SuperXV Semi final threads

[Taylorman]

First topic message reminder :

Keeping the intro short im picking saders to do it easier then most expect purely because they have so many big match players.

The guts of the AB team is here and this is the big time. Matches to date have been about preserving the top 6 spot. Now its about winning or out. Im picking the unstoppable force to beat the invincible defence.

Blues is much tougher and seems to be a 10s battle that will determine a lot. It may well do. Reds are favourites and that may suit a quietly confident very experienced blues side.
Odds are we will get one from tonight. Im picking 2.
Saders by 12
blues by a nose.

[Pal Joey]

'Australian guy' Good one john!

[welshjohn369]

Cooper is a poor man's Spencer.

Hahahahaha as ever the pathetic retort from tunnel vision GG

[TheGreyGhost]

Yet another breakdown penalty awarded by Kaplan, for a Red's player entering from the side, going of his feet and playing at the ball with his hands in the ruck. I don't get it.

[Pal Joey]

Cuts both ways GG. At least ref is 'neutral'

[welshjohn369]

Reds getting away with murder at every breakdown, it's giving them momentum on attack and stopping the Blues getting any cohesion.

Yeah lets blame the ref aye

Or the poisoned food or blah blah blah

or that Amazing Australian No 10

[welshjohn369]

Yet another breakdown penalty awarded by Kaplan, for a Red's player entering from the side, going of his feet and playing at the ball with his hands in the ruck. I don't get it.

Your the ATYPICAL Kiwi naughty naughty boy who can't admit that you ain't the best all the time

[TheGreyGhost]

Blues have dominated the game, but Reds have been more clinical in finishing off their few chances. No complains there. But Kaplan's random breakdown rulings bother me.

[welshjohn369]

Blues have dominated the game, but Reds have been more clinical in finishing off their few chances. No complains there. But Kaplan's random breakdown rulings bother me.

They have not and if the Blues were winning you would be kissing Kaplan's donkey.

[Pal Joey]

44,490 crowd, not bad. About 8k short of capacity.

10mins to go. C'mon Reds. (can't believe I'm saying that!)

Rene Ranger definitely under-utilised in this match.

[welshjohn369]

Blues have dominated the game, but Reds have been more clinical in finishing off their few chances. No complains there. But Kaplan's random breakdown rulings bother me.

They have not and if the Blues were winning you would be kissing Kaplan's donkey.

I see this site changes words ..... kaplam's donkey hahahahaha it was A$$

[TheGreyGhost]

Blues have dominated the game, but Reds have been more clinical in finishing off their few chances. No complains there. But Kaplan's random breakdown rulings bother me.

They have not and if the Blues were winning you would be kissing Kaplan's donkey.

Perfect example there - Reds off their feet steal the ball from the ruck, Kaplan waves play on, then immediately penalises the Blues for stealing it back in the same ruck.

[Pal Joey]

Reds have had 55-45 imo. Amazing the Blues are even it. It could easily be 35+ to 13 with our Kiwi boy missing 4 kicks.

Disallowed try now. Knocked on over the line.

[Thomond]

I think you are just trying to hide the fact that you have a thing for donkeys.

[welshjohn369]

"They thinks it's all over"


"It is now"

[welshjohn369]

I think you are just trying to hide the fact that you have a thing for donkeys.

I love Donkey's, I been watch Irish rugby for years

[Thomond]

You could have just stuck to watching the Ospreys :run2:

[Pal Joey]

The Reds really deserved this one after the horrible floods and cyclone Yasi.

A Reds-Crusaders final will be a fitting one for both. I would tip the Saders if they win tonite though.

[disneychilly]

Yeah pretty remarkable how they got Suncorp to how it is now after having the first six rows under water. Was living in Brisbane and just got out a few months before. Sucked to see how bad it was hit.

Can't wait for semi 2. Come on Saders.

[digitalshade]

The Blues were poor tonight - never looked like making much in attack. Going sideways far too often. Way too many turnovers too which gifted a couple of tries to the Reds.

Can't fault the Reds though - they pressurised the Blues into mistakes and held up well defensively - Cooper was outstanding tonight (apart from his goal kicking).

[welshjohn369]

I think the Reds had their name on this years title from 6 -7 games into the comp and I still stand by it:) Tonight the Blues were smashed and I see no reason why the Reds can not beat the Stormers next week.

[Pal Joey]

I hope GG is OK.

He's probably writing a letter to SANZR board about you know what! It's only a friggin' game (important as it is) and the Reds had a few decisions go against them too.

He should try being a NSW/Oz fan...story of my life, lol.

[welshjohn369]

GG = Sour Grapes in most languages.

Well done Red's.

I see rugby as it is not as a one eyed bigot.

Crusaders will find it so hard in SA.

[Pal Joey]

Yeah, that's my approach too, welshjohn.

Good luck Saders!

[TheGreyGhost]

I hope GG is OK.

He's probably writing a letter to SANZR board about you know what! It's only a friggin' game (important as it is) and the Reds had a few decisions go against them too.

He should try being a NSW/Oz fan...story of my life, lol.

I don't have an issue with the Reds winning, as they clearly deserved to by very accurately taking their chances. That is a separate point from commenting on JK's erratic refereeing of the breakdown. I do think he cost the Blues on a couple of occasions with dubious calls near the Red's line. That is a different thing from "blaming the referee for the loss".

[welshjohn369]

I hope GG is OK.

He's probably writing a letter to SANZR board about you know what! It's only a friggin' game (important as it is) and the Reds had a few decisions go against them too.

He should try being a NSW/Oz fan...story of my life, lol.

I don't have an issue with the Reds winning, as they clearly deserved to by very accurately taking their chances. That is a separate point from commenting on JK's erratic refereeing of the breakdown. I do think he cost the Blues on a couple of occasions with dubious calls near the Red's line. That is a different thing from "blaming the referee for the loss".

Sure it is, Mr Barnes knows only too well what happens when the Kiwi tunnel visioned bigot kicks in against a ref. He was a neutral ref and reffed well. A NZ team just lost that all..... we are all aware of the consequences ...... it's boring now. Build the bridge.

[TheGreyGhost]

Why are you bringing Wayne Barnes into this? That's an entirely different episode.

The Blues were not accurate or composed enough tonight, and to be fair that has been the story of their season and thus is probably fair on merit for the Reds to win, who have been very solid at home and have an X factor with their exciting Maori first five. Certain Blues players made poor decisions at crucial times and put themselves under pressure.

Have to say the schadenfreude from the Welsh fans today is just staggering. What's wrong? are you getting anxious about not making it out of your group again?

[welshjohn369]

Nothing to do with Mr Barne's or ANY other referee when NZ or a NZ team lose!! of course not haahahaha

Maori No10?? No no no no no an Australian person get it right son.

Nothing to do with the Welsh, all to do with your sad attitude to sour grapes when you lose aye. The subtle attempt at turning the debate to anything BUT you being bitter towards the referee is funny though.

Now go to sleep and that big chip will go away by the time you wake up and another team from NZ has been dumped from the the comp by poor refereeing

[aucklandlaurie]

welshjohn369
I am as staunch an Auckland Blues fan as anyone,And in no way do I blame Jonathan Kaplan for the Blues loss tonight,and the is exactly what Grey ghost is saying..
You are the one raising thw Wayne Barnes affair....
you may not understand this but new Zealanders also are capable of forming an objective opinion of a gamr of rugby that thay have just watched.
your comments appear to be nothing but attempts to abuse the Grey Ghost and all New zealanders in general,especially your last comment,which is nothing but taunting and ridiculing...

[Standulstermen]

In fairness to Grey Ghost some of Kaplans breakdown reffing was erratic imo. The penalty against Payne where he got a warning was strange in that on the replay Payne clearly tackles and releases the player. Also the counter rucking is difficult to judge as the first player goes beyond the ball (legally) but then drops off his feet and is therefore preventing the Blues from competing. Leinster do this too and it is rarely picked up but is still going off feet at the breakdown.

For the Blues Munro had a shocking 1st half and Payne had a shocking 2nd. 2 high profile mistakes from each of them cost the blues imo but its a joy to watch Cooper at times. As regards Payne my bro is living in NZ and he says that word over there is that Payne will get a call up and cap this tri nations which effectively rips up his Ulster contract. Anyone know anymore on this?

With my Ulster hat on i am delighted we have signed John Afoa. For me he was the Blues best player tonight and looks immense around the park.

[welshjohn369]

welshjohn369
I am as staunch an Auckland Blues fan as anyone,And in no way do I blame Jonathan Kaplan for the Blues loss tonight,and the is exactly what Grey ghost is saying..
You are the one raising thw Wayne Barnes affair....
you may not understand this but new Zealanders also are capable of forming an objective opinion of a gamr of rugby that thay have just watched.
your comments appear to be nothing but attempts to abuse the Grey Ghost and all New zealanders in general,especially your last comment,which is nothing but taunting and ridiculing...

You are entitled to your opinion, but you are way off. I am bringing up Barne's are a typical example of how some tunnel eyed idiots can steer a teams defeat by a refs control of a game. Tonight it was Kaplan's time to get it from GG. Yes, you are correct I am taking GG down sweeing as he is the one who has brought it up here. "ALL NEW ZEALANDER'S IN GENERAL" no I am not but as said you can have your opinion.

[welshjohn369]

All I know is Payne, Munroe and Ranger all play for the Northland ITM team and I hope they get it together. I think Payne was in line for a call up to the AB's during the 1st part of the S15 but opinion is that he has blown it and I tend to agree with that line of thinking.

[Standulstermen]

Good good.

[KiwiMatt]

Best team won that one.

Blues were sloppy, if you picked an All Black team tomorrow, how many would start?

Melamu but scratching my head to find any others.

Crusaders by unders in the next.

[welshjohn369]

Joe has had his day.

Ali from being amazing last week was just ordinary.

Payne & Munroe terrible.

Ranger, well not enough time to show.

Melamu I agree. Others.... ITM Cup or back to Japan or Europe.

[Taylorman]

Crusaders off to a dream start. Dominant in most areas. The name players stepping up.scrum has been awesome. This kind of lead is just what reade ordered as time will take its toll on the travel etc. Try stormers and i suspect not the last

[Taylorman]

Geez get off the ref thing. Blues were outplayed completely. Had enough ball to win it but had no idea. Reds took all the chances and it paid off. Only one team deserved that match. Even a blind man can see that

[Pal Joey]

Totally dominant display by Canterbury. The Reds will have their work cut out next week against such a complete outfit across all facets of the game.

Taylorman, a few of us were in the Virtual Pub thread...

[emack2]

Really fed up had to go out at 4 pm,missed all but first couple of minutes when Crusaders conceded a penalty.I was on red button no record so missed the match.
Was it any good saw a bit of Blues match and the Reds looked awesome.
I see that my late prediction that Crusaders would win came true,hope it`s not a case of playing the Final this week.
Don`t suppose there`s any highlights on Sky apparently only one Semi
was played this weekend.
You pay a fortune for the sports channel and when you really want it it`s not there.

[Steven_Sharks]

Reds to win the final by 10 but the Crusaders to dominate the set piece.

Quade Cooper to run the show.

[Taylorman]

Morning Alan.
Yes games went as you predicted. I gave the Blues a chance if the experienced guys fronted (which they did to a point with little return) but mainly if the backs- mainly the 10- dominated.

Well Cooper turned in practically a years best and Brett was terrible, as were the rest of the Blues backs- no clue on attack, no defence, let Cooper run on and on and on...and ON... and that was the diff.

Blues did ok up front and that could have been enough if the backs had a clue.

Watching the Crusaders between sleeps makes me wonder how only one point separated them and the Blues first round. Dominant all game, especially the set pieces and at the breakdown, the Stormers were suffocated out of the game.

Crusaders pressure also got them the 50/ 50 calls the Blues so desperately needed (Paynes dropped pass sticking etc) with Maitland in a perfect spot for a silly Stormers pass and Guilfords convictions getting Fouries leg out before he went over.

And this time the big names turned up. Carter kicked well, SBW pressured the defence relentlessly, Guilford was that huge annoying flea that you can never shoo away and Reade, as he did last week, again showed why he is the best no. 8 around.

McCaw was ever present without being spectacular and got through the 80 minutes without needing Todd meaning the two will be at peak for next week. Even the replacements stood up- Elli's replacement ever menacing with those chips over the top- a sure to be used tactic come WC time. Whitlock was also commanding lineout time. The scrum...? scary.

McCaw said later theyre doing this for Christchurch and it showed. Next week will be more of the same. I believe Saders will be faves given the completeness of their performance. Reds were sublime in taking the scraps the Blues gave them and turned them into points brilliantly as well as defending resolutely.

I just dont think that come supper time next week there will be any scraps for them on the table and quite clearly Cooper will not be driven around in the same limo the Blues gave him a ride in last night.

Just to add history might go against the Saders winning knockouts in all 3 countries- but this team isnt about looking at history, its about making it... again.

[TheGreyGhost]

Nothing to do with Mr Barne's or ANY other referee when NZ or a NZ team lose!! of course not haahahaha

Maori No10?? No no no no no an Australian person get it right son.

Nothing to do with the Welsh, all to do with your sad attitude to sour grapes when you lose aye. The subtle attempt at turning the debate to anything BUT you being bitter towards the referee is funny though.

Now go to sleep and that big chip will go away by the time you wake up and another team from NZ has been dumped from the the comp by poor refereeing

Since I prefer to rise above such sad baseless and childish slander, I won't say or . I'll just say and and how about those Crusaders? that was legendary stuff. I also enjoyed the incredibly accurate policing of the breakdown in the Crusaders/Sharks game. The ref got on top of things early and was relentingly consistent. Top class stuff from the Worlds Number #1 ref.

[TheGreyGhost]

If my prediction on Cooper being a poor man's Spencer is spot on the mark, Cooper is bound to follow this week's sublime with next week's ridiculous. DCs chance to take him back to school and set the precedent for the year.

A lot of talk in the media prior to this game was that is was a dress rehearsal for a RWC Semi-final. In which case the Crusaders came through with flying colours, denying the Sky commentary team of their opportunity to make a number of AB choker barbs as this did constantly in the last couple of weeks. By my estimation that makes next week a dress rehearsal for the final. Interesting to see how those inexperienced Aussies stand up to the pressure.

[Taylorman]

"If my prediction on Cooper being a poor man's Spencer is spot on the mark, Cooper is bound to follow this week's sublime with next week's ridiculous."

To paraphrase:
Allowing Cooper to be sublime one week and ridiculous the next has a little to do with the opposition I would think. The Blues not covering him specifically means next week the challenge is for the Saders to shut him, or at least the effects of him, down.

Is that what you mean, reading between the lines?

[emack2]

Were there any major injuries for Crusaders,note Ellis went off with a knee,all I saw was a great scrum.Followed up with a lousy pass,a scramble
by Marshall .
Brilliant defence but a penalty in front of the posts,3 points down virtually
from the kick off by sloppiness not good.

[TheGreyGhost]

I didn't really mean that, particularly. I was more along the lines of, he's a guy that tries unlikely things and most of the time they come off. But equally it can go horribly wrong. A large part of it is skill, undoutably, but there is an element of luck required for those things to work always. Against a more structured and focused defence players of his ilk tend to wind themselves into a self destructive frenzy of anxious attempts to implement audacious cleverness.

[Taylorman]

Didnt look like any serious injuries. Ellis didnt look too bad but havnt checked this morning. Theyve ample cover there too with Fotuali'i.

Burger I think broke his hand or thumb.

They need to travel 'to Brissy and I'd think theyve probably left already- use the match recovery time to travel and recuperate.

Hard to go past them next week in that sort of form. Just so strong in every department.

[welshjohn369]

I didn't really mean that, particularly. I was more along the lines of, he's a guy that tries unlikely things and most of the time they come off. But equally it can go horribly wrong. A large part of it is skill, undoutably, but there is an element of luck required for those things to work always. Against a more structured and focused defence players of his ilk tend to wind themselves into a self destructive frenzy of anxious attempts to implement audacious cleverness.

Hahahaha this fine Australian No: 10 has thrived on an element of luck no less!! I think you mean an all round view of the game and that little bit more flair than DC has.

Well done Saders, I was wrong but don't mind that makes for a great game next week one hopes.

[Taylorman]

Yes couper has much more flair than carter. But so did spencer over merts, botica over fox and the game is littered with such examples. Fact is couper is as brilliant as he is flaky but lately the flakiness isnt so prominent.

Plus for next week hes not so much a surprise factor. The saders know his scope and will look to shutting hin down

[emack2]

It is not so much a case of shutting a player down,but playing your own game.
I saw hardly any of either game,but the fact Blues started Munroe ahead of Ranger said one of two things.rene wasn`t expected to go 80.
Or they wanted a second goal kicker on the park,the travel factor against a rested side now at full strength.that was probly crucial Reds have been the form team all year,Beaten all the other contenders too.
At home they surely must be favourites to win it,Crusaders if at full strength
must play there normal game.
Strike early,kick there goals,defend in depth and take all there chances,both Cooper and SBW have all the tricks but are also liable to make bloomers.
Four tries to one and a load of missed kicks,thats not a narrow result its a thrashing.
At least next week Sky may deign to show it,unless theyhave something more important like fishing,poker,or tiddly winks.

[Taylorman]

I think you really need to watch both games alan. Blues reds then the second. The key diff was the way couper was allowed to run in the first and the set piece domination of the second match. Also the punishing defence of the saders. It was a complete a performance as youll get.
Sbw fruean combo also broke through the best defence with a great handoff try.
Reason theyll target couper is because their entire attack is built around him and confidence players do zip when snuffed out early.
Interested to hear biltongs take on this one.
With the blues travel isnt a lot alan. 3 Hour flight is nothing but i think the blues actually were ready. They just did nothing with a truckload of ball and as id mentioned terrible backplay. I mean terrible. No idea but to go side to side with no penetration. Then to get done with periodic couper brilliance

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