Blues v Hurricanes
-
@booboo said in Blues v Hurricanes:
For some reason I'm a fan of Wright but that was poor by him. And Parsons, and Taramai, and Pulu, and Cowley-Tuioti.
Yes, plenty of blame to go around on that one.
I like Wright too, but he had a bit of a shocker last night. Errors and penalties that kept the Blues on the back foot. That try was his last involvement in the game. Subbed off after 32mins
-
@kirwan said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@stargazer said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@mimic said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@mariner4life said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@stargazer said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@kirwan Evans has been brilliant all season, and clearly much better in this game than Akira. Akira is just a big lump who's going hot and cold, but mostly cold in this game.
This is retarded. Dude you have some weird blinkers. Akira is such a stand out in nearly everything good that happens in a Blues game. Tonight i watched him repeatedly get over the advantage line, repeatedly hold opposition up on defense ( including this nobody Evans) and whack dudes at ruck time.
I did see him drop a lineout, which is a caning offense in the school of mariner, but...
Akira has that bit extra you need in the test arena, backed up by a pretty decent workrate. Surely he's a lock?
Evans plays for Hawkes Bay. Post was made by Stargazer. So yeah, no surprises about his post.
Yeah, because Blues fans are so objective. So no surprises about their posts.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but a little self awareness goes a long way.
IMO it's pretty poor to try invalidating someone's opinion by pointing at the team he supports.
-
@steven-harris said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@pakman SBW”s offload was pure genius,was not just thrown anywhere,he’s actually dropped it into space knowing Ledger would be there.
I also thought while Caleb Clark did not see a lot of ball,I thought he kept Julian Savea in checkYa reckon? Looked like the offload was thrown without any recognition, just an expectation/hope of someone running that line. Great play in the end though.
-
@stargazer Mate, you often put down Akira undeservedly. Evans is having a good year, and like you I always want to see Magpies do well, but Akira is class, and he's been doing immense work in a shit team this year. The bullshit excuses for denigrating him (more so on PR then on the Fern) are just tiresome.
-
@nepia If I have "often" - what you call - "put down" Akira (I don't think it has been that often), that may have been a reaction to the excessive talking up by, particularly, Blues supporting Ferners. I think he's one of the better Blues players, but because he stands out in the Blues squad doesn't IMO mean that he also stands out in the NZ conference and "should" get that no. 8 jersey as some seem to claim here. He has class in some respects, but so do other players. I think there are also good reasons to pick either Evans, Taufua and/or even Whitelock ahead of him. As he has already been in the squad, he'll probably be picked. Hopefully, they'll also pick Taufua and/or Evans, but due to the selectors being so conservative, the second player will probably be Whitelock.
This year is, more or less, the last opportunity to try new guys. Fifita, Squire, A Savea, (E Dixon) have hardly been convincing. I wish they'd have the guts to opt for guys like Evans and Taufua, in addition to Akira, to see whether that works better.
-
@stargazer While I can follow your reasoning, I don't think Ioane gets talked up anymore than other players out there, and he gets put down a lot more for not being, how shall we say this, a more steady player when that is not his role in the Blues team.
Whitelock is a tackling machine but nearly non existent in attack. But a good choice if a looser 6 is played.
Taufua and Evans play less minutes than Akira, they have less average runs, less average metres, and less average tackles. He's in the top 3 for nearly every stat for the Blues. There is a myth out there that he's lazy in comparison with other players - it's bollocks.
-
@taniwharugby said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@booboo yeah def no single players fault there, but as leaders Parsons and Pulu didnt cover themselves in glory there either
Agree, this pic sums up the Blues season;
Ross looked worse when I was watching it because he was the last to react and Evans ran right at him
On the plus side, at least Patrick was awake.
-
Heard on the radio that Tuipolotu hurt his shoulder and expects to be out for a week or so. He's apparently desperate to get back in time for AB consideration, but I'm not sure he needs to be too worried.
Two of last night's Blues pack is probably enough.
-
This post is deleted!
-
Some delayed thoughts on the game:
-
Laumape had a golden opportunity to put his hand up for a starting spot against SBW, but was very quiet. SBW was all class in his first game back and showed why he's the incumbent.
-
Akira was the other Blues player to really stand out. Have said it before, but he came of age as a player in the Maori v Lions game last year and has gone from strength to strength since. I'll be pretty bloody annoyed if he doesn't start against France given how much we will need his extra physicality.
-
For whatever reason it wasn't a game for the wingers. None of them did much in this game.
-
Was great to see Ofa getting around the track well. He's a truck and put in some seriously big hits at times, was a big part of the Blues defensive efforts particularly in the first half.
-
Perofeta reminds me of Mo'unga when he first started. Obvious talent but mixes in sublime with very poor. Don't write the kid off yet though, once he finds his feet at this level he'll go a long way IMO.
-
The Canes have been far from clinical this year. They've won ugly more often than not, so was a little worried going into the game, and still so at the 60 minute mark. But the Blues have the same issue as the Aussie teams - they don't know how to finish a game. The last 20 is when the senior leaders need to stand up and they are lacking in that department right now.
-
-
@kirwan said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@taniwharugby said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@booboo yeah def no single players fault there, but as leaders Parsons and Pulu didnt cover themselves in glory there either
Agree, this pic sums up the Blues season;
Ross looked worse when I was watching it because he was the last to react and Evans ran right at him
On the plus side, at least Patrick was awake.
It's unsurprising that defenders aren't back on side if attackers are allowed to take the tap from there. Doesn't even look like the ref has made the mark yet. If Evans had obeyed the rules and taken the tap in line with the mark he may or may not have caught them back-pedalling, as he would have had to round the playes on the floor, but at least it would have given a few of them a chance..
Soft refs try;
-
@no-quarter said in Blues v Hurricanes:
The Canes have been far from clinical this year. They've won ugly more often than not, so was a little worried going into the game, and still so at the 60 minute mark. But the Blues have the same issue as the Aussie teams - they don't know how to finish a game. The last 20 is when the senior leaders need to stand up and they are lacking in that department right now.
Their best rugby this year was the first half against the Crusaders. It was a sublime effort, followed by a very poor second half. That sums it all.
-
@no-quarter said in Blues v Hurricanes:
The Canes have been far from clinical this year.
I understand that's because they don't have a proper five-eighth.
@rapido said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@kirwan said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@taniwharugby said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@booboo yeah def no single players fault there, but as leaders Parsons and Pulu didnt cover themselves in glory there either
Agree, this pic sums up the Blues season;
Ross looked worse when I was watching it because he was the last to react and Evans ran right at him
On the plus side, at least Patrick was awake.
It's unsurprising that defenders aren't back on side if attackers are allowed to take the tap from there. Doesn't even look like the ref has made the mark yet. If Evans had obeyed the rules and taken the tap in line with the mark he may or may not have caught them back-pedalling, as he would have had to round the playes on the floor, but at least it would have given a few of them a chance..
Soft refs try;
I don't think Jaco is waving to the stands here.
Most refs are happy for quick taps to be taken in line, as long as you're not forward or off to the side of the mark. Otherwise defenders can slowly get back to their feet preventing a quick tap.
-
@antipodean said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@no-quarter said in Blues v Hurricanes:
The Canes have been far from clinical this year.
I understand that's because they don't have a proper five-eighth.
@rapido said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@kirwan said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@taniwharugby said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@booboo yeah def no single players fault there, but as leaders Parsons and Pulu didnt cover themselves in glory there either
Agree, this pic sums up the Blues season;
Ross looked worse when I was watching it because he was the last to react and Evans ran right at him
On the plus side, at least Patrick was awake.
It's unsurprising that defenders aren't back on side if attackers are allowed to take the tap from there. Doesn't even look like the ref has made the mark yet. If Evans had obeyed the rules and taken the tap in line with the mark he may or may not have caught them back-pedalling, as he would have had to round the playes on the floor, but at least it would have given a few of them a chance..
Soft refs try;
I don't think Jaco is waving to the stands here.
Most refs are happy for quick taps to be taken in line, as long as you're not forward or off to the side of the mark. Otherwise defenders can slowly get back to their feet preventing a quick tap.
He's not waving, no, he's signaling a penalty and waiting for players to get up so he can make the mark.
Evans has 'read his mind' and decided the mark is wherever the fuck he wants it to be.
Evans has gained a probable 3m illegal head start for a penalty 5m out. But it's immaterial.
If an Auckland defender countered Evans' illegal head start by only retiring 2 or 3m then tackling him. It would be a penalty try and yellow card.
Rugby hates defenders.
Who honestly gets enjoyment watching someone waltz in unopposed like that?
That was actually the best outcome for the Blues, if Wright had back pedalled with front to play he would have probably involuntarily tackled him - resulting in penalty try and yellow.
It's complete horseshit.
-
@rapido said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@antipodean said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@no-quarter said in Blues v Hurricanes:
The Canes have been far from clinical this year.
I understand that's because they don't have a proper five-eighth.
@rapido said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@kirwan said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@taniwharugby said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@booboo yeah def no single players fault there, but as leaders Parsons and Pulu didnt cover themselves in glory there either
Agree, this pic sums up the Blues season;
Ross looked worse when I was watching it because he was the last to react and Evans ran right at him
On the plus side, at least Patrick was awake.
It's unsurprising that defenders aren't back on side if attackers are allowed to take the tap from there. Doesn't even look like the ref has made the mark yet. If Evans had obeyed the rules and taken the tap in line with the mark he may or may not have caught them back-pedalling, as he would have had to round the playes on the floor, but at least it would have given a few of them a chance..
Soft refs try;
I don't think Jaco is waving to the stands here.
Most refs are happy for quick taps to be taken in line, as long as you're not forward or off to the side of the mark. Otherwise defenders can slowly get back to their feet preventing a quick tap.
He's not waving, no, he's signaling a penalty and waiting for players to get up so he can make the mark.
Evans has 'read his mind' and decided the mark is wherever the fuck he wants it to be.
Evans has gained a probable 3m illegal head start for a penalty 5m out. But it's immaterial.
If an Auckland defender countered Evans' illegal head start by only retiring 2 or 3m then tackling him. It would be a penalty try and yellow card.
Rugby hates defenders.
Who honestly gets enjoyment watching someone waltz in unopposed like that?
That was actually the best outcome for the Blues, if Wright had back pedalled with front to play he would have probably involuntarily tackled him - resulting in penalty try and yellow.
It's complete horseshit.
Rugby should be harsh on defenders who commit penalties in the 'red zone'.
-
@rapido said in Blues v Hurricanes:
He's not waving, no, he's signaling a penalty and waiting for players to get up so he can make the mark.
Evans has 'read his mind' and decided the mark is wherever the fuck he wants it to be.
Evans has gained a probable 3m illegal head start for a penalty 5m out. But it's immaterial.I think you're the one reading minds here. Jaco is standing still signifying a penalty. I don't see how taking a quick tap further away from a try line is a head start.
-
@rocky-rockbottom At the risk of sounding like a biased miserable Blues fan yes it is fucked. Has Akira done something to piss the majority of journalists/non-Blues fans because I've never seen so many people try and find so many reasons not to pick someone when it is clear and obvious that he is a world class player waiting to be unleashed into international rugby. One week it's his 'attitude', the next it's his 'workrate' when he has been playing virtually on his on in the forwards for us. Who knows, next week we might get people demanding that Tom Sanders gets the nod over him for the French series and people criticising his beard as a sign of 'laziness' in him or something stupid like that.
-
I suspect it’s as facile as his facial expressions.
He is far less a niggly player than Brodie as well, but cops waaay more criticism for that sort of play. Well over two years now and I’m still yet to see him penalised for it.
Distracts the hell out of the opposition though
Reminds me of Fitzy in that regard.As I’ve said over and over, we’d be getting thrashed if he wasn’t doing his one man forward pack show every week.
Only bloody forward we have that can defend a maul too, usually by himself.
