Super 15

[Mint Condition]

Fetcher's are not as important now as they were about 3 years ago. Because of the emphasis on releasing the tackled player it makes it harder to win turnovers that way. While the truly great fetchers like Pocock and Brussow can still pull them off, even they can't do it as much as in say 2007-2010.

Teams are now finding new ways of winning turnovers. The Highlanders make more turnovers than anyone, but they don't do it by fetching all that often. They just hit the ruck with numbers in defence and drive over the ball. The Crusaders do that quite a bit as well. It's just as effective and less risky in terms of conceding penalties. Though it does require a very fit and physical pack.

 

[Aucklander]

I've managed just to watch a bit of the Rebels v Blues game and I can't believe how crap the Blues are. Weepu looks fat and unfit and a shadow of his former self. I'll be surprised if Pat Lam lasts the year.

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

I was at the game AM, and the Blues are a shadow of their former selves. So many basic errors. They used to be such a fearsome team. Now looking the weaker of the teams in the NZ conference.

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Because we've got a half-decent scrumhalf in Nick Frisby. Dallan Murphy isn't up to Super Rugby. We've established that. It's time to blood some alternatives and at the moment it's looking like Sam Lane will play, a player that has never trained with the team. It's well worth playing Genia at 10 while Lucas, Harris and Cooper recover. We've effectively lost our starting flyhalf (Cooper), our back-up flyhalf (Harris), our 3rd string flyhalf (Lucas), 4th string flyhalf (Lance) and 5th string flyhalf (Faingaa).

This is exactly why. We do not have the players to effectively cover 10 with all our injuries. Much better playing Genia at 10 and Frisby at 9. What is Lane like, Lions?

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Hooper at 7 is a gun.

 

[Lions1024]

Fetcher's are not as important now as they were about 3 years ago. Because of the emphasis on releasing the tackled player it makes it harder to win turnovers that way. While the truly great fetchers like Pocock and Brussow can still pull them off, even they can't do it as much as in say 2007-2010.

Teams are now finding new ways of winning turnovers. The Highlanders make more turnovers than anyone, but they don't do it by fetching all that often. They just hit the ruck with numbers in defence and drive over the ball. The Crusaders do that quite a bit as well. It's just as effective and less risky in terms of conceding penalties. Though it does require a very fit and physical pack.

The thing that you've overlooked with the Highlanders is that they've got Andrew Hore, who effectively plays as their fetcher. With James Haskell, the Highlanders arguably have the greatest presence at the breakdown. The Tahs don't have that presence at the breakdown, Dave Dennis and Wycliff Palu are outside runners, not breakdown players.

I do agree that the role of a fetcher has changed a lot. But they still play an important role in rugby.

 

[Lions1024]

This is exactly why. We do not have the players to effectively cover 10 with all our injuries. Much better playing Genia at 10 and Frisby at 9. What is Lane like, Lions?

I wouldn't know. He's played all of his junior rugby in South Africa. He's highly rated but I wouldn't be getting my hopes up. I'd say that he's being played primarily due to his goalkicking rather than his playmaking. I wouldn't be surprised if they played him at inside centre and shift Taps to flyhalf. Taps has played at flyhalf for Sunnybank in club rugby.

The inclusion of Aidan Toua is huge imo. He's one of the most exciting and dangerous backline players I've ever seen. He'll add some spark and creativity to the attack.

I personally can't see the Reds winning. It's obvious the forwards have absolutely no confidence in the backline and when that happens, it's almost impossible for a team to win.

 

[Aucklander]

I was at the game AM, and the Blues are a shadow of their former selves. So many basic errors. They used to be such a fearsome team. Now looking the weaker of the teams in the NZ conference.

Can't argue with that sadly mate.

Their discipline looks really poor too. I really think Lam's in trouble.

 

[krisholio14]

Biffo!!!!!

 

[krisholio14]

Can't argue with that sadly mate.

Their discipline looks really poor too. I really think Lam's in trouble.

It looked the performance of a team that's quit on their coach.

 

[Aucklander]

Bit of how's your father in the Hurricanes v Sharks game. Very well handled by the officials.

 

[Aucklander]

It looked the performance of a team that's quit on their coach.

Yea, I think that's about it.

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Haha yeah always good to see some fisticuffs.

 

[Luigi742]

force managed not to embarrass themselves against the chiefs. Amazing to see sonny bill in action, although he was better last year when we saw him for the crusaders.

 

[Mint Condition]

The force played like they were trying not to lose by too much, rather than trying to win. It's a shame after last week.

 

[Luigi742]

Chiefs are out of our league anyway. This week against the tahs is a must in though.

 

[Lions1024]

The Western Force should sign Sam Lane asap.

 

[krisholio14]

Stormers are going to be hard to beat this year. We threw everything and more at them and couldn't get through. Their defense is like granite.

 

[S120]

Michael Hooper signs with the Tahs. Dave Dennis to re-sign too rather than head to Melbourne. Nice.

 

[Luigi742]

Richard Graham is leaving the force.

F**KING BRILLIANT!

 

[Mint Condition]

Hooper is a good signing for the Tahs. Alcock's been good in recent games too so there'll be some depth there. Having the two of them on the park later in games would help the tahs play with more width and speed.

Now what the waratahs desperately need to do is sign a decent 10! And I've got no ideas on who that should be considering the marquee international player is already taken. Are there any gun fly halves in Australia that are under 21 and going to develop into stars in the next few years? If they introduce a special dispensation for Argentinians then I hear they have quite a few good young 10's coming through.

 

[Aucklander]

The Chiefs keep rolling on and the top 6 still wide open.

 

[Aucklander]

The Chiefs keep rolling on and the top 6 still wide open.

 

[Tadpole]

The Bulls are starting to make me more than a little nervous with their slow starts and the way they've been letting teams back into the game in their latter stages over the last three weeks. They surely can't get away with that sort of thing much longer. They really need to learn to start playing for the full 80 minutes.

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Chiefs and Brumbies big movers this season. Bulls will always threaten.