Blues v Jaguares
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What struck me as a disinterested observer was the contrast between watching the Blues and then watching the Crusaders immediately after.
The Crusaders were far from perfect and dropped a lot of ball. But they had a clear game plan that everyone knew and they had energy - notably on defence - they looked like they enjoyed defending, all the players bouncing back to their feet and back into the line and sprinting across the line if they thought they were undermanned somewhere.
The Blues team looked tired - I know the conditions were sapping but not many of them looked energetic. And no clear game plan at all. They had to use the wind to pin the Jags back in their 22 and make them work from deep and then use energetic defence to force mistakes - that's what you do on a foul night with a lead and the wind behind. Still no idea why I tipped them to win - and something has to give next week with the NZ teams beating Aussie teams every time, who will back the Blues to win in Sydney?
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@kiwipie said in Blues v Jaguares:
What struck me as a disinterested observer was the contrast between watching the Blues and then watching the Crusaders immediately after.
The Crusaders were far from perfect and dropped a lot of ball. But they had a clear game plan that everyone knew and they had energy - notably on defence - they looked like they enjoyed defending, all the players bouncing back to their feet and back into the line and sprinting across the line if they thought they were undermanned somewhere.
The Blues team looked tired - I know the conditions were sapping but not many of them looked energetic. And no clear game plan at all. They had to use the wind to pin the Jags back in their 22 and make them work from deep and then use energetic defence to force mistakes - that's what you do on a foul night with a lead and the wind behind. Still no idea why I tipped them to win - and something has to give next week with the NZ teams beating Aussie teams every time, who will back the Blues to win in Sydney?
Agreed. The preparation issues you touch on have been evident since the first game against the Chiefs. The fall off in effort is a more recent problem.. perhaps the wheels are completely falling off..
If you were to single out the players who put in a good effort over the weekend it probably would be Goodhue and Papali'i.
Whats notable about them? They have only recently been exposed to the top team.Against the Waratahs I wouldn't be surprised if we are slight favourites with the bookies again. By my count the Blues have been favourites in 5 matches and only converted that once against the Sunwolves (progress is being made! players are growing! don't throw out the progress!)
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Agreed about the the lack of fitness/tired looking Blues team.
The other two things that really get me is the predictable nature of their attacking structure and the soft/dumb penalties they give away every week. Well coached teams with a good culture do not have this happen week after week after week.
Blues will be doing well to win another game this season.
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@kiwimurph yep, Hurricanes & Saders home and away out of their 7 remaining games....
can the Tahs break the Aussie drought, or will they shoot their load and give the Blues a bit of a reprieve given they will likely being trying their arses off to not be the 1st Kiwi side in almost 40 games to lose to an Aussie one.
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Be annoying if we are team that breaks the Aussie losing streak. I was hoping that would get over 50.
Still, another target for Tana. What’s his list now?
- First kiwi team to lose to the Sunwolves
- First kiwi team to lose to the Jaguares
- Worst home losing streak
- Worst home loss
- Worst winning percentage against kiwi teams
Did. I. Miss. Anything?
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Is it time to ring the changes up front ? The Blues must get rid of these fatties who can't scrum and can't run either. I know they are still very green but it would be interesting to try young props like Lindenmuth and Salmon from the bench. Lyndon Dunshea's density could be useful at 6. A Dunshea - Papali'i - Ioane combo would ask questions to the Tahs defence.
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@cgrant young props can get munched out there. Could get ugly -- I'd rather go and beat the Tahs at home to make everything right with the world, and provide the space to reappoint Tana. I'm not even sure what's satire any more.
also, do we have talent coming through? I'm not seeing it yet - it takes years to get the development right.
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@nzzp I thnk Ross Wright has done enough to warrant a shot to start, be it at prop or Hooker, but in saying that, start him at prop and put Moulds alongside him at , Parsons needs a rest to watch things form the sideline....
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@taniwharugby said in Blues v Jaguares:
@nzzp I thnk Ross Wright has done enough to warrant a shot to start, be it at prop or Hooker, but in saying that, start him at prop and put Moulds alongside him at , Parsons needs a rest to watch things form the sideline....
Id' like to see Akira and Rieko given a decent break as well. We've flogged them this season, and it cna't be good for the ABs
