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Crusaders absent from Super Rugby Team of the Season
By Sam Smith
SANZAAR has named their official Super Rugby Team of the Season for 2017 based on a range of player stats. No one from the champion Crusaders outfit has made the cut, and although the TOTS are a pretty strong side on paper, you wouldn't pick them to beat the men from Canterbury in a final.
Whatever algorithms they are applying to the numbers may be unreliable, or perhaps they're not even looking at the right kinds of numbers? Nevertheless, I would have picked Seta Tamanivalu in the 14 jumper any day of the week.
#SuperRugby Team of the Year: Agree or disagree the season stats have delivered a strong team on paper full details https://t.co/H1EmL2EifK pic.twitter.com/yA3heseDPO
— Super Rugby (@SuperRugby) August 9, 2017
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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