Blues vs Jags
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<p>Mahew was good off the bench v the Reds - good to see him get a start. The midfield combo hasn't been working so I can see why they have changed it up - no Sau is a bonus - not sure Francis is the answer though.</p>
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<p>The back 3 get another crack - lucky after the Reds effort - hopefully they have spent the bye week on handling skills.</p> -
<p>The Francis call certainly seems odd from outside of the camp but you'd have to think that Tana has an inkling that he needs to try out, although you'd also think the Moala is a first team starter most of the time. Searching for the magic formula perhaps?</p>
<p>At first reading I thought Francis was replacing West.</p> -
<p>you'd like to think Tana knows what his best side is, and coming off a bye is when you should play it, Shirley?</p>
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<p>I guess Tana has a very long piece of rope this season and probably next with probably very low KPI's, so is looking at blooding players and building experience this year...only issue is if it is losing experience, its a tough habit to break.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="568583" data-time="1459382897">
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<p>How has Matenga gone this season from the bench?</p>
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<p>Had very limited opportunities so far - my lasting memory is during the Reds game on attack he stood over/guarded a breakdown, only for the Reds player to reach over and steal the ball anyhow, as he was too low in his body position and had gone too far past the ball, so the ball was sitting 'out'. At this stage i'd much rather have Seu or Fatialofa - thought on the other hand Mariner and Scrafton have yet to be sighted.</p> -
<p>I'm beginning to question Tana a little bit.</p>
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<p>Surely you play your best side in this game, and I reckon that includes A Ioane and Moala.</p>
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<p>I see the Jags have left 10 players at home to rest, so maybe that's the reason. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:15.6px;"><span style="font-size:15.6px;">England-born Piers Francis will make his Super Rugby debut against the Jaguares as the Blues seek to improve their backline communication.</span></p>
<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:15.6px;"> </p>
<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:15.6px;"><span style="font-size:15.6px;">"We're looking for some of the skills he has in terms of communication and second pivot, and to give some assistance to Ihaia in there," Umaga said.</span></p>
<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:15.6px;"> </p>
<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:15.6px;">Ranger came into the Super Rugby season after a long lay-off because of neck surgery and Umaga said he was still working his way back.</p>
<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:15.6px;"> </p>
<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:15.6px;">"There is still a lot of rehab he has to do, but we do need some of the flair he brings to the game," Umaga said.</p>
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<p style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:15.6px;">"We want to give him as much opportunity to showcase that."</p>
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<p>Some explanation there as to why Francis is at 12 instead of Little/Moala.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=223866'>http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=223866</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="568612" data-time="1459392616">
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<p>Some explanation there as to why Francis is at 12 instead of Little/Moala.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=223866'>http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=223866</a></p>
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<p>So if the communication goes well and is better than previous weeks, what happens next round? Does Tana continue to select Francis above Moala? Or will Moala be moved to 13 and Ranger a wing/bench option again?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="568571" data-time="1459380493">
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<p>Mahew was good off the bench v the Reds - good to see him get a start.</p>
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<p>I think this may be the best Blues starting front row. Ofa off the bench is a good option.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="568618" data-time="1459394315">
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<p>So if the communication goes well and is better than previous weeks, what happens next round? Does Tana continue to select Francis above Moala? Or will Moala be moved to 13 and Ranger a wing/bench option again?</p>
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<p>My inkling would be that if this midfield shows promise, Moala will come back on the wing. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="568612" data-time="1459392616">
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<p>Some explanation there as to why Francis is at 12 instead of Little/Moala.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=223866'>http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=223866</a></p>
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<p>can't be farked reading it. but presume it says 'cause tanas a retard'?</p>
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<p>seriously Piers was so ar$e he got dropped from the waikato npc side. Now he's the saviour of the blues midfield.</p>
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<p>The sht thing is it's reducing the fun of putting the boot into blues supporters. It's a bit like telling Americans they're sht at rugby. Zero enjoyment.</p> -
<p>Yeah from what I saw I thought Piers was very poor in the ITM Cup for Counties last year - thought he was very lucky to pick up a contract - however that was at 10 not 12 - midfield hasn't been working so I don't mind the taking of a risk - if you are going to try someone else other than Moala at 12 then so be it - can see the thinking behind picking a 2nd pivot. </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="WillieTheWaiter" data-cid="568636" data-time="1459399552"><p><br>
The sht thing is it's reducing the fun of putting the boot into blues supporters. It's a bit like telling Americans they're sht at rugby. Zero enjoyment.</p></blockquote>
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I've quite enjoyed winding up tana fans though. At this stage he's just a new version of Kirwan -
<p>I wonder if Tana's plan for the Blues is looking beyond 2016, however it would appear he is trying to develop players instead of trying to win games.</p>
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<p>Be interesting to see which players have started each game and how many different players have started compared to the other NZ teams.</p> -
<p>deleted because it was wrong</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="568589" data-time="1459384130">
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<p>I see the Jags have left 10 players at home to rest, so maybe that's the reason. </p>
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<p>Are they 10 of their standard match day squad? Would they have the depth to do that and make it a contest against any other New Zealand team?</p>
