Why the Blues are going OK...
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The Blues lineout is pretty strong as well. There are some building blocks there
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="573924" data-time="1461273590">
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<p>Crucial you should write an article for the Herald about it.</p>
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<p>So far they've reported.</p>
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<p>SBW is going to the roosters</p>
<p>SBW is going to Toulon</p>
<p>SBW is signing with the chiefs/NZRFU and continuing his boxing career</p>
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<p>probably some more I've <strike>missed</strike> ignored :)</p>
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<p>I think you may have missed these.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11622083'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11622083</a></p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">Sonny Bill Williams and Umaga are close and the Blues are keen to see if they can prise the All Black midfielder from the Chiefs.
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<p>Chiefs coach Dave Rennie confirmed to Fairfax Media this week he is keen to retain Williams, who played 28 matches for the Hamilton-based franchise and won a title with them in 2012. Williams is contracted to the Chiefs this year but opted to play sevens this year.</p>
<p><strong>Blues coach Tana Umaga has a strong relationship with Williams, too. The pair first linked at Toulon when Williams switched from the Bulldogs in 2008, and again with Umaga guiding Counties Manukau in 2014.</strong></p>
<p><strong>"If Sonny Bill decides to stay in New Zealand, we'd love to have someone of his calibre with us," Umaga said. "It goes without saying what he's achieved as a player and what he's like as a person, I'm fortunate to know that.</strong></p>
<p><strong>"An environment that's young like ours, he would add immense value. He likes to make sure he's up for a challenge and we all know the Lions are coming so that could keep him. But you never know.</strong></p>
<p><strong>"Sonny doesn't make emotional decisions. He likes to go into a good environment. He's got connections with Dave and the Chiefs, and is part of the reason why they are what they are at the moment.</strong></p>
<p><strong>"But if he's up for a challenge with us, hopefully he'd think about that."</strong></p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/78736957/nz-rugby-clears-sonny-bill-williams-return-to-ring-as-chiefs-and-blues-chase'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/78736957/nz-rugby-clears-sonny-bill-williams-return-to-ring-as-chiefs-and-blues-chase</a></p> -
Good post NZZP. I mostly agree.<br><br>
However, Barry Schwartz would tell you that the secret to happiness is low expectations.<br><br>
I can't stop thinking about that every time I hear some one talk about how the Blues are 'building'.<br><br>
Their set piece is pretty good, and they've got some forwards who are working their asses off (Luatua particularly). Their defense is pretty reasonable too, which is keeping them in games.<br><br>
But, without some 1-minute magic from Ioane or ANother, they'd have lost at least one more and I wonder what we'd be saying then.<br><br>
Furthermore, they haven't looked as good in any games since their first. That Reds game really fucked things around, and since then all I can see is deck-chairs have been moved and 'planning' for next year. But, I'm not sure it's even good ' planning'- Francis is definitely not the answer at 2nd five, they dropped the guy who put in the best shift at FB, and they continue to be deep on attack.<br><br>
They are losing two guys who've been really adding (Ioanes) and Gibson being injured has hurt them at the breakdown. <br><br>
So, I'm selling. I reckon they might have a bit of a hard run home, despite having already played the kiwi teams. Hope I'm wrong (and going by my tipping, that's more than likely). -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="573947" data-time="1461281561">
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<p>But, without some 1-minute magic from Ioane or ANother, they'd have lost at least one more and I wonder what we'd be saying then.</p>
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<p>Yep, but if we had a different ref in teh Canes game we may have gone 4-1-2 and everyone would be banging on about how great we are. </p>
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<p>I'm not too worried about results this year, if the team can build and show improvement that's a win for me. Low expectations is the lot of a Blues fan these days! The post was there to make the point that, unlike previously years, I think there are some tangible things that indicate improvement in the side.</p>
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<p>Will be an interesting second half of the year. Pro rugby takes its toll on bodies, and I expect us to fade. Still, mid table would be sound given our start and the bodies coming next year.</p> -
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<p>There's a bit more grit in this team than last year, even though there's still a lot of the same players in the squad. With the late coaching appointment, we weren't really able to make any big upgrades to any position in the off-season, but we've clearly made some strides this season.</p>
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<p>I'm honestly not too worried about the future of the Blues, as I think we have a decent base to build off of and have some good talent coming through. I think we can fill a lot of our weak positions in the next couple of years, as well as add some good depth to the team. Like myself, Auckland Rugby probably believe in the talent coming through, as they've now increased their academy spots per year from 12 to 24, which is a pretty big deal to me.</p>
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<p>In recent years, the ARU and Blues have been putting a lot more work into the grade programs and appear to me to have adopted a 'leave no stone unturned' mentality - this, along with many schools up here playing more structured and a high percentage style of rugby, has meant more rounded and higher IQ players being developed. I remember several years back when we could barely get a player to make NZ schools, but we've probably had the most in the last few years.</p>
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<p>I use to be a big critic of the ARU, but I've quickly become a bit of a fan of theirs. The hard work they've put in is definitely paying off for the Auckland ITM Cup team at the moment, and I think with a bit more time, the Blues will benefit from it too.</p> -
<p>The thing is I'm not seeing any great coaching from Tana so far. Take the Chiefs game - great tries from Nanai and Ioane got you close but the Blues were completely outplayed. Having taken the lead, the Blues surrendered it very quickly. Against the Sharks last week, the Blues were outplayed in the first half but dominant in the second. Again though it was individual brilliance from Ioane that won them the game.</p>
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<p>The Blues had to do better this season. I think they are doing well because they have some of the best young players in the country. I'm yet to see a clear example of where Tana has created a game plan and got the Blues to follow through on it. I'm not criticising Tana for this and I think it was a good decision to appoint him coach. I'm just saying the jury is still out on whether he can get a team together which can compete for the title.</p> -
I never backed Hammett to get the best out of the Canes.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="574016" data-time="1461303371"><p>Hammett had better results at this stage :)</p></blockquote>
Hammett had a better team at this stage. We really got to see his quality as a coach in the proceeding years when he had "his" team. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="574016" data-time="1461303371">
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<p>Hammett had better results at this stage :)</p>
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<p>As NQ says Hammett had a better team - I tried to float Kaino as the only top class player in the Blues and apparently he's hopeless too. ;)</p>
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<p>For a start, Hammett had these World Cup winners in his team: Hore, Nonu, Smith, Weepu, Cruden, Jane, and Victor Vito..</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="574016" data-time="1461303371">
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<p>Hammett had better results at this stage :)</p>
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<p>We should also mention too, lest people start believing the propaganda coming out of the Village of the Damned, that the Hammettuer didn't have better results at this stage - the Canes were 2-5 after 7 games in his first year, with one postponed.</p> -
To get the thread back on track before the Cantab trolls derail it I think there are some hugely positive signs coming out of the Blues camp at the moment. Plenty of inexperience meaning the decision making isn't always the best but their defense and set piece are going very well, and they are an 80 minute team now. The only game they've been completely outplayed in is against the Saders. Otherwise they've either won or had narrow losses - and that's with a pretty dysfunctional attack. If they get that right then look out.
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<p>We're doing ok. As long as we concentrate on ourselves instead of the other NZ sides and play it game by game (cliche I know but it really does apply to us), we should have a good season. As has been said, Umaga looks to be building to next year which is fine and should be judged then instead of this season.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="574017" data-time="1461303797">
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<p>Hammett had a better team at this stage. We really got to see his quality as a coach in the proceeding years when he had "his" team.</p>
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<p>And look at the foundation he laid aye. Boyd is riding the coat tails big time :)</p> -
<p>The other thing is that now only 40% of your games are against New Zealand teams. So far Tana is 1 from 4 versus NZ teams. Kirwan had to play 50% of his games against NZ teams. If Tana ends up at 7 wins, 7 losses and a draw but loses his remaining games against New Zealand teams then he has definitely benefited from a better draw.</p>