Blues vs. Highlanders
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="561177" data-time="1456486524"><p>
hmmmm?<br><br><a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/77335961/should-the-blues-winning-try-have-stood">http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/77335961/should-the-blues-winning-try-have-stood</a></p></blockquote>
Personally i thought he had bound to the ruck so decision was fair IMO.<br><br>
Let's now see a video to check if Naholo was onside. Which should actually show a blank space (baaaby) as he should have been binned. <br><br>
So Highlanders fans can have a think about swings and roundabouts.<br><br>
On that deliberate knock on ... definite YC. I initially thought PT too. But there was cover. Still golden opportunity as the line would have been broken with support on the inside.<br><br>
Great game.<br><br>
I'm in two minds about the Japanese internationals playing. First touch of the ball I looked at Sa'u and thought "hmmm". Then TJ mentioned he was a Japanese player and i was a bit disappointed. Especially as we're on the lookout for midfielders.<br><br>
But i suppose it's like having PI players. Good for the team, good for the developing country, good for the players. So all good. -
Another thought. Was pretty impressed with player's skills across the park.<br><br>
First All Black trial of the season impressed me.<br><br>
A few previously unheralded lads keep that up they may be in contention. -
One guy who impressed me was Luatua, and not for his usual reasons. Hos work rate in the first half was huge, and he generated momentum with a couple of his clean outs.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="561212" data-time="1456512593">
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<p>Funny cos when Dan Pryor turned up for the 2014 Northland season with dreads I said to a mate I reckon he's done it to get noticed more, which he did...<br><br>
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<p>Hahaha funny you say that because one of his cousins who I know well thought the exact same thing.</p> -
<div>After watching the game again, here are some of my thoughts on the match.</div>
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<div>Tempo was a huge difference compared to last year. We didn't play near this fast last year because we didn't play Hall. Hall might not be the most consistent passer, but his fast play creates attacking opportunities.</div>
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<div>Setpiece was almost flawless. We won all our own ball in the setpiece and even stole a couple of lineouts off the Highlanders. It's a bit unusual to not see our scrum do the moonwalk, but kudos to the young props who started, as well as Faumuina off the bench. I expect it'll be a much sterner test in this department against the Crusaders next week, but good signs from us so far.</div>
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<div>Defense was a bit of a worry. Some guys in the middle of the park were rushing up and getting caught flat footed, which meant the defenders outside them had to defend more space or players than they should have. Luckily we dominated possession with good ball control, because the Highlanders could've done more damage if they had more than 34% of possession.</div>
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<div>It was pretty obvious that we missed Kaino and his ability to smack guys behind the gainline. The Highlanders were making it over the gain line far too easily at times, especially in that first half. </div>
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<div>Our midfielders need to work on their vision. There were a few times in the game where we had overlaps, but they kept the ball and ran instead.</div>
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<div>Besides Gibson, I thought Tuipulotu and Ofa were others who had stellar games. This was Pats first full game in I don't know how long, but he put in a massive shift and was still going hard near the end. Ofa is just another loose forward out there and is growing each time out as a scrummager. In the backs, Visinia looked like the 2014 Visinia again - hopefully he's OK to go next week as he seemed to have picked up a rib or hip injury near the end.</div>
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<div>Hopefully we go well next week so we can get another bumper crowd for the Hurricanes. I haven't heard Eden Park that loud for a Blues game in so long.</div> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="561211" data-time="1456512242">
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<p>Before the game , Naholo was listed as 125 kgs , he isnt that big is he ?</p>
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<p>Nadolo weighs 125 kg, not Naholo.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="561403" data-time="1456567243">
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<p>Nadolo weighs 125 kg, not Naholo.</p>
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<p>Yes , but he wasnt playing . </p>
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<p>Went back and had another look , </p>
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<p>Height 102 weight 125 , something not right there </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="561418" data-time="1456596300">
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<p>Yes , but he wasnt playing . </p>
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<p>Went back and had another look , </p>
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<p>Height 102 weight 125 , something not right there </p>
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<p>Melani Nanai was listed on the sky broadcast as 90 cm tall and a trim 130kgs, and no caps even though he played most games last year!!</p> -
<p>that gives him a BMI of 160.5, I know athletes BMIs cant be measured like us normal folk, but I reckon thats pretty bad...</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="561446" data-time="1456606312">
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<p>that gives him a BMI of 160.5, I know athletes BMIs cant be measured like us normal folk, but I reckon thats pretty bad...</p>
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<p>That would pretty much give him a subterranean centre of gravity though which is always handy in rugby</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="561779" data-time="1456810668">
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<p>On the news front for line-ups this week, Feeney has said that Ranger, Faumuina and Akira are likely to start against the Crusaders.</p>
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<p>One of my mates reckons Luatua is a busted flush. I'm not convinced myself - reckon he's got huge upside and could easily get back to his best. Despite his apparent defensive lapse at the weekend, I'm not writing him off yet. Ben Smith has made a lot of test players look very very average. </p>
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<p>Will be an interesting season. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="561782" data-time="1456812363">
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<p>Luatua had a good game. Couple of errors but some really good stuff too. Tana mentioned him after the game as having a good performance. Sounds like he might be off the bench this week - can cover lock, 6 or 8 so handy in that regard.</p>
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<p>Yeah, weird he had a good game but is going on the bench. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="561779" data-time="1456810668">
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<p>On the news front for line-ups this week, Feeney has said that Ranger, Faumuina and Akira are likely to start against the Crusaders.</p>
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<p>Wouldn't mind them all coming off the bench again. Maybe Ranger onto the wing for Nanai to stop Nadolo's threat although if Shaun Stevenson can contain him in his Super Rugby debut, Nanai can too.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nzzp" data-cid="561783" data-time="1456812754">
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<p>Yeah, weird he had a good game but is going on the bench. </p>
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<p>although that is probably more to do with Kaino coming back isnt it, would be Pryor to drop out of the match day squad.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="561785" data-time="1456813234">
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<p>although that is probably more to do with Kaino coming back isnt it, <strong>would be Pryor to drop out of the match day squad.</strong></p>
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<p>I would say it would be more likely to be Edwards. In that scenario 6 and 8 would already be covered by Luatua, Kaino and Ioane (and even Gibson), whereas Pryor provides cover for 7.</p>
