Super 15 2014

[ceemec]

Great final!

Kinda pleased it was McCaw who gave away final penalty.

Every penalty he conceded was punished. 3 conceded, 9 points scored. Will be a bitter pill for him to swallow.

[ceemec]

Hadn't heard of Foley before but he's an all round class act as a ten. Bit like Jonny sexton

He's been a revelation for the 'Tahs this season. He's still a very young man - although he looks older than he is - so is likely to improve. Australia might well have their nex long-term outside half

He's not really someone who has just exploded onto the scene this season. He was playing for Australia last year and has 50 Super Rugby games under his belt. He's 25 in a month.

Very good player but he has been a bit rigid in the past. The huge boost for him this year is having Beale outside him who is taking on a lot of the creative element to the backline. If Foley is going to be the outhalf for Australia, they need to persist with another fly half type player at 12 (which they've been doing with Toomua). With that said, Foley is certainly improving as you say.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I think a part of Foley's ascent is down to them not being so obsessed with getting one of the maverick tens (Cooper, Beale, JOC) on the field. He's a proper ten and both the Tahs and Australia have much more control and a better structure with him in there.

Some incredible tries today. Such a pity we couldn't get AAC!

[simonokeeffe]

I think a part of Foley's ascent is down to them not being so obsessed with getting one of the maverick tens (Cooper, Beale, JOC) on the field. He's a proper ten and both the Tahs and Australia have much more control and a better structure with him in there.

Some incredible tries today. Such a pity we couldn't get AAC!

give it a year, dont forget BOD was his rolemodel so he'd love to fill his boots

[Cianostays]

Is Cheika the first coach to win a Heineken Cup and Super Rugby title?

[Donny B.]

Is Cheika the first coach to win a Heineken Cup and Super Rugby title?

Pretty sure he is actually.

[Cianostays]

Is Cheika the first coach to win a Heineken Cup and Super Rugby title?

Pretty sure he is actually.

That's a great bit of History for him to look back on and smile about when he retires. Genuinely thrilled for him.

[Ruckedtobits]

Delighted for Cheiks. Some really astute coaching also cf.:

• Placement of AAC as a "2nd Row" catcher for their restarts;
  The depth of his entire chase line at 'Tahs restarts;
  Use of Foley and Beale as inter-changable out-half;
  Use of short-side to keep momentum of attacks when using forward ball carriers;
  Kicking behind Crusaders left wing;
  Passing to ball-carriers two and three out

All fairly mundane stuff but exactly the sort of details that usually the NZ teams focus on.
All in all a great final, with Kane Douglas showing a far bit of dog, both in the tackle and rucks. Playing seriously hard for 80 mins which was great to see.

Aussies will be a serious side this season and have a big aggressive set of forwards available but several of the Sup 15 franchises have worked out how to limit the threat of Israel Falou

[enby]

Read is an astonishing player.

Nice to see the touch judge calling some offsides as the ref seemed to have forgotten that rule, especially for the Crusaders.

Very enjoyable match and a helluva kick to win it.

[Avenger]

Delighted for Cheika.
He was a massive part of installing the winning culture we sometimes take for granted now.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Read is an astonishing player.

Nice to see the touch judge calling some offsides as the ref seemed to have forgotten that rule, especially for the Crusaders.

Very enjoyable match and a helluva kick to win it.

I thought Read was cr@p when he first started

Couldn't understand how himself and Adam Thomson were All Blacks,he's arguably the best player in the world now though.

Great to see Beale playing so well again. There was a great shot of himself and Cheika embracing at the end and pretty sure Beale kept shouting "I effing love you!!" In his ear.

[simonokeeffe]

Ive thought this for a while but Aussies could be darkhorses for world cup, not afraid of BNZ, other teams in group can take points off each other
Just need Foley to stay fit and ideally one or two of the backline miscreants to behave for a year

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Ive thought this for a while but Aussies could be darkhorses for world cup, not afraid of BNZ, other teams in group can take points off each other
Just need Foley to stay fit and ideally one or two of the backline miscreants to behave for a year

Absolutely. Hard to believe they were such a shambles a year ago. Absolutely dreadful against the Lions and then lost their new captain to Europe, along with a few others. Seems like a very together group to me and I think the players really believe in McKenzie. I said at the time that I really feared for rugby in Australia but thankfully things look much better now, even if players are still heading to Europe.

[ceemec]

I'd hold fire on the Australian side yet. This season the Waratahs have been excellent but it's very, very reminiscent of 2011 when the Reds won the title and Cooper and Genia were scintillating. The Waratahs set piece was still pretty poor with Kepu, TPN, Skelton, Hooper and Palu in it who are 5 likely players in the RC. I just can never see them being successful until they sort out that set piece.

Australia look a bit more cohesive these days but they haven't really played anyone decent yet.

I'd say they should consider it a successful tournament if they finish above 3rd. I can see South Africa and NZ still battering them on the road and grinding them into submission.

[simonokeeffe]

I'd hold fire on the Australian side yet. This season the Waratahs have been excellent but it's very, very reminiscent of 2011 when the Reds won the title and Cooper and Genia were scintillating. The Waratahs set piece was still pretty poor with Kepu, TPN, Skelton, Hooper and Palu in it who are 5 likely players in the RC. I just can never see them being successful until they sort out that set piece.

Australia look a bit more cohesive these days but they haven't really played anyone decent yet.

I'd say they should consider it a successful tournament if they finish above 3rd. I can see South Africa and NZ still battering them on the road and grinding them into submission.

Moore and Slipper make a big difference to set piece as does Horwill, Pocock to come back too
Although Genia finding form again would be a huge help

[ceemec]

Moore won't play until 2015 and Horwill has been axed from the starting side.

Even if they were present, I really don't think SA and NZ would be worried when Australia visit them.

[simonokeeffe]

Moore won't play until 2015 and Horwill has been axed from the starting side.

Even if they were present, I really don't think SA and NZ would be worried when Australia visit them.

good thing world cup isnt til 2015

[Peg Leg]

Thought the tahs win would've drawn Johng out of his annual sabbatical.

[Donny B.]

Thought the tahs win would've drawn Johng out of his annual sabbatical.

Shush! The Johng is sleeping. Let him (and us) enjoy his rest!

[offshorerules]

I think a part of Foley's ascent is down to them not being so obsessed with getting one of the maverick tens (Cooper, Beale, JOC) on the field. He's a proper ten and both the Tahs and Australia have much more control and a better structure with him in there.

Some incredible tries today. Such a pity we couldn't get AAC!

give it a year, dont forget BOD was his rolemodel so he'd love to fill his boots

He's already 30 isn't he? Do we really want another thirty something centre?