Crusaders v Blues

KiwiMurph

Sounds like Visinia's injury is more of a niggle than anything serious.
 
Interestingly - on the newshub article it has Visinia bracketed with Duffie and Rieko Ioane bracketed with Nanai. 
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
 
Coach Tana Umaga also named former Melbourne Storm player Matt Duffie to make his debut at fullback with Lolagi Visinia under an injury cloud.
 
"We are going to need the entire squad throughout the year so it is important they get a taste of Super Rugby from the start," Umaga said.
"There's real competition for places as well. Pre-season is one thing, but we need to test some different players and different combinations.
"Also we do not want to get to the situation where we are forced to put players in to roles without them first experiencing it for their sakes and for us as coaches to evaluate their performance."
</blockquote>

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="561858" data-time="1456874347">
<div>
Sounds like Visinia's injury is more of a niggle than anything serious.
 
Interestingly - on the newshub article it has Visinia bracketed with Duffie and Rieko Ioane bracketed with Nanai. 
</div>
</blockquote>
 
That's because they are bracketed in the official Blues announcement: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://theblues.co.nz/blues-team-to-play-crusaders/'>http://theblues.co.nz/blues-team-to-play-crusaders/</a>

KiwiMurph

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="561863" data-time="1456876525">
<div>
That's because they are bracketed in the official Blues announcement: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://theblues.co.nz/blues-team-to-play-crusaders/'>http://theblues.co.nz/blues-team-to-play-crusaders/</a>
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Sorry yes - Blues have started a new thing on their FB where they run through the team via video portraits but don't include bracketed players.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="561866" data-time="1456877757">
<div>
Sorry yes - Blues have started a new thing on their FB where they run through the team via video portraits but don't include bracketed players. 
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Yes, must be a NZRU or Sky thing, because I noticed it on other FB pages, too (I think I saw it on the Crusaders page). The annoying result is also that the team namings don't appear on Twitter anymore, or not until much later.

African Monkey

Some interesting selections there. I think us winning last week has taken a bit of pressure off Tana and allowed him to experiment somewhat.

taniwharugby

Possibly, although you'd think there are a few positions he is still not sure who his 1st pick is, plus looking for the right balance.

hydro11

Not picking West was a surprise to me. As others have said, he obviously wants to give different players a chance.

Dan54

Yep McGahan is a bit of a surprise, though I thought West was good last week without being outstanding, same as Hall. I think maybe I would want a look at a few players early too.

Stargazer

Crusaders
 
1. Joe Moody 2. Codie Taylor 3. Owen Franks 4. Scott Barrett 5. Samuel Whitelock (c) 6. Jordan Taufua 7. Tim Boys 8. Kieran Read 
9. Andy Ellis 10. Richie Mo'unga 11. Nemani Nadolo 12. Kieron Fonotia 13. Sean Wainui 14. Jone Macilai 15. David Havili
 
Reserves 
16. Ben Funnell 17. Wyatt Crockett 18. Mike Alaalatoa 19. Jimmy Tupou 20. Pete Samu 21. Leon Fukofuka 22. Ben Volavola 23. Johnny McNicholl

bobily

I thought that the Blues scrum struggled a little last week once Parsons went off, so I'm a bit surprised to see MacDonald getting a start in this game, when they might have already been under pressure.

kiwiinmelb

Not sure what to think with changing the halves , 

I know tana is his own man and has his reasons , but it feels a little Kirwan like

No Quarter

Don't mention the K word in a Blues thread, you will bring ill upon the team.

Sapetyvi

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dan54" data-cid="561925" data-time="1456899156">Yep McGahan is a bit of a surprise, though I thought West was good last week without being outstanding, same as Hall. I think maybe I would want a look at a few players early too.</blockquote>
I think West was much better than Hall, West had to tidy up a lot of passes from behind and toes

African Monkey

I'm not too concerned if we don't get up tomorrow.We never win in Chch for starters and I personally would be targetting the next two games against the Hurricanes and Reds before the bye. I didn't originally think the changes were a good idea but the more I think about it, I think it's a good time to do it.

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="561950" data-time="1456909744">
<div>
Not sure what to think with changing the halves , 

I know tana is his own man and has his reasons , but it feels a little Kirwan like 
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</blockquote>
 
Pat Lam liked to rotate his halves too :whistle:
 
Kees Meeuws on the breakdown last night reckoned that Tana is saving his best teams for the home games.
 
Sees getting the crowds back at Eden park a priority. I quite like that attitude, it's what Wayne Smith and Robbie Deans did at canterbury and crusaders when they took over.

Crucial

I don't think that the Blues target is to win the comp this year. As long as the players are on board with that then fine.
 
What they are possibly trying to do is target specific games and set their KPIs by that. Home games are an obvious target.

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="561997" data-time="1456950682">
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I don't think that the Blues target is to win the comp this year. As long as the players are on board with that then fine.
 
What they are possibly trying to do is target specific games and set their KPIs by that. Home games are an obvious target.
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</blockquote>
 
And I think getting the fans behind the team is a big priority also. I don't follow the blues as closely as others, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's got the players more involved in community work etc too.

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="562002" data-time="1456952248">
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And I think getting the fans behind the team is a big priority also. I don't follow the blues as closely as others, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's got the players more involved in community work etc too.
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</blockquote>
 
They've always done that as well. It is the fickle Auckland crowds that they need to play up to.
Get some home wins, gets the crowds in (no one likes to go to games when their team loses) and you have a better chance of capturing/ retaining the good players.
I'm not saying that the guys tasked each week won't be aiming for a win, just that there will likely be some longer term strategies playing out as well.
It could also simply be a case of the coaches identifying a greater need for squad competition to push the top layer higher. If that meant a promise of giving players a shot in the early rounds then it is a means to an end.

KiwiMurph

Yes I agree Blues have made a genuine effort to connect with their fans. Speaking of the Blues and the community they ran their first "Blues in the 'Burbs" night last night at Takapuna
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
How often do kids get to try out their skills with their Blues heroes? 
 
Well this month they have their chance, with players from the Super Rugby franchise fraternising with the public at Blues in the 'Burbs events across the city.
Blues coach Tana Umaga says the team wants to reach out more to its communities.
 
"In the busy times for our club in the Super Rugby Championship, it is sometimes challenging to find time to spend with our fans," Umaga says.
 
"Our team has been working so hard in pre-season and will continue to work really hard every day. But at the same time we want to spend time in our communities, the places we live, and at the rugby clubs that helped us in this game."
 
March 9 â€“ College Rifles Rugby Football Club, 33 Haast St, Remuera.
March 15 â€“ Papatoetoe Rugby Football Club, Sutton Crescent, Papatoetoe.
March 29 â€“ Waitakere Rugby Club, under The Trusts Arena, Henderson.
</blockquote>

cgrant

Great back row for the Blues (Kaino, Gibson, Luatua) against a very average Crusaders' one : Reid is clearly not in form, Boys is a journeyman and Taufua just not big enough for a Nr.6.

The Silver Fern

Crusaders v Blues