Blues 2019
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@Nepia I don't really know how it works with development contracts these days, and also don't know whether McClutchie has one. When they used to be WTG players, these players could be called up by other SR franchises if they had not played SR that season. Not sure whether the same applies to players on a development contract.
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There seem to be a lot people pinning their hopes on Black, but based on what? The few times I have seen him play he has seemed ok, but that's about it. Nothing jumped out to say this kid is the answer. It's been so long I can't even remember what he is particularly good at. Am I missing something?
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@Crazy-Horse said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
Am I missing something?
Blind optimism fuelled by a dozen years of crushing disappointment?
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@Crazy-Horse said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
There seem to be a lot people pinning their hopes on Black, but based on what?
Is there?
There's two fit 10's. I would pick Black over Plummer at this stage
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@Crazy-Horse said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
There seem to be a lot people pinning their hopes on Black, but based on what? The few times I have seen him play he has seemed ok, but that's about it. Nothing jumped out to say this kid is the answer. It's been so long I can't even remember what he is particularly good at. Am I missing something?
Hard to win with an average 10. We canes fans know this
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@Crazy-Horse said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
There seem to be a lot people pinning their hopes on Black, but based on what? The few times I have seen him play he has seemed ok, but that's about it. Nothing jumped out to say this kid is the answer. It's been so long I can't even remember what he is particularly good at. Am I missing something?
I think it is more of a case of Otere Black vs what the Blues have had in the past.
Black at least has a decent pedigree where he was the 10 of a World Championship U20 team, has played well at Mitre 10 Cup level and shown enough at Super Rugby where he at least deserves a crack as the starting 10 (he was the starting 10 for the only team that beat the Crusaders in Super Rugby 2017).
Now you compare that with the 10s the Blues have had recently - Gatland was given opportunities but didn't take them - Ihaia West is a talented player but more of a bench Super Rugby impact player than a proper starting 10, Perofeta is a very talented player but his mistake level has remained high and it seems he is still some way off running a team from 10.
Having said all that Plummer is a similar style of player to Black so the pressure will be on Black to perform as Plummer had a heck of a Mitre 10 Cup and seems to have a very cool head on him so despite still being very young he could really challenge Black even this year.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
Having said all that Plummer is a similar style of player to Black so the pressure will be on Black to perform as Plummer had a heck of a Mitre 10 Cup and seems to have a very cool head on him so despite still being very young he could really challenge Black even this year.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Plummer as the starting 10 by the end of the year. He's improving fast. Hopefully his goal kicking form has returned..
When Perofeta gets back from injury I'm hoping he's used more as a fullback who can cover 10. At this stage I think where he's more likely to have success.
But after the last couple of years I'm pessimistic about his ability to kick on (despite the fact he would have been an AB last year if he stayed fit) -
@Duluth said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
@Crazy-Horse said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
There seem to be a lot people pinning their hopes on Black, but based on what?
Is there?
There's two fit 10's. I would pick Black over Plummer at this stage
Neither gives me a lot of confidence. 9 and 10 has been weak for a long time now for us. I can't see us contending until we can find some quality for those positions
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We are in wait and see mode for both really. I think Plummer is more likely long term to be the Blues 10, assuming he can take his Mitre 10 Cup form up a level.
Hes a big guy, seems to have a lot of time, a good kicker and directs a team around the park. Ever since Carlos has gone, we seem to have been trying to replace that style of ten. Both Black and Plummer are more in the playmaker style that the magician style (West, Perofeta)
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@Crazy-Horse said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
There seem to be a lot people pinning their hopes on Black, but based on what?
The positivity for me is in the backroom. As they go, so eventually goes the rugby team on the field. We've been so dysfunctional for so long, that seeing proper changes (and selections based on sound logic and consistency) is a rare thing.
hopefully we can break our fine tradition of destroying promising 10s
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@Duluth said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
@Crazy-Horse said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
There seem to be a lot people pinning their hopes on Black, but based on what?
Is there?
There's two fit 10's. I would pick Black over Plummer at this stage
Why? Not saying you are wrong, but why would you pick Black over Plummer? What does Black do better than Plummer? It's been so long since I have seen Black play. I blinked and missed Black in last year's NPC. Is it a case of give him a run to see what he can do? If so, I reckon Plummer deserves that as well.
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cant recall who it was, but someone on here was banging on about the Black signing being pretty much the best Blues signing ever...
I think the Blues are in a great position right now though, low expectations (given we hear similar noises every other year and they under-perform) with some good cattle, if MacDonald can get them all working together then I think they are good enough to be looking at a finals spot.
Despite all the shit he cops, SBW will be integral to any Blues success, IMO him and the Ioanes are likely to be key in the Blues campaign.
How they deal with injuries will ultimately be telling, but right now at least, it looks like they have a bit of cover across the park, and if MacDonald gets them all singing off the same sheet, we often see injuries go all but unnnoticed within a well coached squad.
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I honestly don't have a strong opinion on the first selection. I am not 'pinning my hopes' on Black. But I would prefer to see Plummer eased into SR from the bench
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@Duluth said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
I honestly don't have a strong opinion on the first selection. I am not 'pinning my hopes' on Black. But I would prefer to see Plummer eased into SR from the bench
Yep, Black has far more SR experience, its a no brainer to start him initially.
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@Crazy-Horse Where Black would have the edge at this stage is experience. He's played 21 Super Rugby games. Plummer has played zero.
That's not to say Black is locked in starter for the season but given it's the Crusaders first up i'd say he has the edge.
Whoever is at 10 in theory should benefit from the new coaching. MacDonald was brought in as an attack coach - that seems to be his strength and the Blues were woeful in this aspect in 2018. Having some actual attacking patterns and some solid game plans should help whoever is at 10 run the game rather than just sticking someone at 10 and asking them to do everything. Just look at Plummer's success with Auckland - the team was very well drilled and he wasn't asked to do everything and consequently he and the team flourished.
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Fair enough about Black's experience giving him the edge Given Plummer is still a baby and Black missed last season after being a back up ten at the Hurricanes (? - can't remember and too lazy to look it up) it's as good a reason as any.
As TR said above, Black was touted as a big signing for the Blues, and I remember thinking at the time that was a bit optimistic and I wondered what I had missed. Looking forward to watching him.
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