Super 15 Final

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Well after those semis, there can be no denying that the Reds and Crusaders are deserving finalists. Todd Blackadder has had two
semi-final losses against the Bulls away but now has the possibility of becoming the first ever player and coach to win a Super title. If Deans hadn´t resigned with the ARFU, you would think Ewen McKenzie would be a shoe-in for the Wallaby coaching job. What he has done with this Reds team is incredible. At the start of the season, most people didn´t give the Reds a real shot but they turned their home stadium into a fortress and won against all the top teams. Sure they had a much easier draw than the Crusaders but they are deserving home finalists.

Ewen McKenzie stressed that the Crusaders don´t have a monopoly on motivation for their fans. He added that playing away all the time has turned this team into a tight family unit. I think those points are justified as floods ravaged Queensland and the Crusaders do seem to have complete faith in their defensive systems and go into tackles not to contain but to drive back the opposition.

That said, the Crusaders in the final is an incredible feat. The Stormers seemed to be the ones who had problems with jet-lag. They just never got in the game and the second half was not a pretty spectacle but it was exactly the Crusaders had to do: shut the game down and rest the key players. Now they have to fly back to Brisbane and get up for one last game.

The Crusaders can´t afford to give Genia and Cooper time and space. Cooper in full flight is great to see and great for rugby in general. The Crusaders though must close them down and not sit back and allow those two to dictate play. They must get up in the faces of the Reds and shut down their time to attack. Once those players get momentum and confidence they are unstoppable.

Certainly the Crusaders possess a pack that is able to dominate the set piece. They made the Stormers look ordinary in that regard. Coetzee made a comment before the match that the Sharks had dominated the breakdown and that was an area of the game where they were going to target. All fair comments but he should´ve kept that to himself. The Crusaders seemed to target that area and shut down the Stormers, even with the rolling maul ruthlessly.

Much has been said of the Reds on attack and for good reason. They are playing some very attractive footy there. But in Guilford and Maitland, the Crusaders have a very useful attacking unit with some powerful centres to punch holes in the Reds defence. To me the backs for the Crusaders haven´t been dominating in recent games like the Reds have been. So the clear advantage in the backline is to the Reds but that does not mean that the Crusaders aren´t capable of attacking play. But I think this game will be won up front and the Crusaders have to tire out the Reds on defence and dominate possession.

A one-eyed view of the final but as a proud Cantabrian I make no apologies. I´ve really enjoyed watching the Reds play and if they do win, I´ll be happy for them to take their first final. But this has been a remarkable achievement for the Crusaders. Not one home game, no games against the Rebels and the Lions, more than 100 000 km of travel, two major earthquakes at the start and end of the comp and one long fairytale road trip. The Reds have put smiles on the faces of those whose lives have been affected by devastating floods. The Crusaders have delighted fans who have had to live with aftershocks time and time again as well as major damage to the city of Christchurch.

If you were to write a fairytale final, these two teams would be in it. If you were to write a fairytale finish, the sky would open up at the final hooter and a big hand would come down and undo the damage done in both regions. Unfortunately, that kind of fairytale can´t happen. So I just hope that it´s a great spectacle and the better team on the night wins. That´s what this fairytale deserves and that´s all I can ask for. Well that and a Crusaders win of course but that script is not for me to write. Those who write the script are on the field.

We have two deserving finalists. A dry deck no doubt. The board is set. The pieces are poised for action. Let´s bring it on like Donkey Kong!

Rob, will he make the squad though is what I was asking? I'd be astounded if he started with Digby Ioane there. But could he travel.

I think he will go.

Though he could have quite a few caps then. I forgot about the Tri Nations, I can;t wait to see the Aussies in action.

Just found these guys...whaddyathink?

Can't believe the roo one doesn't have shotgun bullet holes....

I probably need to do some more work on the Kiwi one. I managed to reduce the 'Roo sign down to emoticon size reasonably well

Thanks Kiwi...good work.

Now you need to find a happy green leprechaun, a bearded Scot-in-kilt waving an axe, an Austin Powers and a caricature of Anthony Hopkins (Silence of the Lambs)... simples!

Linebreaker wrote:Thanks Kiwi...good work.

Now you need to find a happy green leprechaun, a bearded Scot-in-kilt waving an axe, an Austin Powers and a caricature of Anthony Hopkins (Silence of the Lambs)... simples!

Hmmm :leprechaun: ...

Superb! Didn't recognise Braveheart and the leprechaun...

That first one is an Englishman, I presume...or Welsh?

The 1st one was actually meaning "hmmm". Then I remembered it's bad manners to only stick emoticons in a post.

I found these too, but no Aussie/Wales/SA ones unfortunately:
:NZ: :Eng: :Sco: :Ita: :Fra: :UnionJack: :Eire:

ha...The New G7!

8 Hours to go to the big one.

Just finished watching the last time the two met in Brisbane and can see the saders will definitely be targetting the Reds scrum as they did that match.

Carters been practising his drop goals and had one charged down that match.

If the Reds are leading last 10 minutes as they have most matches the fatigue, made worse by 4 weeks straight travel and intense matches it could be bridge too far for the Saders who just might fold at the end to the pressure.

So like last week they need to get a good quick start and get a roll on. They had the ball for long periods of time and Cooper will be doing all he can with the likely little ball he gets, possibly making costly errors- or breaking the game open.

Carters options- pass kick or run will need to be spot on, as will the execution...no pun intended. Out wide the Carter SBW Fruean combination and what Maitland and Guilford get from them is also key.

For me the Read, Carter McCaw trio- the best in their positions, Read the standout last week, can lead this team to a huge famous win.
Its there for the taking, but it also just could be a bridge too far.

The Saders have defied the odds getting this far in this manner so their fns will be proud regardless of the outcome.

Good luck to both teams and watch that Reds 10 boys. The 9 also I believe tonight.

Saders by 15 or a Reds win. Nothing will be left in the changing room tonight.

I am so gutted I am working this morning, and work got rid of the Sky box and big TV as a cost cutting measure a couple of months back!!!

I am not really commited to either side,so here goes,I support all NZ sides in all Comps.Have been a All Blacks and Canterbury for over50 years,so by default I suppose I support the Crusaders.
In truth only really watch international rugby unless bored and channel hopping.
Toulouse i watched the Top 14 semi on a French station,and enjoyed the JWC.
The Reds at home especially,have led the table all year,beaten all the top protagonists one by one.If they win it will be deserved and a new name on a cup is always good.
Crusaders are legends in this tournament,they are the only side to have won a Final off shore.If any team can defy history and win it they are the side.
Taking emotions out of this,History of Comp says home team wins,and Crusaders have notched a lot of milesfatigue may catch up with them.
Head says Reds,Heart says Crusaders my one fear is that last week was the Final for both sides.
That the Final won`t live up to the hype and it will be one sided or ruined y some Reffing gaffe and we`ll get the bleating by the losing side.

Anyone in need of a link,I will try hook you up.

looks like Huw Bennett has grown a beard and got a game for the Crusaders

mckay1402 wrote:looks like Huw Bennett has grown a beard and got a game for the Crusaders

Huw Bennett or ZZ Top?

terrible defence by the saders and a terrible option from Ellis. I would haul him off after that. Great finish though

Standulstermen wrote:terrible defence by the saders and a terrible option from Ellis. I would haul him off after that. Great finish though

After Kahn F's performance last week, Ellis was probably a little fortunate to start anyway.

have to say i also hate these ridiculous celebrations as well. chav like imo

I was just listening to this on Sky.

That Aussy shouting as the Reds scored is the least professional I've had the displeasure to hear.

Where is their sense of professionalism?

They could do with listening to old Billy Mclaren and learn how a real commentator of true class did it.

I don't care for either team, completely neutral but i just think it's completely out of place.

Standulstermen wrote:have to say i also hate these ridiculous celebrations as well. chav like imo

tell me about it, yet if any NH player did it they'd be slated!!!

So how long till GG is on here moaning? :p

Magnificent, welll done Red's you fully deserved the game.

nathan wrote:So how long till GG is on here moaning? :p

Not long I would imagine

Well done, Reds! Fully deserved.

Brilliant Reds, well played and what a way to take chances when they come. Genia the genius (who the hell is Gregan???)

Unlucky Crusaders. bridge too far in the end, too many errors at crucial times. Still thought they'd nick it at the end but the Red's D went up a notch too at the end

Well done both teams

That's a shock for the oft dominant Kiwi sides ahead of the WC this year.

Still the WC is at home and they're still well set to win it back.

Well done to the Reds. Fantastic win. So happy for my pals up north.

I missed that trebs, you mean the crowd or the commentary?

This has no bearing on the WC....

Linebreaker wrote:Yes, Full Credit - 3 huge games in a week at Suncorp. I hope you win 2/3 and cause a shock next Saturday night. (maybe you'll win all 3 games).

Heart wants the Reds to win by 7 but head says Crusaders by about 13.

Best of luck to both sides on Saturday!

Heart won that one!

Linebreaker wrote:Well done to the Reds. Fantastic win. So happy for my pals up north.

I missed that trebs, you mean the crowd or the commentary?

it was the Aussie commentator shouting "yes yes" as they were scoring that last try.

The crowd have every right to go nuts as do the players but i'd expect a bit more balance from the guys on the mics.

Taking nothing away from a brilliant Reds performance by the way.

Trebs,

That's just 'Marto' (mostly) and Tim Horan (not often; he's more in control), they are both Q'landers.

It's been a long time and they get very excited...just about every week this season (and every other)

I know what you mean though, it sounds way too parochial and unprofessional.

it does.

on the other hand them being from Qland makes some difference. After the awful events there I am very pleased for the people to have something to smile about. My God if anybody deserved some cheer they did.

nathan wrote:

Standulstermen wrote:have to say i also hate these ridiculous celebrations as well. chav like imo

tell me about it, yet if any NH player did it they'd be slated!!!

Only by their own fans.

True, it would have been good for the Crusaders to win it after their horrific times (quakes still happening!) but I wish Greg Martin would tone it down a bit next year. Here's hoping...!

He thinks he's clever and funny but Foxsports seem to promotoe that style of 'banter'. You should hear Phil Kearns...so one-eyed it makes me cringe as a NSW inhabitant. (note: not 'supporter")

40 man Wallaby squad announced tomorrow at 9am...that's in about 11 hours. I'm interested to see who Robbie picks.

Good final. Scrappy but tense.

Congratulations reds, and bad luck to the saders fans. Both have plenty to be proud of.

Qld have most stuff locked away this year, SoO, Super XV, A-league and I think the trans tas netball cup. nly need the Broncos, Lions and Qld Bulls to do the job to lock up all the cups in Brisbane this year. Amazing

chewed_mintie wrote:Qld have most stuff locked away this year, SoO, Super XV, A-league and I think the trans tas netball cup. nly need the Broncos, Lions and Qld Bulls to do the job to lock up all the cups in Brisbane this year. Amazing

Forget the Lions, mate. Still a huge year for them. Well done!

I thank god for the Lions being terrible.

SafeAsMilk wrote:

nathan wrote:So how long till GG is on here moaning? :p

Not long I would imagine

Well done, Reds! Fully deserved.

Well done to the Reds. Unfortunately I missed this one due to unfortunately sometimes having to do other things than just watching rugby. I'll take a look at the game in a couple of days, but congratulations to the Reds for a great season and by the sounds of it well played final. Genia and Cooper will take some stopping in the RWC by the sounds of it, breathing new life into that old addage that you can never count the Aussies out, and you have never beaten them until the final whistle.

With the Reds coming from nowhere to lift the S15 title, it makes me think how nice it would be for a new side to lift the RWC later this year (if it can't be NZ of course), or at least make the finals. Ireland anyone?

Great game, edge of the seat stuff. Reds held on to more of the ball was the difference for me

Or possibly a flaky French side who do just enough.

I just hope it isn't South Africa

red_stag wrote:I just hope it isn't South Africa

Why not?

Couple of reasons:

- Peter de Villiers
- Not a fan of the style they play
- Don't want to see a team retain the trophy

Linebreaker wrote:True, it would have been good for the Crusaders to win it after their horrific times (quakes still happening!) but I wish Greg Martin would tone it down a bit next year. Here's hoping...!

He thinks he's clever and funny but Foxsports seem to promotoe that style of 'banter'. You should hear Phil Kearns...so one-eyed it makes me cringe as a NSW inhabitant. (note: not 'supporter")

That's a good point. Both those towns have been through so horrible times this year. Pleased for both they made the final.

could I be so bold as to say that the floods did not have the the same punishing effect on the Reds as the Earthquakes had on Crusaders.
Probably the Crusaders wont have a home ground again next year..

Well congrats to the Reds. Worthy winners this year and a great to watch. Looks like they the makings to dominate like the Bulls have in recent times or the Crusaders overall.

Uncharacteristic errors by the Crusaders. They seemed the more nervous team. Andy Ellis doesn´t deserve an AB place on the strength of that performance. He wasn´t 100 per cent but sadly neither was his game.

Now to the 3N and see if a Reds or Crusaders dominated national side performs as well as the sum of all its regional parts.