Force v Blues

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crash" data-cid="581556" data-time="1463884330">
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Parsons has blossomed with the captaincy role. Still inclined to have a few rush of blood to the head moments which he needs to eliminate from his game.
The selectors will favour Taylor, but good to see competition for places and Parsons is a good option.
Always hard to look good in a tam that is struggling.
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Taylor is going well - stepped up from last year - and I think he and Coles are certainties.
 
I think they'll take a third hooker though - probably Elliott if he's not blackballed, possibly Harris if they're only planning on sitting him on the bench if one of the top two are injured, and just maybe Parsons (who I think was tried and found wanting) or even..... Ash Dixon?

KiwiMurph

The wet really helped the Force.
 
My standouts were Luatua (who was brilliant, his workrate was exceptional) and in the centres Francis (defensively) and Moala (offensively) were very strong. One of Kaino's better games. 
 
That kick from Hall near the end was an absolute shocker. Guyton was good and the level went down with Hall on. Looking forward to Pulu next season. 
 
Blues muscled up well to keep the Force out, especially down to 14 for a quarter of the game.
 
Another away win and in the wet too - I'll take it. We've improved from a bottom of the table team to a mid table team.
 
The key next season will be finding a 10 to groom behind West.

SammyC

Picking parsons would be a bit like picking Andy Ellis. Probabably deserves a spot because he's the third best hooker, but won't get it because he doesn't fit the game plan 
Both Coles and Taylor are lightening quick, I've seen Taylor score 50metre runaway tries in club rugby, and everyone has seen Coles do similar. 
So the abs play them out wide in a ball running role, they also station them at the back of he lineout on defense to utilise this pace. 
Parsons is hard and physical but it's also really noticeable that he's a bit of a cart horse when he starts to run with the ball.

taniwharugby

When Parsons is poor, he is pretty bad, but otherwise is pretty consistent and just lacks a bit of pace and spark I think.
 
Never been a big fan myself, and I'd be hugely surprised if the ABs went back to him.

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="581565" data-time="1463887160">Taylor is going well - stepped up from last year - and I think he and Coles are certainties. 
I think they'll take a third hooker though - probably Elliott if he's not blackballed, possibly Harris if they're only planning on sitting him on the bench if one of the top two are injured, and just maybe Parsons (who I think was tried and found wanting) or even..... Ash Dixon?</blockquote>
 
Harris possibly showed enough for the selectors to bring him back into the fold. Remember they have this thing about giving you another chance if you lost your place through injury. 
With Coles, Taylor and Harris they have the makings of a locked in trio of options in a key position for some years to come.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="581569" data-time="1463888832">
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Harris possibly showed enough for the selectors to bring him back into the fold. Remember they have this thing about giving you another chance if you lost your place through injury. 
With Coles, Taylor and Harris they have the makings of a locked in trio of options in a key position for some years to come.
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Wouldn't surprise me - it's probably the way I would go, especially if Hika isn't considered - lack of game time is the main question.

nzzp

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="581543" data-time="1463880591">
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are Tuipolotu and/or Luatua going well enough to warrant AB selection?
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Luatua has to be better than Dixon, Taufua, etc. 
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Short answer: yes.

Longer answer: Luatua - yes as a great bench player to cover 6 and a bit of lock.
Tuipolotu carries well, is atheltic and just looking to blossom under decent coaches.
 
Luatua's strength this year has been physicality, smart decision making and low error rate. For test rugby, that's all boxes ticked, thanks. The AB selectors know he has the mental game - hopefully doesn't show up fat and slow :)
 
Tuipolotu will be a mainstay of the Blues for some time if he sticks around.

nzzp

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="581534" data-time="1463879308">
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...they have picked up 2 wins on the road, 1 of which was thier first in a very long time, have picked up 4 other wins and sit on the dark side of mid-table.
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Having not won on the road for two years, to go 2-1-1 is just fine by me.
 
I reckon if we play the Reds again at the back end of the season, we win. This side is starting to grow

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nzzp" data-cid="581612" data-time="1463902442">
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Tuipolotu will be a mainstay of the Blues for some time if he sticks around. 
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He's signed through to 2019 which is a bonus. Hopefully his injuries are behind him.

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nzzp" data-cid="581532" data-time="1463878533">So, to be clear, we're playing crap and winning close games, but we're going to finish at the bottom of every NZ table. 
That, and our only hope is to sign Beaudy to get better. 
I'm a Blues fan, but I struggle with this logic. Seems like cognitive dissonance to me - we can't be playing shit, winning close games and also only have the potential to prop up the nZ table. 
Genuine question - do you see potential for improvement in the Blues? I do, and I am hopeful for the franchise going forward - some improvements in structure and consistency (who knows, they could even be linked) and we're into the playoffs. Do that, and it's all on. Tana with an offseason to work the players the way he wants will be important.</blockquote>
 
To me the majority of the teams are pretty rubbish.

KiwiMurph

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="581662" data-time="1463920617">To me the majority of the teams are pretty rubbish.</blockquote>
 
Conversely though, I think the NZ teams are the strongest theyve been across the board in regards to coaching in a long time, possibly ever. 
Outside of the Blues the other 4 franchise coaches have either won a Super title or taken their team to a Super Rugby final. 
Someone has to come last in the NZ Conference and the Blues are a hell of a lot better than a lot of other last placed nz teams over the years. 
I think it's all about expectations, Tana is a young coach taking over a young team where he doesnt yet have 100% say in the makeup of his squad. 
If the expectations were for Tana to do a 2012 Dave Rennie then that is clearly not going to happen but also that wasnt realistic - Tana looks like a good young coach with potential - there is a middle ground between Hansen and Kirwan that coaches can fit into.

antipodean

For all the talk about coaching, just imagine the current Blues set up but with Aaron Smith and Sopoaga, or Weber and Cruden. It would transform the team.

nzzp

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="581700" data-time="1463932827">
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For all the talk about coaching, just imagine the current Blues set up but with Aaron Smith and Sopoaga, or Weber and Cruden. It would transform the team.
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Yeah - how about Wellington having Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Cruden AND Beauden Barrett looking for starting spots. And now Otere Black somewehre in the mix.

All that, and we couldn't convince someone to come to Auckland. Fingers crossed for the future...

taniwharugby

Blues have half the equation solved with Pulu, but 10 is still the bigger issue

nzzp

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="581718" data-time="1463946654">
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Blues have half the equation solved with Pulu, but 10 is still the bigger issue
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THanks to Tana for that signing. Certainly not coming for the front office.

Dice

I wonder if Tana can lure TNW from Japan for next season. I'd love to have some elite speed and footwork in our line-up.

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="581927" data-time="1463994190">I wonder if Tana can lure TNW from Japan for next season. I'd love to have some elite speed and footwork in our line-up.</blockquote>
 
.....and wafer thin defence as well?

Dice

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="581932" data-time="1463995357">
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.....and wafer thin defence as well?
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His defense is fine on the wing, it's his defense at centre that is a problem. I'd want him as an outside back, not a midfielder.

gt12

Not exactly an area where you guys are short though Dice. It just seems that way because Tana keeps playing Li.

number9

So based upon a lot of the comments in this topic, the Blues need to recruit a 10. What other recruiting needs are there for the franchise? I personally feel that Tana is doing well for a debutant Coach. It will be good to get some opinions on other positions. And if so which players are coming off contract from other franchises that can plug the gaps?

The Silver Fern

Force v Blues