Brumbies vs Blues
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@Stargazer said in Brumbies vs Blues:
Seeing so many calls for signing TTT for the Blues, I wonder whether anyone has considered the possibility that his limited game time for the Chiefs may not solely be the preference of the coaches for Weber? Could it be that there is something lacking in the way TTT is training, his skillset or mentally that causes them to overlook him?
I'm not saying that's the case; I don't know. But I think, generally speaking, many Ferners are very quick to blame the coaches, maybe too quick.
Given everything else at the Chiefs, I'll side with Occam's razor.
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@Stargazer said in Brumbies vs Blues:
Seeing so many calls for signing TTT for the Blues, I wonder whether anyone has considered the possibility that his limited game time for the Chiefs may not solely be the preference of the coaches for Weber? Could it be that there is something lacking in the way TTT is training, his skillset or mentally that causes them to overlook him?
I'm not saying that's the case; I don't know. But I think, generally speaking, many Ferners are very quick to blame the coaches, maybe too quick.
I think these calls are more of a case of a 2018 All Black being an upgrade for the Blues at halfback which they definitely need. I don't think it's a stretch to say that TTT would be an upgrade on the Blues current halfbacks.
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@Stargazer regardless, maybe (not saying is the case) he might also think the Chiefs coaches are being tougher on him and not giving the opportunities he feels he deserves...
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@KiwiMurph Yeah, fair point, although Pulu is a capped player, too and look how that has turned out.
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@Stargazer said in Brumbies vs Blues:
@KiwiMurph Yeah, fair point, although Pulu is a capped player, too and look how that has turned out.
I think we can all agree there are players whose Test status is at best a trivia question, not a reflection of their international standing.
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@Stargazer said in Brumbies vs Blues:
Seeing so many calls for signing TTT for the Blues, I wonder whether anyone has considered the possibility that his limited game time for the Chiefs may not solely be the preference of the coaches for Weber? Could it be that there is something lacking in the way TTT is training, his skillset or mentally that causes them to overlook him?
I'm not saying that's the case; I don't know. But I think, generally speaking, many Ferners are very quick to blame the coaches, maybe too quick.
There's probably something in that. I think Weber gets the starts due to his experience more than anything. I'd like to see TTT get more gametime to develop but when you've had a tough season and wins are paramount every week, coaches generally choose experience.
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@Stargazer said in Brumbies vs Blues:
@KiwiMurph Yeah, fair point, although Pulu is a capped player, too and look how that has turned out.
Sure but what's the alternative? Pass on recruiting an AB 9 when you have a need at 9?
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@KiwiMurph said in Brumbies vs Blues:
Wasn't Leon MacDonald involved in the NZ U20s coaching group with Razor the year that TTT was halfback? (same year as Akira, Jack Goodhue etc).
Blues absolutely should be chasing TTT. It's no good for NZ Rugby that he is wallowing away on the Chiefs bench with barely any game time.
Yeah, Leon was attack coach and Tana was defensive coach.
I remember one of the backlines for that team being
9 - TTT
10 - Otere Black
11 - Tevita Li
12 - TJ Faiane
13 - Anton Lienert-Brown
14 - Jack Goodhue
15 - Mitch HuntLooking at the squad now, it's one of the more stacked U20 teams. Almost everyone in that team has a Super Rugby contract.
http://www.allblacks.com/news/27229/nz-under-20-squad-named-for-world-champs-in-italy
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@Stargazer Yeah Pulu's a funny one. Full of energy and will always give it 100%, problem is he doesn't use his brain a lot of the time if ever and ends up costing his team more often than not. He's always been a bit of an enigma.
We're in a real sticky spot at 9. We'd be stupid not to go for TTT but if we can't land him, then we're probably better off sticking with Ruru/Nock as our 2 choices as there isn't a hell of a lot out there. Who knows, maybe Nock is finally starting to realise his potential and might kick on next year if given another contract. Ruru's not bad to have around the squad. He has his bad moments but he's ok as a squad member.
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@taniwharugby That was Nock's first start this year and he played really well - quick decision making, fast pass, good box kicks, covered well. The Blues look so good when their big forwards maintain their structure and hit the advantage line and he was part of that. Of recent times he has had some time off the bench and looked much better than last year (even with one intercept pass) - the key being the quicker decision making. I don't know what has happened but either he has woken up or the coaching and tactics have improved. I do think with MacDonald we are seeing a more structured uptempo game plan. I want to see him get some more game time and see how he goes. If he plays like he did on Saturday then he deserves to be there. The fact that the Coaching team gave him a start says that they were also are pleased with his cameo's to that point. He is the perfect example of a player selected too early - his quiet nature has probably been part of that, but to me he looks like he starting to step up. But I wold like to see him run more more as he is quick and to keep working on his physicality which has improved.
