Blues v Highlanders
-
@shadowtrooper said in Blues v Highlanders:
@steven-harris said in Blues v Highlanders:
I watched a 36 year old Mike Delany run around for the crusaders last night,most people would think why would you pull someone in that old..?,
reason why..he had an outstanding Mitre 10 cup for BOP last year and is a seriously experienced footballer with leadership skills,Who do the Blues sign..?, when you have not got many experienced guys in the halves ,with the greatest of respect they sign Daniel Kirkpatrick who was the 2nd string starting first five for the Wellington Lions,probably no more than a tradesman to be fair and has never set the world on fire Just highlights to me that they really did not consider someone with real leadership skills if either Gatland or Perofeta were struggling
Many of us have long held the opinion that the Blues should have signed someone with the experience, quality and durability of a Mike Delany or Tom Taylor who would have been invaluable for the Blues at this stage. Certainly Delany has been worth his weight in gold for the Crusaders in these past few rounds giuding round the paddock with consummate ease. Wheras Perofeta has understandably struggled with getting to grips with life at first five - let alone the cahnge in expectations at fullback, coming within a couple of weeks.
In my view it just shows the unbelievable inexperience and naive nature of Tana and his so-called talent-spotting team. Whilst the injury to Black couldn't be helped (or maybe it could) bolstering the team stocks with experience - especially in the halves - would have been useful additions to the team and its ethos.
I think comparisons can be drawn to the Silver Ferns also - changing the team from week to week is not helping either its culture, identity or strength. And while Tana (like Southby) hasn't fallen on his sword (yet) the paucity and downturn in results cannot be justified at this level. It is also not good, I might add, for our current (and any future) Blues ABs.
However, if Tana did resign - who would make the step up to replace him?Who are these guys they should have signed but didn't ? Delany signed with the Crusaders after coming back from years overseas. Taylor left years ago too. Did he even want to play for the Blues?
You can't just magic experienced guys who WANT to be signed by the Blues.Don't get me wrong, there have been poor recruitment choices eg. Collins. But there have also been some pretty good ones eg. SBW, Pulu, Black and Tupou (as a squadie).
-
Gatland has indicated he will be coming back to NZ at the end of his Welsh contract. Hamilton/Waihi is a lot closer to Auckland than Cardiff.
@Duluth's suggestion to have a caretaker coach who is an assistant to Gatland might work. Howley did the same for Wales when Gatland had Lions' commitments. There is still a political element to appointments for Super rugby coaches so that could be a factor in this too.
-
@pukunui you reckon Collins is a poor selection..?,I reckon he’s one of the better ones and from what I heard does a ton of talking and directing traffic from the back..got crucified by a few people on this site for what I admit was very poor tackling effort on Jean Luc Deprie in the Sharks game,game but people failed to notice was the missed tackle by Jerome Kaino on the advantage line in the sharks game that lead up to that try
From a Northland piece,Sam Nock has been a real disappointment, and while Hyland did not cover himself in glory with his game on Friday ,he’s really only there because of injuries..Kara Pryor has been better than I thought he would be,but is not a long time answer,and he’s no Blake Gibson.
My biggest disappointment has been Patrick Tuipulotu,does one or 2 good carries in a game and then is never seen again,given his size and reputation is a real let down,compare his workrate to Jackson Hemapo,not even in the same ball park.
Parsons the skipper is no more than a plodder..
I am willing to cut some slack on Perofeta and Gatland simply because they are young guys,but have not had a shed load of experience around them.. -
@steven-harris I can't wait for Blake Gibson to play so we can actually see if he's worth the hype. I think Kara Pryor is a bloody good 7 and is probably underrated.
-
@nepia said in Blues v Highlanders:
I can't wait for Blake Gibson to play so we can actually see if he's worth the hype.
He's had multiple seasons of Super Rugby and was called into the All Blacks camp last year. 'Hype' is a strange word to use. He has a reputation based on previous form.
-
@duluth said in Blues v Highlanders:
@nepia said in Blues v Highlanders:
I can't wait for Blake Gibson to play so we can actually see if he's worth the hype.
He's had multiple seasons of Super Rugby and was called into the All Blacks camp last year. 'Hype' is a strange word to use. He has a reputation based on previous form.
Oh come on, there's always been hype around him, I don't remember him living up to it or being a stand out pick 'me for the ABs'. He's the white Ngatai it seems
. -
@nepia said in Blues v Highlanders:
@duluth said in Blues v Highlanders:
@nepia said in Blues v Highlanders:
I can't wait for Blake Gibson to play so we can actually see if he's worth the hype.
He's had multiple seasons of Super Rugby and was called into the All Blacks camp last year. 'Hype' is a strange word to use. He has a reputation based on previous form.
Oh come on, there's always been hype around him, I don't remember him living up to it or being a stand out pick 'me for the ABs'. He's the white Ngatai it seems
.I understand if people don't actually watch the Blues but Blake Gibson was the Blues best forward last season (along with Luatua). He had a really strong Super season. His main issue is staying on the field.
-
@kiwimurph said in Blues v Highlanders:
@nepia said in Blues v Highlanders:
@duluth said in Blues v Highlanders:
@nepia said in Blues v Highlanders:
I can't wait for Blake Gibson to play so we can actually see if he's worth the hype.
He's had multiple seasons of Super Rugby and was called into the All Blacks camp last year. 'Hype' is a strange word to use. He has a reputation based on previous form.
Oh come on, there's always been hype around him, I don't remember him living up to it or being a stand out pick 'me for the ABs'. He's the white Ngatai it seems
.I understand if people don't actually watch the Blues but Blake Gibson was the Blues best forward last season (along with Luatua). He had a really strong Super season. His main issue is staying on the field.
Yeah, I said he was the white Ngatai already
I watch Blues games.
-
@steven-harris said in Blues v Highlanders:
@pukunui you reckon Collins is a poor selection..?,I reckon he’s one of the better ones and from what I heard does a ton of talking and directing traffic from the back..got crucified by a few people on this site for what I admit was very poor tackling effort on Jean Luc Deprie in the Sharks game,game but people failed to notice was the missed tackle by Jerome Kaino on the advantage line in the sharks game that lead up to that try
From a Northland piece,Sam Nock has been a real disappointment, and while Hyland did not cover himself in glory with his game on Friday ,he’s really only there because of injuries..Kara Pryor has been better than I thought he would be,but is not a long time answer,and he’s no Blake Gibson.
My biggest disappointment has been Patrick Tuipulotu,does one or 2 good carries in a game and then is never seen again,given his size and reputation is a real let down,compare his workrate to Jackson Hemapo,not even in the same ball park.
Parsons the skipper is no more than a plodder..
I am willing to cut some slack on Perofeta and Gatland simply because they are young guys,but have not had a shed load of experience around them..Yes, I think Collins is rubbish. Definitely not Super rugby starting standard. Regardless of that im still not seeing anyone actually coming up with a list of names of experienced guys Tana "should have signed".
Regarding Black. He is probably the best 10 signing they have made since Nick Evans a decade ago and he hasn't even played a game. But that's not a hard list to top.
-
@pukunui is he the best signing cos he hasnt yet had a chance to fail to meet the high expectations on him?
-
@taniwharugby said in Blues v Highlanders:
@pukunui is he the best signing cos he hasnt yet had a chance to fail to meet the high expectations on him?
No, mainly because he is competing with guys who were past it or never even showed a glimpse of having it. Black has at least played a few games of super rugby and shown that he isn't completely useless, he is also fair young so could be around for a few years.
-
@pukunui Otere Black is 6 days older than Bryn Gatland, who is 10 months older than Perofeta...all 3 could be about for many years to come!
-
@taniwharugby said in Blues v Highlanders:
@pukunui Otere Black is 6 days older than Bryn Gatland, who is 10 months older than Perofeta...all 3 could be about for many years to come!
Not sure what point you are making. That is great. He has a bit of a head start on Super rugby experience on those other guys but that may not count for much after this season sitting on the sideline.
-
@pukunui the other 2 are younger, both been slated past couple of weeks, and they are playing...Black is simply benefiting from not playing and thus looking by far the best option...if we use the Ngatai rule, he will get better the longer he doesnt play
-
@pukunui I’m curious about why in your opinion Collins is rubbish,and who you would play there..?.
As for Otere Black only time will tell if he’s a decent pivot,have heard from some turbo supporters that Jade Te Rure is a better allround player. -
@taniwharugby said in Blues v Highlanders:
@pukunui the other 2 are younger, both been slated past couple of weeks, and they are playing...Black is simply benefiting from not playing and thus looking by far the best option...if we use the Ngatai rule, he will get better the longer he doesnt play
With the current state of Blues results that is the general rule that gets applied to any player not taking the field. Continual grasping at straws with 'why isn't so and so playing instead, they are better' followed by 'why was so and so picked, they were crap'. Anyone not playing gets talked up as a potential saviour.
-
@steven-harris Collins has two big limits: speed and kicking game. Kicking game is surprisingly poor. Agreed that he is probably otherwise one of the safer and better thinking players.
-
@tim I thought his game against the touring Lions team last year was outstanding,he fielded all the high kicks that came his way and his kicking game on the night was first class.
In the bigger picture,Collins is the least of the Blues problems.. -
@steven-harris said in Blues v Highlanders:
@pukunui I’m curious about why in your opinion Collins is rubbish,and who you would play there..?.
As for Otere Black only time will tell if he’s a decent pivot,have heard from some turbo supporters that Jade Te Rure is a better allround player.I just think he offers very little other than this supposed "communication" that keeps getting talked about. Rarely beats a man with strength, a step or speed, isn't flash on defence and kicking is no better than average. Fullback is hugely important position and he has been there most of the last two seasons and the Blues have been shit in that time. I think he is part of it and his communication isn't adding much.
I think a Ioane/Nanai/Duffie back three in whatever order you put it should be the first choice. Nanai isn't the finished product by any means but he has been stuck behind Collins unable to get the minutes he needs to develop.Again for Black, not suggesting he is a saviour. Just refuting the claim that they haven't recruited anyone decent. He has already proved himself decent. Could all turn to shit but that doesn't come into it.
Still waiting on a list of experienced guys they didn't sign.
