Blues 2020
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I think they would've won.
The knock out games weren't that close in 96 & 97 and I doubt it would've been enough of an impact in the regular season to miss the playoffs
2003 probably. Rupeni was amazing but the final was won without him
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@Steven-Harris Yes to all 3. 1996 was probably lucky for us but only because Natal did us a huge favour by upsetting Queensland who had famously smashed us during the season. It would have been a massive task if we had to go to Ballymore.
1997 we went undefeated and Lomu didn't even play that season although Vidiri was lethal that season (and the previous season), we weren't gonna be stopped.
We were too quick for everyone in 2003 and yes, Rupeni was a boost, but we were blowing teams away anyway apart from tripping up against the Highlanders. The only other close game we had that season was against the Crusaders in the final and the Sharks pushed us (a bit). Carlos had the backs firing that season.
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yeah, 2003, no way they win with out Rupeni
I mean, who did that leave for the outside backs? Only, Joey Roks, Dougie Howlett, Mils... oh, and Rico Gear. Pfffft, fucking nobodies.
No way they win if Carlos got hurt though.
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@Bovidae said in Blues 2020:
How close is Cashmore to Mils in fan voting? Recency bias will likely play a part but Cashmore was very good in that era.
Mils got far more votes than Cashmore. Piutau seemed to be 2nd in votes for FB, which was a surprise.
Piutau is maybe the 6th best FB I've seen in a Blues jersey, so really shouldn't be getting many votes IMO. I'd have Mils, Cashmore, Nacewa, Howlett and Toeava ahead of him, although the last 2 were not part of the FB nominations.
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@Dice Most of the voters are young people so it's no suprise that Piutau is that high imo even though you are right, he should be far further down the pecking order.
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@African-Monkey It's a bit more pronounced on instagram, whereas on facebook, you'll see more older players getting votes because more older fans will be on there.
@shark said in Blues 2020:
@Dice Orene Ai'i as well?
Not sure if I'd have him ahead of Piutau.
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@Steven-Harris Not sure if we could've won a title without both Jonah and Joeli in 96/97, but we could win without one of them, as we showed in 97 without Lomu, but we had a pretty handy replacement with Brian Lima.
We probably still had a decent chance to win in 2003 without Caucau because Joe Roks and Rico Gear on the wings is still bloody good.
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The Crusaders won with James Kerr (and the ref) so of course the Blues could have won without those wingers.
Those teams were stacked with class all round.
The Canes couldn't fucking win with Cullen, Jonah and Umaga because they had cabbage 10s and average packs.
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@Dice said in Blues 2020:
@Bovidae said in Blues 2020:
How close is Cashmore to Mils in fan voting? Recency bias will likely play a part but Cashmore was very good in that era.
Mils got far more votes than Cashmore. Piutau seemed to be 2nd in votes for FB, which was a surprise.
Piutau is maybe the 6th best FB I've seen in a Blues jersey, so really shouldn't be getting many votes IMO. I'd have Mils, Cashmore, Nacewa, Howlett and Toeava ahead of him, although the last 2 were not part of the FB nominations.
Piutau is one of those players who gets better the longer he's away though.
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@African-Monkey said in Blues 2020:
@Steven-Harris Yes to all 3. 1996 was probably lucky for us but only because Natal did us a huge favour by upsetting Queensland who had famously smashed us during the season. It would have been a massive task if we had to go to Ballymore.
1997 we went undefeated and Lomu didn't even play that season although Vidiri was lethal that season (and the previous season), we weren't gonna be stopped.
We were too quick for everyone in 2003 and yes, Rupeni was a boost, but we were blowing teams away anyway apart from tripping up against the Highlanders. The only other close game we had that season was against the Crusaders in the final and the Sharks pushed us (a bit). Carlos had the backs firing that season.
I watched highlights of the Blues vs Natal on facebook today .Vidiri was a big, solid and FAST unit and the way he went round Andre Joubert like he didn't exist without a hand being laid on him was off the charts in a way Wilson or Umaga couldn't have replicated......The ABs in 96/97 missed out by not having him available. I think he's up there with Caucau in terms of unfulfilled talents.
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@MN5 said in Blues 2020:
@African-Monkey said in Blues 2020:
@Steven-Harris Yes to all 3. 1996 was probably lucky for us but only because Natal did us a huge favour by upsetting Queensland who had famously smashed us during the season. It would have been a massive task if we had to go to Ballymore.
1997 we went undefeated and Lomu didn't even play that season although Vidiri was lethal that season (and the previous season), we weren't gonna be stopped.
We were too quick for everyone in 2003 and yes, Rupeni was a boost, but we were blowing teams away anyway apart from tripping up against the Highlanders. The only other close game we had that season was against the Crusaders in the final and the Sharks pushed us (a bit). Carlos had the backs firing that season.
I watched highlights of the Blues vs Natal on facebook today .Vidiri was a big, solid and FAST unit and the way he went round Andre Joubert like he didn't exist without a hand being laid on him was off the charts in a way Wilson or Umaga couldn't have replicated......The ABs in 96/97 missed out by not having him available. I think he's up there with Caucau in terms of unfulfilled talents.
Until they did....
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@Bones said in Blues 2020:
@MN5 said in Blues 2020:
@African-Monkey said in Blues 2020:
@Steven-Harris Yes to all 3. 1996 was probably lucky for us but only because Natal did us a huge favour by upsetting Queensland who had famously smashed us during the season. It would have been a massive task if we had to go to Ballymore.
1997 we went undefeated and Lomu didn't even play that season although Vidiri was lethal that season (and the previous season), we weren't gonna be stopped.
We were too quick for everyone in 2003 and yes, Rupeni was a boost, but we were blowing teams away anyway apart from tripping up against the Highlanders. The only other close game we had that season was against the Crusaders in the final and the Sharks pushed us (a bit). Carlos had the backs firing that season.
I watched highlights of the Blues vs Natal on facebook today .Vidiri was a big, solid and FAST unit and the way he went round Andre Joubert like he didn't exist without a hand being laid on him was off the charts in a way Wilson or Umaga couldn't have replicated......The ABs in 96/97 missed out by not having him available. I think he's up there with Caucau in terms of unfulfilled talents.
Until they did....
can you youtube some proof ? I don't think either of those two could have done it like he did and remember.....I watched Rugby in those days.
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@Bones TBH, he's a much better fullback now than when he was here. He was a much better winger than fullback when he was still in NZ.
Reminds me of a recent interview that Pat Lam had with Jim Kayes where he said that Eddie Jones told him that if Piutau and Luatua were eligible for England, he'd select both of them for England.
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@MN5 said in Blues 2020:
I watched highlights of the Blues vs Natal on facebook today .Vidiri was a big, solid and FAST unit and the way he went round Andre Joubert like he didn't exist without a hand being laid on him was off the charts in a way Wilson or Umaga couldn't have replicated......
Vidiri's acceleration was something to behold for a big man, and very noticeable watching him live.
