Blues v Brumbies

hurricane

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nzzp" data-cid="595346" data-time="1468039134">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. Disclaimer: I am a frustrated Blues fan so may not be completely rational.</blockquote> 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 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 light primarily because of the Brett precedent.

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hurricane" data-cid="595345" data-time="1468038870">
<div>
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 
Marshall got a run on start at 1st 5 ahead of him if memory serves correctly. 

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</blockquote>
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.
 
I do agree with you on Mo'unga though even though we are in a small minority. He's alright but ridiculously over rated.

taniwharugby

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.

hurricane

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="595350" data-time="1468041099">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.</blockquote> I like this post. One very minor criticism I have of him is where he stands in the pocket. Dan Carter used to stand right at first receiver and there was no doubt who wanted the ball. Sometimes there is a forward standing at a first receiver for the Blues even though it is a 4th phase ball situation and it is obviously time for the backs to run it, the ball ends up in West's hands anyway because the half back picks him out of a group of players standing next to each other, but perhaps he might be better served making his presence more obvious so that he makes a statement. "I am the captain the of the back line and the ball is coming to me"

reprobate

yeah i agree, he needs to take the ball more - being comfortable demanding the ball often comes with confidence and seniority in the team though, and does seem to be gradually improving.

KiwiMurph

Agree with comments about West not bossing the game. I think this is why he has looked better with Francis as 12 to help share the playmaking duty. 
Even when West has played well for Hawke's Bay, i'd notice a lot of their play would come off their halfback and ball running forwards. 
Speaking of kicking that has come up in this thread - I think West has put in work on his kicking during the June break, his field kicking has been excellent the last two weeks, getting good distance on his punts and putting up bombs and cross kicks that are more on point.

hurricane

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="reprobate" data-cid="595355" data-time="1468043183">yeah i agree, he needs to take the ball more - being comfortable demanding the ball often comes with confidence and seniority in the team though, and does seem to be gradually improving.</blockquote> Thanks for this post, I learned a little bit about the game from it. I will actually use this moment to make a quick post about myself as I get the feeling Nepia in particular is trying to get a bead on me. I have actually been a member of this site for 6 years but have less than 1000 posts as I am only a casual user, and generally only chime in on match day. I regard myself as a junior member of the site and look up to the other blokes as a better source of knowledge as I reckon you have all played more rugby than I have, which isn't hard as I have only played a few games and they threw me out on the wing where I wouldn't do any harm. I am here to make the occassional observation as a long time dedicated rugby fan, and to learn from the more knowledegeable blokes who have played a lot. Hence you will not be likely to see me engaged in too many lengthy debates as I will just cede the point. Cricket is really my game and I know it like the back of my hand. I have nearly 15 thousand posts in the same space of time on a cricket forum. But strangely if given the choice of being a blackcap or an All Black I would be an AB as I would love the thought of putting my body on the line for my country and tackling my little heart out. All for now,

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hurricane" data-cid="595369" data-time="1468049787">
<div>
Thanks for this post, I learned a little bit about the game from it. 
I will actually use this moment to make a quick post about myself as I get the feeling Nepia in particular is trying to get a bead on me. I have actually been a member of this site for 6 years but have less than 1000 posts as I am only a casual user, and generally only chime in on match day. I regard myself as a junior member of the site and look up to the other blokes as a better 
source of knowledge as I reckon you have all played more rugby than I have, which isn't hard as I have only played a few games and they threw me out on the wing where I wouldn't do 
any harm. 
I am here to make the occassional observation as a long time dedicated rugby fan, and to learn from the more knowledegeable blokes who have played a lot. Hence you will not be likely to see me 
engaged in too many lengthy debates as I will just cede the point. 
Cricket is really my game and I know it like the back of my hand. I have nearly 15 thousand posts in the same space of time on a cricket forum. But strangely if given the choice of being a blackcap or an All Black I would be an AB as I would love the 
thought of putting my body on the line for my country and tackling my little heart out. 
All for now,
</div>
</blockquote>
Are you the guy on cricketweb? I post there sometimes :)

hurricane

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="595370" data-time="1468050015">Are you the guy on cricketweb? I post there sometimes :)</blockquote> Yes I recognise you from there as well

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hurricane" data-cid="595372" data-time="1468050290">
<div>
Yes I recognise you from there as well :)
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</blockquote>
Haha yes that is a great forum with very knowledgeable kiwi posters. My post count there is rather low but I do enjoy reading on that forum especially with the domestic side of things and how everyone loves Jeetan Patel lol.

hurricane

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="595382" data-time="1468050639">Haha yes that is a great forum with very knowledgeable kiwi posters. My post count there is rather low but I do enjoy reading on that forum especially with the domestic side of things and how everyone loves Jeetan Patel lol.</blockquote> Yes except his batting against Dale Steyn :) Cheers!

broughie

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hurricane" data-cid="595369" data-time="1468049787">
<div>
Thanks for this post, I learned a little bit about the game from it. 
I will actually use this moment to make a quick post about myself as I get the feeling Nepia in particular is trying to get a bead on me. I have actually been a member of this site for 6 years but have less than 1000 posts as I am only a casual user, and generally only chime in on match day. I regard myself as a junior member of the site and look up to the other blokes as a better 
source of knowledge as I reckon you have all played more rugby than I have, which isn't hard as I have only played a few games and they threw me out on the wing where I wouldn't do 
any harm. 
I am here to make the occassional observation as a long time dedicated rugby fan, and to learn from the more knowledegeable blokes who have played a lot. Hence you will not be likely to see me 
engaged in too many lengthy debates as I will just cede the point. 
Cricket is really my game and I know it like the back of my hand. I have nearly 15 thousand posts in the same space of time on a cricket forum. But strangely if given the choice of being a blackcap or an All Black I would be an AB as I would love the 
thought of putting my body on the line for my country and tackling my little heart out. 
All for now,
</div>
</blockquote>
 
You do get sized up in this forum. Just visualize their avatar as displaced puppy. Welcome to the fray.

Dice

Our bench has been a problem this season, but if we're healthy next year, I think we'll have a more than handy bench.
 
Here's my projected 23 for next season.
 
1. Alex Hodgman
2. James Parsons
3. Charlie Faumuina
4. Patrick Tuipulotu
5. Jimmy Tupou
6. Jerome Kaino/Akira Ioane
7. Blake Gibson/Kara Pryor
8. Steven Luatua
9. Augustine Pulu
10. Ihaia West
11. Melani Nanai
12. Sonny Bill Williams
13. George Moala/Rieko Ioane
14. Rieko Ioane/George Moala
15. Tim Nanai-Williams?
 
16. Greg Pleasants-Tate?
17. Sam Prattley
18. Ofa Tu'ungafasi
19. Akira Ioane/Jerome Kaino
20. Kara Pryor/Blake Gibson
21. Sam Nock/Billy Guyton
22. Piers Francis
23. Rene Ranger/Lolagi Visinia/Jordan Trainor
 
I think we'll run a double backrow bench next season like we did earlier this season, with Luatua covering lock as a starter. It's cool that we can do it, because our backrow is loaded.
 
I've bracketed Kaino and Akira together, because I think they'll split starts. Kaino probably can't peak all year at his age, so I think we'll manage his workload next season.
 
I bracketed Moala and Rieko at centre, because although Moala is going well there, stylistically, I think Rieko just seems like a really good fit next to SBW. I can see both getting game time there next season to see who meshes well with Sonny.
 
I threw in Pleasants-Tate, because with Dixon re-signing at the Landers and Quentin McDonald going offshore, I think Pleasants-Tate will be targeted to come back.

African Monkey

If Pleasants-Tate stays there then it'll probably be Moulds and maybe Gafa Su'a if Umaga signs him up gunning for that bench spot.

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="595649" data-time="1468108977">
Our bench has been a problem this season, but if we're healthy next year, I think we'll have a more than handy bench. 
Here's my projected 23 for next season.

Alex Hodgman
James Parsons
Charlie Faumuina
Patrick Tuipulotu
Jimmy Tupou
Jerome Kaino/Akira Ioane
Blake Gibson/Kara Pryor
Steven Luatua
Augustine Pulu
Ihaia West
Melani Nanai
Sonny Bill Williams
George Moala/Rieko Ioane
Rieko Ioane/George Moala
Tim Nanai-Williams?
Greg Pleasants-Tate?
Sam Prattley
Ofa Tu'ungafasi
Akira Ioane/Jerome Kaino
Kara Pryor/Blake Gibson
Sam Nock/Billy Guyton
Piers Francis
Rene Ranger/Lolagi Visinia/Jordan Trainor 
I think we'll run a double backrow bench next season like we did earlier this season, with Luatua covering lock as a starter. It's cool that we can do it, because our backrow is loaded. 
I've bracketed Kaino and Akira together, because I think they'll split starts. Kaino probably can't peak all year at his age, so I think we'll manage his workload next season. 
I bracketed Moala and Rieko at centre, because although Moala is going well there, stylistically, I think Rieko just seems like a really good fit next to SBW. I can see both getting game time there next season to see who meshes well with Sonny. 
I threw in Pleasants-Tate, because with Dixon re-signing at the Landers and Quentin McDonald going offshore, I think Pleasants-Tate will be targeted to come back.</blockquote>
 
Ofa an option at 1?

KiwiMurph

Good effort Dice, I think you are pretty close to the money there.
 
I think there are signs the Blues depth is on the improve, next year having the ability to rotate Pryor and Gibson is great, Francis as the backup 10/12 looks a perfect bench option etc.
 
The key will be getting the backs to click.

taniwharugby

be surprised if Moulds is back next year (just my opinion) he has had 2 seasons in the Blues now, with SFA time on the park (reckon no more than 80 mins in 2 season) so have to assume they just dont rate him, so he'll likely end up off shore I think (unless the Crusaders try to get him back down there as he was in thier Dev side a few years back I think)....which is a shame, cos he is a big, strong, quick and fit, his biggest issue in the past has been his throwing.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="595649" data-time="1468108977">
<div>
Our bench has been a problem this season, but if we're healthy next year, I think we'll have a more than handy bench.
 
Here's my projected 23 for next season.
 
1. Alex Hodgman
2. James Parsons
3. Charlie Faumuina
4. Patrick Tuipulotu
5. Jimmy Tupou
6. Jerome Kaino/Akira Ioane
7. Blake Gibson/Kara Pryor
8. Steven Luatua
9. Augustine Pulu
10. Ihaia West
11. Melani Nanai
12. Sonny Bill Williams
13. George Moala/Rieko Ioane
14. Rieko Ioane/George Moala
15. Tim Nanai-Williams?
 
16. Greg Pleasants-Tate?
17. Sam Prattley
18. Ofa Tu'ungafasi
19. Akira Ioane/Jerome Kaino
20. Kara Pryor/Blake Gibson
21. Sam Nock/Billy Guyton
22. Piers Francis
23. Rene Ranger/Lolagi Visinia/Jordan Trainor
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Looks like the Blues will have a much stronger team next year, esp will all those players not being involved in 7s!

pakman

Lies, damn lies and statistics?
Just been looking at Super table. Although has been reported Blues out (and I think that's a reasonable conclusion) I don't think it's a fact. If Bulls and Sharks were to lose and Blues to say Tah to NSW with all the points it seems to me they'd have 40 points and the eighth spot. Or are Kiwi teams limited to four spots?
What might have been...

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="595692" data-time="1468122479">
<div>
Ofa an option at 1?
</div>
</blockquote>
He's been better after being removed from loosehead by Umaga so I would say that unless we have a massive injury crisis there, very unlikely.

The Silver Fern

Blues v Brumbies