances.
Things will change a lot this year with no SBW. Chiefs are going to have to change a lot of what they do if they want to challenge for the ***le without the big man, his X-factor, offloads, solid defense and 1500 odd running meters.
Maybe they wont be able to protect Cruden as much as they did this year with SBW at 12. Cruden received the ball at first receiver less as a %age than any other regular 10 in super rugby and he was well supported on defense. Basically leaving him to sit back, shoot for goal and come into the line when gaps and overlaps appear. I dont think he will have such an easy ride with SBW out - may mean Anscombe will get chances.
I remember hearing a stat sometime during the season (not sure if it was correct) but it said that at that point, Aaron Cruden was the only player to kick at goal for the Chiefs.
If that is the case, then Anscombe could provide relief there if needed (I am sure others could kick though, such as Robinson)
If that is the case, then Anscombe could provide relief there if needed (I am sure others could kick though, such as Robinson)
Amobokoboko
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With a bit of Luck Mils returns to the Chiefs and will play center next to Kahui.
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Let it go Larskea, SBW wasn't the reason Cruden was good. Maybe the other way around actually. Cruden is better than Donald ever was, just accept that and get over it. Cruden doesn't need to be protected, how many times do I need to point out that he won the ITM cup MVP with Frankie Bryant at 12 before you start realising he doesn't need an all star 12 'protecting' him to be good?
Darwin
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Haha - I was just just in the middle of writing a post that had "Donald is gone. He is not coming back. You have to accept that Cruden is, was, and always will be a far better player than Donald will ever dream of being - no matter how much you talk him down". Looks like you beat me to it!
hehe so your saying that SBW was so good, basically the only midfielder to dominate the running meter stats in a long time because Cruden was drawing all the defenders? Wake up Son.
You think that is strange, but for some reason you seem to believe that the reason Cruden was so good (Super Rugby player of the season, with the most dominant performance from a NZ first-five in years) was because SBW was there 'protecting him'
where did I say the one reason Cruden was good was because SBW was protecting him?
Chiefs as a whole clearly protected Cruden this year, not just SBW as a major part of their gameplan. It was a fantastic strategy and he is worth protecting, he is a quality player and the chiefs did not have genuine quality backup. While he is tough for his size it does not make up for the fact that he is small and relatively fragile. he missed more tackles than any other chief player - you would be mad to think they don't have a plan to support him on defense. they clearly do. His workload on attack is also managed Then consider that he plays first receiver half as much as Barrett and Carter do (~15% compared to ~30%) interestingly when cruden does get the ball he passes it less as a %age compared to other 10's. Clearly shows that rather than creating the advantage he waits for it then runs the ball.
It's clear to see, I have no problem with it, infact it's genius. It enabled Cruden to play through the whole season with almost no downtime. I clearly believe it will be much harder for the chiefs to do the same thing in 2012 without SBW
If you disagree then say that you honestly don't believe Cruden will have a harder time next season without a 12 that can tackle anything, offload at will, clock up 100+ running meters and a number of tackle busts each game.
seriously is that too hard to figure out?
Chiefs as a whole clearly protected Cruden this year, not just SBW as a major part of their gameplan. It was a fantastic strategy and he is worth protecting, he is a quality player and the chiefs did not have genuine quality backup. While he is tough for his size it does not make up for the fact that he is small and relatively fragile. he missed more tackles than any other chief player - you would be mad to think they don't have a plan to support him on defense. they clearly do. His workload on attack is also managed Then consider that he plays first receiver half as much as Barrett and Carter do (~15% compared to ~30%) interestingly when cruden does get the ball he passes it less as a %age compared to other 10's. Clearly shows that rather than creating the advantage he waits for it then runs the ball.
It's clear to see, I have no problem with it, infact it's genius. It enabled Cruden to play through the whole season with almost no downtime. I clearly believe it will be much harder for the chiefs to do the same thing in 2012 without SBW
If you disagree then say that you honestly don't believe Cruden will have a harder time next season without a 12 that can tackle anything, offload at will, clock up 100+ running meters and a number of tackle busts each game.
seriously is that too hard to figure out?
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Can you show us the actual stats on that? I've seen you say that before but haven't yet seen what the numbers are/where they're from? I'm not doubting it but it is unclear what that means. Does it mean he gets 15% of the Chiefs ball total at 1st receiver? 15% of the ball he does take is at 1st receiver? Clear it up for us please.
That second little comment just gives away your dislike of him as a player. He is the most creative 10 in the whole country I'd say, so suggesting he just sits back and waits for everyone else (probably Messam, Kahui or Leonard if you were telling the story) to create stuff, and then pops up to claim the glory is pretty funny.
Also, see my above post about him getting ITM MVP with Frankie Bryant at 12 in regards to your last point. He doesn't need an all star outside him to be be good. Missing SBW will make it harder for every person in the team, not just Cruden. This usually happens when a quality player departs. To imply it will affect Cruden more than any other player is silly given how his career has gone thus far.
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Remember that Richard Kahui missed alot of the 2012 season. With him returning, potentially at 2nd 5, the Chiefs will be fine. There will be a notable absence without SBW, but SBW can't do everything. There are players in the squad aswell as coming through the ranks who offer different from SBW who are good on defense and good on offense (Kahui and Aki). It does come across that you do not like Cruden too much.
