Brumbies v Blues
-
Just watched the press conference with Larkham. It's no wonder Aussie rugby is so down, guys like him are incapable of being constructive and honest when assessing the game and the reasons for the loss. According to Larkham, the Blues didn't beat the Brumbies, they beat themselves and the reason why they didn't score a single try was because the Blues kept on infringing. Sure Steve, luckily for your team the Blues didn't capitalise on the amount of possession they had and Gatland didn't bring his kicking boots to the game. Otherwise it could have been really messy.
The press conferences are on the foxsports website if anyone is interested.
-
@mariner4life Well, I guess that's another case of "Agree to disagree" then.
-
@Stargazer @mariner4life I think the argument is that his game is built more for test rugby - reliable and steady, but very low errors and poor decision making, rather than being a Rok/Lomu/X-factor player.
I did it. I used X-factor to describe players. FML.
-
Nowhere is the imbalance of power reflected more than the Blues. Since last year Umaga's men are 1/11 against Kiwi opponents whom they play regularly; 11/13 against Australian and South African teams. Furthermore, the Blues are now unbeaten in their last seven games against Australian opposition, and have also won their last three matches in Australia for the first time in 17 years.
-
@taniwharugby Whilst the Blues have won their last 3 games in Australia they haven't won in Sydney since 2003 so something has to give this weekend.
-
@Stargazer put me in the camp with @mariner4life
-
@KiwiMurph Will be interesting as the Waratahs are coming off a win. They shouldn't be travelling as badly as they are put it that way.
-
@African-Monkey The Blues can't be favourite for any away game, even with the current dire state of Aussie rugby. Particularly without Kaino and talking about having to find a fifth choice flyhalf. Not to mention our lock injuries.
-
@KiwiMurph think early on in the season the Aussie teams had won 1/35 games against NZ sides, that will be up around 1/45 now...Blues have a rep to uphold now
-
@nzzp said in Brumbies v Blues:
@Stargazer @mariner4life I think the argument is that his game is built more for test rugby - reliable and steady, but very low errors and poor decision making, rather than being a Rok/Lomu/X-factor player.
I did it. I used X-factor to describe players. FML.
Hmmm, you describe someones game as more test like than two players who have played over 100 tests between them and were mainstays of All Black test teams.
-
@Billy-Tell said in Brumbies v Blues:
I reckon Duffy is now the next cab off the rank after (in no particular order) Savea, Dagg, Smith, NMS and Naholo. All this talk about Jordie Barrett, but Duffy has been pretty darn solid.
Probably the biggest losers in that list of (presumably) wings would be Rieko Ioane and Melani Nanai. One an AB wing and the other called in for training when we had injuries.
Are they both accidentally omitted, or do you reckon Duffy is now ahead of both of them?
-
I've been surprised at the lack of Duffie talk on the other AB thread, with all the back 3 injuries.
I've been very impressed. Looks a test capable footballer, and with his rate of improvement I'd be even more confident.
I don't watch enough full games to be able to compare contenders and add to these debates . Eg about 3 years ago I was typing the same thing about Andrew Horrell after tuning in at about playoffs time and thinking wow this guy is awesome and always takes great options.
Being a very early admirer of Corey Jane at NPC level I had begun to think of myself as a future test back 3 predictor guru.
Btw. I also like the cut of Melani Nanai's jib.
-
@Rapido said in Brumbies v Blues:
I've been surprised at the lack of Duffie talk on the other AB thread, with all the back 3 injuries.
I've been very impressed. Looks a test capable footballer, and with his rate of improvement I'd be even more confident.
I don't watch enough full games to be able to compare contenders and add to these debates . Eg about 3 years ago I was typing the same thing about Andrew Horrell after tuning in at about playoffs time and thinking wow this guy is awesome and always takes great options.
Being a very early admirer of Corey Jane at NPC level I had begun to think of myself as a future test back 3 predictor guru.
Btw. I also like the cut of Melani Nanai's jib.
I agree. Duffie looks made for test rugby. Starting to remind me of Ben from Accounts. I would not have a problem with him debuting against the Lions.
-
I actually reckon he is more like Jane than BFA, but regardless, his improvement this year is remarkable and must surely be in the conversation Shag is having.
-
@Chris-B. said in Brumbies v Blues:
@Billy-Tell said in Brumbies v Blues:
I reckon Duffy is now the next cab off the rank after (in no particular order) Savea, Dagg, Smith, NMS and Naholo. All this talk about Jordie Barrett, but Duffy has been pretty darn solid.
Probably the biggest losers in that list of (presumably) wings would be Rieko Ioane and Melani Nanai. One an AB wing and the other called in for training when we had injuries.
Are they both accidentally omitted, or do you reckon Duffy is now ahead of both of them?
I wouldn't have him above them. They're both very talented operators. If you look at how we use our right wingers I think Nanai is perfect and provides that little something extra. Ioane has wheels and can play centre.
Fuck i wish we still had NZ A
-
@mariner4life The Junior All Blacks still exist and are officially our second national rep team. Maybe they should use them again to give fringe ABs and up-and-comers international game time during a Pacific Nations Cup type of tournament.
-
I'm surprised that Duffie has been elevated so much in some posters estimations. He's playing well but I'm not sure he's in ready to leapfrog a guy like Reiko and I don't think he should be promoted on the basis of being considered 'safe'. Our so called safe guys like BFA actually have crazy x factor. And a guy like Rieko is actually pretty 'safe' in his decision making anyway.
I like Nanai, he looks uncommonly good at times, however, I kind of think he should be playing for Samoa and not us.
-
@Stargazer think his point was we don't use them anymore, as far as I can see on http://www.allblacks.com/Teams/Junior they haven't played since 2009? Surely not that long?
-
I haven't watched enough of Ioane on the wing, but ...... if Ioane as an AB wing last year was part of a 'gradual introduction to eventual AB midfield ... project' then I wouldn't be surprised to see him get leap frogged by a second fullback style winger in a scenario where all the second FBs are dropping like flies.
