Blues v Hurricanes
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@Machpants said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@sparky said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@Machpants said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@sparky nonu couldn't pass for shit when he first started in the midfield, hopefully Ioane improves as much as nonu did!
Yet by 2015 Ma'a was the best midfield long passer in the game and he still passed some gems last year.
That was my point, hopefully Ioane makes it too nonu level from a similar base
I'd be happy if he makes it to Connie level. ALB can do Nonu.
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Loved that. Had it recorded and watched it after the wife went to bed. First time that I haven't fallen asleep on the sofa watching TB in quite some time.
Pretty much every blues player was good, if not really good. Even more importantly they looked like a "team". Weird I know.
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@Snowy Here's a bit of dialogue from Leon's entry interviews.
Leon: Why do you reckon the Blues haven't won for so long?
Universal whining from Bluesland
: Aw, we can't get a decent first five Leon. There's none to be had!Leon: Hmm? Why not? Sounds a bit odd to me.
Leon signs Beauden Barrett. Then he signs fucking Dan Carter as well, just to be sure. Then he uses neither of them. He uses Otere Black and Harry Plummer AND gives the Canes a decent touch up.
Leon: Hmm. I think we've solved the first five problem. What's next?
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@African-Monkey said in Blues v Hurricanes:
Important for us to win with such a big crowd as a loss would have been soul destroying for the franchise as a whole. We weren't at our best but we got better as the game went on I thought.
Defence was found wanting out wide which was concerning but it improved as the game went on led by Tuipulotu who was very strong in contact. He'd have to be pushing for a starting ABs birth whenever they play next.
The wingers and Ioane looked dangerous every time they touched the ball. Caleb Clarke is going to be some player and Mark Tele'a continues to be hard to stop every time he touches the ball. Funnily enough, I thought Barrett was our least effective back. Black and Faiane continue to flourish together in partnership.
Our loosies were strong as usual. A real strength for us with our ridiculous depth in that area. Gotta feel for Gibson who simply has no luck with all the injuries he cops. Hope it's not too serious for him as he was strong in the first 30. I guess Lambourn will come in if Gibson is out.
Not usually a massive fan of his, but I thought Goodhue had one of his better games for us. Got around well and was effective with ball in hand. Played his part in dominating their lineout along with Robinson and Tuipulotu.
On Parsons, yeah he cops a bit o here myself included, but he's still our best thrower. Eklund gets around a lot better, but his throwing is hideous. Parsons stays starting for me for now.
Discipline could improve going forward but good to start winning when we're not at our best. Roll on the Chiefs.
I have to say he looked born to the role yesterday avo.
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what a depressing match for a Canes fan. But an exciting one for the Blues fan
The Blues look a very well coached side with some exciting players. Their attack was a joy to watch. Plumtree loved plodders. Sadly these current coaches are the same. This plodder mindset has flowed into the Canes attack. Once the Canes were an exciting team to watch. Now I feel it going to be the Blues. Or Chiefs. Not the Canes
What can the Canes do,. For starters remove the plodders from the team. This will send a message out that the Canes coaches have seen the light - that too many (useless) plodders don't work. Like Armstrong, Blackwell and Prinsep. And maybe Tiatia. Bring in Numia, Fifita (for Blackwell as the lineout must improve) and Flanders. And Barrett (or anyone else) for Taitia (even though he was ok)
Or maybe Savea although I would give him another week or two to start. I know posters here don't like Fifita but we need him for his line-out skills. Either at lock or 6
BTW I though JGB went well. But hes not a great goal kicker. We need Barrett back at FB.
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@Nepia 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.
He was also a big believer in starting Blackwell at lock, so questions must be asked of both him and NZR.
And also having a seven foot three SA lock to compensate.
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@Higgins said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@Nepia 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.
He was also a big believer in starting Blackwell at lock, so questions must be asked of both him and NZR.
And also having a seven foot three SA lock to compensate.
I suppose one lineout target is better than none. That's genius level coaching right there.
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@antipodean Makes it rather easy for the opposition when they throw in, just biff it to where Blackwell is standing and it is sure lineout win for your team.
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My facetiousness aside, there's a reason everyone says you need three genuine options to throw to. It's an amazing shortcoming in the squad selection and retention programme to end up where they're at.
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Beauden Barrett has done the right thing leaving the Hurricanes tight five behind
Leaving the Hurricanes was obviously as much about lifestyle and commercial opportunities as it was about football. But rugby surely played a part too and that decision was vindicated on Sunday.
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The hurricanes looked really one dimensional on attack. Traditionally the canes have had a soft pack compensated by dazzling backs. There it was just NH style smash it up bro tactics with no guile. No great options at 10 or 15. Reckon they finish 5th of the franchises.
