Lions v Blues
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<p>Turned on a replay, watched the kickoff, missed a lineout, taclking was optional.</p>
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<p>Switched to a live feed, and saw 31-0 and more of the same.</p>
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I'm flushing the dunny and moving on. As someone said above, rain highlights the weaknesses of this outfit. Poor halves, some average skills and an inability to play a solid conservative pattern.</p>
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<p>This may be a wake up call to listen more to Tana, but who knows.</p>
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<p>5-1-4 for the season now. Still not terrible, adn a win at the Farce on the way home would be nice.</p> -
Shocking result and performance! Umaga has not convinced me yet,no structure to their play at all. <br><br><br>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="leytonandamanda" data-cid="579859" data-time="1463258512">
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<p>Shocking result and performance! Umaga has not convinced me yet,no structure to their play at all.<br><br><br>
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk</p>
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<p>The first lineout I saw from the Blues shows me they are mental midgets. Its raining and some idiot decides to call a long throw. How about the KISS principle?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="leytonandamanda" data-cid="579859" data-time="1463258512">
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<p>Shocking result and performance! Umaga has not convinced me yet,no structure to their play at all.<br><br><br>
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk</p>
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<p>Personally, I'd wait until next season to make a decision - Umaga then can have his own coaching staff (Moore was already signed on for next year before Tana signed up) and players, Or at least more so then he currently does.</p> -
Attitude problem for this game , feeling too comfortable with where they are at with an away win last week I'm guessing . <br><br>
When you see Kaino slipping off tackles you know something isn't right . -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="579876" data-time="1463266689">
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<p>Attitude problem for this game , feeling too comfortable with where they are at with an away win last week I'm guessing .<br><br>
When you see Kaino slipping off tackles you know something isn't right .</p>
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<p>One of those weird things where all week they were playing lip service to knowing full well the Lions would be fired up and they would have to meet it head on yet something underlying had them thinking the game was going to go OK before it started.</p>
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<p>Every team seems to have one of these attitude drops during a season. Canes had one in SA, Chiefs had one against the Lions as well.</p> -
<p>yep, a scoreline like that surely shows they were not in the right headspace...sure they've been poor at times this year, but nothing like that.</p>
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<p>The Blues must be watching the NZ sevens and thinking to themselves - what could have been?? The Ioane bros are killing it.</p>
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<p>Il say it now. The Blues won't make the playoffs. </p>
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<p>Plenty may disagree but I believe Tana needs to start producing combinations for next year and beyond. He needs to figure out his preferred back three because to be frank Visinia, Li and Nanai are all too similar. Big ball running outside backs with a predictable skill set. The Blues are in desperate need of someone like Damian McKenzie who can bring that speed and ability to set to set up the wings.</p>
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<p>Duffie at Fullback could be their answer and he needs to be introduced on a regular basis because he will add something different in terms of attack.</p>
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<p>As a Canes fan it dreads me to say this but the Blues should spend a fair bob in getting Otere Black up to Auckland. He hasn't been given any opportunity this year with Barrett running the cutter at the Canes and he has a big future IMO, a bigger future than West. </p>
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<p>I believe a backline next year of 9. Sam Nock 10. Otere Black 11. Tevita Li 12. George Moala 13. Reiko Ioane 14. Rene Ranger 15. Matt Duffie could be bloody dangerous.</p>
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<p>Otere Black is also a pinpoint goal kicker which is a vital component in this day and age.</p> -
<p>Augustine Pulu will be starting for the Blues next year over Nock. I'd prefer Nanai over Li or Duffie. I'd probably prefer Visinia to either of them, too.</p>
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<p>Edit: I think if you're wanting someone who plays a bit differently, Trainor is probably a better option at fullback (dependent on his Mitre 10 Cup form). He is raw, and will likely stuff up occasionally, but to me he is a better bet than Duffie, who has shown absolutely nothing at any level of rugby.</p> -
<p>Also Black's contract with the Hurricanes runs to the end of next season. Blues are perhaps best off trying to develop a first five from scratch (at least they now have a halfback with a bit of experience to help out). Perofeta doesn't look to be a bad option. </p>
