Blues v Chiefs
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It's an old story and not worth revisiting but Hammett deserved sacking as he alienated supporters, took the team backwards, changed the playing style to one akin to the hated foe and didn't get results.
T is also not getting results but he has made improvements and is at least trying to make a dysfunctional team functional.
The Blues players are the biggest culprits and it isn't as if these days the Rennie rebuild option is available. With extended Super squads there simply aren't quality unrecognised players floating around. You have to build with the product you can get and not many players of quality want to hop on a losing team.
Maybe T knows that Pulu isn't his best halfback, but they others don't demand the spot either, they are simply other options. What T does know is that Pulu is a tough character that has the respect of the squad and will do things to try and lead from the front. Who else is doing that? He shows the way in defence, puts his body on the line and fights hard for opportunities. I guess that is seen as making up for the odd error. -
Some good moments in that game but some really poor ones. The defensive errors especially. Perhaps it’s lack of combinations? The Blues tactics in attack seemed a little predictable to me.
Cane a standout. Looks bigger to me. Wainui’s best super rugby game ever.
If tonight was a bit of an audition for the 3rd AB halfback, Weber won easily. Pulu seems to lack composure. Perhaps the captaincy is weighing on him.
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@act-crusader said in Blues v Chiefs:
Some good moments in that game but some really poor ones. The defensive errors especially. Perhaps it’s lack of combinations? The Blues tactics in attack seemed a little predictable to me.
Cane a standout. Looks bigger to me. Wainui’s best super rugby game ever.
If tonight was a bit of an audition for the 3rd AB halfback, Weber won easily. Pulu seems to lack composure. Perhaps the captaincy is weighing on him.
Agreed, and the 12 for the Chiefs who we've been bagging along with Wainui had a decent game as well. Clearly, we need to double down on bagging poor performing players in the lead up to matches.
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The funny thing about watching that game live , particularly the last 10 minutes , it felt like you had seen it before and were watching a replay .
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Reckon the next AB 6 might be Matt Duffie - hits hard on defence and clears out rucks...
And what is Mike from Breaking Bad doing as the Blues defence coach?
Fair play to the Chiefs - thought McKenzie closed out the game well, whereas the Blues looked like they lacked a plan.
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@pukunui said in Blues v Chiefs:
Worst of all for me would be Moala. His hungus cost the Blues so many chances. The Blues are going nowhere with him in midfield. Passing seems to be about 10th on his list of options when he gets the ball.
Yeah, he's diabolical in the midfield. Just can't seem to work out any option other than charge. I can't believe I was quite a fan a couple of seasons back.
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@act-crusader said in Blues v Chiefs:
@tim said in Blues v Chiefs:
Very average rugby. Poor handling, awful defence, tentative tacklers and counter attacking, constant fast ruck ball that seemed unearned.
Still better than the Aussie derbies 😀
Was there another game on last night? Who knew...
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Our problems are in our midfield, Moala needs to be replaced you have the #1v Winger in the world and he gets no ball because Moala does not pass. Teams know that all they need to do is rush him because he aint passing the pill.
This is where Tana needs to make a big call and replace Moala or move Rieko to the Centres and play Nanai on the Wing, drop Collins to full back have Moala coming off the bench.
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Moala is just a big liability. Him leaving points and opportunities out there each week in close games is just criminal and should be enough to have him dropped.
Pulu plays his heart out and has his share of good plays, but he's such a flawed player. When I watch him, I always think that he'd make for an awesome hooker in league. His weaknesses in rugby wouldn't be as accentuated in that form of the game, while his strengths would be showcased more often.
Akira has had very little help from his backrow partners in these first two games. We need one of Gibson, Pryor or Papali'i to recover soon, because Taramai still looks as average as last season. Tupou's not much better.
Why did we sign Apisai? Hame Faiva was rightfully not re-signed by us and even he had shown more at the lower levels than him.
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@number9 said in Blues v Chiefs:
Our problems are in our midfield, Moala needs to be replaced you have the #1v Winger in the world and he gets no ball because Moala does not pass. Teams know that all they need to do is rush him because he aint passing the pill.
This is where Tana needs to make a big call and replace Moala or move Rieko to the Centres and play Nanai on the Wing, drop Collins to full back have Moala coming off the bench.
Your problems are way more than your midfield.
If that is all the problem is and it is so bad then the rest of the team did pretty well to overcome it and get within a score of winning.
When SBW is back then Moala becomes reserve. Your suggestion may well be the way they go as a stopgap though.
