Blues 2020
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As a displaced JAFA and Blues supporter going back to the first Super Rugby match, there is finally a small ray of light after so many disappointments.
Not just the announcement of Beauden joining the Blues but I have to say, potato head Leon MacDonald (and I really wasn't a fan of his in his playing days), has also had a real positive impact this year.
It really looked to be fatigue in the later rounds that hampered the Blues, especially with a key player such as Akira.
The thing I also like about this signing is that hopefully Beauden can bring some more leadership to help Tuipulotu by leading the backs and also mentor other youngsters in the team based on his time in the ABs. A role model for emerging leaders like Blake Gibson and TJ Faiane.
I wonder if he'll even be given the Captain's arm band?
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Huge signing for the Blues. Ends comments like "Who would go to the Blues?" with the answer the best 10 in NZ, and incumbant flyhalf for the All Blacks.
Solves the ten and goalkicking issue we had this year. Just having a 75%+ kicker would have won us 2/3 extra games this season, not even taking into account his freakish try scoring ability.
Like Duluth said, will also likely attract other talent as well.
Biggest signing for the Blues for over ten years IMO.
If Jordie goes to the Crusaders to follow his missus too, both sets of fans should at least buy flowers for these woman!
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@gt12 said in Blues 2020 - Beauden Barrett is Signed:
He’d need to nail down 6 or 7 first though. In that case, put him at 7?
He could be rotated a bit, but you’d expect him to play most games.
Personally, I think we needed his work rate at 6 over Robinson. But with Gibson's effectiveness being blunted by years of injury we could look at him there.
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@gt12 said in Blues 2020 - Beauden Barrett is Signed:
He’d need to nail down 6 or 7 first though. In that case, put him at 7?
He didn't go well at 7 this year. Maybe he was trying too hard to push the limits?
I think he should be the long term captain. Next year might be too soon though. He's likely to be moving around a lot next year 6, 8 & sometimes 7.
It's a big ask to do that and captain. -
@gt12 said in Blues 2020 - Beauden Barrett is Signed:
Looking forward, Gibson should take the cash while he can. I think Robinson has plenty of room for development too.
The cumulative effects of the injuries are taking a toll on Gibson. Also, he has never been a great linking 7 and that aspect of his play went backwards this year
Choat looks like a good prospect
Robinson has a big role to play. I would like to see him and Dalton sharing the 6 jersey. With Robinson occasionally moving into lock
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That could be the best way to use them. Personally I think Dalton just went to hard in his first few games at 7 - when he focuses on being more Cane and less Ardie (especially picking and choosing turnover opportunities) I think he could be a real weapon as a 7/6.
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@Toddy said in Blues 2020 - Beauden Barrett is Signed:
How many really high profile players have switched teams? Ali Williams? Lomu? There must be others. Nonu liked to get around (though whether that was his choice).
Rico Gear is always the answer to this question.
SBW, although he's only been successful at the Chiefs.
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@Kirwan said in Blues 2020 - Beauden Barrett is Signed:
@gt12 said in Blues 2020 - Beauden Barrett is Signed:
He’d need to nail down 6 or 7 first though. In that case, put him at 7?
He could be rotated a bit, but you’d expect him to play most games.
Personally, I think we needed his work rate at 6 over Robinson. But with Gibson's effectiveness being blunted by years of injury we could look at him there.
Again, completely agree with this @Kirwan . I'd even slightly rephrase your statement to be... "Personally, I think we needed his more effective work rate at 6 over Robinson"
Dalton just has that look, an incredible athlete who already has good size but a frame that could easily carry another 7-10 kgs and still maintain the same speed and athleticism.
To be frank, I'm one of those not so enamored with Robinson and never got the AB bolter chat early in the season. I think he has a bit of headless chicken about his play and watching him live vs Brumbies, he was all over the shop but not very effective.
I think we would be best served by having Dalton at 6, Gibson at 7 and a fit Akira at 8 (with Robinson off the bench covering 6/lock) getting consistent game time but reality says, we'll be unlikely to see this lineup get regular game time as Gibson just looks so injury prone and Dalton's had his fair share in his young career.
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@RoninWC said in Blues 2020 - Beauden Barrett is Signed:
To be frank, I'm one of those not so enamored with Robinson and never got the AB bolter chat early in the season. I think he has a bit of headless chicken about his play and watching him live vs Brumbies, he was all over the shop but not very effective.
In the Chiefs-Blues game in Hamilton, Robinson spent most of the game out wide on one flank. Great for those try-scoring highlights in the corner but not how no.6s usually play. Maybe it was tactics but it was unusual to see.
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@Bovidae said in Blues 2020 - Beauden Barrett is Signed:
In the Chiefs-Blues game in Hamilton, Robinson spent most of the game out wide on one flank. Great for those try-scoring highlights in the corner but not how no.6s usually play. Maybe it was tactics but it was unusual to see.
Tactics. Papali'i was positioned out wide too when playing 6
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Crusaders game down here Robinson was in everything. The only Blues forward that stood up and took us on.
1014 rugby did a good little segment on him after one of the Chiefs games too, they showed him and Retallick going at each other all game.
I like him.
