Blues 2016 squad
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="535657" data-time="1446005499">
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<p>Anyway, if 2016 had the same format as 2015, then I would expect use to finish between 8th and 11th.</p>
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<p>An improvement on 14th of 15. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Sambo" data-cid="535658" data-time="1446005514">
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<p>yeah not an inspiring squad at all
hey maybe that will mean we may win a fair few for a change....</p>
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<p>Yeah, all the NZ squads are stronger, and you'd expect the Brumbies, Waratahs, and one or two SA teams to finish higher than them.</p> -
<p>Quite a good article on stuff about the team too.</p>
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<p>It seems to confirm my thoughts on the Round 1 to 10 availability for the 7s guys.</p>
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<p>If Ranger is eased into things early it will be interesting to see what they do with the midfield early on - Moala is much better at 12 than 13, Faiane and Little I have seen play at 12 but not so much 13 whereas Rieko is just a baby.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/73435304/Blues-taking-no-risks-with-Rene-Rangers-Super-Rugby-return-as-recovery-from-neck-surgery-continues'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/73435304/Blues-taking-no-risks-with-Rene-Rangers-Super-Rugby-return-as-recovery-from-neck-surgery-continues</a></p> -
<p>I feel like I've got some sort of battered rugby fan syndrome. I'm starting to hope again. Amazing how a bit of time away can muck with your head. The blues keep on smashing me down, and I keep on buying season passes. </p>
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<p>FML.</p>
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<p>ps: Tana for coach of the year :D</p> -
<p>It depends what your expectation level is - if you believe the Blues will be a playoff team and anything less than that is abject failure then you are in for more hard times.</p>
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<p>However if you recognise this season is a rebuilding one - despite the fact the results may not be perfect - I think we can expect to see a more committed, organised team that should be more competitive and therefore much more enjoyable to watch than the 2015 team.</p> -
<p>We might actually win some turnover ball this season with Ranger there, something that was severely lacking last season.</p>
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<p>It's gonna be a tough season but good to see a few youngsters in there. Can't say I've followed Namatahi Waa too much. Suprised to see him there. but good luck to him. Don't understand the Francis signing either. He'd be worse than our old mate Simon Hickey and that's saying something.</p> -
<p>Northland scrum was noticably better (not a huge achievement TBF) with Waa out there, but he struggled with fitness (both injury wise and his general fitness) </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="535699" data-time="1446012924">
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<p>Northland scrum was noticably better (not a huge achievement TBF) with Waa out there, but he struggled with fitness (both injury wise and his general fitness) </p>
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<p>Thanks for that. I'm guessing Mafileo and Prattley will be our bench props to start off with but I'm sure he'll get an opportunity sometime this year.</p> -
<p> I think that maybe Tu'ungafasi will transition to Loosehead. More opportunity to start away from Charlie and I suspect he is better there anyway from the brief times I've seen him play No1. He is too tall at 1.95 for Tighthead. Otherwise they picked 4 tight heads and 2 loose which doesn't seem logical. Has anyone heard where Hames has gone?</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="535656" data-time="1446005394"><p>
Man that would be a mediocre lineout. The opposition would be able to rely on perfect set-piece ball with Luatua and Tuipulotu jumping against them.</p></blockquote>
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Just because Tuipulotu is a big, heavy lock, that doesn't mean he is a bad line out jumper. In fact, he had a pretty decent number of steals last season. -
<p> It's not the best team we could've put together, but regardless, I'm looking forward to the new season and the development of the team. I'm not asking for the world for this season, I just want us to show progress and to be watchable again.</p>
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<p>Our defense was actually quite good for about 2/3 of last season. We were only leaking 2 tries a game up until round 11, then Kaino gets injured and our D went down the drain. We'll need him and a few others like Tuipulotu, Faumuina, Gibson and Akira to stay healthy for most of the season to keep our defense to a respectable level.</p>
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<p>Our attack was non-existent last season, but I'm optimistic that it'll be a lot better this year under Feeney and Tana. We had a lot of close losses last season, but if we had a competent attack, I think we turn a few of those close losses into wins.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="535996" data-time="1446090117">
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<p> It's not the best team we could've put together, but regardless, I'm looking forward to the new season and the development of the team. I'm not asking for the world for this season, I just want us to show progress and to be watchable again.</p>
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<p><strong>Our defense was actually quite good for about 2/3 of last season. We were only leaking 2 tries a game up until round 11, then Kaino gets injured and our D went down the drain. We'll need him and a few others like Tuipulotu, Faumuina, Gibson and Akira to stay healthy for most of the season to keep our defense to a respectable level.</strong></p>
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<p>Our attack was non-existent last season, but I'm optimistic that it'll be a lot better this year under Feeney and Tana. We had a lot of close losses last season, but if we had a competent attack, I think we turn a few of those close losses into wins.</p>
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<p>Yeah I think as mentioned earlier in the thread - getting turnover ball will help with this. We had real problems with that particularly last season, as that wasn't really O'Connor's strength, and with no Ranger etc. I think with this year's squad there's much more ability regarding generating turnovers (Gibson, Ioane, Ranger etc).</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="535671" data-time="1446007294">
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<p>Quite a good article on stuff about the team too.</p>
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<p>It seems to confirm my thoughts on the Round 1 to 10 availability for the 7s guys.</p>
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<p><strong>If Ranger is eased into things early it will be interesting to see what they do with the midfield early on - Moala is much better at 12 than 13, Faiane and Little I have seen play at 12 but not so much 13 whereas Rieko is just a baby.</strong></p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/73435304/Blues-taking-no-risks-with-Rene-Rangers-Super-Rugby-return-as-recovery-from-neck-surgery-continues'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/73435304/Blues-taking-no-risks-with-Rene-Rangers-Super-Rugby-return-as-recovery-from-neck-surgery-continues</a></p>
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<div>Yeah, I'm interested to see what they do if Ranger isn't ready. Moala is definitely better at 12, but I think it might be safer to play him at 13 if Ranger is out, because I don't think we'll want rookies out of position against the Highlanders, Crusaders and Hurricanes in those early rounds.</div>
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<div>I haven't seen Little play 13, but I remember Faiane playing a game or two at 13 for the NZ U20s last year and a couple of games there for Blues development.</div> -
<p>If Ranger isnt available, you have to wonder if he will be able to at all, given he signed for NH, was going to be available, then was mid-season, then not at all, now maybe not for start of S15...?</p>
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<p>Hopefully he is fine and they are being overly cautious for ITM Cup</p> -
<p>No reason to be pessimistic about that squad. Some of the best young talent in New Zealand rugby and excitement all across the park. The halves have a season under their belts and should be a lot better in 2016. On paper, it is probably the worst of the New Zealand squads but regardless they won't be easy beats. I think the Blues will need to be patient next season and target 2017 where they should be looking at making the playoffs again.</p>
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I think the blues back row is going to be fantastic! Akira ioane and Blake Gibson I rate very highly indeed and going to be all blacks<br><br><br>
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