Super Rugby: Ben Smith vs. Blues (1/06/13)

[Kiwiwomble]

decided to play the "Ben Smith" drinking game.... bad move

Im going to say that is subjective

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Just watched the full game now. I found the conversation Ali Williams had with the referee very interesting.

 

[admartian]

Mathematically they still have a chance, thanks to their bonus point try after the whistle, but results have to fall their way.

They have to go to South Africa and play the Sharks and the Cheetahs, then come home and play the Chiefs. I can't see them winning any of those matches

► They have only beaten the Sharks twice in Durban, last time was 2004

► While they have the wood on the Cheetahs, the Free State team is a far different prospect this year than in the past, especially in Bloemfontein

► What chance would anyone give them of beating the Chiefs on return from South Africa?

Cheers for this.

Yeah, I don't see them beating the Chiefs at this stage. Maybe the Cheetahs, but that'll be hard too. They really needed to beat the Brumbies at home/ Oh well. too late now.

great game from tanaka

He was excellent. Passes were snappy, he was great when he ran, and made all around great decisions.

Is the guy in the running for the Japanese starting number 9 spot? Should be at least a backup...

Just watched the full game now. I found the conversation Ali Williams had with the referee very interesting.

This game, more than any other game of his, showed me that Ali is not a good skipper. While good Captains often get things straight (by chatting to the ref etc) he was just outright whining.

You just can't get rattled like that if you're going to lead a side.

 

[smartcooky]

This game, more than any other game of his, showed me that Ali is not a good skipper. While good Captains often get things straight (by chatting to the ref etc) he was just outright whining.

How much of this talking to the referee do you see Kieren Read, or Conrad Smith, Craig Clarke or Liam Messam or Andrew Hore doing?

So to answer Ali's question

Ali Williams: "What do I have to do to get us onside with you"

Jonathon White: "Tell your players to stop persistently infringing and chipping me every chance they get!!"

 

[admartian]

How much of this talking to the referee do you see Kieren Read, or Conrad Smith, Craig Clarke or Liam Messam or Andrew Hore doing?

So to answer Ali's question

Ali Williams: "What do I have to do to get us onside with you"

Jonathon White: "Tell your players to stop persistently infringing and chipping me every chance they get!!"

Yep. I see them talking to the ref - but it's always usually to clarify something or briefly protest. NOt the big speeches whigning rants that Ali was doing.

It's fine if he was doing it on a message board - but not in the middle of a game where your team, that you are leading, are losing. Get on with it and lead by example.

 

[tenpm]

I've complained before about Hore talking too much to the referee, but in this match he behaved exactly how he should, in addition to playing well overall.

 

[TNT88]

decided to play the "Ben Smith" drinking game.... bad move

When it's Justin Marhsall and co. I play the "Bin Smuth" drinking game

 

[Draggs]

I love the ITM match where Bin gets into it with Fruean and soon realizes the size difference. Using his sharp Bin Smuth instincts he grabs a touch flag and aims it at poor Robbie. I'd link the vid of an could, I know there is/was one.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOMETtGSq2I

Different Ben, I'm afraid

 

[Draggs]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOMETtGSq2I

Different Ben, I'm afraid

...well... That's what happens when I see a clip years ago...

 

[Larksea]

was an interesting game, kinda interesting that the highlanders dominated till Nonu and Aaron Smith game on.

Actually unfortunate result for the NZ franchise as a whole, basically makes it near on impossible for the blues to make the finals. unfortunately they just got unlucky, the highlanders finally woke up - most of the season they have been Ben Smith + 14 pretenders.

was a look at what could have been for the Landers, Treeby looked pretty good, the forwards showed some urgency, Tanaka was a live wire, Slade looked better.

Good to see Mackintosh, I honestly think he deserves the starting spot. More than most players in the squad he's more than a name on paper he will bleed for the team and lift them and his ability as a player makes his worthy as well.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

i agree re whoppa, he was part of the front row that decimated the blues at eden park (still lost) earlier in the season too