Blues vs Crusaders
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@Chris said in Blues vs Crusaders:
Blues much better than the last few years great intent and a visible game plan will be much improved this year.Will win some Derby games I reckon.
Hopefully they walk away from the game thinking they should've won bar for some stupid decisions by key personnel. Replace their tighthead prop and fullback for a start.
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Imagine being a professional goal kicker. Then when you get asked to kick goals, you miss.
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@Yeahtheboys said in Blues vs Crusaders:
Imagine being a professional goal kicker. Then when you get asked to kick goals, you miss.
Mounga will improve with more practice.
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@Yeahtheboys said in Blues vs Crusaders:
Imagine being a professional goal kicker. Then when you get asked to kick goals, you miss.
Imagine being a pro golfer where hitting the ball is all you do and you still don't get it perfect after practicing all day
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I was surprised by Robinsons first half performance (before the YC), he just seemed to seagull around rather than getting stuck in. After he came back on he played a bit more like I was expecting. The YC was damaging but I don't think McDonald will be worried about the intent, just the execution. If he maintains his second half form he will be a big asset for the Blues.
I thought Josh Goodhue had a very good game, carried well and worked hard on defence. No head turning moments but if he keeps playing like that, it should free up some of the other more expansive forwards.
Early days but 9-10 still looks like a weak point. Thought Black stood far too deep which really put the backline on the back foot and meant they were going to have to rely on individual brilliance. Hopefully it improves as the season goes on.
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Walked away from Eden Park on Saturday night asking myself one question..have the Blues got the right skipper..?
Being down 3-12 and with a man in the bin,I thought the Blues did extremely well to keep the Saders scoreless during that time.
However the decision not to take 3 points from a very kickable position on the stroke of halftime had many of us in the west stand shaking our heads..On 2 other occasions points on offer were turned down..
You often wonder why the Blues never quite get across the line in this local derby games..much of it you can put down to poor leadership and decision making on field.Sure you can heap blame on individuals but despite that in many cases poor options when coming to terms of what’s required and understanding game situations is something they need to fix and in a hurry..
I was often told,when your playing a good team,stay in the fight and when it gets down to the wire anything can happen,for that to happen you have to keep accumulating points.There was a lot to like,talking to a good friend in Christchurch who caught up with Matt Todd earlier today..Todd had told him the Blues were definitely a different beast from previous years ,very tough up front and more structure to their game.but they also knew whom to pressure in the last 15 minutes and get maximum value..interesting coms..
Just from my own point of view,I think the Blues would have Brocken their duck against any other franchise ,but after all we are playing a team that’s got everybody else’s number in NZ.
Just on a man of the match..if Ardie and Sam are considered the best 7s in the country ,Matt Todd must the unluckiest player running around..watched his running lines from the top of the west stand always in the right place at the right time..not far behind the young Ennor ,but I have always known how good this kid was gonna be from his St Kent’s and NZ 20s days.
For the Blues,if Akira can keep this form up,who knows I am sure Hansen will no choice but to have him involved with the Blacks.
Nonu surprised me,did most things right and more ,got gassed by Ennor,but at the end of the day just up against younger faster legs.Like the look of Tom Robinson,would love to see him used more running off a short pass from a prop channel 1 or 2..
Disappointed with the loss,but will be back for the next home game..loved the banter from the supporters up on the West Stand,never laughed so much at a game.
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@Steven-Harris said in Blues vs Crusaders:
Walked away from Eden Park on Saturday night asking myself one question..have the Blues got the right skipper..?
Who do you go with though? It's an unfortunate set of circumstances, but the major issue is that the guys with 5-7 years experience who should be there aren't because of the missed generations at the end of Lam's run and Kirwan's tenure. Patty T and Parsons are really all that is left from that period - and they sat under the learning tree of Ali Williams and Luke Braid - so hard to expect them to be the next Buck.
The goal kicking calls have to fall back to the coach there. They seemed to play a very conservative game with ball in hand, yet would turn down goal kicking opportunities and even when they did take them have below average kickers. The Blues are only going to win this season with their defence and scoring in 5s.
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I think Faiane stands out as the obvious option from next year onwards if the Patty T/Blake Gibson combo does not work. With SBW and Nonu both likely off he would be favourite to start at 12 and did a terrific job as captain of Auckland.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues vs Crusaders:
I think Faiane stands out as the obvious option from next year onwards if the Patty T/Blake Gibson combo does not work. With SBW and Nonu both likely off he would be favourite to start at 12 and did a terrific job as captain of Auckland.
I would be hard pressed to go with Faiane next season, which will be his make or break year in terms of making ABs after the exodus. Tough to saddle him with the captaincy for such an important individual season. Wouldn't surprise me if he captains the Blues at some point shortly after though.
