Stormers vs Blues
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Wow, a number of Blues players should take a bow. When Riko dropped it cold, I thought here we go again and I was right but there is a bit of pragmatism in this side that hasn't been seen for a long time. When Black found the opposition's corner, I had to pinch myself...hold on...this is the Blues I am watching, right? Big, heavy hard working forward pack with ample play makers behind. It is early days but Leon, take a bow!
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@Duluth said in Stormers vs Blues:
Marchant got man of the match. He was good, but plenty of people were
Black would’ve been my pick
Game was won in the forwards. Big shift from 1 to 8 for the Blues. Robinson, Papali'i and Sotutu were all excellent. Tuipulotu MoM for me.
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@antipodean said in Stormers vs Blues:
The more I see of Sotutu, the more I say Akira who?
100% agree.
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@sparky said in Stormers vs Blues:
@Duluth said in Stormers vs Blues:
Marchant got man of the match. He was good, but plenty of people were
Black would’ve been my pick
Game was won in the forwards. Big shift from 1 to 8 for the Blues. Robinson, Papali'i and Sotutu were all excellent. Tuipulotu MoM for me.
Papali'i really worked at 7. Most balanced Blues loosie perfromance I can remember for a year or two.
Jaco was everything last week's ref was not.
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@sparky said in Stormers vs Blues:
@Duluth said in Stormers vs Blues:
Marchant got man of the match. He was good, but plenty of people were
Black would’ve been my pick
Game was won in the forwards. Big shift from 1 to 8 for the Blues. Robinson, Papali'i and Sotutu were all excellent. Tuipulotu MoM for me.
Yeah the contest with the massive Stormers pack seemed to bring out the best in Pat T - he just went smash anytime he either got or got near the ball. If he can bring that every week, we’ve got a pretty good cover for Retallick
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Crikey, I'll take that. I'll also admit to being mentally weak - we went up 20-0 and I looked up the score to see if heartbreak was on its way.
Still watching the game now, and really delighted with the performance. Some good stuff - the interplay of the backs on the short side with no space, metres made after contact, big hits from Pat T (and others), urgency and commitment in defence.
The most improtant change for me, though is 9/10. Otere is a good 10, you can see him run into traffic and take great decisions - holding passes, going around defenders with teh ball - it's a massive massive step up. Goalkicking also good. I really like Plummer, but I can now see why they went out for Black from teh Canes.
Very very happy with that result, and enjoying a sunday morning on the couch with a decent coffee. Life ain't so bad, the season't back on track at 4-2. Need to build on this
also - Peyper's a great ref, but he whistled the stormers off the park. They had a night where nothing went their way (well, so far)
Nock having a blinder so far, delighted for him. We need real competition at 9
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Your loosies smoked us. On the back of a motivated and inspired tight 5. Good subbing and ground out an increased margin. Nice to see Blues hitting some “fuk-u” attitude again. Always what I loved about them. Good to see some sparks back
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Impressive by the blues,
To go over there and play that way is a good effort by any side so not just being patronising because it’s the blues ,
Excellent
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@antipodean said in Stormers vs Blues:
The more I see of Sotutu, the more I say Akira who?
Was about to make a comment on this guy myself , interesting prospect, and only 21 , I’m sure there are people in important positions taking note That’s for sure
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@nzzp said in Stormers vs Blues:
I really like Plummer, but I can now see why they went out for Black from teh Canes.
Black was with the Blues a year before Plummer started.
Plummer is still at the apprenticeship age for a ten. He’s 21, 3 years younger than Josh Ioane (although I think Plummer will become a 12 when Zarn is ready for NPC)
That was Blacks best SR game. He was bloody good last week too. He’s responded well to the looming Barrett
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Most impressive result by a kiwi team so far?
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I was not expecting that at all.
Completely dominated the Stormers and played smart, in the right parts of the field. Makes such a difference having a good goal kicker.
Nock was great, his best game in five years easily.
The Rieko change was less successful, I still think he’s more valuable for us on the wing.
Perofeta was brilliant at fullback.
But the forwards, man they were brutal. Only black mark was the lineout. So great seeing Patrick smashing people.
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Some amazing stats showing the Blues dominance in this game -
Blues ------------------- Stormers
429 Metres carried 201
120 Carries 68
76 Tackles 142
9 Missed Tackles 37
37 Defenders beaten 9
7 T/Overs won 3
88 Rucks won 47
1 Rucks lost 2
13 Lineouts won 11
2 Lineouts lost 4
8 Scrums won 4
6 Pens conceded 11
100% Goal Kicking 100%
