19 replies to this topic

[Tim]

Is anyone going to attend any of these? It would be great to get some match reports and photos.

Also, are any of them going to be televised?

[taniwharugby]

I'll be at the Blues-Canes game on Saturday, dunno if I'll take the Camera along, but I'll bang up a report of sorts afterwards.

They dont usually televise these matches...?

[Duluth]

Last year the Blues had a ustream feed of all their pre-seasons matches. Hopefully they do that again

[Tim]

Duluth said:

Last year the Blues had a ustream feed of all their pre-seasons matches. Hopefully they do that again

Yeah, I'd forgotten about that. Thanks for the tip, I'll be on the look out.

[Ali's Choice]

The Crusaders beat the Highlanders 47-19 in Greymouth today. Apparently Crotty scored three tries, continuing on from his good ITM Cup form last year. Good result considering the Crusaders were largely without their RWC stars.

[Duluth]

http://www.stuff.co....-annual-warm-up

Quote

The Crusaders have beaten the Hurricanes 19-8 in a Super Rugby preseason match today, scoring three tries to two in the third edition of the annual match played in a Mangatainoka farmer's paddock.
The visitors were the more clinical side leading after each of the four quarters through tries to lock Ross Kennedy, wing Patrick Osbourne and replacement first five eighth Tyler Bleyendaal.
The Hurricanes led briefly through a penalty to first five eighth Beauden Barrett, who scored all of their points, also scoring his side's only try from fullback a few minutes from full time.
Though it was not a one-sided match, the Crusaders' were deserved winners with the pack holding a decisive edge in the set piece.
The Hurricanes lineout was messy and the scrum inconsistent, while ball retention was at times an issue and stymied many promising attacks.
Franks brothers Owen and Ben, along with captain Wyatt Crockett ensured a steady platform for the Crusaders, who had the luxury of holding off All Blacks No 8 Kieran Read till the final quarter.
The Hurricanes made the better start with openside Jack Lam close to the best player on the park during the first quarter with a huge work rate with or without the ball.
The home side controlled the opening 10 minutes but it was the Crusaders who got the first try, notably after opting for a scrum in front of the posts.
Simple quick hands down the blindside saw Kennedy crash over against his former side, Tom Taylor's conversion giving the visitor's a 7-3 leader after the first quarter.
Another wobbly Hurricanes scrum gave the Crusaders a free kick just before halftime and they opted for another scrum, again converting it into points, this time spinning it wide to Osbourne who dived over in the corner.
Both coaches rung the changes in the second half and the injection of Bleyendaal at first five had a notable impact as he played with confidence, scoring his side's third try after Hurricanes lock James Broadhurst was sin binned for lashing out with his boot.
The home scrum steadied up later in the match with Ben May and Michael Bent appearing to be the strongest combination as coach Mark Hammett used five different props.
Barrett's try came after a nice counter attack, sparked by wing Andre Taylor, fitting considering the pair were among the Hurricanes better players.

Crusaders 19 (Ross Kennedy, Patrick Osbourne, Tyler Bleyendaal tries, Tom Taylor con, Bleyendaal con) Hurricanes 8 (Beauden Barrett try, pen). HT: 12-3 (Crusaders)

[booboo]

Quote

played in a Mangatainoka farmer's paddock

Eh? I thought it was at the footy ground?

[Scorz]

Chiefs 38-36 in Qtown.

[Paekakboyz]

Pretty sure its a paddock they clean up for the game booboo

[Chubby13]

Its the same as a lot of the rural rugby clubs fields. Used for rugby games, but maintained by stock.

[Nepia]

Duluth, on 11 February 2012 - 05:54 PM, said:

http://www.stuff.co....-annual-warm-up

So, that must be a 9 out of 10 for Canes on the Hammett scale? After all they only lost 3 to 1 instead of 6 to 1.

[Paj]

Anyone go to the game at Mangatainoka? Greg Sommerville was playing in the curtain rasier for PGG Wrightsons team and interested in score.

[Scorz]

Anyone keen to go to next weekend's Chiefs v Hurricanes game here's the info: http://www.chiefs.co...re-season-game/

[Nepia]

Scorz, on 12 February 2012 - 09:09 AM, said:

Anyone keen to go to next weekend's Chiefs v Hurricanes game here's the info: http://www.chiefs.co...re-season-game/

Cheers for that Scorz, I will be in Taupo for the relay round the lake. The game will be a good start to the weekend.

[mariner4life]

Watched the Reds play the Brumbies last night. Plenty of rock stars on display for both teams. From what i saw, the Reds will be more of the same, quick ball spreading the defense, Genia runnng them around. Harris played the first half at 10, and produced a series of defensive bombs and chip kicks.

The Brumbies could be in for a long year. They were very direct, and very physical, but limited, especially out wide. Their set piece was ordinary as well (one scrum they were on scates). Stephen Moore injured his shoulder as well.

Have to say, the Reds as a squad a brilliant in terms of their interaction with the fans. They have been up here for a while, and are really involved in getting to know the rugby community in Cairns. Quade Cooper must have signed autographs and posed for photos for an hour before the game. Credit to them, they understand their role in promoting rugby, not just themselves.

Oh, as for the result, the Reds won by 5-ish i think, scored a couple of good tries, but kept giving away penalties, which the Brumbies were happy to take.

Anyone who has watched a game noticed a change in the ruck interpretation? A lot of offensive ruck penalties last night, the ref was very hard on the attacking team maintaining their feet.

[Scorz]

Chiefs are doing score updates on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/chiefsrugby) and Twitter (@ChiefsRugby) for the match against the Canes in Taupo. 630 kick off.

[Scorz]

Match report: http://www.chiefs.co...conditions.html

Quote

In a match played in the most horrendous conditions the Chiefs were beaten in the closing stanza of the match by the Hurricanes 23-19.

In a match that could have gone either way, the thunder, rain and lightning bolts were enough to close Auckland and Taupo’s airports. But the people of Taupo showed great enthusiasm in the worst conditions possible as both sides traded penalties. With six all on the score board, Aaron Cruden notched another penalty. Chiefs’ halfback Brendon Leonard impressed he crowd and was the first to cross the chalk line from a set move, giving the hosts a 16-6 lead going into the halftime break.

The Hurricanes quickly replied early in the second half with flanker Jack Lam scoring. Penalties were traded and the Hurricanes scored another try with ten left on the clock. They also picked up a penalty to give them a 23-19 lead. The match finished with the Chiefs on attack threatening to score.

Chiefs No 8 Fritz Lee was strong and Cruden showed his class with the boot and achieved 100% in the atrocious conditions. However Chiefs coach Dave Rennie said “We had enough possession but we were not clinical enough and it’s the little things we need to stress to ensure we get the results we want”. Sonny Bill Williams played the full match and Rennie commented that he would have liked to have got more ball to him but obviously conditions made that tough.

The Chiefs play the Highlanders in their first round of Investec Super Rugby next Saturday night at Waikato Stadium.

[Scorz]

Nepia, on 12 February 2012 - 10:21 AM, said:

Cheers for that Scorz, I will be in Taupo for the relay round the lake. The game will be a good start to the weekend.

Hope you stayed out of the rain!

[Chris B.]

Hammett to Rennie...."You can't touch this".

[Nepia]

Scorz, on 18 February 2012 - 07:34 AM, said:

Hope you stayed out of the rain!

As we were driving in the torrential rain started, we went to the park, saw people leaving so turned around and went back to the bach!

Would have been a stink game though, obviously the Chiefs were only playing at 50%.