Sunwolves v Blues
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Great vision and execution Gatland.
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@machpants said in Sunwolves v Blues:
Yay Akira, he's gotta be ABs 8. Surrounded by grafters like Cane, he'll be a terror to the French IMO - not ahead of Read but he's a long way off I guess
Yup, he's miles ahead of Squire etc, should be the 6/8 cover off the bench or starting 8 if Read is unavailable. He's really delivering on his potential now - the Maori v BIL game last year he seemed to come of age and hasn't looked back.
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Never in doubt..lol
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@steven-harris said in Sunwolves v Blues:
Never in doubt..lol
hahaha Win's a win when you're in the Blue's position
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that last 2 minutes was awful,but after last years end of season debacle I will take that.
Will start with the good,3 x guys on debut,Hyland was very solid and took his chances well ,Ledger I thought was ok,and I am not sure If that was Dalton Papalii’s debut,if it was,it was a superb cameo off the bench.
The second forward effort was much better,Akira Ioane and Kara Pryor easily the best and a much better half from Tuipulotu.
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Hang on, are people really trying to say Little milked it and the blues prop didn't even budge? That was a pure blocking move, stepped in, dropped the shoulder. Very lucky not to be a card.
Was Perofeta taking the line kicks? Who was it on about min 70 with the penalty at halfway that only made ten metres? That's laughable at club level.
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Interesting Akira really stepped up once Papalii replaced Tupou. Not a coincidence.
Positives
Hyland terrific debut - played he did for the development team and at the 10s. Accurate and powerful.
Papalii is a serious talent.
Both Ioanes got really stuck in. Rieko should not be at 12 but made a decent fist of it today.
Bench front row did fairly well.
Negatives
Attacking structure is awful and telegraphed. Generating front foot ball is a real problem.
Kicking is mostly very poor.
Discipline a huge problem. So many needless penalties every week.
Duffie continues his garbage form.
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@steven-harris interesting when PT is playing poorly and Goodhue playing well, who gets subbed...
HYland, well done that man, did his job
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@steven-harris Yeah good on him but I'm not gonna lie he's no more than a stop gap. He's far too slow to be playing at this level. Reminds me of Brendon Laney in his later years.
I thought Ross Wright was very good off the the bench. Akira was his usual dominant self, Papali'i is a star in the making and should be pushing for a starting spot soon. The rest were meh.
Oh, and get Rieko out of the fucken 12 jumper Tana you idiot.
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@african-monkey I suppose it’s about taking your opportunities,Hyland I agree does not have the top end pace but it’s a victory for someone who has played some really good code for the Dev squad and taken his chance today with both hands,.
Agree with Papalii,a star in the making.. -
@steven-harris Yeah don't get me wrong I'm happy for the guy. Don't think he's the long term answer but good to see someone whose worked hard for an opportunity at this level take it with both hands.
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@african-monkey there were games last year where I wanted him on the bench for Northland, not starting...is an interesting player, is strong, good balance, good defender going forward (turns like the Titanic) lacks top end pace for a out and out winger, but not one you expect to excel, but he still manages to pull off some good shit and you sit there and think maybe I did underestimate him.
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@taniwharugby from a purely Northland perspective, Ross Wright is superb at carrying the ball and adds momemttun when he comes on. Happy that he had finally got his chance and is taking it.
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@no-quarter still not sure about Akira. He is almost always the most talented player on the field but he still
plays like he is in club rugby where is first instinct is to pick up the ball and run with it. Sometimes sideways and back, and he doesn’t always look to link. Hard to ignore but the reasons he had not been in the ABs are still there. You imagine the AB coaches can work out the kinks. -
@kev said in Sunwolves v Blues:
@no-quarter still not sure about Akira. He is almost always the most talented player on the field but he still
plays like he is in club rugby where is first instinct is to pick up the ball and run with it. Sometimes sideways and back, and he doesn’t always look to link. Hard to ignore but the reasons he had not been in the ABs are still there. You imagine the AB coaches can work out the kinks.I think the number one reason he hasn't been in the ABs has been attitude and workrate. You see that being much better this season. His physical gifts are extraordinary - so strong (holding people up), and tonight he just gassed a back, fended the fullback and left people in his dust.
He can be coached to run straight with better body position. With better players aroudn him and a better environment, I think he's going to be sensational
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