SuperRugby: Waratahs v Crusaders. 29/04/2012

[Draggs]

Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney - 05:10 GMT, 29/04/2012

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Last one! Done in ten minutes, must be my record.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Thanks. +1.

I just can't see past the Crusaders taking this comfortably after the last few weeks.

 

[Draggs]

Agreed. Waratahs haven't looked solid in my opinion.
Their forwards are decent but their backline really lacks control. I am not sure where Barnes is best, 10 or 12. He is a skilled player but he cannot be the sole inside back trying to direct the outside backs.

 

[Larksea]

Crusaders: Israel Dagg, Adam Whitelock, Robbie Fruean, Dan Carter, Zac Guildford, Tom Taylor, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Luke Romano, Tom Donnelly, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Ben Franks. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett, Samuel Whitelock, Richie McCaw, Willi Heinz, Ryan Crotty, Tom Marshall.


McCaw back, interestingly seeing him in the media I dont remember him looking as freash as he does right now, sounds like he's in top shape. I think the Crusaders will be too strong for the Tahs

 

[InsaneAsylum]

someone please punch Tom Carter in the face

 

[smartcooky]

someone please punch Tom Carter in the face

Tom Carter isn't anywhere near as good a player as he thinks he is. He was definitely was Robbie Fruean's ***** tonight!!!!

Mr T turned Tom Carter inside out and upside down. Made him look like an average third-grade club player.

 

[nickdnz]

Fruean made a pretty strong case for an All Black spot. Hope he keeps up that kind of form so the selectors won't be able to ignore him.

 

[Larksea]

Fruen is a fantastic player no doubt, but hes defense still needs so much work - it's pretty bad at times. He missed one early in the game that ended in a try and another soon after. Often during the game he would run up on defense with his arms out looking like he was trying to get in the way so his teammates around him could make the tackles.

IMO to be in selection frame for the All Blacks midfield he or anyone first and foremost needs to be Good on defense, I don't mean average I mean above average good. There is no question he has the attacking threat but if you take Smith or Kahui - who are two of the best defenders in world rugby out and put a guy who's below average in there. bad... Very bad. Fine for 80% of test matches but for that crunch must win game his defense would be more of a problem than his attackign threat would be a blessing.

 

[nickdnz]

Fruen is a fantastic player no doubt, but hes defense still needs so much work - it's pretty bad at times. He missed one early in the game that ended in a try and another soon after. Often during the game he would run up on defense with his arms out looking like he was trying to get in the way so his teammates around him could make the tackles.

IMO to be in selection frame for the All Blacks midfield he or anyone first and foremost needs to be Good on defense, I don't mean average I mean above average good. There is no question he has the attacking threat but if you take Smith or Kahui - who are two of the best defenders in world rugby out and put a guy who's below average in there. bad... Very bad. Fine for 80% of test matches but for that crunch must win game his defense would be more of a problem than his attackign threat would be a blessing.

Yeah, fair point regarding his defence. In his last Barbarians match, I think we saw a worst case scenario with putting Fruean in. Still, hope he improves. I actually think he has got some amazing handling skills, always impressed how me manages to pull in some of the passes which was a huge thing with the SBW/Fruean combo.