Thursday, April 14, 2011
Super Rugby Pick of the Week - Round 8
Another action packed rugby weekend kicks off tomorrow as the Chiefs host the Crusaders in Hamilton. Ahead of that, here's some of the best tries from last weekend's Super Rugby, as picked by Rugbydump.
Last week the tries package went down quite well, with a few that many of you seemed to really enjoy. This week, Round 8, we've got even more great tries. In fact some were left out as time got quite tight, including Adam Thomson's double for the Highlanders against the Cheetahs.
Philip Burger's try from that game is in though, a great effort from the Bloemfontein men despite going down narrowly on the road again. Their fellow countrymen, the Bulls, took an even bigger hiding at the hands of the Crusaders, who totally dominated the defending champs.
Drew Mitchell scored two fantastic tries for the Waratahs against the Force, showing that he's one of the best finishers in the game when put in space, while the Sharks proved too good for the Lions in Durban, scoring a few free flowing tries themselves.
For the Brumbies Henry Speight showed his finishing prowess with a great try, while Aaron Cruden's effort against them was quite unique, yet highly effective and very nicely done.
It's another good round with plenty of entertaining rugby for you to enjoy.
Time: 04:48
Music: Pussy Liquor by Rob Zombie
Posted at 10:38 pm | 47 comments
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Posted in Great Tries
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Viewing 47 comments
Juggernauter April 14, 2011 10:32 pm
Amazing.. Super Rugby never fails to be super...
As much as I love the pieces of skill in display here -which are awesome- I do have an observation: It seems like the defensive systems in Super rugby are more big-hit orientated than attack-neutralizing. I mean lots of the tries are scored through big errors in defence, like one on one missed tackles, poor kick-chasing, big holes as one player launches himself to tackle and leaves his teammates behind, average field-wide defence on rucks...
I don't want to bring the old NH v SH argumnt here so if you want to, ignore me, but I saw the Ulster-Northampton game and found myself thinking "maybe this run/pass/kick would have ended on a try in Super rugby, but a defender nearly always ended up making THAT tackle or THAT chase.
Just a thought though...
And, by the way, two words:
D R E W M I T C H E L L !!
As much as I love the pieces of skill in display here -which are awesome- I do have an observation: It seems like the defensive systems in Super rugby are more big-hit orientated than attack-neutralizing. I mean lots of the tries are scored through big errors in defence, like one on one missed tackles, poor kick-chasing, big holes as one player launches himself to tackle and leaves his teammates behind, average field-wide defence on rucks...
I don't want to bring the old NH v SH argumnt here so if you want to, ignore me, but I saw the Ulster-Northampton game and found myself thinking "maybe this run/pass/kick would have ended on a try in Super rugby, but a defender nearly always ended up making THAT tackle or THAT chase.
Just a thought though...
And, by the way, two words:
D R E W M I T C H E L L !!
First April 14, 2011 10:34 pm
Magners league stuff right there. Im impressed by our SH counterparts
Hill16 April 14, 2011 10:41 pm
Easy on the eye - Shame how such stunning rugby in countries where the game is so popular manages to draw such small crowds.
Drew Mitchell just seems to have a habit of scoring every game. Don't know how he does it - he just ends up being their at the right place at the right time. Similar to Ashton in that sense i find.
Drew Mitchell just seems to have a habit of scoring every game. Don't know how he does it - he just ends up being their at the right place at the right time. Similar to Ashton in that sense i find.
Matt April 14, 2011 10:54 pm
He's more likeable than ashton! lol loving the song, pussy liqueor:P
Stop this arguing April 14, 2011 10:59 pm
There is no north vs south debate. the norths logic is as flimsy as those who deny the holocaust. 'throughout all of rugby history, asides from small spells of english or welsh dominance, southern nations score tries agaisnt our defences just as easily as they do in super rugby agaisnt each other. so therefore super rugby teams must have poor, disinterested defence, whereas the northern style of rugby is gritty and determined. Dont you realise we beat you about once a year? and everynown and then we beat nz and the cup? and of course this has nothing to do with better weather, wider pitches, attacking mentallity - only that they all refuse to defend" funny thing is I grew up in london and never heard a local with the perspective of the retards on here, gotta wonder where they come from. oh and 'first' NZ=23, Ireland=0
Anonymous April 14, 2011 11:09 pm
I have to say, Alberts with a 20m run in. No one was stopping him.
Jono April 14, 2011 11:15 pm
Look, every time there's a clip from Super Rugby you hear two things :
1. "I like the rugby, but why do I see bad defence?"
2. "For such great rugby, the crowds seem poor".
So for the millionth time:
1. SH teams defend better against European teams than they do against each other. European teams do not have as advanced attacking plays or tactics.
Euro teams usually don't use as many decoy runners, their players don't have quite the same skill set (tackle busting, stepping, offloading in the tackle, short and long passing game), they don't play at the same pace, they don't clear balls from the ruck at the same pace (they often just leave the ball in the ruck for as much as 45 seconds while they line up a couple forwards for yet another two metre charge), they don't play with the same width in attack.
When Super Rugby players (the same players, playing under coaches who come from Super Rugby, using tactics and skills developed in Super Rugby) play at international level against European players, they usually win, and are much more succesful. They have less trouble defending against European national teams, than they do against the other 3 nations teams.
2. Super Rugby has higher crowds on average than any other rugby competition in the world, not involving national teams.
The avergae this year is roughly 20,000 per game. The Hc is at about 14,000 per game, the T14 is about the same, the Aviva just below that and the Magners much below that (the Currie Cup actually gets about the same crowd average as the Aviva, and the NPC gets about the same as the Magenrs League).
So it makes no sense to critisice the crowds, when there isn't a single European club comp that gets bigger crowds.
Now can we pelase not ever talk about this agin on a Super Rugby highlights video.
1. "I like the rugby, but why do I see bad defence?"
2. "For such great rugby, the crowds seem poor".
So for the millionth time:
1. SH teams defend better against European teams than they do against each other. European teams do not have as advanced attacking plays or tactics.
Euro teams usually don't use as many decoy runners, their players don't have quite the same skill set (tackle busting, stepping, offloading in the tackle, short and long passing game), they don't play at the same pace, they don't clear balls from the ruck at the same pace (they often just leave the ball in the ruck for as much as 45 seconds while they line up a couple forwards for yet another two metre charge), they don't play with the same width in attack.
When Super Rugby players (the same players, playing under coaches who come from Super Rugby, using tactics and skills developed in Super Rugby) play at international level against European players, they usually win, and are much more succesful. They have less trouble defending against European national teams, than they do against the other 3 nations teams.
2. Super Rugby has higher crowds on average than any other rugby competition in the world, not involving national teams.
The avergae this year is roughly 20,000 per game. The Hc is at about 14,000 per game, the T14 is about the same, the Aviva just below that and the Magners much below that (the Currie Cup actually gets about the same crowd average as the Aviva, and the NPC gets about the same as the Magenrs League).
So it makes no sense to critisice the crowds, when there isn't a single European club comp that gets bigger crowds.
Now can we pelase not ever talk about this agin on a Super Rugby highlights video.
Bill April 14, 2011 11:31 pm
Yeah it's funny.
Drew Mitchell scored a hattrick with ease against the French national team, and no one says that European rugby is terrible at defending.
He scores a double against the Force with, and suddenly people feel they can question the defence.
Drew Mitchell scored a hattrick with ease against the French national team, and no one says that European rugby is terrible at defending.
He scores a double against the Force with, and suddenly people feel they can question the defence.
gf April 15, 2011 12:38 am
Cruden's dive was pretty awesome.. most people would have packed in the chase I reckon.. and another example why Pierre Spies is a great athlete and not as great a rugby player.
gf April 15, 2011 12:54 am
also love the 'hmm defence is a bit shoddy' says us NH who get torn apart 8/10 times in the autumn. 'Great scrums though'..
Juggernauter April 15, 2011 2:08 am
Ok guys let's get this clear: I'm neither european nor british, in fact, I've been born and bred in the southern hempisphere. Therefore, no bias from my side.
Second, no one is saying that, for example, the Mitchell try was scored only because of bad defending, as I said before, the skills levels of Super Rugby are just mad.
My point is, what do you enjoy the most, a game with tons of tries and a couple big hits or a close encounter with two scores and tough defending?
Come the world cup every team will be playing for the points on offer to qualify to the knock out stages and the pressure will be on, so I wonder if every team will play with such flow.
And maybe SH teams defend very well against european teams -nobody is denying that- all I'm saying is that AMONG THEMSELVES tackles are poor because of good attacking.
Oh, an "Stop this arguing", go call your grandma a retard, dumb keyboard warrior.
Cheers
Second, no one is saying that, for example, the Mitchell try was scored only because of bad defending, as I said before, the skills levels of Super Rugby are just mad.
My point is, what do you enjoy the most, a game with tons of tries and a couple big hits or a close encounter with two scores and tough defending?
Come the world cup every team will be playing for the points on offer to qualify to the knock out stages and the pressure will be on, so I wonder if every team will play with such flow.
And maybe SH teams defend very well against european teams -nobody is denying that- all I'm saying is that AMONG THEMSELVES tackles are poor because of good attacking.
Oh, an "Stop this arguing", go call your grandma a retard, dumb keyboard warrior.
Cheers
Jono April 15, 2011 3:35 am
Juggernator, I guess the preferance thing is subjective yeah?
Some prefer a defensive game, personally I like good running rugby.
But in Super 14 you see lots of tight, defensive gaems, usually between the top games.
Reds vs Stormers for example.
With the defensive patterns, it's the nature of the attack.
It's faster, the ball's in play longer, so it's harder to handle, teams do alot more scrambling defence, because they have no time to set their defensive line. Also, they get tired, because they are asked to do more running.
I didn't mean to be a jerk about it, by the way, if I came across that way.
Some prefer a defensive game, personally I like good running rugby.
But in Super 14 you see lots of tight, defensive gaems, usually between the top games.
Reds vs Stormers for example.
With the defensive patterns, it's the nature of the attack.
It's faster, the ball's in play longer, so it's harder to handle, teams do alot more scrambling defence, because they have no time to set their defensive line. Also, they get tired, because they are asked to do more running.
I didn't mean to be a jerk about it, by the way, if I came across that way.
Eben April 15, 2011 5:08 am
Where's the guy that always goes: "First slam wham dam!" etc? Kind of feels wrong to comment without him/her...
Anyway, as (very worried) bok supporter I want to say this:
Forget all the boasting about speed. Drew Mitchell isn't the fastest wing by any stretch. And sometimes he gets beaten on the outside. But holy shit, he scores three tries for every one try he lets through. Brains & step will beat sheer speed 80% of the time.
And that's coming from a bok fan.
Anyway, as (very worried) bok supporter I want to say this:
Forget all the boasting about speed. Drew Mitchell isn't the fastest wing by any stretch. And sometimes he gets beaten on the outside. But holy shit, he scores three tries for every one try he lets through. Brains & step will beat sheer speed 80% of the time.
And that's coming from a bok fan.
PussyLiquor April 15, 2011 5:48 am
Lets just enjoy the rugby and quit over-analysing..? :)
PussyLiquor April 15, 2011 5:50 am
Agreed about Drew Mitchell. Brilliant finisher.
GoodNumber10 April 15, 2011 6:29 am
Super Rugby = payed on hard grounds with great weather, and no delegation
NH = soft ground with most of the season played in bad weather, with your clubs life on the line.
And that's your difference, entertainment is not as important as survival, and thus it's a more physical domination style game up here.
Regardless, you get to the tail end of the season and you see fast open games up here especially the top 14, the same way you see absolute cross in the superxv and the npc/curry cup. No competition is 100% perfect and many people who come to play NH rugby sing it's merits.
Leicester vs Saracens last years perm final? Amazing game, played in the sun and with heavy defense and great skills.
NH = soft ground with most of the season played in bad weather, with your clubs life on the line.
And that's your difference, entertainment is not as important as survival, and thus it's a more physical domination style game up here.
Regardless, you get to the tail end of the season and you see fast open games up here especially the top 14, the same way you see absolute cross in the superxv and the npc/curry cup. No competition is 100% perfect and many people who come to play NH rugby sing it's merits.
Leicester vs Saracens last years perm final? Amazing game, played in the sun and with heavy defense and great skills.
Cmon April 15, 2011 6:45 am
Loved the video RD!
The highlights at the end are very good as well.
The highlights at the end are very good as well.
Anonymous April 15, 2011 7:06 am
GoodNumber10, you're insinuating that Super 15 teams have greater skill, speed, and offloading ability because they don't mind losing games?
So here's the team meeting - 'We lost last week because we played too much attacking rugby. BUT, there's no relegation, so who cares, lets toss it about again this week boys! Losing if fun! :)'
So here's the team meeting - 'We lost last week because we played too much attacking rugby. BUT, there's no relegation, so who cares, lets toss it about again this week boys! Losing if fun! :)'
Nicko April 15, 2011 9:02 am
HEY RD could you please put up the footage of the fight between the force winger david smith and the waratahs replacement back.
I didnt see the game but that bit of footage at the end of the week 8 highlights showed some real venom!
Cheers :-)
I didnt see the game but that bit of footage at the end of the week 8 highlights showed some real venom!
Cheers :-)
Paolo April 15, 2011 10:02 am
Ignoring all the generalisations and focusing on the first try on this clip.
The pass to put Mitchell into space is great and the line he takes is good.
But there is no way you can watch that try and not say that the only reason he scored was due to some absolutely woeful defending. That was not a professional level defense - let alone one that belongs in the top tier of rugby
The pass to put Mitchell into space is great and the line he takes is good.
But there is no way you can watch that try and not say that the only reason he scored was due to some absolutely woeful defending. That was not a professional level defense - let alone one that belongs in the top tier of rugby
David April 15, 2011 10:55 am
Rob Zombie eh? that takes me back a bit.. Now i sound old.
some great handling and tries there!
some great handling and tries there!
P money April 15, 2011 11:16 am
wow crusaders are too sick atm!
v poor defence for mitchells first try, but he is on form.
Love the song! haha
v poor defence for mitchells first try, but he is on form.
Love the song! haha
Matthew April 15, 2011 11:44 am
Great tries, mitchells a bit of a cunt though, took that 2nd try literally out the hands of his own team mate
Colombes April 15, 2011 11:47 am
Super tries here, i like the way SH players always try to make live the ball before and after contact.
but, by the way, (sorry for the NH/SH clash)also some super fails from few defenders. If running rugby is a religion there, learn to tackle efficiently low is not their favorite things :)
a clash between crusaders or waratahs VS Leinster or Toulouse would be fascinating to watch
but, by the way, (sorry for the NH/SH clash)also some super fails from few defenders. If running rugby is a religion there, learn to tackle efficiently low is not their favorite things :)
a clash between crusaders or waratahs VS Leinster or Toulouse would be fascinating to watch
Von April 15, 2011 11:56 am
^^^
Yeah, that's what I thought too, but I wonder if the other guy would've had the noddle to step in and beat the defender/s. Don't think he'd have made it to the corner before being tackled.
Yeah, that's what I thought too, but I wonder if the other guy would've had the noddle to step in and beat the defender/s. Don't think he'd have made it to the corner before being tackled.
Ben April 15, 2011 12:07 pm
I really like Cruden's scoop-up of the ball. That is some brilliant timing.
The Crusaders' backline is just unfair ;)
The Crusaders' backline is just unfair ;)
GetOverItAlready April 15, 2011 12:19 pm
I wish there werent any tackles missed on these videos that show TRIES............
Anonymous April 15, 2011 1:07 pm
Pierre Spies not being able to stop Dagg from crossing the try-line is quite demoralising for us Bok fans... Seriously, what the hell is going on with our players? This past weekend was about as bad as it gets for us.
I am very worried about the World Cup :(
I am very worried about the World Cup :(
Anonymous April 15, 2011 1:12 pm
GoodNumber10, your argument is partially valid.
i am not totally sure the weather is better in nz than in france to compare these two.
i am not totally sure the weather is better in nz than in france to compare these two.
Anonymous April 15, 2011 4:47 pm
the crowds may be big but theres no atmosphere whatsoever
ilikeayou April 15, 2011 5:09 pm
lol people don't know what scrambling defense is. In the NH it's practically non-existant due to the slow nature of their game. The defense doesn't have to scramble because the attack is coming at a snail's pace, often with 3 or 4 meaningless crashes with a pod of 3 or 4 guys that make maybe 6" of ground.
In SH, you have more flair, more open play, quicker ball, more accuracy and pace, and more skills, to be quite honest. The defense is usually scrambling (due to the last 3 or 4 phases being extremely quick ball w/ good line breaks) by the time the try is scored.
In SH, you have more flair, more open play, quicker ball, more accuracy and pace, and more skills, to be quite honest. The defense is usually scrambling (due to the last 3 or 4 phases being extremely quick ball w/ good line breaks) by the time the try is scored.
Canada for RWC11 April 15, 2011 6:04 pm
lol @ Spies. This guy used to be like....my idol... Now I'm pretty sure everyone in the world with half a brain thinks/knows he's massively overrated as a rugby player. Might be best to be brought on in the last 20 a la Chabal just for impact. He would look good when everybody else is so tired, then maybe he can drag Dagg down next time.
Seriously though if you've watched him play at any level, that is the way he tackles 90% of the time, he just grabs somebody and falls down attempting to drag them down with him. Pitiful from a no.8
Seriously though if you've watched him play at any level, that is the way he tackles 90% of the time, he just grabs somebody and falls down attempting to drag them down with him. Pitiful from a no.8
Nick April 15, 2011 10:22 pm
Spies' form has been really odd. 2 years ago Kankowski etc were nowhere near this guy and he was playing some awesome rugby. Recently from the few matches I've seen he seems to be a shadow of his former self. He'll go to the wrold cup but I'm not convinced in this form if he deserves. Any particular reason why he's playing that badly? Du Preez also seems to be out of form.
Bill April 16, 2011 6:38 am
Paolo, Drew Mitchell carved up France (as did most of the Wallby players). So why is is terrible defence if he carves up the Force?
Is France terrible at defence and therefore is European rugby terible at defending?
These players score tries just as easily against European teams, does that make them terrible defenders?
Mitchell beat James O'Conner in that run.
You know, James O'Conner, regarded as one of the best players in the game at the moment.
There's literally no sound logic to the arguments Europeans make about defending.
If Mitchell (who made more line breaks in an international against one of the best teams in Europe and scored more tires against that team than he did against the Western Force) can carve up European defences, why wouldn't he be able to do it to Super Rugby defences?
Where do you think he learns to score tries against European teams (and NZ/SA)?
Is France terrible at defence and therefore is European rugby terible at defending?
These players score tries just as easily against European teams, does that make them terrible defenders?
Mitchell beat James O'Conner in that run.
You know, James O'Conner, regarded as one of the best players in the game at the moment.
There's literally no sound logic to the arguments Europeans make about defending.
If Mitchell (who made more line breaks in an international against one of the best teams in Europe and scored more tires against that team than he did against the Western Force) can carve up European defences, why wouldn't he be able to do it to Super Rugby defences?
Where do you think he learns to score tries against European teams (and NZ/SA)?
Juggernauter April 16, 2011 1:00 pm
Yeah, a few good points made here... Anyway, I'd like to say that I really enjoy Super Rugby (the defence issues can look after themselves) and got to agree with the low point Spies is in... The guy was a hit and now is being dragged around by a fullback! (as much as a good player Dagg is)
And mate, I'm really thinking of moving to Queensland just to see the Reds play... amazing shit
And mate, I'm really thinking of moving to Queensland just to see the Reds play... amazing shit
Jimbo1 April 16, 2011 7:16 pm
@ Bill, watch the video again and then comment you moron! The tackling for Drew's try was horrendous. Watch O'Connors head after as he goes and misses that tackle! Even HE knows it was crap! Then two more players miss their tackles it was shocking. The defense was absoulutely abismal...in this instance. Super 15 Ruger is a brilliant showcase for the sport and wonderful to watch and as someone from the NH I wish we had this type of rugby week in week out! I might be encouraged to go more. However, PLEASEEEEEEEE when defense is poor just bloody admit it!!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous April 16, 2011 8:29 pm
In the next pick of the week they should use a song called Eyes Closed by Netsky. Some good tries as well
Bokke_2007 April 16, 2011 10:40 pm
That was me at 4:16 with the scarf, glasses and hat.
Mark April 17, 2011 6:11 am
Great compilation of the best rugby competition in the world!
Can't wait till next weeks highlights thanks so much Rugbydump!
Can't wait till next weeks highlights thanks so much Rugbydump!
Jono April 17, 2011 11:14 pm
"Bill, watch the video again and then comment you moron! The tackling for Drew's try was horrendous. Watch O'Connors head after as he goes and misses that tackle! Even HE knows it was crap! Then two more players miss their tackles it was shocking. The defense was absoulutely abismal...in this instance. Super 15 Ruger is a brilliant showcase for the sport and wonderful to watch and as someone from the NH I wish we had this type of rugby week in week out! I might be encouraged to go more. However, PLEASEEEEEEEE when defense is poor just bloody admit it!!!!!!!!!!"
Relax.
Mitchell makes defences look bad. He's done it to almost every international team in Europe.
It's his ability, it's why he's considered one of the best wingers in the world.
Relax.
Mitchell makes defences look bad. He's done it to almost every international team in Europe.
It's his ability, it's why he's considered one of the best wingers in the world.
the Prof. April 18, 2011 10:05 am
Jimbo said "The defense was absoulutely abismal".
Not as absolutely abysmal as your spelling.
Not as absolutely abysmal as your spelling.
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