Blues v Hurricanes
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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.
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This post is deleted!
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Some delayed thoughts on the game:
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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.
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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.
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For whatever reason it wasn't a game for the wingers. None of them did much in this game.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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@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;
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@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.
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@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.
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@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.
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@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'.
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@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.
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@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.
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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.
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@rocky-rockbottom said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@stargazer said in Blues v Hurricanes:
I think there are also good reasons to pick either Evans, Taufua and/or even Whitelock ahead of him.
I don't get it. They are 3 journeymen who have been around for years and years and have barely got a look in at AB level. Not exactly the difference makers that the All Blacks select. Now suddenly all three are worth a look over an obvious real difference maker?
Three reasons why I think they will pick Luke Whitelock at No. 8 instead of Akira.
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The three people I think are the main contenders to play blindside (Squire, Fifita, Akira) are all suited to playing looser roles, so I think they'll pick an eight who plays tighter to complement that.
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In Akira's only AB match so far they played Whitelock at 8 and brought Akira off the bench to replace the 6 (I presume he also played those minutes at blindside - I've never seen that game).
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In the last test we played (against Wales), the loose forward trio was Squire, Cane, Whitelock.
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@chris-b said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@rocky-rockbottom said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@stargazer said in Blues v Hurricanes:
I think there are also good reasons to pick either Evans, Taufua and/or even Whitelock ahead of him.
I don't get it. They are 3 journeymen who have been around for years and years and have barely got a look in at AB level. Not exactly the difference makers that the All Blacks select. Now suddenly all three are worth a look over an obvious real difference maker?
Three reasons why I think they will pick Luke Whitelock at No. 8 instead of Akira.
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The three people I think are the main contenders to play blindside (Squire, Fifita, Akira) are all suited to playing looser roles, so I think they'll pick an eight who plays tighter to complement that.
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In Akira's only AB match so far they played Whitelock at 8 and brought Akira off the bench to replace the 6 (I presume he also played those minutes at blindside - I've never seen that game).
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In the last test we played (against Wales), the loose forward trio was Squire, Cane, Whitelock.
Pretty good points. My issue with that last loose trio, is that there is no one capable of getting over the advantage line when they come up against a big pack. Against the BIL with a stronger loose trio our forwards bar BBB, Read and Moody were the only AB's who were able to regularly make it past the gain line. The balance just seems off when there is no loosie able to get go forward (Squire is ok, but I'm still not convinced against stronger opposition).
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@toddy The clock is ticking on Squire, but I'd guess that trio would be the preferred option, if fit and with some form, simply because they're the trio that played last time.
I think they'll pick Akira in the squad - but, I don't think they'll necessarily be in a rush to play him.
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When is Squire due back? I'd have thought that the selectors would have wanted him to have a couple of games under his belt before France.
Could they do a 'Fekitoa' and bring in JK because of experience/the special circumstances?
Come back Steve Luatua -- all is forgiven?! -
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@kirwan said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@bones said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@kirwan I don't recall seeing Ioane criticised for niggle in a loooong time.
It’s referred to in every Blues thread, so I guess I agree in the sense that a week can feel like a long time as a Blues fan.
He has improved that aspect of his game. In fact, a lot of aspects of his game have improved - workrate, intensity and mental. Good to see.
Unfortunately, he's been flogged for a few months, so may need freshening up before being played by the ABs. Hopefully a couple of weeks off now, and tapering into the international season willb e good for him.
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