Blues 2019
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@antipodean Lucky Tana isn't coach then we'd have Rieko back at 12.
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@Tim said in Blues 2019:
Another positive was that Matich looked a lot better than Taramai at this level.
Not getting at your comment or assessment @Tim but it occurred to me that considering the amount of moaning we do about depth being eroded by overseas clubs the players that stick around to make up the numbers here cop a lot of criticism. Taramai is the type of player that could earn ok in Japan/Italy or second tier UK/France yet is still here.
Maybe we should accept that there is a place for these guys and judge them accordingly? -
Either way, the expectation drives a lot of the quality.
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All I'm saying is that the guy is a good NPC level player and we need those to make up about a third of the Super Squads so he fills a role.
Not saying that he is immune to criticism just that if we want/need these these players maybe we should be less harsh on them and making them feel not wanted. -
@Crucial said in Blues 2019:
All I'm saying is that the guy is a good NPC level player and we need those to make up about a third of the Super Squads so he fills a role.
No he doesn't fulfil a role at Super Rugby level, and despite three years of Umaga selection he is still way below the standard.
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@Crucial said in Blues 2019:
Are we saying there are 150+ Super quality players in NZ?
That's just dreaming and even if there was the turnover to overseas clubs would be massive due to the roadblocks for aspiring players.
That doesn't mean players who aren't up to Super Rugby standard should get picked again and again and again. Definition of insanity and all that.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2019:
That doesn't mean players who aren't up to Super Rugby standard should get picked again and again and again. Definition of insanity and all that.
Yes it was the re-selection that was the problem.
He had a pretty good NPC back in 2016 and was worth a look. His problem at SR level was how poorly he coped with the increased physicality.
A commentator mentioned at the end of the 2017 SR that his contract was not being renewed. That was a good call... then they gave him another contract a couple of months laterI guess the reason @Tim was comparing Matich to Taramai was because his NPC form has been at least as good as Taramai but he never got an opportunity. Meanwhile Taramai got the opportunity to fail twice.
It's too early to judge Matich but he's looked relatively comfortable in his cameos for the Chiefs (during an injury crisis last year) and for the Blues on the weekend.
I think he was involved in one defensive mixup but he certainly didn't get bullied like Taramai used to -
@African-Monkey said in Blues 2019:
@antipodean Lucky Tana isn't coach then we'd have Rieko back at 12.
Tana is doing the Rugby world a favour. When some multi millionaire Frenchman is whinging about him in 5 years time at least he'll have had experience playing in the midfield when he gets shunted there.
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@Crucial said in Blues 2019:
@Tim said in Blues 2019:
Another positive was that Matich looked a lot better than Taramai at this level.
Not getting at your comment or assessment @Tim but it occurred to me that considering the amount of moaning we do about depth being eroded by overseas clubs the players that stick around to make up the numbers here cop a lot of criticism. Taramai is the type of player that could earn ok in Japan/Italy or second tier UK/France yet is still here.
Maybe we should accept that there is a place for these guys and judge them accordingly?So like Matt Matich then? I had heard he was likely to head offshore after the last NPC if he didn't pick up a SR gig. As @Duluth mentioned he has been consistently good for a few seasons now (arguably much better than Taramai) and never got much of a chance.
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@Duluth said in Blues 2019:
Do we know how long Duffie, Trainor, Gibson etc are out for?
Are the back after the overseas trip?
Gibson I'd say will be back either for the Sunwolves game or for the first game after the bye.
In an article on 1 February "with co-captain Blake Gibson out likely a month with an ankle sprain"
Not sure about Duffie (hamstring) and Trainor (thigh)
EDIT - an update - Trainor has been named in the Auckland tour to ACT/NSW with games this Friday and next Friday. Scrafton is also in the squad.
Tour down-under to commence for Auckland Contenders
24-man squad to play matches against Brumbies A and Waratahs A sides Opportunity for players to experience a High...
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The Blues A Team vs Chiefs Dev
Friday 22nd February, 5pm Pakuranga United Rugby ClubSTARTING XV:
1 Ian Fata - North Harbour
2 Leni Apisai - Blues
3 Connor Halangahu - Auckland
4 Scott Scrafton - Blues
5 Danny Drake - North Harbour
6 Temo Mayanavanua - Northland
7 Adrian Choat - Auckland
8 Glenn Preston - Northland
9 Jack Grooby - Ta$man
10 Daniel Kirkpatrick (c) - Auckland
11 Jordan Hyland - Northland
12 Harrison Groundwater - North Harbour
27 Levi Aumua - Blues
14 Mark Tele'a - North Harbour
15 Tomas Aoake - North HarbourREPLACEMENTS:
16 Luteru Tolai - North Harbour
17 Kaynan Tua - Auckland
18 Brad Leuila - North Harbour
19 Sam Caird - Northland
20 Hauwai McGahan - North Harbour
21 Lewis Gjaltema - North Harbour
22 Wiseguy Faiane - Northland
23 Nikolai Foliaki - Auckland
25 John Cooper - Auckland
28 Isi Manu - Auckland
