The Silver Fern

Won SR and briefly became an All Black. With the lack of genuine interest from these selectors the choice was basically made for him

If there's 50/50 selection calls the Blues have to make this year I think they should go against the guy leaving

Lam for me - very very good again, physical, low error rate runs hard and hits hard. Love it. He's 25 - a season at 12 could throw him up towards the top level.
RR for solid lineout play and good work around the park
Dalton because his engine is top tier

Hoskins - superb work, lineouts in particular, lots of involvements but a few errors
Clarke has a big edge for the ABs with his work on restarts and chasing. Has gone to anothe rlevel this year, particularly in the air. Two head knocks i the game worry me though.
Plummer very solid.
Locks get a shout, along with the front row for their outstanding set piece.

@Tim said in SF - Blues v Brumbies:

@African-Monkey No, they played as "individuals" because they are bad people from Auckland. We have a real genius here.

Pfff.... I am a mere product of the environment.

There's a lot to like about they way Plummer is controlling the game and not overplaying his hand. Constantly keeps the ball in front of his forwards.

Great to see for the Drua, but Mark really needs to work on punctuation and spaces, I had to read through twice to figure WTF he was attempting to say

Chiefs lose game in front 5 and only RR gets votes?

@pakman said in Blues v Chiefs:

Not sure what all the fuss about. Despite loss of bonus point the rematch will be at Eden Park. Bring some locks next time, boys!

That was much ado about nothing, Chiefs. But at least you've kept the good guys hungry...

Tuipulotu, Funaki, Ofa T.

Rewatch of second half confirms Blues unforced errors and lack of composure let Chch back in.

That said holding Rouge et Noirs out for last five minutes in their 22 was what champion teams are made of.

Pity we have to wait to next year for a rematch!

@Frank said in Blues v Highlanders:

@Kirwan said in Blues v Highlanders:

One of the best moments of the game for me (as an Akira fan) was watching him smash a Clan forward backwards, get up and drive through the ruck and then steal the ball. His work clearing bodies at the ruck this year has been top drawer.

Huge workrate, as normal.

What do you think Foster and (possibly Razor) see as his drawbacks?

It's hard to answer, as was said above his workrate has consistently been above a player like Frizzell who the coaches seemed to love. At the height of "he's lazy" he was often playing 80mins, and the last defender on the line on breaks, our main maul defender, etc. Never agreed with the laziness call.

The head patting, giving lip, probably doesn't help how he's perceived, but it's extremely rare for him to be penalised for that. And one of my favourite players was Sean Fitzpatrick, and AI isn't in the same league at being annoying as he was. At least I've missing him having his ear bitten in complete frustration.

He's not been helped with coaches putting him wide to make use of his handling and running skills against the backs. With Cotter keeping him tight he's been shining. Big defender, good in the lineout, covers two positions and has great link play.

Could be his year.

@Duluth said in Blues MOTM v Hurricanes:

Blues picked Heem & Plummer

Plummer was very solid. It's one area (1st 5) where the Blues had a big advantage

Watched the game at the pub, which is the never the easiest place to concentrate, but was impressed by Sotutu's defence. He put in some solid hits against the best attacking team.

Did they say why Fusitu’a was a late withdrawal?

Forbes, Funaki, Clarke.

I think Telea’s got a tight leg. He seemed unwilling to go into top gear.

Blues picked Sotutu as their MOTM