Super Rugby: Hurricanes vs. Crusaders in Wellington (08/03/2013)

[RWC2011Fan]

Hm, quite surprised.

Worst ever attendance for Hurricanes vs. Crusaders @ the Cake Tin. Only 12,000 people this time around; there was 21,000 in 2012 and 18,000 in 2011.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Guess that's what happens when neither team has won a game, though still a bit disappointing...

 

[Regan]

Happy the Canes got the win in the end. A win is a win.

In regards to attendance it was only 90 odd people off 13000 and you have to keep in mind last season the Crusaders clash was later in the season where the Hurricanes had shown their net worth to the public. 2011 you have the Earthquake to factor in where the original Westpac match was declared a draw and thus later in the season.

Also Ed Sheeran was playing in Wellington at the same time tonight so potential fans may have been going to that as well.

The crowd was up 3000 from game 1 so the win can only do wonders. Wellingtonians are a bit like this - only come out if the team is doing well. Being a Hurricanes fan I can tell you it's pretty frustrating sometimes.

 

[Helmy]

Entertaining game... Thought the Canes had blown it when the Crusaders had that try denied, well spotted by he referee, though. I thought the ref had a good game, but eh.

Just like the Hurricanes to pull off a game in that fashion. They were their own worst enemies with two of the tries scored by Crusaders. At times they're trying to force the play too much where it clearly would have been better to die with the ball. The only time this truly paid off was Broadhurst's pass to the touchline that led to the intercept try. One day those passes are going to stick, though, and I think the Hurricanes will blow someone apart.

What's up with the Crusaders though? Not like them to fail to kill a game off after having a nine point lead twice.

 

[Aedaphon]

0:00 to 1:10 and 8:45 to 9:15 for anyone that didn't see the Savea show.

It's one thing for him to train Dagg (multiple times) but dump tackling Robbie Fruean?? Fruean must be his size if not bigger. Shows, his dominance in the contact is a mix of raw power and technical ability. Still kind of in shock from that try.

 

[nickdnz]

Watched this game live at the Cake Tin- absolutely great game. Julian Savea was an absolute monster - probably scariest performance from a winger I've seen in Super Rugby for a good few years. That last try made Dagg look like Mike Catt. What also impressed me was hw complete his game was, even his kick and chase went well.

 

[Gena_ZA]

Agreed, he must be the best winger in the competion and possibly on the world stage at present

 

[nickdnz]

Not surprised at all with the results. Crusaders strategy is too predictable especially Dan Carter. I was shocked when they did no sign up Baden Kerr from Canterbury. It was a blessing that DC was injured during World Cup and the competition was not familiar with all the replacement fly half..

To be fair - Carter tore France a new one in the RWC in their first match. There is clearly more than Carter going wrong with the Crusaders attack, no one seems to really be THAT dangerous - which considering they scored more tries and he kicked his goals is hardly Carter's fault (in fact he scored a good try and had a decent game IMHO). To say you think we won because Donald was on the field is mind boggling. We also won most of our 2012 games with Carter at the helm. Seems your jumping the gun quite a bit (like the people last week who said Barrett is useless).

 

[Amobokoboko]

A win is a win for the Canes, didn't see the game yet. But Saders gave away 5 penalties and Canes managed to score 2 tries where Carter missed a winning opportunity.

At this stage it's not a disaster losing some games but besides having quality players I reckon Blackadder might not be the coach most suited for the Crusaders.

 

[Patchey]

Watched the highlights earlier and can't help but feel the Crusaders still look like a team in pre-season mode. They're rusty and lack a clinical edge and if the Hurricanes hadn't taken their eye off the ball a few times it could have been a much more sobering scoreline.

From the 'Canes point of view TJ and Beauen Barret looked much more in-synch than in earlier games, Tim Bateman was also pretty impressive and there isn't any need to talk about how beast Savea was. Any doubt over his All Black credentials now?

 

[Helmy]

Watched this game live at the Cake Tin- absolutely great game. Julian Savea was an absolute monster - probably scariest performance from a winger I've seen in Super Rugby for a good few years. That last try made Dagg look like Mike Catt. What also impressed me was hw complete his game was, even his kick and chase went well.

This right here. Savea's game is developing at such an incredible rate, but the improvement on the more 'technical' side of things is what I think is the most important. It's extremely presumptuous for me to say, but I think it shows signs that he's a hard worker on the training field, too. With that and his natural ability, some of the comments on here about him being the best winger in Super Rugby/World Rugby might not be wide of the mark by the end of this season.

 

[austingtir]

Watched the highlights earlier and can't help but feel the Crusaders still look like a team in pre-season mode. They're rusty and lack a clinical edge and if the Hurricanes hadn't taken their eye off the ball a few times it could have been a much more sobering scoreline.

From the 'Canes point of view TJ and Beauen Barret looked much more in-synch than in earlier games, Tim Bateman was also pretty impressive and there isn't any need to talk about how beast Savea was. Any doubt over his All Black credentials now?

I think its a coaching issue. To me the other NZ sides are better coached and its showing. The crusaders, canes and highlanders have similar playing rosters. I would rate the blues slightly below those three and the chiefs slightly above the rest as far as players go. But in reality there is nothing between any of the NZ sides just who turns up on the day with the right mindset will probably win. The chiefs and blues have by far the most experienced and decorated coaching staff.

I will also add Read to me has been disapointing as a captain. He is not AB captain material imo.

 

[Patchey]

I think its a coaching issue. To me the other NZ sides are better coached and its showing. The crusaders, canes and highlanders have similar playing rosters. I would rate the blues slightly below those three and the chiefs slightly above the rest as far as players go. But in reality there is nothing between any of the NZ sides just who turns up on the day with the right mindset will probably win. The chiefs and blues have by far the most experienced and decorated coaching staff.

I will also add Read to me has been disapointing as a captain. He is not AB captain material imo.

Not being from the Southern Hemisphere I don't get to read about/watch much of Super Rugby other than highlights and the odd live match but I was under the impression that Todd Blackadder was a pretty well regarded coach. I know the Crusaders havn't won the championship for a while but they've been the most consistent side for a long time now right?

Obviously the Kirwan/Henry combo at the Blues beats most coaching teams hands down.

 

[admartian]

Wow what a game!

Savea was BEAST mode. Barrett was instrumental in keeping the scores ticking over. But he was also would've been candidate for dummy of the match for basically lending a MAJOR hand in two Crusaders tries. The first one was the Crotty try where he limply laid a lame shoulder in for Crotty to breakthrough the hole. And the second was a knock on to the Crusaders for Carter to pickup and do the rest.

Hared luck to the Crusaders here. DC should've really slotted that droppie in. But the previous pass from Dagg to a Crusader player was forward so I guess some poetic justice there.

And Whitleock is a dummy. Shouldn't have gone for that pass. Dagg's face said it all.


LOL and too all panicking about the Crusader attack - Carter is NOT the problem. They scored four tries for ****;s sake and would've been a 5th if it weren't for a slight (albeit correct) knock ruling. They lost because they were penalised and ill discipline and because Whitelock through a hospital pass to Dagg.

 

[Helmy]

Not being from the Southern Hemisphere I don't get to read about/watch much of Super Rugby other than highlights and the odd live match but I was under the impression that Todd Blackadder was a pretty well regarded coach. I know the Crusaders havn't won the championship for a while but they've been the most consistent side for a long time now right?

Obviously the Kirwan/Henry combo at the Blues beats most coaching teams hands down.

Yes, but that was under Robbie Deans.

 

[tenpm]

I will also add Read to me has been disapointing as a captain. He is not AB captain material imo.

I agree that he didn't have his best performance yesterday, but I think it's too harsh to judge on his ability as a captain from one or two performances at the start of the season. He led the Crusaders well last year when McCaw was injured. He's not (yet) at the level of McCaw, but who is?

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I think its a coaching issue. To me the other NZ sides are better coached and its showing. The crusaders, canes and highlanders have similar playing rosters. I would rate the blues slightly below those three and the chiefs slightly above the rest as far as players go. But in reality there is nothing between any of the NZ sides just who turns up on the day with the right mindset will probably win. The chiefs and blues have by far the most experienced and decorated coaching staff.

I will also add Read to me has been disapointing as a captain. He is not AB captain material imo.

Worth noting that the Chiefs side is only so good BECAUSE of the coaching team. Guys like Retalick, Horrell were almost no names going into last season.

Not being from the Southern Hemisphere I don't get to read about/watch much of Super Rugby other than highlights and the odd live match but I was under the impression that Todd Blackadder was a pretty well regarded coach. I know the Crusaders havn't won the championship for a while but they've been the most consistent side for a long time now right?

Obviously the Kirwan/Henry combo at the Blues beats most coaching teams hands down.

Yes I think the main issue is that Todd Blackadder had a fantastic team to start with - handed down to him by Robbie Deans. In contrast, the other four coaches have basically built their teams from scratch.

 

[UilamOsa]

This right here. Savea's game is developing at such an incredible rate, but the improvement on the more 'technical' side of things is what I think is the most important. It's extremely presumptuous for me to say, but I think it shows signs that he's a hard worker on the training field, too. With that and his natural ability, some of the comments on here about him being the best winger in Super Rugby/World Rugby might not be wide of the mark by the end of this season.

Agreed. It almost shows the difference between how far Fruean has come and how far Savea has come.

Not saying that Fruean's health hasn't created issues, but it wasn't that long after his 7's career and during the ITM cup, where Ranger left his handprint as a tattoo on Savea's face. Fruean, has been stagnant in the last 2years and Savea has developed in leaps and bounds.

Savea's taken on board what the AB's coaches have asked, and most probably the lack of influence that guys like Nonu & Weepu may have had and having the only senior backline player as Conrad Smith as an example helps too.

As much as Ranger is pretty special, I don't think he could do that twice to Savea.

 

[Darwin]

I quite enjoyed this match, even though the Crusaders lost (as they are my 2nd team). Savea was almost unstoppable with ball in hand, but it was other aspects of his game (the big hits, kick and chase etc) that really impressed me - he is turning into quite a complete winger. The only weakness I see in his game at the moment is he still missing far too many tackles on defense, but he does seem to be improving in this area.

I thought Vito and Shields looked better this match in their correct jerseys, while Lowe got through a lot of work. Perenara was a bit sluggish again, but it was good to see Barrett step up a bit last night, though he is still a revolving door defensively. Bateman and Smith were pretty quiet in the midfield, and it was a bit of a concern to see Smith miss a number of tackles again. Leiua too struggled defensively. Taylor had a bit more ball to work with, but was pretty easily contained.

There weren't too many standouts for the Crusaders - they outscored the Canes 4 tries to 2, but weren't able to take control when it counted. Todd and Sam Whitelock got through a lot of work on defense, but I can't think of any other Crusaders forwards that impressed me (Read was pretty quiet for a change). Carter was better this week (and got through a lot of work on defense), while Crotty was arguably the pick of the Crusaders backs (and scored a good individual try, though the Canes tackling was pretty woeful!). Fruean and Dagg were pretty quiet, and I'm sure Dagg, Fruean and Marshall will be having nigthmares about Savea! I'm a big fan of McNicholl and I thought he had an excellent debut. He broke a few tackles, didn't make any mistakes, and unlike the rest of the outside backs he was solid in defense (though he wasn't marking Savea...).

 

[dasNdanger]

Just finished watching - great game! Wish the Crusaders had taken it, but I'm not disappointed in the outcome. They seem to be just warming up (translation: Saders better win their next match or I'm'a gonna haveta hit something!).


das