Blues 2020
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@Bovidae said in Blues 2020:
Either way, Rieko seems to have his confidence back which is a big positive for the ABs because I'd much rather have him in the 11 jersey.
Not having a calf injury helps with that, which was the problem last year.
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@Bovidae said in Blues 2020:
Either way, Rieko seems to have his confidence back which is a big positive for the ABs because I'd much rather have him in the 11 jersey.
In Super last year, he outran Bridge, out trys-d Bridge and out beat defenders over Bridge when his "confidence" was down. I still claim it was a silly knee jerk decision after Perth to dump him, which would have been the worst silly knee jerk decision if not for the Barrett over Cane loose forward clusterfuck.
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I actually think defensively Rieko did a very good job vs Canes in Welly (up against Aso) and against Lions at Eden Park.
After he had a week to settle in (v Stormers) his defence was really good.
He has the chance to develop into a world class centre.
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@nzzp said in Blues 2020:
Conrad was a good tackler, not a great tackler.
You don't play 94 tests and win two World Cups without being a defensive master. Conrad Smith was a great tackler, arguably one of the greatest. Instead of braun, he used his brain, though the below vid shows his ability to mix it with the big boys aswell.
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@Canes4life shoulder contact with the head and no mitigating factors - red card
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@Canes4life said in Blues 2020:
@nzzp said in Blues 2020:
Conrad was a good tackler, not a great tackler.
You don't play 94 tests and win two World Cups without being a defensive master. Conrad Smith was a great tackler, arguably one of the greatest. Instead of braun, he used his brain, though the below vid shows his ability to mix it with the big boys aswell.
Not the last few years of his career, he started falling off tackles. There was a reason he got dragged at half time in the final.
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Ranger's hospo pass deserves a red card.
Mind you this one to Cruden (first touch in Super Rugby) from Weepu in the same game deserves a 3 match suspension.
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@Kirwan I think the reason was SBW's attacking flare, not Conrad's tackling technique. In fact I call BS on that, he was sublime for the Canes in 2015 and I remember a hit he made in the first few mins of the World Cup final against Aus that helped set the tone for a dominant performance, along with the likes of McCaw, Read etc.
Edit: see around the 18.04 mark on the vid below: a classic hit on old mate Hooper.
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@Canes4life That video - I'm still astounded Kepu wasn't sent from the field in that match and yet Ben Smith got the softest YC in history. Not Owen's best game with the whistle.
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Hoskins Sotutu's small change that may have paved the way for a future with the All Blacks
Hoskins Sotutu could have been another immensely innately talented rugby player who shone like a star then fizzled out as soon as he hit the big leagues but, if his 2020 form is anything to go by, that won't be the case.
“The Blues are my team, the team I care about – and I feel like I was only going to play the best rugby for a team that I care about,” Sotutu said.
“As long as the Blues are keen to keep me, I’m keen to stay.”
I hope we've already locked him up long term. -
@Dice I guess the question is will Akira stay if they sign Sotutu on a long term contract?
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@Canes4life keep your Canes mitts off
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@Canes4life said in Blues 2020:
@Dice I guess the question is will Akira stay if they sign Sotutu on a long term contract?
Judging by that recent interview with Ardie he’s very happy in Auckland. And we can play both of them in the starting lineup too.
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@Kirwan Sotutu actually mentioned that in the article:
“It’s Aki at the moment. Later in the season, we might’ve seen me and him starting on the pitch at the same time.
“Aki’s sort of the big brother in the team. He’s happy for me and happy that I’m getting a shot.
“He’s real supportive of all the players, but especially me. He’s always been helping me out through my development with the Blues.”
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@KiwiMurph don't need Akira, I'd prefer Evans, Flanders and Savea any day of the week.
