Blues 2020
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@pukunui said in Blues 2020:
Thanks for posting that.
Was very interesting to hear Savea say he had the same struggles as Akira in 2017, and had to find the enjoyment again too. Hopefully Akira delivers on his promise like Ardie did after whatever switch happened there.
Some facts too about the weight gain, 119kg after Super Rugby 2019 and blew out to 128kg at the start of last years Mitre 10. Sounds like he was really struggling during that comp. Had to work hard after Mitre 10 to get back into shape.
So pleased to hear he is happy and fit now, genuinely one of my favourite players. I like players that bring something unique (like Carlos or Zinzan).
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2020:
It's Robinson, Rieko and Parsons I think (definitely the first 2, can't remember the 3rd).
The 3rd was Parsons
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@Duluth said in Blues 2020:
@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2020:
It's Robinson, Rieko and Parsons I think (definitely the first 2, can't remember the 3rd).
The 3rd was Parsons
Hopefully he can exert his leadership mana to ensure the Blues don't use him as a ball runner.
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@Nepia said in Blues 2020:
Hopefully he can exert his leadership mana to ensure the Blues don't use him as a ball runner.
He's actually a decent option off the bench, or as a squad hooker. We're seeing that- leadership, commitment, team activities; it's almost late stage Mealamu; not a great player any more, but hugely influential in the team. I like him as a person, but his carrying and physical presence isn't at starting hooker level. He's been much better this year off the bench
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@nzzp said in Blues 2020:
@Nepia said in Blues 2020:
Hopefully he can exert his leadership mana to ensure the Blues don't use him as a ball runner.
He's actually a decent option off the bench, or as a squad hooker. We're seeing that- leadership, commitment, team activities; it's almost late stage Mealamu; not a great player any more, but hugely influential in the team. I like him as a person, but his carrying and physical presence isn't at starting hooker level. He's been much better this year off the bench
He may not be a great ball runner, but he's crucial to our lineout and is a good scrummager. Just have him hit rucks and let any number of the other big boppers run it up.
Only replace him if we have someone better, and at the moment we don't.
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@Kirwan said in Blues 2020:
et any number of the other big boppers run it up
thats the funny thing, he still gets called on to do carries.
TBF, despite his relatively small ball carries, he doesnt often get turned over, guess thats cos the support dont have as far to go to secure the ball
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2020:
@Tim Lamborn has actually been bloody useful.
one of the real strengths that the coaching team has is developing fringe players. It means we have depth in so many positions that we didn't previously. You go through:
Front row,
Locks
Loosies (multiple backups)
Midfield
Back 3really, the only area that's thin is 9/10.
A lot of those players have come from nowhere too - Jacob Pierce, Mark Telea - despite the injuries some have already suffered (BoP lock, and that hooker)
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