Blues 2019
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I don't know why we can't stick with what we have. We have far bigger problems than 10.
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@nzzp Wow says everything are the Blues trying to select 29 First fives for next season hopefully One will do the job.
Young first Fives need confidence and time in the saddle to learn how to control a game and handle different defensive systems.
Pick one stick with him and back him. -
@Chris said in Blues 2019:
@Duluth Selected in the blues as a First five mainly and didn't Steve Hansen say Perofeata would have been selected ahead of Cameron as a First Five on the end of year Tour.
You said he cannot be considered a fullback. He's played plenty of rugby at fullback
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@Duluth Yeah sorry I see him as a first Five and maybe the better of the 3 they have, he reminds of Ioane and Mo'unga that sort of player.
If I were the Blues I would stick with him and give him a real crack or another franchise will pick him up and turn him into a good player. -
Looking at the pre-season I think he was going to be the starting fullback this year.
Nanai did a great job but he is primarily a finisher, a winger playing out of position.
Look at what the other sides do at fullback: Dmac, J Barrett, Havili, B Smith etc... They are all kicking options and are capable of coming into first receiver.
Perofeta could do a similar role.But halfback is where the real attention should be. The pack provided good enough ball but the halfbacks were terrible. The 10/12/13 will always struggle outside of that
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@Tim said in Blues 2019:
I haven't watched much of Parker play, but he'd be better than Black? Does he take the ball flat? Punts well I think? Defence?
A little bit better. He stands deepish like Black but he seems to make more breaks.. I guess he is faster.
Defence is an issue. It's not through lack of effort but he does struggle.
Kicking from hand is pretty good.Goalkicking is world class
Last time I looked Plummer kicked at 54%. If no other variables changed and Plummer kicked at a passable low 70's %age, we would probably be in the playoffs.
Hopefully the technical issues are fixed before next season.Perofeta's goalkicking isn't great either so I can see why Parker would be tempting
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@Duluth Seems a waste at FB for me.I think he could really challenge the defensive line at First Five good pace kicks with length in fact after me saying that good attributes for a FB too.The HB's stocks look weak to me not much around that has not been signed.Blues should keep Nock dump Ruru but who to replace him with .Folau Fakatava is the best of the unsigned HB's.
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@Chris said in Blues 2019:
Blues should keep Nock dump Ruru but who to replace him with .Folau Fakatava is the best of the unsigned HB's.
Talent spotting and development is at the heart of our problem. Don't forget, we've had Aaron Smith, Waisake Naholo and Fekitoa all in our team or WTG, before heading off to succeed elsewhere.
Arguably Ennor's on there too; looks a real prospect. WE have to get credible with coaching and development to retain obvious prospects. This end fo season review will be absolutely critical.
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@Chris said in Blues 2019:
@nzzp Very True the Crusaders success is not only built around the environment but in their recruitment and coaching of the development players they have/recruit they are very very good at it.
It's a cheap shot, but I'll keep reminding you Crusader fans you let Brodie get away until hell freezes over (or the Blues win another title)
. No system is perfect, and it's hard to pick youths.Auckland famously had the choice between Peter Saili and Kieran Read as 8s. Physically, Saili was immense ... but he'sa footnote in history, and KR is AB Captain and at his peak an incredible player.
Edit: and of course most recently Bryn Hall. Talked up as a possible AB squaddie - but didn't cover himself in glory in the Blues setup
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@Chris said in Blues 2019:
@nzzp ok will give you one in Brodie but it’s getting old. I think the Blues need to reshape how they do things off the field to be successful
Of course it's getting old. I'm rolling in it for ever ... tokenism at its finest.
As for yoru second point, no kidding. I think we've finally pulled out of our nosedive - Don McKinnon and John Hart are critical in this. Leon is just the icing on the cake
