Warm Up Match 3: Crusaders v British & Irish Lions (Christchurch)

[Skylinerd1]

Not a single word of credit for Gatland in this thread that I can recall. Clearly he is a solid man manager and motivator, even if I think his selection policy and tactics are questionable.

I didnt see anything worthy of credit in this match. Saders were crap end of story.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Not a single word of credit for Gatland in this thread that I can recall. Clearly he is a solid man manager and motivator, even if I think his selection policy and tactics are questionable.

You're right; whenever I think a Gatland side is hopelessly on the ropes and on the way down, they respond. Definitely proof of Gatlands ability to motivate.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Not a single word of credit for Gatland in this thread that I can recall. Clearly he is a solid man manager and motivator, even if I think his selection policy and tactics are questionable.

You're right; whenever I think a Gatland side is hopelessly on the ropes and on the way down, they respond. Definitely proof of Gatlands ability to motivate.

 

[smartcooky]

Don't know how you can say that. By the booing from the crowd it was pretty clear they aren't used to the sort of linespeed the lions brought to the game, and that's absolutely key to why they couldn't play. They were literally strangled and starved.

Nothing in attack is harsh - lacking the basic skill to put that last pass together and get under the posts, absolutely; but they were very close to several really well worked tries.

Their line speed was certainly good, ably assisted by the 1/2 to 1m offside head start they were being allowed at every breakdown. SH referees penalize for that all over the field, not just when teams are defending in their own 22m

 

[The Jones Boy]

Well done Lions, some pride salvaged tonite I imagine.

More than that, some belief has made it into the Lions tank and they will be all the better for that. It's a helluva tough country to tour in.

Saders were shite tonite, looked like entitled wankers, assumed their undefeated run in Super rugby made them invincible, no doubt seeing the Lions performance in the first two games added to that attitude.

In short it did look like the Crusaders underestimated their opponents and in doing so did a favour to the Lions who really enjoyed the chance to breathe and run... and have done a favour to Hansen and co. as they get a chance to assess the strengths of the emerging Lions more closely.

Lions still have nothing in attack and the fact that they borrowed Rutchie's cloak of invisibility helped their cause.

This is always the area that takes the longest to come together but this run out definitely helped. They were close to making it happen and now the bar is set for the rest of the Lions to match the motivation and intensity the top side showed today in Canterbury. The other Lions must lift their game regardless of who their opposition might be....

Refereeing was below standard, but was in no way an excuse for the Saders being so far off form.

He wasn't great but he wasn't awful. You have to read the referee and adjust to their desires and points of concern and then get on with playing around them. He wasn't responsible for the Crusaders defeat. The Crusaders lacked fight and belief. Thats their own case to answer.

Potentially the most important effect of this game is the hope it will give the other NZ Super teams of beating the Saders.

Any Crusaders team missing Read and Crotty will struggle with the other Kiwi franchises.

Ultimately the Lions dominated the Saders in nearly every aspect of this game, and while thats partly the result of a better game plan and better execution, the fact is the Saders were truly awful tonite. Some Lions fans will say thats because its as good as the Lions let them play, common sense from a neutral tells me it was more than that. I suspect that tonitie will be the highlight of the Lions tour.

I'm not convinced.
The Lions bossed the Crusaders in several areas today, they can feel deservedly confident about their efforts. The Lions pack a lot of talent and they have shown they can lift to another level.You can only play the opposition in front of you and the Lions were up for this, they put a marker down and said, right, we are here and we will be bringing the best we can at every opportunity.
Thats great because they will have to...
I can see the mighty Maori's struggling in the set piece against the Lions.

 

[Ground We Won]

I didnt see anything worthy of credit in this match. Saders were crap end of story.

Can you stop mate, it's kind of embarrassing. The Lions deserve some credit, they haven't played together before until this tour and the Crusaders have been together for 5 months and have most of their All Blacks playing apart from Crotty and Read. They can only beat what's in front of them and they did. They deserve some credit, end of story.

 

[Truth]

As regards the backline...but just because the lions butchered a few opportunities with poor final passes doesn't make the backline hopeless...If you can't see the dramatic improvement so far...

Some, or maybe most rugby fans, rate a backline based on how well they can attack and score tries from that attack. Lions backs played 80 minutes and failed to score a try and whilst you can certainly say the same for the Crusaders, we must remember that the Lions backline are far more experienced than the Crusaders backline particularly when it comes to the amount of internationals played by each member of the backlines.

Its subjective. Some may expect more from an experienced back line such as the Lions. Some are just happy they're...improving? I do acknowledge that the Lions backs are still gelling.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I blame the hotel concierge for this result.
The lions obviously never got the memo that the crusaders only had to turn up to win by 50.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Some pretty laughable player ratings here: http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/93552782/lions-tour-how-the-crusaders-and-lions-rated

was this written by a posters on here? http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...-find-a-new-villain-in-referee-mathieu-raynal

 

[Nubiwan]

If you think haka should only be performed when you personally find it entertaining then then you should consider that you might be an idiot. It's a tradition thousands of years old yet you think it lost its novelty in the last 10 years? Did you alert the proper authorities? I'm sure they will put a stop to it when they hear your concerns.

Its so deeply entrenched in New Zealand (and other countries) culture you might just have to accept that it happens and if you don't like it you could always do something crazy like not watch it.

Last week, my suggestion the better Lions players were those that had Kiwi sounding names like Felatua and T'eo, was an affront to some on this board, suggesting many New Zealanders have anglo saxon names. Quite true. Now, apparently, everyone in NZ is entrenched in thousands of years of Island tradition. What's the HaKa got to do with the people of Anglo Saxon origin? Nothing! Fair enough, the Lions put in the request to NZ to have it performed. Haka is a great tribute, but I just think its being used far to many times. Yeah, I am fed up watching it. Looks like I am not alone.

And yes, it ****** me off , in the main, because it generally precludes a hiding from your side.........

 

[mosfeldt]

What's the HaKa got to do with the people of Anglo Saxon origin?

Well it's their homeland too, even if their ancestors did illegally settle and colonize it 200+ years ago. One thing I really like about NZ is that Maori/native culture is wholeheartedly embraced by the non-indigenous population. Compared to places like the US and Australia where indigenous culture is very much a fringe concept.

Though that said I do think it's kinda pointless for club games, but if they want to do the Haka then go for it doesn't really bother me. I just wonder if the players ever get sick of seeing it (as in the RC and whatnot too).

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Can't completely agree with that.

- George had a solid game, but Owens was also good vs Blues. It's those 2 in the test team though, not fussed which way round they are.
- Thought Kruis and AWJ were about equal tonight, both put in massive shifts and outplayed their opposition. Lawes was also excellent vs Blues.
- POM. Agree here, thought he was great and balances the backrow nicely with Faletau at 8.
- SOB. Had a good game I agree, as did Tips vs Blues. Warbs has some work, and it aint looking good with him picking up another injury.
- Faletau. nailed on starter, even if he wasn't at his very best tonight. His main rival Stander is falling just a little short atm.
- Murray. Easily the best display from a 9 this tour. His kicking is top notch, and that'll be important vs NZ. Still annoying that he completely butchered 2 attacking opportunities.
- Sexton. A step in the right direction, but I'm still very worried with the 3 stinkers he had in a row previously (inc. Pro12 SF).
- Farrell. Nailed on to start somewhere imo. A few poor decisions tonight, which leads me to think he'd be better playing 12 with a hopefully on-form Sexton pulling the strings at 10.

I think George is a better player than Owens and Best, the hookers have probably been the only players to have all played well (even Best, his stats have been very impressive) but George does stuff the others can't around the park and functions well in the set piece.
I'd rate Kruis soundly ahead of AWJ after that and his work with POM in the line out could prove invaluable to the tour, all locks bar Hendo are still in contention but AWJ is sitting 4th for me.
Again, I think an on form SOB is the best 7 here and completely suited to beating NZ, the likelihood of him staying fit all tour would make me think Tips will feature at some stage.
Sexton is in for me die to his range of passing, which he also showed against the Blues, and world class defence that Farrell simply lacks, the overlaps started to be exploited when Sexton came on to the pitch, Farrell butchered a couple of scoring chances from the 10 position that you simply wouldn't see with Sexton, Te'o limited the two of them though.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

I was going to summarise my thoughts on the match, but why bother when I'd summarised the game in advance

Crusaders playing well across the park and are the top NZ side at the moment, but much of their success in Super Rugby comes from their pack. That is something the Lions should be able to completely nullify surely?

Strangely i am talking myself into this being the second least difficult Super Rugby side for the Lions to beat (after the Blues). If they have Sexton at 10, Farrell at 12 and Hogg at 15 they would have far more creativity than we have seen so far and I'd probably pick them for the victory.

 

[Ground We Won]

Connor Murray and TJ Perenara would have to be the best in form 9's in world rugby currently.

Murrays massive boot amazed me. The distance and accuracy is astonishing, a genuine anomaly.

MotM for me personally.

 

[Penne Rara]

The reff asked the Lions players when they were given a penalty in the first half "What do we do?"

In french, the "on" pronoun is often used instead of "nous", and vice versa. While the meaning of "qu'est-ce qu'on fait" would be "what's next?" because "on" is a neutral, more often than not people would use "qu'est-ce que nous faisons?" which litterally means "what do we do?". The improper use of the "nous" pronoun may have rubbed off on his english... you're seeing too much into it

 

[McTallshort]

Anyone got a link to any highlights? Great listening to it on the radio but would like to watch it at some point

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Well it's their homeland too, even if their ancestors did illegally settle and colonize it 200+ years ago. One thing I really like about NZ is that Maori/native culture is wholeheartedly embraced by the non-indigenous population. Compared to places like the US and Australia where indigenous culture is very much a fringe concept.

100% agree on that.

 

[mosfeldt]

Some pretty laughable player ratings here: http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/93552782/lions-tour-how-the-crusaders-and-lions-rated

was this written by a posters on here? http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...-find-a-new-villain-in-referee-mathieu-raynal

Bahaha, those ratings are hilarious! I know thestuff is not far of the Sun, but that is taking the p1ss...

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Anyone got a link to any highlights? Great listening to it on the radio but would like to watch it at some point

- 13 mins

- 4 mins