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The Rug Round 4 Super Rugby Peview

The Rug

The Rug is New Zealand’s premier Super Rugby preview podcast. Join BK and Townley as they put forward this week’s best bets and gut instincts. Go well Punters.

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Comments on RugbyPass

N
NB 4 minutes ago
Why ‘the curse of the Bambino’ is still stronger than ever at Leinster

It’s a far better combo because Jordie can step in an take pressure off Sam. For all hismany virtues, Robbie does not really have either the passing of kicking game to do it properly now.


The leadership did not look that grand in the final minutes either, should taken the three and reset!

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N
NB 7 minutes ago
Why ‘the curse of the Bambino’ is still stronger than ever at Leinster

One issue that has been highlighted is that the wrapping in cotton wool of palyers on the tour of SA prior to QFs and SFs has never really worked. So maybe, the battle-hardening combat of week to week footy, and playing more of the A team in SA, makes more sense…


It can be unpleasant work but you have to be ready to see your own weaknesses against strong opposition before knockout games [Scarlets was already a warning shot] and Leinster seemed to be ill-prepared for what was coming their way last Saturday.

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N
NB 12 minutes ago
Elegant or turbulent? Can Les give the Wallabies the Kiss of Life?

From what I’ve heard Joe may be willing to return, and he was filthy that the ABs didn’t win it in 23.


I’d like to support Kiss but his record as head coach and the circumstances of his appointment make it difficult. I very much doubt he was a unanimous choice by the 4-man panel.


For me Kiss is not the man for 2027 yet he has the top job but he will bring continuity and wont tear up the gameplan so at least they wont be starting from scratch with a new coach.

I reckon you have highlighted the main positive, though it scarcely outweighs the debits!

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N
NB 15 minutes ago
Elegant or turbulent? Can Les give the Wallabies the Kiss of Life?

OJ will be happy although we never see him around here on the rare occasions he is! Pity, I’d like to see what it looks like, he’s such a miserable git🤣

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N
NB 16 minutes ago
Elegant or turbulent? Can Les give the Wallabies the Kiss of Life?

True tackle completion % is one of the most useless single stats in rugby M!


The main concern is that Reds are still very much a work in progress and I’m surprised the support for Les as WB head man has been so firm.


I can see it working if Joe becomes involved again in 2027 but otherwise a huge gamble.

14 Go to comments
M
MM 21 minutes ago
Finn Russell enjoys his return to Scotland as Bath beat Edinburgh to reach final

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0 Go to comments
R
RedWarriors 24 minutes ago
Why ‘the curse of the Bambino’ is still stronger than ever at Leinster

@NB There was a lot that went wrong for Leinster. Not selecting Barrett was a mistake.

But how much do you think the lack of competitive matches meant vulnerabilities and weaknesses were not exposed and addressed in previous matches. A good coaching team like Northampton’s then had a lot to work with giving Leinster a lot of problems to fix all at once on the day.

French teams and indeed English teams who are CC contenders are getting weekly matches where weaknesses are being probed and end game tactics are been often tested in the fire.

I know Leinster can mitigate some of this in training but hard matches create more hardened and rounded teams.

Perhaps Leinster need to start looking at playing their best teams away in SA (6N release permitting) and the main team playing the match (or most of it) preceding the big matches.

50-60 mins against Scarlets would have helped that team a lot.

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d
dw 27 minutes ago
Why ‘the curse of the Bambino’ is still stronger than ever at Leinster

Yes England seem on the rise.


Speaking of Barrett his brothers team the Blues seem to have hit some form as expected late in the season!


Also I suspect Ramm, Scott-Young and Kemeny are all benefiting from their time at saints? Would like to see them return as better players as most do….

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d
dw 28 minutes ago
Why ‘the curse of the Bambino’ is still stronger than ever at Leinster

Under Joe S he has a 100% record against England;)

97 Go to comments
R
RedWarriors 30 minutes ago
Why ‘the curse of the Bambino’ is still stronger than ever at Leinster

Versus Connacht in the Aviva they were 12 up (3 tries) with 10 to go against a Cannacht team playing very well. They had an easy three to secure the win but kicked for corner.

Connacht repelled the attack and Leinster got carded after a Connacht turnover. Connacht went up the pitch and scored and made it a 5 point match.

Leinster then won another (harder but kickable) penalty. Another confab started before Barrett went up and told Byrne to kick for goal.

The onfield decision making seems to have fallen between two stools. This surely should have been addressed before now if they are covering all angles?

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E
Ed the Duck 33 minutes ago
Why ‘the curse of the Bambino’ is still stronger than ever at Leinster

I’d say the difference between Bath and Saints v Leinster is the experience of last year for Saints and the, dare I say it, complacency of Bath; apropos Bennetton away. Bath are earning their stripes and I’d expect them to learn the lessons of last years Prem and this years CC, perhaps even all the way to a Prem & Challenge Cup double.


As for Leinster, when you’ve got people who are still close to the team, the club and Irish rugby overall, like Rob Kearney shooting from the lip, then it’s definitely indicative of a prevailing mindset. Add in the results evidence to the mix and it’s nigh on impossible to dispute. As you say, they were most definitely looking in the wrong direction for their mindset prep!

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RedWarriors 35 minutes ago
Why ‘the curse of the Bambino’ is still stronger than ever at Leinster

He also compliments Prendergast more and allows Ringrose more space.

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R
RedWarriors 37 minutes ago
Why ‘the curse of the Bambino’ is still stronger than ever at Leinster

To be fair it is extremely difficult for Leinster to get the competitive matches in the URC to prepare for these really big matches. It is not just the end game, hard matches in the lead up expose weaknesses which can be shored up before the next match. NH identified all of these weaknesses and sent a man through every one of them, sometimes more than once.

97 Go to comments
R
RedWarriors 41 minutes ago
Why ‘the curse of the Bambino’ is still stronger than ever at Leinster

They should have started Barrett. Prendergast has more space with Barrett playing. He frees Ringrose up also.

Northampton scored 3 quickfire tries without reply before half time. Their first was very much against the run of play. I don’t think Leinster not expecting that barrage of tries was them underestimating NH.

I feel that Leinster are not getting competitive matches to prepare them for these tight endgame scenarios. That said match management should have seen them take the first 3 points and/or execute the tap. Conan seemed to be confabbing with Barrett and Prendergast. A levelled match would have been a significant blow to NH and with Leinster winning the second half 22-10 would have been heavy favourites to win another 20 minutes.

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E
Ed the Duck 44 minutes ago
Why ‘the curse of the Bambino’ is still stronger than ever at Leinster

Arrogance, complacency, chokers or maybe just a little of all three!

97 Go to comments
j
je 46 minutes ago
Ilona Maher drops biggest retirement hint yet after loss to Canada

Bit disappointed on this, she gave English Womens Rugby such a boost, would have liked to have seen a few seasons at the coalface vs a 6 month temp contract. The fyre festival of womens rugby…

3 Go to comments
t
tf 1 hour ago
'Flustered' Prendergast in 'system where decisions are all made for him'

It’s like tackle school 101. Start on your knees as the other 10 year old walks towards you.


It isnt just how he hits it’s his positioning and pace. He got skinned by Ramm (I think) for the first try. He chased the kick but could deal with a small swerve, then turned slower than Freddie Stewart on an ice rink.


He really is a great prospect and if it wasnt a Lions year everybody would give him another year to improve. This is why there is so much scrutiny.

3 Go to comments
G
GrahamVF 1 hour ago
Why ‘the curse of the Bambino’ is still stronger than ever at Leinster

Sasha keeps my heart in my mouth with his head on tackling. He has made some very dominant tackles for the Stormers in the past few games and also he is a great cover defender. Manie has made some classic corner flag tackles to save tries. If the 10 is retiring to backfield he should be sweeping - that didn’t work out too well for SP. He just doesn’t seem to have the appetite for tackling - he plays more like Naas Botha of old.

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M
MT 1 hour ago
'Flustered' Prendergast in 'system where decisions are all made for him'

He’s a highly skilled rugby player. I remember similar discussions about Sexton, Jack Carty at Connacht and others. He’s been pushed forward by Leinster because of what he’s been doing in training. Frawley has been put back as a utility player. The Byrnes are both probably leaving Leinster. His defence is poor, and I agree with most of what has been said on this post. He should have been sent out to Connacht or Ulster to gain more experience before being made no 1 Fly in Ireland. Crowley is ahead of him, in my opinion.

3 Go to comments
M
Mitch 1 hour ago
Elegant or turbulent? Can Les give the Wallabies the Kiss of Life?

My comment about stats was a lead-in to how having good tackle completion stats don’t necessarily mean you're a good defensive team. I wasn’t disputing anything you wrote.


The Brumbies game a few weeks ago was when I became concerned about Les as a Wallabies coach and I haveh’t seen enough to be anything more than hopeful he’ll succeed

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