Crusaders versus Lions

First topic message reminder :

I know I've left but I still have to ponder:

Are the Crusaders superior to the Lions pride of 2013?

The basis for my comparison is the Way the Lions stumbled past a depleted Queensland Reds outfit in a nervous and error strewn display for a 22-12 return versus the clinical execution by the Crusaders who smashed a full strength Reds side in a competition knock out match, pummelling them at the breakdown, nullifying Genia and Cooper and then surgically dissected the midfield weakness with relentless and ruthless repetition. Result: 38-9. Reds try-less. Hard to believe Richie McCaw only played 10 minutes.

The Crusaders overwhelmed the Reds defensively and then applied collective rugby nous to isolate a weakness and continue to exploit it with deft running lines, silky execution and unity in the collective which at time bordered on telepathic awareness of the peerless playmakers thinking.

It's a shame that a Lions tour's warm up is not against neighbouring super rugby outfits who would have no need to hide their star players isn't it? Worth a thought.

To be fair to GE, he was asked why he supported Australia and answered and the comments about England are off topic

ChequeredJersey wrote:To be fair to GE, he was asked why he supported Australia and answered and the comments about England are off topic

Given that he's got a very obvious agenda here (once again) I'm not sure it is off topic really.

Lets stop derailing the thread and get on topic.

Surely it would make the Lions tour more of an event if they played neighbouring, stronger super franchises rather than depleted home sides with the top players hidden?

GloriousEmpire wrote:Surely it would make the Lions tour more of an event if they played neighbouring, stronger super franchises rather than depleted home sides with the top players hidden?

It would help solve the need for competitive matches but risks devaluing a Lions tour. Lions supporters are the main reason for the financial success, which is essential to make the tours a viable proposition. Even their willingness to spend might be tested if you start asking them to shuttle between two countries. The alternative is to bring in overseas teams which raises the question of whether the local crowd would want to pony up to see those matches. The home broadcaster would also have a less appealing product.

There's a massive number of Kiwis in Oz, and frankly many Aussies don't give a rats arse about rugby anyway.

GloriousEmpire wrote:There's a massive number of Kiwis in Oz, and frankly many Aussies don't give a rats arse about rugby anyway.

Are they just as acidic to their hosts in Aus as you are to yours in England?

I'm just not replying to any further off topic posts.

GloriousEmpire wrote:I'm just not replying to any further off topic posts.

Oh I bet you will if it suits you!

Crusaders would bottle it if they played the Lions. They can't win big games anymore...

What did you expect though with that average backline they have (aside from Carter and Dagg). Wave bye bye to Marshall, Taylor et al next season as they're replaced by Baby Blacks.

GloriousEmpire wrote:There's a massive number of Kiwis in Oz.

Sorry, I thought you were proposing a revised schedule for all Lions tours because the problem of inadequate midweek opposition didn't just surface this year. It was evident in South Africa in 2009, and we don't yet know what the NZRU will do in four years time.

If all you are doing is suggesting a way to reshape the Australian tour once every twelve years or so, then I can't see the point. Lions tours to Australia are helped by a sizeable expat population, the fact the country is already a major annual tourist destination for us (well over three times the number who visit, say, New Zealand), and a long standing sporting rivalry with Australia which extends further than just rugby.

tigerleghorn wrote:

GloriousEmpire wrote:I'm just not replying to any further off topic posts.

Oh I bet you will if it suits you!

Just like this : "There's a massive number of Kiwis in Oz, and frankly many Aussies don't give a rats arse about rugby anyway."

Clearly off topic right?

It's right on topic. The crusaders or chiefs or blues would generate a similar number of spectators in Sydney or Melbourne as the local franchises, just because of the number of kiwis there. Have you not seen the support the all blacks get in Melbourne? Or Sydney? Often the NZ fans outnumber the locals. Plus the flight out from NZ is a short hop and many NZ citizens would fly out for a game versus the lions and a chance to suck in some of the atmosphere.

It's got to beat Lions B versus Western Force C...