Blues 2020

nzzp

@Nepia said in Blues 2020:

Also, do the NH still pretend Super rugby defence is poor?

I believe so.

There's a bit of cognitive dissonance there, given the results over the Super rugby lifetime.

It's only in the last 4 years that some NH sides have been competitive with SH, which may coincide with Super being borked by SANZAAAAAR, and the humbling 2015 semifinal slots being filled by TRC sides triggering a response. Despite that, media can bang a drum as much as some of us on the Fern

Duluth

@Nepia said in Blues 2020:

Also, do the NH still pretend Super rugby defence is poor?

I haven't listened to the interview, but I know before the season started he was asked what the strength of his game was. He said it was defence/organising.

However defence has been where he has struggled the most. So I guess that surprised him.

I do think he's been a good signing, particularly given the shortage of SR ready midfielders to pick from.
However I would pick Tanielu Tele'a ahead of him when fit, he's a better midfielder/wing and he's not a capped pom

Tim

@Duluth Even if we get some rugby this year, Tele'a is out for the season with his shoulder injury.

African Monkey

@Duluth I'm still not quite sold on Tele'a in the midfield myself. Think he lacks the distribution and game smarts at this stage of his career. He could eventually develop into a decent midfielder, but right now (even though he's injured), I think wing is his best spot.

KiwiMurph

@African-Monkey said in Blues 2020:

@Duluth I'm still not quite sold on Tele'a in the midfield myself. Think he lacks the distribution and game smarts at this stage of his career. He could eventually develop into a decent midfielder, but right now (even though he's injured), I think wing is his best spot.

completely agree - he looks a long way off being a midfielder. He made a great fist of wing last year though.

Duluth

@African-Monkey

I agree. He needs game time to develop though.

Next year I’m fine with him starting wing and covering centre (or covering both from the bench because Clarke is back)

Tim

Duluth

@Tim

So the best players to not make it?

Ross Wright, Vula Maimuri, Dean Budd? (ignoring players who barely played for the Blues or briefly passed through Northland)

Probably about right then

taniwharugby

that post isnt working for me??

Tim

@taniwharugby Quote it and then copy and paste the link from the composition box.

Bones

@taniwharugby said in Blues 2020:

that post isnt working for me??

Interesting way to say you don't like the selections.

Duluth

@taniwharugby

alt text

taniwharugby

@Tim I even used my mod powers to see the original link And that didn't work.

Maybe a couple of ones you could find to quibble over, but looks pretty good.

African Monkey

I'd have Lachie Munro in there instead of Berryman or Holwell. He did far more for the Blues then those 2. Other than that, I can't think of anyone else so yeah, not bad!

KiwiMurph

Halfback looks wrong - and no not Bryn Hall either.

alt text

Tim

@KiwiMurph Sharky Robinson.

Bovidae

What's the criteria for selection? Do you need to play for the Blues and province in the same season?

Duluth

Apart from Robinson there's not much to complain about again

Here's all the NH Blues players:
https://blues.rugby/player-history/?union=28&position=0&selected_season=

taniwharugby

I didnt realise Walter played for the Blues and Frank didnt, thought they were always a combo...

Haha, Ranger never actually played for NH, just took thier money

Bovidae

@taniwharugby said in Blues 2020:

I didnt realise Walter played for the Blues and Frank didnt, thought they were always a combo...

For the Chiefs.

My question above about selection criteria was related to Lomu who played for the Blues and NH, but not in the same season.

The Silver Fern

Blues 2020