Magpies v Taranaki
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Vaega tackles on the wing like he does at centre
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Sniper in the stand. You have a go to take out McDermott
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Just realised that Wilson is back less than a week after dislocating his shoulder
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I wasn't pessimistic enough
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I feel like making McDermott swallowing that whistle. Some very questionable refereeing that cost us. We should at least have got a bonus point from this game. Much better effort from the team, but got nothing to show for it.
Anyone else think that particularly Lamborn is worse than previous years?
Cridge, Lowe and West were my (positive) standouts. Bucky and Weber not bad, either. Emerson deserves a mention for some brave tackling. A lot more heart in this game. When's McNicol back? Cardiff Vaega should never start again.
Did they say anything about Falcon and concussion; I got slightly confused by the commentators.
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I don't remember hearing anything about concussion for Falcon
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I too was mystified by C Vaega being contracted. When he was in the Hurricanes squad in 2014 (amazed that he was) I watched him play a number of club games for MSP and he was nothing special at that level either. I think the same could be said about his performance at Southland when he was there (playing outside another hungas in WIllis Haloholo). For him to land a professional contract he must have a damn good manager and highlights reel. Either that or those hiring him failed to due enough due diligence that would have uncovered his not so good aspects.
Without speculating it is noted that he has spent the last two seasons playing for Counties Manakau but has chosen to throw his lot in with HB. -
@stargazer If you're rating Lamborn as worse this years than previous years then he's definitely worse - you've probably been his biggest fan on here since he came on the scene.
Man, I hope this year doesn't force all our young talent away (those that are there and those coming through) and that a new coaching team can right the ship next year. We've got some talent out there and they're being reduced to also rans ....
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It ought not to be a surprise that Lamborn has not been as prominent as previous years.
The whole forward pack has not been as prominent as previous years.
What with injuries, debutants, and teenagers filling up the tight five in particular, our tight five has been dominated in every game except the one against Southland. And opposition packs have been more experienced, heavier and taller.
If your tight five is not going forward then none of your loose forwards are going to show up in the loose at all with things like support play, offloads, charging runs and tries because they are without the ball, going backwards, and having to make tackles - everything that is not support play, offloads, charging runs and tries.
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@number-10 Yes, I agree with that. I have noticed on several occasions how, for example, Mikaele-Tu'u tried to gather the ball from the back of the scrum but either failed to pass to Weber, delivered a hospital pass or dropped the ball. All due to the scrum going backward. Not having a big lump in the scrum like Ben May, really makes a difference.
Speaking of props, I wish the Canes would sign Farrell (and R-S). I think the SR environment could really help him in his development. If you just look at how Lowe has developed this year, both in the way he plays and physically (he has bulked up a lot), a season just training with the Canes has been really beneficial. I assume Falcon will get that experience in 2018 with the Chiefs (I can't imagine him playing SR in 2018, the way he's going at the moment).
Damn, what am I saying. I wish a SR franchise would pick up Mikaele-Tu'u as well. I really rate him.
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D Duluth moved this topic from Magpie Rugby on
