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'That's what's sad about rugby': Tony Brown hits out after ill-disciplined Crusaders defeat Highlanders

(Photo by Dianne Manson/Getty Images)

Highlanders head coach Tony Brown has vented his frustration at the lack of punishment dished out for repeated infringements after his side lost to the Crusaders in the opening match of Super Rugby Aotearoa.

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The 26-13 defeat at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin left Brown questioning how the Crusaders were able to walk away with all four competition points despite a lop-sided penalty count that went against the visitors.

The reigning champions were penalised 15 times by referee Ben O’Keefe, as opposed to the eight the Highlanders gave away, as Ethan Blackadder and Scott Barrett both spent time in the sin bin for various infringements.

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Highlanders vs Crusaders highlights | Super Rugby Aotearoa | Round One

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Highlanders vs Crusaders highlights | Super Rugby Aotearoa | Round One

The temporary dismissals of Blackadder and Barrett lifted the Crusaders’ yellow card count to six since last Saturday, with the Christchurch-based franchise picking up four yellow cards in their game-of-three-halves matches against the Blues and Chiefs.

The Highlanders, meanwhile, spent almost a quarter of Friday’s match inside the Crusaders’ 22 and enjoyed 71.6 percent of the territory.

However, the southerners weren’t able to take anything from the match, and Brown didn’t shy away from those figures while speaking to media at the post-match press conference.

“If you look at tonight’s game, that’s what’s sad about rugby at the moment,” he said.

“We had 60 percent possession, 60 percent territory. We only concede eight penalties, they’re conceding 19 penalties and numerous penalty advantages against them and then two yellow cards and they still win. That’s the sad thing about footy.”

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Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson was pleased with how his side kept the Highlanders at bay, though, noting that yellow cards have become common in modern-day rugby.

“We defended really well and then someone would get half a foot in front and you’d get penalised and we’d be in the corner again,” he said.

“It was a pretty evil cycle for a long time for us, but it’s just the way rugby is now. There’s going to be cards – not that we were cynical, it’s just a judgement of error about how deep you are, so we’ve got to be squeaky clean.”

When pressed further on the matter and asked whether his side deliberately pushes the letter of the law, Robertson maintained his side doesn’t intentionally set out on giving away penalties as a means of thwarting opposition attacks.

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“When you’re on defence, you’re under so much pressure and the ref can pick up a lot of things, so there was no intent behind it.”

That, however, is of little consolation to Brown, who said the Crusaders were “potentially” lucky to only have two players sent to the sin bin.

A scuffle between Crusaders prop Joe Moody and Highlanders lock Jack Regan, where the former hit the latter with multiple open-palmed strikes to the face, could be seen as one particular instance where the Crusaders evaded severe punishment.

Brown wouldn’t be drawn into commenting on whether he believed Moody’s actions warranted a yellow card, but he did suggest the Crusaders have work to do on their discipline.

“Referees are doing their job, but I know they’ve had five yellow cards in two games, so something’s not working.”

Robertson agreed with that sentiment as he challenged his side to question how they can “self-discipline better”.

Nevertheless, Brown conceded the Crusaders were impressive on defence as they repelled wave after wave of Highlanders attacks as the home side tried and failed to score from their normally effective rolling maul.

“We got lots of penalties, we had a lot of maul opportunities, but the Crusaders were just too strong and we just couldn’t execute there,” he said.

“Hats off to them. From our side it’s frustrating, but from their side they defended really well.”

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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