DAN CARTER’S SIX-MONTH rugby sabbatical ended on a losing note against Hurricanes last weekend. His first start of 2014, however, ended with a win at AMI Stadium, Christchurch. His vital offload for teammate Nemani Nadolo led to Crusaders’ match-clinching try.
The All Blacks out-half started in the No.12 jersey for Crusaders and let Colin Slade keep the kicking tee until the out-half departed on 66 minutes. The home side were trailing 13-11 when Slade left the field of play but a Carter penalty edged his side in front.
Carter was instrumental in the try that secured victory for Crusaders. He took a pass from Andy Ellis, stepped inside his man and offloaded in the tackle to Nadolo, who crashed over for his second try of the game. Carter converted to make it 21-13 and declared, post-match, that he only realised how much he missed the game when he was in the thick of the Super Rugby action.
The match also featured Colin Slade hurtling backwards after his second ill-advised tackle in two weeks. He lost his mouth-guard when attempting to stop the Hurricanes’ Hadleigh Parkes last weekend and repeated the trick when coming off worst in a midfield meeting with Ma’a Nonu.
Meanwhile, Nick ‘Honey Badger’ Cummins scored a try for Western Force in their 30-20 victory over Queensland Reds. Cummins, who is off to Japan for a lucrative club rugby deal at the end of the season, dotted down hisside’s first score and set up Ben McCalman for Force’s second.
I suppose a natural development since Kilkenny’s physicality in the air has evolved the game into more of a physical battle. Hope there’s still a place for a Joe Deane or eoin Kelly type player in the modern game, hurling would be much poorer otherwise
There are not enough hardy lads in Tipp for the kind of game Ryan wants to impose .
I’d like to think you still need to be able to hurl to succeed tho. It’ll be interesting to see how Clare do with their pace and skill based game. I think it would be good for hurling to see them in croke park again. Hopefully Tipp can get the balance of brain and brawn right tho
Just because lads are after getting big and strong it does not mean that we after loosing a type of player.I think lads like TJ,Richie Hogan,JJ Delaney,Joe Canning and Callanan are just as skillful and class as Deane and Kelly.Just look at the player of the year nominees this year…….all three are like Houdini when they have a sliotar in their hands.Its the way the game is being played is changing.I think Kilkenny just brought more intensity rather than physicality,as the game was much more physical just as far back as 20 years ago.And more again 40 and 50yrs ago
For too long now ,Tipp have thrown away Munsters and all-Irelands due to their non physicality….
As Tommy Docherty once said when describing a Ladies team ” their lovely to look at,, but they wont hurt you ”
Maybe its time to bring back Hells Kitchen !!
I’m still scratching my head trying to figure out why maher was centre forward last year. I think right half back is his best position , in midfield he goes in and out of games. He’s more solid than Barrett.
Just as long as he doesn’t throw the baby out with the bath water. EOS was on the cusp of cracking it but his team lacked a bit of edge, not helped by injuries to the like if Mahony, Cahill, Stapleton etc. who add a bit of bite to the team. I would nearly prefer lose than sacrifice EOS’s hurling philosophy in favour of that sweeper system/ Donegal tactic that other teams are employing. Also if Michael Quinlivan can hurl he would be well worth a try.
That’s the worry Johnny, but I hope with the likes of bubbles, Callanan and Noel McGrath you have the bones of a hurling front 6 as opposed to a blunt battering ram. Galway even uppe’d the physicality stakes this year as well. Where’s it all going to end.. in puke football territory maybe? I like you still want to retain our nice brand of hurling identity if possible
Tipp need to find a few more players. No Denis Maher? The question you need to ask as a fan is how many of this squad would start on a Kilkenny first 15? 4-5 at a push, this is the bench mark for Tipp unfortunately.