Blues v BI Lions
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@pakman said in Blues v BI Lions:
@Crucial Canes game shows DMac is not an option at 10.
Not quite sure how you get to that conclusion. He moved there after an injury and the whole gameplan had to be adjusted on the spot. The Chiefs backs operate on the 2 first receivers (like the Canes tried tonight as well). When Cruden went off DMac had to play a conservative distributor role.
I've never said he is an AB 10 but will have the chance to put himself in that crowded frame next season. I have watched him play at NPC level as a 10 and he controls a game nicely with time on the ball and good decisions. Let's see if he can step it up a grade.
If he does we would have 4 quality 10s to choose from.
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@Crucial To expand a bit. IMO DMac isn't anything special at 10. Special in this context meaning AB quality. There isn't the space and he has to play accordingly. By way of contrast, at 15, either at the back or as a roving receiver, he is absolutely extraordinary. Given space and unstructured defences he ignites the Chiefs attack. A pleasure to behold.
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@pakman said in Blues v BI Lions:
@Crucial To expand a bit. IMO DMac isn't anything special at 10. Special in this context meaning AB quality. There isn't the space and he has to play accordingly. By way of contrast, at 15, either at the back or as a roving receiver, he is absolutely extraordinary. Given space and unstructured defences he ignites the Chiefs attack. A pleasure to behold.
But what are you making this call based on?
When I have seen him play 10 consistently he is very Cruden like. Takes the ball to the line, identifies gaps and space, has a better kicking game than Cruden.
Cruden is AB quality. DMac needs to show he can do all of this at Super Level now as despite you and I thinking he has great quality at 15 the AB selectors obviously feel differently for test rugby. I think they have even stated that they see him as a potential 10.
It will be a hard ask given that we have BB, Sopoaga and Mounga already proven BUT if you look slightly longer term versatility is gold when it comes to the RWC. Being able to carry 2 specialist 10s, a DMac AND a JB could be valuable. -
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@Bones said in Blues v BI Lions:
@Crucial He should look at halfback - woud be fantastic to have a kicking halfback with attacking skills as good as Perenara, but with a better pass...
Certainly has that terrier aspect that is a good thing in halfbacks (even if they are annoying little fucks)
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Ah lads FFS. This is the Blues vs Lions thread. For those who posted the result of the Chiefs vs Canes game may your balls fall off and your willy shrivel up.
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@Billy-Tell I think you mean @Nepia
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@Bones said in Blues v BI Lions:
@Billy-Tell I think you mean @Nepia
The blame squarely lies with @pakman for forcing me to reveal the winner in my strong and concise point.
Apologies @Billy-Tell
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@Crucial DMac was fine at 10 in H2. But he simply doesn't have Cruden's exceptional ability to thread through traffic and game management, in particular from set piece ball. DMac kicks better from the back, but Crudes has a (superior) tremendous quiver of kicks from 10. DMac's pace much superior, but yet to see him make a BB adjustment and use it as well at 10 as 15.
Agree that selectors have concluded that DMac isn't a starting 15. But I think they would be shortsighted to abandon his playing a bench role whereby BB came on as 15 and changed the shape of the AB attack. -
@pakman said in Blues v BI Lions:
@Crucial DMac was fine at 10 in H2. But he simply doesn't have Cruden's exceptional ability to thread through traffic and game management, in particular from set piece ball. DMac kicks better from the back, but Crudes has a (superior) tremendous quiver of kicks from 10. DMac's pace much superior, but yet to see him make a BB adjustment and use it as well at 10 as 15.
Agree that selectors have concluded that DMac isn't a starting 15. But I think they would be shortsighted to abandon his playing a bench role whereby BB came on as 15 and changed the shape of the AB attack.I don't agree with your last point at all. It is just what I have been banging on about. Making DMac the new BB that adds the unexpected touches of brilliance in the last 20..
What I am resigned to though is that the ABs don't see it the same way so I'm looking for how I hope he can fit in because I'd hate to see him go overseas because the door has closed. -
@Bones said in Blues v BI Lions:
@Crucial He should look at halfback - woud be fantastic to have a kicking halfback with attacking skills as good as Perenara, but with a better pass...
Funny you say that because during the game he made an atrocious clearing pass and I thought "Well, he definitely can't cover halfback"
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I think there is a big opportunity next week for DMac starting at FB against a test strength lions side ,
I think his ratings as a test prospect could go up or down massively as a result of that one game
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It was pretty cool that on a night where the Blues paid homage to their former 11 Jonah Lomu that the man wearing the Blues 11 jersey had an absolute scorcher. Little bit different style to Jonah but I think he would have approved.
Now like Jonah they just need to give Rieko the black 11 jersey.
