Latest news with #ex-Crusaders
NZ Herald
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Crusaders vs Chiefs: Cowbell ban adds spice to Super Rugby final
An explanation... The fact it's been ho-hum reminded me of when ex-Crusaders prop Joe Moody said the quiet part out loud in 2020 and admitted there was some genuine hatred between his side and the Chiefs. Maybe it was the lockdown talking, but it was the most honest a player has been and added some genuine spice to the fixture. Unfortunately, the art of tribalism has largely been lost in Super Rugby. All Blacks and Crusaders prop Joe Moody. Photo / Photosport A suggestion... Not winning a final can hang over you. Long after the initial disappointment dissipates, you can be tagged as not having what it takes to win the big games. The top two inches. Just ask Ian Foster, who admits in his new book that there was a lot made of the fact he never won a title with the Chiefs. If Clayton McMillan oversees a fourth final loss in five years tomorrow night, that tag could follow him long after he's left New Zealand - and back again if he returns to try for the All Blacks job down the track. It's a bit much to say McMillan's coaching future could be decided tonight but, should he win the decider, suddenly those three defeats become less important in the overarching narrative. A prediction... The final will be a coin flip, and the referee will probably decide it. There's a somewhat bizarre symmetry between this year and 2023, when these sides last met in the final. The Chiefs won twice that season and then ... couldn't get over the Crusaders in the final. If that happens, I can recommend to Chiefs fans a great documentary, the Four Falls of Buffalo (screening on Disney+), about the Buffalo Bills' four straight Super Bowl defeats in the 1990s. It won't necessarily be cathartic, but you may find solidarity. A question... Is it better to have Ardie once or never to have had Ardie at all? That's what Moana Pasifika fans must be asking themselves after having their recently acquired 'toy' loaned out to Kobe for another season, with the promise he'll come back in 2027. Just as Moana Pasifika began to get a foothold in Super Rugby, they must appoint a new captain and start somewhat from scratch again. Is there any other sport in the world where a player would trade a stronger competition for a lesser one for a few months? It's only rugby's skewed financials that allow such moves. And would it be better or worse for Super Rugby not to have Savea at all over the current contract period, rather than the 'is he or isn't he here' question with two sabbaticals? Do you gain more by having Savea for one year on, one year off than you do allowing him to head to Japan for four years – clearing any confusion – and still allowing him to be eligible for the All Blacks? Elliott Smith is a Rugby Commentator and Deputy Sports News Editor for Newstalk ZB. He is the host of the Rugby Direct podcast. For live commentary of this weekend's Super Rugby Pacific final between the Crusaders and the Chiefs, go to GOLD SPORT or iHeartRadio.
The Irish Sun
24-04-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Derry City boss Lynch makes big prediction about Gavin Whyte's potential impact after stunning solo goal
TIERNAN LYNCH reckons Gavin Whyte's brilliant solo effort against Sligo Rovers shows he can be one of the best players in the Premier division. The former Portsmouth forward lit up the Brandywell on Tuesday night when he raced from his own half with the ball to score the third in 2 After a sluggish start, his side are now only three points off top spot in the table 2 Whyte first came through the ranks at NIFL side Crusaders And Candystripes boss Lynch said: 'I don't think anybody ever doubted Gavin's quality. 'The big thing from our end was trying to be patient with Gavin. 'I know probably the fans got a little bit impatient with us because you bring arguably a top, top player in who's got the potential to be right up there with Mickey Duffy as one of the best players in the league.' Lynch believes his team have another 'three or four gears' in them and is confident Northern Ireland international Whyte will be a key player this season. Read More On Irish Football But he admits they have to be patient with the ex-Crusaders man who is only just returning to full-time football after leaving Fratton Park last summer for family reasons. Lynch added: 'You want him on the pitch but our big fear at the time was getting Gavin back. 'He hadn't played in a long time. Probably wasn't fit enough and you wouldn't have seen the best of him and he would've potentially broken down. 'That was tough for us and it was tough for Gavin but I think he has to take great credit for his patience and his work ethic to get himself back. Most read in Football 'He's still not where he needs to be but he's showing glimpses.' Although currently sixth in the Premier Division, Derry are only three points off Drogheda United in top spot. 'I already mentioned that twice' - Mikel Arteta takes issue with reporter's question as Arsenal title hopes all but end Tomorrow night, they travel to the RSC to face managerless Waterford. And Derry supremo Lynch expects the Blues to be like a 'wounded animal' following the departure of Keith Long and Monday's 2-1 defeat against Cork City. He said 'It will be a tough game. 'There's obviously a bit of travel in it and we know they're capable of beating anybody, they've already shown that. 'Sometimes a wounded animal is something you have to worry about so we'll not take anything for granted. 'We know if we're going to get anything out of there on Friday night we have to work for it.'
