Blues v Hurricanes
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
The key focal points for referees at the breakdown are summarised below: · Ball carriers will be allowed only one dynamic movement after being tackled. · Crawling, or any secondary movement other than placing or passing will be penalised. · Tacklers will be expected to roll away immediately in the direction of the side-line. · There will be "extra focus” on the offside line with defenders expected to be “clearly” onside to provide attacking teams more spaceCheers.
Oh, I actually don't have a problem with those ... the golden point thing had me worried they might be doing something silly in this area.
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Beauden Barrett was always vocal at the Hurricanes about his preference for playing at 10. Yet Leon Mcdonald, like Steve Hansen before him, shoves him out to fullback.
The Blues have waited so long for a world class first-five, then when one arrives decide not to play him there.
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It's not that simple. Blues lost their starting fullback. Duffie is not it.
Leon does a good job of explaining it here.
Also - some good info on Akira
We’re mindful that Beaudy is an outstanding first five. That’s not lost on us,” said MacDonald after a rigorous Friday training session at Alexandra Park. “But he’s also a world-class fullback as well and we need that hole filled. “It will be his first game for the Blues, in front of a big crowd, against his old team and I don’t think it will hurt for him to be back in the boot a little bit with his vision and experience to be a calming influence from the back. Then, in time, we’ll probably see him move forward as well. “At some point he will be in the frontline … but right now this is the best fit for our team, the situation, where he’s at in terms of his integration back into rugby and the fact it’s his first game for the Blues.” MacDonald, much like Steve Hansen last year, was also happy to concede that Barrett’s versatility also allowed him the luxury of fielding two game drivers in his starting lineup. “He’s excited about the opportunity to get out there and this just takes a little bit of pressure off him,” added the Blues coach. “He can work alongside Otes, whom he has a long history and a good relationship with. Those two working together as our brains trust is going to be really useful in such a big game.” “It’s hard telling someone they’re not playing when they’ve done everything right, and Akira is one of those,” added MacDonald. “He’s come back and his skinfolds have never been so good, his fitness levels are great and he’s trained the house down. His time will come. He’s pushing and asking the right questions, and puts pressure on the guys who get the opportunity to really nail it.” -
@sparky said in Blues v Hurricanes:
The Blues have waited so long for a world class first-five, then when one arrives decide not to play him there.
Yet. After a couple of weeks iwth the team, and an injury to the incumbent 15, I can understand that
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First Rangi leaves Beauden out of the Blues' leadership group, then signs his old mate DC to tell Beauden how to play, then he shoves him out to fullback. How much confidence does Leon MacDonald really have in Beauden Barrett?
I know know money talks, but it is a real shame Beauden Barrett left the Hurricanes where he was loved.
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I bloody called it eh!
Excited to see if Telea and Sotutu have still "got it".
Will have to keep an eye on Ioane as really haven't noticed him being as good as is talked up.
@KiwiMurph Akira is pretty bloody quick isn't he?
Canes to be in the lead only to have Barrett score the winning points. If Jordie was playing it'd be off one of his fuck ups....so will probably be Prinsep or JGB.
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@sparky said in Blues v Hurricanes:
First Rangi leaves Beauden out of the Blues' leadership group, then signs his old mate DC to tell Beauden how to play, then he shoves him out to fullback. How much confidence does Leon MacDonald really have in Beauden Barrett?
I know know money talks, but it is a real shame Beauden Barrett left the Hurricanes where he was loved.
You know it's a team sport right? Our number one fullback is out, we need to use our full squad. And Leon said in the very post above that he'll end up playing ten (probably on Sunday, which is why Finlay is on the bench no doubt)
As for DC, Leon was clear that he was below Otere even in the pecking order, and covering the midfield and even fullback before ten.
Has been great communication. And if you don't think BB is loved in Auckland or by Leon you are WAAAAY wide of the mark.
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@Canes4life said in Blues v Hurricanes:
Hurricanes team to play the Blues: Chase Tiatia, Wes Goosen, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Ben Lam, Jackson Garden-Bachop, TJ Perenara (co-captain), Gareth Evans, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Scott Scrafton, James Blackwell, Tyrel Lomax, Dane Coles (co-captain), Fraser Armstrong. Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Tevita Mafileo, Alex Fidow, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Vaea Fifita, Ardie Savea, Jamie Booth, Billy Proctor.
Great to see Ardie Savea on the team sheet. What a player to have off the bench! If the scores are close with 20 to go, I could see him being the match winner.
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@Kirwan Time will tell but not obvious to me tbat Beauden Barrett is being trusted yet with as a big a role with the Blues as he had in his last couple of seasons with the Hurricanes.
John Plumtree was a big believer in starting BB at 10 and now he's now All Blacks Assitant Coach. Smiley and Robyn like to see their son at First Five too.
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@sparky said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@Kirwan Time will tell but not obvious to me tbat Beauden Barrett is being trusted yet with as a big a role with the Blues as he had in his last couple of seasons with the Hurricanes.
John Plumtree was a big believer in starting BB at 10 and now he's now All Blacks Assitant Coach. Smiley and Robyn like to see their son at First Five too.
You couldn't be more wrong, IMO. He's literally playing ten on Sunday, just a question of how early in the second half they move him.
If Perofeta wasn't injured, very good chance that BB would have started there.
To me it shows they trust their squad, and are easing BB into the team to make it a successful move for him.
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@sparky said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@Kirwan Time will tell but not obvious to me tbat Beauden Barrett is being trusted yet with as a big a role with the Blues as he had in his last couple of seasons with the Hurricanes.
John Plumtree was a big believer in starting BB at 10 and now he's now All Blacks Assitant Coach. Smiley and Robyn like to see their son at First Five too.
He was also a big believer in starting Blackwell at lock, so questions must be asked of both him and NZR.
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Good to see Nock starting.
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@mikey07 said in Blues v Hurricanes:
Absolutely mithed at JGB starting and no room for Smith, same with Prinseep he’s a carbon copy of Reuben “Suitcase” Thorne Flanders should be in there, question time who’s the other prop on the reserve bench his name looks familiar.
Little brother of Blues' prop Sione. Tevita was a replacement prop for the Chiefs last year. Plays for BOP.
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@Kirwan said in Blues v Hurricanes:
You couldn't be more wrong, IMO
erm, look who you are arguing with
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@antipodean said in Blues v Hurricanes:
Good to see Nock starting.
Maybe they have finally worked out Ruru is shit as he is not even on the bench now.
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@Kirwan said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@sparky said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@Kirwan Time will tell but not obvious to me tbat Beauden Barrett is being trusted yet with as a big a role with the Blues as he had in his last couple of seasons with the Hurricanes.
John Plumtree was a big believer in starting BB at 10 and now he's now All Blacks Assitant Coach. Smiley and Robyn like to see their son at First Five too.
You couldn't be more wrong, IMO. He's literally playing ten on Sunday, just a question of how early in the second half they move him.
If Perofeta wasn't injured, very good chance that BB would have started there.
To me it shows they trust their squad, and are easing BB into the team to make it a successful move for him.
Fake news. He'll have jersey number 15 on his back on Sunday. I agree that he might well move to First Five in the second half and try to stretch play as the opposition tire (interesting to see how that works against Ardie), but he isn't literally playing 10.
