1 George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor (vc), 3. Michael Alaalatoa, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Samuel Whitelock, 6. Sione Havili Talitui, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Cullen Grace, 9. Mitchell Drummond, 10. Richie Mo'unga, 11. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12. David Havili (vc), 13. Jack Goodhue, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan
Reserves: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Joe Moody, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Mitchell Dunshea, 20. Whetukamokamo Douglas, 21. Bryn Hall, 22. Fergus Burke, 23. Dallas McLeod
1 Reuben O’Neill, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Tupou Vaa’i, 5. Josh Lord, 6. Mitchell Brown (46), 7. Sam Cane (cc), 8. Luke Jacobson, 9. Brad Weber (cc), 10. Bryn Gatland, 11. Etene Nanai-Seturo, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Sean Wainui, 14. Shaun Stevenson, 15. Damian McKenzie
Reserves: 16. Bradley Slater, 17. Aidan Ross, 18. Sione Mafileo, 19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Kaylum Boshier, 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Chase Tiatia
I’m all for exciting, attacking rugby but the officiating in this match was an absolute fucking disgrace.
That's a clear foot on the ground.
Hard enough trying to beat a champion team when calls like this are going against you ..!
@akan004 said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
@steven-harris It's a weak comp imo with only two strong teams in it. We probably overrated it a tad last year.
I’d say that there would be problems with any domestic sporting competition that only has 5 teams in it.
As much as I love rugby and the red n black, it’s hard to get too excited about this when there’s a lot of sameness about it all. Sure I watch it, but my expectations aren’t that high.
Despite the varying quality of the Aussie and Saffa teams, they played a different style and that helped out teams and coaches develop more in my view.
@crucial said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
TMO didn’t have this photo to go by. I’m happy with the “clear and obvious” way of deciding.
Considering that 3 on field refs couldn’t even see when a player played the ball a whole metre past the dead ball line in another instance this one wasn’t a howler. The Weber one was though.
Not clear enough. Needs arrows and a circle around the foot.
Worth remembering that the first chiefs try given by the TMO was pretty dodgy too. Dmac was tackled short and clearly propelled himself forward with his knees.
So not a great night for the TMO’s.
@crazy-horse said in Crusaders v Chiefs:
I am sick of the bitching about ref decisions.
I'm sick of shitty ref decisions.
Back in the Chiefs good days they would get past the Saders with bullying and niggle. Messam and BBBR would get the ugly on and annoy the fuck out of them.
I don’t see anyone with those attributes in this current squad.
Weber doesn’t touch the ball. Even TJ can see that
I really really don’t like the goal line drop out.
Why the hell would the rule makers want to make the game more like league?
@stargazer we did see that angle during the game. That image is from Sky.
Watching back now.
The penalty against Weber at scrum time to give the Crusaders an 11-10 leaf was questionable - ball was out and he didn't look offside. The next lineout after the restart, the ref judged the crusaders going forward, which they didn't look to be at all, after both players grabbed it in the air.
McKenzie's try was a bit sus as well.
EDIT: penalty against Black 2 in the 36th minute completely ignored red player in the side at the same ruck.
The ref coaches will have some work to do this week.
@winger I didn't think Gatland went well last week by any means, but f*** me fellas, I would be surprised if he was tossed after one game. Geez imagine if all coaches did that, we would need squads of about 60 to last a season. I thought he actually looked ok at start, but went off a bit during game. I do think other thing is really you would be struggling to find a better 10 to put in his place, maybe move DMac there and if that doesn't work? Trask is still injured. I actually think whoever there this week will get hammered with Crusader's pack against them anyway.
Fuck that’s a rough call on Cane.