Blues v Sharks

hurricane

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bbarcs" data-cid="572839" data-time="1460798777">
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My multi is alive so I'm happy.
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I told everyone I knew to bet the house on the Blues and at least 5 people laid on bets because of me. I had a $20 on them head to head as I didn't trust them to carry the handicap.

hydro11

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="572842" data-time="1460799010">
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There was some mindless play from the Sharks in the last 10-15 minutes of that game. 
Well done Blues to win and break the streak. But what was up with some of the attack again??? It's still very laboured when going wide. Moala made a difference in attack when he came on.
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Moala was huge. I get why Tana is going for Francis at 12 but I think Moala needs to play. If that means Ranger doesn't play or doesn't play at 13 then so be it.

hurricane

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="572847" data-time="1460799268">
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Moala was huge. I get why Tana is going for Francis at 12 but I think Moala needs to play. If that means Ranger doesn't play or doesn't play at 13 then so be it.
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Moala's go forward was a significant factor in the win.

bbarcs

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hurricane" data-cid="572846" data-time="1460799196">I told everyone I knew to bet the house on the Blues and at least 5 people laid on bets because of me. I had a $20 on them head to head as I didn't trust them to carry the handicap. </blockquote>
 
That was me on the Lions at $2.90 last week... 
Not so confident this week. Too many that seem obvious but key players like Pocock and Jaco Kriel (he's in doubt) missing. 
Still need Bulls & Lions to get in.

hurricane

I like West. There I said it.
 
I think he is plucky and runs good lines, also doesn't fuck around with it in his own 22. Yes he could be better with his punting distance in clearing his red zone but everyone has work ons. He is part of the answer for Tana.

KiwiMurph

West is a stopgap. He's not the long term answer but he will do in the meantime until Blues find someone else.
 
I thought Luatua was excellent. He looks very fit - was still charging at the end. Really throwing himself about. 
 
Ranger isnt a centre - when he returns he should be used as a wing only. 
 
Blues are really going to miss the Ioanes.

Siam

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="572897" data-time="1460816005">
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West is a stopgap. He's not the long term answer but he will do in the meantime until Blues find someone else.
 
I thought Luatua was excellent. He looks very fit - was still charging at the end. Really throwing himself about. 
 
Ranger isnt a centre - when he returns he should be used as a wing only. 
 
Blues are really going to miss the Ioanes.
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Conversely, with their 15's experience, and the way the second tier 7's guys are going, Titch is going to love having them back!

bbarcs

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bbarcs" data-cid="572852" data-time="1460799988">
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That was me on the Lions at $2.90 last week... 
Not so confident this week. Too many that seem obvious but key players like Pocock and Jaco Kriel (he's in doubt) missing. 
Still need Bulls & Lions to get in.
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Can't lose this year :good:

kiwiinmelb

I think West could be effective coming off the bench later in the match with his running game , 
 
But they need a more composed starter

taniwharugby

A lot of reasons why the blues are struggling to unleash thier weapons they have outside seem to sit with Hall and West. 
Maybe if West had someone like Aaron to pass him the ball...Maybe if Hall had a Cruden outside him...but together they are a problem IMO.

Immenso Rapido

Watched this via the highlights package , and I ended up fast forwarding thru a lot of it. Not a good sign. Then my MySky ran out of space, thank god.

African Monkey

I'll take the win but geez we're a hard watch. I've seen some bad footy from us but that first half was up there. Moala was huge and has to start somewhere from now on whether it's at 12,13 or 14 but player of the day for me was Luatua by a mile. No-one seems to rate him very much these days but he deserves to be in the All Blacks with the way he's played this season.

kiwiinmelb

Yeah I think Luatua became an Allblack selection almost through potential , 
Yet he is a better player now than he was when he was initially selected , which is an interesting one if he misses out.

mariner4life

People seem to be overlooking him because he's playing differently to when he made his name. It's much less flash and much more graft now, and he's doing some sterling work. I'd pick him as the lock/6 hybrid

Frank

Frank

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="572933" data-time="1460852927">
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Yeah I think Luatua became an Allblack selection almost through potential , 
Yet he is a better player now than he was when he was initially selected , which is an interesting one if he misses out.
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I am noticing his work rate more (and his big mop of hair.)
Reiko Ioane looks a great prospect.

Dice

Another ugly game from us, but on the plus side, we beat our bogey team and tied our win total of last year. After the bye, I thought we could easily go 0 - 3, but we've collected a decent 9 points. We're now into the easier part of our schedule, with the Force, Rebels and Kings in our next 4 matches.
 
Luatua was definitely big out there. He's really stepped it up in the last few weeks. Another forward who put in a big shift was Faumuina, he was physical and busy all game.
 
It's crazy to think that Rieko is still eligible for the U20s next year, but with the way he is going and how big a weapon he is for us, I doubt we'll release him for the JWC next year. On the other hand, how is Li better than Nanai? Li adds very little to the team, but starts every match.
 
West was so bad last night, he almost became the 2nd player to be booed by the fans. The first guy to get booed was Stephen Brett.

booboo

I've been wanting West to deliver but he just hasn't. 
Doesn't Francis play 10? He looks like he's got a bit about him. 
Swap him for West. Moala to 12. Ioane to 13.

No Quarter

It's got to be a confidence thing with West. He is a decent player but he doesn't give himself a chance standing so deep all the time. Tana needs to get him playing a similar game to Barrett - stand flatter and first instinct is to attack the line, if nothing on then pass. That will help hold the defense in closer opening up a bit of space out wide. When the first five stands so deep in the pocket it makes it nearly impossible to organise anything on attack.

KiwiMurph

Blues have made big strides in the scrum this season too. It's not an Achilles heel like last year. Ofa T has gone better when he has switched to tight head and agree with TR that Waa looks to have something about him. Even Prattley has improved to the point where he is competent. With Mayhew coming back soon things are looking solid in that area.

The Silver Fern

Blues v Sharks