Blues v Brumbies
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="595187" data-time="1467974568"><p>
He's a fucking New Zealander! Check his passport immediately.</p></blockquote>Tim, when you replied with the above I thought you were telliing me to pull my head in... the I read the thread this morning :)<br><br><blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="595009" data-time="1467964414"><p>
Where's the fucking yellow card for taking out the halfback from an offside position, you absolute fluffybunny?</p></blockquote><blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="595033" data-time="1467965678"><p>
What the fuck was that for. This ref is terrible.</p></blockquote>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="595036" data-time="1467965775"><p>
Would be nice if he could spot something from them.</p></blockquote>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="595050" data-time="1467966555"><p>
I am finding myself unable to adequately articulate my dissatisfaction with this ref ...</p></blockquote>Perhaps we had the same opinion
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="595064" data-time="1467967138"><p>
On the replay to me it looked pretty cynical by Kaino. He went straight to ground and brought Fardy with him. Clear penalty and given the run on and in the red zone, a YC all day.</p></blockquote>
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Agree -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="595073" data-time="1467967587"><p>
Duffie looks a different player to previous weeks. Playing with real confidence and running with a bit of oomph.</p></blockquote>
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Yep. That was on my list on points to make at some stage -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="595128" data-time="1467970314"><p><br><br>
Nanai = future AB.....Fabmn. Well maybe, but he was good.<br>
Luatua huge. Kaino awesome again. Thought he was meant to be past it? <br></p></blockquote>
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You're not Robinson Crusoe regarding Nanai. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="595133" data-time="1467970852"><p>
Also - I think Luatua has legitimate claim over Todd to be the player most unlucky to miss the ABs - the guy is everywhere on the field.</p></blockquote> two huge fames in a row -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gunner" data-cid="595124" data-time="1467970087">
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<p>Took the Blues head to head as the roughy in a multi, you beauty.<br><br>
Wish I had of taken them 13 plus though, that was paying real good coin!</p>
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<p>yeah I got a few $$$ on a multi but I took the $1.95 giving the Blues a 2.5 pt start, 3/3 so far...got 4 legs to go, but then I have picked a couple of upsets too, so the chances of both coming in is why my multi is paying $26...</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="broughie" data-cid="595322" data-time="1468031405">
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<p>Where is Duffie going to fit in though? Maybe his game at FB could improve. He got bundled out of touch pretty easily several times so although he scored some tries with space he does not have the power close to the line. </p>
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<p>Yeah next season with the likes of Rieko Ioane around and Melani Nanai making an excellent fist of fullback, Duffie may struggle to start in a full strength team, however as we know with Super Rugby it's all about depth so no doubt Duffie will be called upon, so credit to Duffie he certainly has improved and is at least now looks up to this level as a winger - and credit to the Blues for using his strengths, cross kicks to him etc. </p>
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<p>As for Nanai and his kicking - for me it's more down to his decision making of when to kick. He actually has a decent punt, but at times he can make bad decision on when to kick/not kick. I think that can be solved with more game time though.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="595328" data-time="1468033930">
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<p>Is Nanai really a fullback? From what I've seen of him he lacks a kicking game, or I should say when he does kick, it's not very good.</p>
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<p>He's a winger by trade. His kicking game isn't great but there's no reason why it can't improve over the off season.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mimic" data-cid="595026" data-time="1467965123">
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<p>I'm just worried about when the blues bench come on</p>
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<p>I agree this is important moving forward. Our core pack is getting pretty good and with Akira in the mix is going to be pretty solid. A couple of good locks with PT and we are golden. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="595334" data-time="1468034151">
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<p>His kicking game isn't great but there's no reason why it can't improve over the off season.</p>
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<p>If only that were the case. So many backs get to very high levels without learning to kick, or learning to kick off either foot. I don't understand it - surely this is the sort of 'extra' that you'd work on as it gives your backline options and promotes you as a player.</p>
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<p>I understand the lure of playstation, but FFS surely an hour or two a week makes sense?</p> -
I had three different multis all riding on the Blues to win and one multi with the Blues to win 13 plus. I was confident they would win.<br><br>I just want to pick up on West for a minute. I don't think this was a "breakthrough" game for him (even though no one has used that term). He has been the same player all season long. Except that he looks a lot better when his pack<br>is going forward and his outside backs are playing well. I have him rated as the 4th best 1st 5 in NZ with Marty Banks as the 5th.<br><br>I have been rooting for West for some years. Ever since that epic epic epic NPC championship final (or whatever they call the 2nd tier final) where he fronted off against Marty<br>Banks. Magnificent Rugby game and it even had a grandstand finish. He has always been a special talent. 4th best 1st 5 in NZ may not sound like that high an accolade, but it<br>actually is given how strong our domestic comp is.<br><br>West has also had a rough ride in Auckland with only Tana showing consistent faith in him. It was ludicrous when he had to warm the bench for Hickey, and at one point even<br>Marshall got a run on start at 1st 5 ahead of him if memory serves correctly.<br><br>Sure he makes mistakes. But as my tennis coach used to say "Somedays you play well, and it is because your opponent played to your strengths, other days you play badly and it<br>is because your opponent didn't let you play well or put you under a great deal of pressure." West himself turns up every game, unfortunately the Blues around him don't always<br>follow suit, and then he doesn't shine either.<br><br>I think a one year extension is the right move for him. I am not saying he should be an All Black one day, as right now quite frankly he would struggle at international level,<br>but he is a good super rugby asset and I do think he can be part of the jigsaw puzzle for the Blues.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hurricane" data-cid="595345" data-time="1468038870">
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<p>I have him rated as the 4th best 1st 5 in NZ with Marty Banks as the 5th.</p>
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<p>To be honest, I'd rank Aaron, Beauden, Lima, Richie Mo'unga and then daylight. Otere Black unproven yet, and Marty Banks probably equal. I don't buy 4th best in NZ, and not sure he's close to the No 4 either.</p>
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<p>Disclaimer: I am a frustrated Blues fan so may not be completely rational.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nzzp" data-cid="595346" data-time="1468039134"><p>To be honest, I'd rank Aaron, Beauden, Lima, Richie Mo'unga and then daylight. Otere Black unproven yet, and Marty Banks probably equal. I don't buy 4th best in NZ, and not sure he's close to the No 4 either.<br> <br>Disclaimer: I am a frustrated Blues fan so may not be completely rational.</p></blockquote><br>Richie Mo'unga last week looked like a poor man's Stephen Brett. I am not saying he has been like that every week, but I am saying that Brett looked awesome for Cantabs and<br>then was rubbish for Auckland when playing behind a pack that was going backwards. I reckon if you got Mo'unga in a Blues jersey you would come to appreciate West in a new<br>light primarily because of the Brett precedent.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hurricane" data-cid="595345" data-time="1468038870">
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<p>West has also had a rough ride in Auckland with only Tana showing consistent faith in him. It was ludicrous when he had to warm the bench for Hickey, and at one point even<br>
Marshall got a run on start at 1st 5 ahead of him if memory serves correctly.<br>
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<p>West joined the side once Marshall was released and immediately started ahead of Hickey. Bowden ousted West for a little bit last season but other than that, West has started regularly at 10 for us.</p>
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<p>I do agree with you on Mo'unga though even though we are in a small minority. He's alright but ridiculously over rated.</p> -
<p>West has the game to be a good Super player, but he needs to boss it a bit more, he just lacks the authority to control things...hopefully for him and the Blues sake, last night wasnt an aberration and is hiim finally showing what he is capable of, hopefully he can deal to the Tahs next week as well.</p>
