Canes vs Jags

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="571238" data-time="1460242581">
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We went. Only because invited by friends and I thought that I hadn't been to a live game for a while so may be good to see what things were like now.
 
Man that was a game that showed just how much everything is slanted to TV now, ruining the live experience. 
 
They are good at flashing up the refs call to let you know a decision but so many times there is a stoppage and delay in play where the crowd is just totally in the dark as to why they aren't seeing a game being played but are watching inactivity instead. Makes for a disengaged experience.
 
Maybe it was the nature of the game with the Argies complicating matters but fuck it was a hard watch live.
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I couldn't agree more. I was there, too, and had exactly the same experience. I got free tickets in an absolutely horrible spot and couldn't see what was happening at the other side of the field. I was getting bored as. Whoever does the announcements in the stadium should be a little more active and tell the crowd what's going on. Next time, I'll try listening to radio commentary if there's reception in the stadium. I'm also going to the Nix game this afternoon and wonder whether that will give me the same experience (have much better seats though).

hydro11

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="571214" data-time="1460224404">
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What other midfield options do the canes have? The current pair are not inspiring.
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Laumape is fine, I think. Halaholo vs Aso I'm not sure about.

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="571249" data-time="1460246099">
I couldn't agree more. I was there, too, and had exactly the same experience. I got free tickets in an absolutely horrible spot and couldn't see what was happening at the other side of the field. I was getting bored as. Whoever does the iannouncements in the stadium should be a little more active and tell the crowd what's going on. Next time, I'll try listening to radio commentary if there's reception in the stadium. I'm also going to the Nix game this afternoon and wonder whether that will give me the same experience (have much better seats though).</blockquote>
 
You could have moved seats for a better view. Good crowd but wasn't like it was sold out.

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="571063" data-time="1460192037">
These Argentinians and their fucking soccer behaviour is a disgrace. The citing officer should start looking into this.</blockquote>
Agreed. 
You were referring to Sanchez being cleaned out by TJ? 
The good thing is foul play gets reviewed on screen. 
TMO or citing commissioner should impose a YC for unsportsmanlike behaviour/bringing game into disrepute.

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Siam" data-cid="571069" data-time="1460192212">
Ever since repeated laser incidents in Argentina I've been wondering if these fluffybunnys don't "soccerify" Rugby now that they're in the big time. Could never happen in a traditional rugby country because fellow crowd members would put a stop to it smartly 
That clutching the head and rushing the ref and other histrionics makes me wary of what they'll bring to our great game. 
We shall see</blockquote>
 
And this. 
Refs should start penalising that shit to bring them into line.

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="571073" data-time="1460192342">
Re: the try that was called back. Still can't believe WR hasn't sorted out the influence the broadcaster can have on the match depending on what they show on the big screen. As it turns out the home broadcaster screwed his own team on that occasion!</blockquote>
 
That had to be replayed. After the crowd reaction something happened there and i wanted to know what it was. If i was the TMO I'd be asking for the repkay for that reason. 
All it really was was a poor decision by the AR.

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="571201" data-time="1460204773">
I was at the game tonight and it was absolutely cringeworthy. The first half saw an appalling array of various cockups covering the whole gambit of f ups, many more than once. Why the culprits were not pulled and replaced inside the first twenty minutes, by which time I had had enough of the tripe being dished up, must go down as a black mark against the backroom staff. I suppose if they had started pulling the perpetrators that early there would have been no available replacements shortly after half time. 
TJ Perenara might be worried about getting a phone call from the club captain of his Northern United RFC enquiring about his availability given that their Premier Reserve team have a midweek night match against their Oriental Rongotai counterparts on Wednesday night for that was about the level he displayed tonight. 
Questions must also be asked of who is in charge of the attacking strategies at the Hurricanes given there was practically nothing on show designed to put a guy into space. It was simply either unsuccessful crashballs or shovelling it on to an outside player after the passer had run crossfield. It was not good to see. About the only mitigating factor were chronic offsides by the Jaguares players for the entire match that generally went unpunished. 
Julian Savea, despite his three tries, looked to still be a long way from all Black level, notably running directly across the field a couple of time for nil forward gain. Having said that his performance was several steps up on what we saw from him last time he graced the field. 
Questions posed by journalists enquiring what the players have been doing at training this last week would be interesting given that the amateurish errors would even look out of place in a senior club game. To see them coming incessently from full time professionals was extremely disappointing. 
About the only good thing going tonight was the relatively warm conditions, in fact they were probably the highlight of the night. 
Rant over for the time being.</blockquote>
 
Really? 40-22 says they did the occasional thing OKish.

Canes4life

I've been very impressed by Laumape so far this season. He has rarely put a foot wrong on both attack and defense and he has the potential to take his game up a notch or two as the season progresses. He reminds me of a young Ma'a Nonu. All the power in the world but has to find that distribution game to eventually become a world class player. 
 
He is going to be a long term Hurricane so it is important the Canes find a suitable partner that can offer more in the way of kicking and distribution. I like the look of Peter Umaga Jensen (NZ schools captain in 2015), like his uncle Tana he has the physical presence and skill set to go a long way in rugby. Apparently Umaga Jensen has been carrying players on his back in the early rounds of Wellington club rugby - great signs for a future Hurricanes star.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="571285" data-time="1460258754">
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I've been very impressed by Laumape so far this season. He has rarely put a foot wrong on both attack and defense and he has the potential to take his game up a notch or two as the season progresses. He reminds me of a young Ma'a Nonu. All the power in the world but has to find that distribution game to eventually become a world class player. 
 
He is going to be a long term Hurricane so it is important the Canes find a suitable partner that can offer more in the way of kicking and distribution. I like the look of Peter Umaga Jensen (NZ schools captain in 2015), like his uncle Tana he has the physical presence and skill set to go a long way in rugby. Apparently Umaga Jensen has been carrying players on his back in the early rounds of Wellington club rugby - great signs for a future Hurricanes star.
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Nice of him to help them out but even at club level players really need to learn to stand on their own two feet if they are gonna last.

JC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="571264" data-time="1460249392">
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Laumape is fine, I think. Halaholo vs Aso I'm not sure about.
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I'm not convinced about Laumape yet. He needs to take a look at his tackling options I reckon. Several times he went for a ball-and-all tackle that just allowed the ball carrier to carve off an additional 10 metres before going to ground which just put everybody else under pressure. He should take their legs and let someone else worry about covering the offload.

Crucial

I'm with Higgins that there isn't a lot of creativity in the Canes attack (especially the midfield). Watched the first half from behind the posts where it is obvious that there is very little manipulation going on to create space and use it.
 
Considering the Canes do pretty well on the scoreboard maybe their method of play works well but it seems to me that their current MO is to play the basics and use the firepower to take advantage of field position or defensive errors. Whether that is enough to win a title will be seen.
 
The midfield are partly the issue in this but probably just because being new, the strategy is to not overcomplicate things.
 
BTW I didn't think much of BBs control of the game or kicking from hand, especially clearances. Stands way to deep and only gets the ball to around the 22 max.

hurricane

I almost started a new thread for this to put a spotlight on him but will just make this small post instead.
 
How good is Blade Thomson! Strong game on the weekend. 17 line out catches this season. 2 tries already. 
 
I have him down as the 3rd best lock in the country at the moment all things considered and would include him in the AB training squad as an "Apprentice" or some junior learning role.

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hurricane" data-cid="571604" data-time="1460366670">
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I almost started a new thread for this to put a spotlight on him but will just make this small post instead.
 
How good is Blade Thomson! Strong game on the weekend. 17 line out catches this season. 2 tries already. 
 
I have him down as the 3rd best lock in the country at the moment all things considered and would include him in the AB training squad as an "Apprentice" or some junior learning role.
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I totally agree re Thomson. He deserves a crack in the A.Bs. More than a junior role though I reckon. He would be my loose forward/lock cover over a guy like Luatua. I like the look of Elliot Dixon from the highlanders aswell. Both players are very similar and I wouldn't be surprised if both of them made the test side this year.
 
My All Black loose forwards would be:
1. Blade Thomson - replaces Victor Vito
2. Sam Cane
3. Jerome Kaino
4. Keiran Read
5. Elliot Dixon - replaces Liam Messam
6. Ardie Savea - replaces King Richie McCaw

mariner4life

when you write it out like that, it's a pretty underwhelming lineup

Hooroo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="571659" data-time="1460415704">
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when you write it out like that, it's a pretty underwhelming lineup
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Funny how the same data can be interpreted completely differently.
 
I was reading down that list and had a smile on my face thinking 'Niiiiiiiiiice' and then I read your post and was surprised. Sure it would be nice if there was a Mr McCaw, I agree

MN5

With a name like Blade he has to be tough though doesn't he ?

antipodean

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="571662" data-time="1460415917">
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With a name like Blade he has to be tough though doesn't he ?
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His name isn't Sue.

Frank

Blade Thomson is too light for a starting lock role - really like his play though.
 
Beauden Barrett is absolutely dreaming if he is thinking he is anywhere near the starting 10 for the ABs.
Cruden and Sopoaga are miles ahead.

Frye

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="571661" data-time="1460415869">
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Funny how the same data can be interpreted completely differently.
 
I was reading down that list and had a smile on my face thinking 'Niiiiiiiiiice' and then I read your post and was surprised. Sure it would be nice if there was a Mr McCaw, I agree
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Agreed.
Expectations of All Black loose forwards are extremely high.
 
 
I'm happy to see both Dixon and Thomson make the cut. Dixon looks to have the better skill set but Thomson is a genuine 6/lock. Sure they could be the next X Rush and J Gibbes, but there have been plenty of good provincial players who have gone on to be good test players.

Crucial

I know he doesn't have the experience levels others do in the 6/lock role but Vaea Fifita could be a bolter if they are only looking at this stage for a project to bring into camp.
 
I would say that the AB selectors would be very interested in getting a hold of him to see how he goes/what he is like etc. The guy is a farkin huge. Well tall enough to be effective at lock. Has enough size for contact and has the athleticism to get around the park at 6.

The Silver Fern

Canes vs Jags