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  1. #801
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    I understand they are underdogs, but they're a good team. The Highlanders have a far better defence than the Hurricanes, and the Highlanders were taken to 40 point pieces...

    Some of the Lions first phase attacking play has been excellent. As has some of their broken play. They also have an excellent defence and are confident. We will see...

    Two good teams for sure, and should be a good final.
    Cycling should be banned!!!

  2. #802
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bettyboo
    I understand they are underdogs, but they're a good team
    Yes but...



    ...your argument is invalid.
    Quote Originally Posted by Bettyboo
    The Highlanders have a far better defence than the Hurricanes, and the Highlanders were taken to 40 point pieces...
    I don't agree with that.

    I think it's more a case of the Landers relied on their defence more but if you look at games like the semi vs. the Chiefs the Canes rush defence was superb and arguably what won the game for them - they harried the Chiefs a noted attacking team into mistakes.

    And even if that were the case then you only have to look at when the Canes put 50 points on the Lions, at home, to see that it doesn't matter how many points your opponents score if you still score more than them.

  3. #803
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    & the Chiefs won at the Hurricanes by a point, & the Stormers won at the Lions, & the Brumbies put 50+ points on the Hurricanes, and...

  4. #804
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bettyboo
    and...
    ...I'm so confident that the Lions won't win that if they do I'll post a picture of myself in this thread butt-nekkid save for a strategically placed goat.

  5. #805
    On a walkabout Loy Toy's Avatar
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    I am also surprised the Lions won and I guess the high altitude didn't favour the Highlanders this time.

    I also think they are dead meat this weekend.

  6. #806
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Loy Toy
    high altitude didn't favour the Highlanders this time
    That and all the travel I suspect.

    The better team still won but the Highlanders were curiously flat for that game. Missed a lot of tackles they'd normal make and blew the few chances they created.

  7. #807
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    The Lions attack flat, but plenty of depth and pace on their runners, so watch out CKBs...

    Anyways, LT - how's the head today? I know you're a bit down due to the cricket and rugby and stuff, but come on, mate, you've still got those buckets; life ain't too bad!

    BTW, have you seen the Fresh Prince recently or know what happened to him?
    Last edited by Bettyboo; 03-08-2016 at 02:10 PM.

  8. #808
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Bet accepted!

  9. #809
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    You can keep your fukin hands off me goats! You fukin potential (allegedly, and I'm not accusing anyone of anything...) young, and not yet ready for sex, goat botherer!



    No, she's not a cock-warmer!!! I know you're a Kiwi, but really...

  10. #810
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    ...that's one mighty fine lookin' goat you got there!

    Anyway I meant a strategically placed pic of a goat to preserve my modesty (and modest size). Not an actual goat. Can't find any. And believe me I've been looking!

  11. #811
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    Well, that's alright then.

    I also reckon the Hurricanes will win, but...

  12. #812
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Super Rugby: Beauden Barrett VS Elton Jantjies

    By Patrick McKendry, Gregor Paul

    8:17 AM Friday Aug 5, 2016


    Tomorrow's Super Rugby final pits the competition's two form first-five against each other. Gregor Paul and Patrick McKendry assess the merits of Beauden Barret and Elton Jantjies.


    Beauden Barret and Elton Jantjies go head to head in tomorrow's Super Rugby final.

    Beauden Barrett: History

    There's never been any doubt about where Beauden Barrett was heading - straight to stardom.

    He made his Hurricanes debut as part of the wider training squad in 2011, the year he played a critical role in guiding the New Zealand under-20 team to the junior world championship and, even as a wide-eyed, baby-faced 19-year-old, he looked ready to take on the world.

    Aaron Cruden could obviously see that, too. While he was pulled to the Chiefs in 2012 by his relationship with new coach Dave Rennie and the prospect of driving a revolution, he was also aware that he'd be in for a huge battle to start in the No 10 jersey if he remained with the Hurricanes.

    Barrett became the Hurricanes playmaker in 2012 and made an immediate impression. His time at the franchise has largely seen him play accurate, controlled football where he has steadily exerted greater influence on the style of rugby played to the point where he has become recognised as a world-class operator.

    There have been a couple of blips along the way - a strange few weeks in early 2013 when the previous coaching regime decided to use him at fullback, suggesting they had lost some faith in his ability to direct the side. But more significantly, there was last year's final, when he didn't get the best out of himself and made uncharacteristic mistakes.

    Form

    Barrett has been in the form of his career in 2016. He has relished the responsibility of leading a young backline missing old-timers Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith and has been willing to back his instincts to deadly effect.

    His basic work has been polished - his tactical kicking, passing, decision-making and general tactical control - and his individual attacking flair has been off the scale. This is where he is damaging teams, with his natural ball-playing skills, speed and ability to score and create tries that are almost impossible to believe.

    He pretty much dusted the Chiefs off on his own last weekend in a performance that was mature, innovative and balanced in his assessment of risk against reward.

    Final prospects

    Barrett came into last year's final on the back of a knee injury that had curtailed his involvement in the preceding month.

    Perhaps he wasn't feeling confident within himself - about his mobility and agility - and that was playing on his mind in the final.

    Whatever, it hurt him that he disappeared a little during the game, made a few mistakes and didn't take control the way he had for much of the rest of the season.

    But to believe that he's not got the temperament for big games would be folly. He's shown a calm head throughout his time with the All Blacks, offering big contributions in big games. He's been the star of the playoffs series so far and is playing with such freedom and confidence that it's hard not to believe he'll be the central figure tomorrow night - composed, authoritative and at the heart of everything the Hurricanes do.



    Elton Jantjies: History

    There has always been a hint of inconsistency around Elton Jantjies, a player with all the skills but perhaps not the mentality to make it at the top level. He played two tests for the Springboks in 2012, but was dropped after the loss to the All Blacks in Johannesburg and wasn't sighted in the green jersey until this year, when he played in the three tests against Ireland in June.

    It's relatively easy to see why Boks coaches would lose faith with him. South Africa is the home of the percentage-playing No 10, one who keeps the ball in front of his forwards with a booming boot and distinct lack of imagination. The old joke about Naas Botha introducing himself to his outside backs on the plane home from New Zealand following the 1981 tour came about for that very reason.

    The form of Jantjies and the Lions might usher in a new and expansive mindset for South African rugby and that would be a good thing for the game as a whole. He has always been an accurate goalkicker - thanks in part to his father, Thomas, an army warrant officer, who died three years ago at the age of 46 after being stung by a bee but who constantly pushed his son to be better.

    Jantjies, happy to be in a Lions team playing with width and ambition, dominated the Crusaders and Highlanders in his team's playoffs successes this season. He looks settled, confident, and thriving under Johan Ackermann's game plan. He will be a significant player for the Lions against the Hurricanes, and probably the Boks this year.

    Form

    Stunning, and similar to Barrett's in that Jantjies appears to have an almost supernatural ability to see and exploit space on the field. He has excellent pace, a good sidestep and very good hands. Jantjies also has the ability to run through a gap. The Highlanders aren't beaten close to the ruck often, but Jantjies smashed through a tackle close to the line to score the first try against Jamie Joseph's men at Ellis Park last weekend.

    His long kicking is perhaps better than Barrett's, but much will depend on the amount of ball his pack can win against the Hurricanes, plus how he and his backs cope with the notoriously quick line speed the home side will bring defensively.

    Final prospects

    The big question is how Jantjies will cope with the Hurricanes defence. Even Chiefs first-five Aaron Cruden struggled last weekend with a rush defence which had him pushing passes that weren't on in order to try to get to the space out wide.

    The swirling wind and conditions at the Cake Tin could also play their part in getting into Jantjies' head at goalkicking time. They certainly did for compatriot Garth April when the Sharks were blown off the field in the quarter-final. April missed all three of his kicks at goal and appeared to have no idea how to cope with it all. Jantjies is a better kicker and player but might be hoping for benign conditions tomorrow night. If Jantjies shines, the Lions will, too. But if he struggles, his team's already slim chances after their long trip from Johannesburg will be all but gone.


  13. #813
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bettyboo View Post
    The Lions attack flat, but plenty of depth and pace on their runners, so watch out CKBs...
    I don't really care what you call the Mighty World Cup Winning All Blacks, but the Wellington Team are not the RWC Winning National team.





  14. #814
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    Quote Originally Posted by AntRobertson
    ...I'm so confident that the Lions won't win that if they do I'll post a picture of myself in this thread butt-nekkid save for a strategically placed goat.
    Oh dear lord.

    please. no.

    What do you call an Australian in the Super Rugby final ?























    The Ref.

  15. #815
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    ^^ two timing winning WC greats; don't undersell yourselves!

    It is very well known that the Crusaders are the original CKBs, but the Hurricanes have been rather creative with their breakdown and onside interpretations this season. & I haven't even started on how they play the opposition in the air at lineout and restart time!

  16. #816
    On a walkabout Loy Toy's Avatar
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    Looking forward to game and the battle between the fly halfs.

    Anyone in Pattaya I will be in the Booze Lounge with the Kiwi owner eating my wife's pies and sausage rolls and may the best team win.

    How fucking pervert is that...................................

  17. #817
    Thailand Expat Bobcock's Avatar
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    Great start to the game...... That try was the result of fantastic defensive pressure

  18. #818
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    Average half for me.

    The weather didn't help anyone, so a lot of errors.

    Not sure how big the wind is, 7 points may not be much, but the CKBs did well to keep the Lions out at the end of half.

  19. #819
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Shame the weather is so utterly kak.

  20. #820
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    Hurricanes looking a bit better in the conditions; a better lineout, better 10 play/kicks, up faster, also put in a couple of very good scrums when they looked in trouble. The CKBs seem to be able to apply themselves better to these conditions, and the Lions sometimes trying to play too much rugby in the wrong positions (hence the try).

  21. #821
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    Lions 9&10 looking devoid of ideas now, so the Hurricanes should go on and win comfortably.

    &, the music coming out of the stadium sound system is just offensive! Crowded bloody House...

    & that was a take out (tackle) in the air with no attempt to get the ball, should've been a yellow. No matter, two bob try; Lions have been huffing and puffing and faffing around this second half. Hurricanes deservedly the winner.
    Last edited by Bettyboo; 06-08-2016 at 04:37 PM.

  22. #822
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    comfortable win.

  23. #823
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Dodged a goat-bullet there!

  24. #824
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    ^Thank fuck for that!

  25. #825
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    Quote Originally Posted by Little Chuchok View Post
    Hurricanes to beat Chiefs
    Lions to beat Highlanders



    Final

    Hurricanes to beat Lions


    All I did was pick the sides that didn't have to travel...
    Jesus, should have put a lazy hundy on these!!

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