Blues 2022
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Sanzaar has failed to differentiate between Clarke’s blow, and that landed by team-mate Nepo Laulala against the same opponents four days earlier when his shoulder connected with Moana Pasifika centre Fine Inisi’s head in a breakdown, and also drew a red. Both players were meted out three-week bans, and that, say the Blues, is just fine by them. “We appreciate what World Rugby are doing, really emphasising keeping players safe,” Blues assistant coach Daniel Halangahu told a media posse after Thursday’s training at Alexandra Park. “We went in there hopeful. You could see there was no intent and we all know Caleb is a warm, loving young man, and never intended for anything to happen. But unfortunately it did.” Asked if the ban was fair, Halangahu said the Blues’ view was that it was. “The framework is pretty clear and they’ve applied it,” said the attack coach. “We’re getting consistency now. There has been a shift over the last few years and that’s because of the injuries sustained. We’re really clear on what’s OK and not OK. Caleb got it wrong, he accepts he got it wrong, and it’s just the degree of how he got it wrong is where we’re at.” That supportive view extended to the framework of how head contact offences were viewed. “We support keeping players safe, so we’ve got to adjust how we do things,” Halangahu added. “Obviously in those two incidents we got it wrong, so we’ll work on changing some behaviour and technique.” Halangahu did concede Clarke’s offence had been almost “unique” in its nature – though still a reminder that ultimately the duty of care lay with players making challenges. “Caleb was attempting to keep the player safe, and that’s the reason he had the angle across the kicker. But he still made contact, so it’s understanding the exact scenario where we probably can’t leave our feet and get into that space. “We’ve got to keep the safety of the person kicking the ball at front of mind. If we can’t execute that charge-down and still keep that person safe, we’re going to have to adjust our technique.” -
@gt12 said in Blues 2022:
@kiwimurph said in Blues 2022:
Luatua was MAGS.
I was just coming to post that - he played with my cousin.
Edit: Was he was poached at some point? I don't remember it @Dice
I don't think so.
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While he has excelled at fullback, the youngster predominantly played at first-five throughout his schoolboy days and has hopes that he can return to his favoured position in the future.
“I’ve always got that in the back of my head, I know I can play 10 personally but I think I just need to do my job at fullback at the moment and then if I get that opportunity I can step up as a 10,” he said on SENZ’s Blues Brothers.
“A few years ago when I was at school (I played there), and just having that leadership role on my shoulders again will be a bit different, but I’ll feel a little bit more comfortable.
“No.10 is probably where I want to end up later in my career, but at the moment it is just me nailing what I can do and nailing my job, and helping the people around me.”
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@stargazer I herd he could have played but has slight ankle injury b ok next week
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@george33 said in Blues 2022:
@stargazer I herd he could have played but has slight ankle injury b ok next week
Yes, an ankle injury according to Hinton's article.
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The Blues’ only injury from Hamilton was the break in Nock’s hand which is expected to see him out for around three weeks, with fellow halfback Fin Christie “available” after being a late withdrawal on game night.
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The Blues held the Chiefs scoreless and Cully was full of praise for the impact of Joe Schmidt, the Kiwi who coached Ireland from 2013-2019 and returned to NZ as an assistant to Leon MacDonald this season.
“When you look at the Blues I’ve got two words for you – Joe Schmidt,” said Cully.
“He was hired at the start of the year. His influence is really becoming apparent.
“When they were down in Dunedin at the start of the season I watched him before the games started. He is a magnificent, world class coach and the word is that the Blues players, including their senior All Blacks are hanging on his every word, rate him incredibly highly.
“The Blues have been building for two or three years but I think Schmidt’s addition has taken them to another level.”
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@duluth it's still so recent we couldn't pick up a win against kiwi opposition.
What's awesome is we're still building, expecting to get better year on year. The talent identification has finally got good, and we're seeing the results.
It's been a lot of Shawshank before the redemption
Stuff
Sullivan inspired by “unreal” Tuivasa-Sheck
