Stormers vs Blues
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@Kirwan said in Stormers vs Blues:
@nzzp said in Stormers vs Blues:
@Kirwan said in Stormers vs Blues:
TJ has been defending extremely well this year, and issue last year when played at 13 and Marchant has certainly improved defence when he played at 13. A risk swapping them around, but I like this backline.
that Marchant Ioane swap is weird. Must have some reason, but Rieko seems a better winger, and Marchant a better centre. I dunno, hope this isn't back to the days of Tana's lottery...
I think it’s the same with Nock, we have nothing to lose with this game so giving Nock his last try to impress, and letting Rieko have his shot at centre.
If it doesn’t go well then the coach can say he tried and put him back on the wing.
Yeah.
I'm moderately excited about Nock though. A good game here, and it's on. Ruru has been pretty frustrating, and I'm keen to see how Christie goes.
Hopefully Kurt's improved. Any update on the Parsons injury? I haven't seen anything, but getting trampled by a couple of monsters didn't look good
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I really like the look of that backline, has a nice balance to it compared to Blues backlines previously. Possibly would have left Marchant at centre, moved Telea to 14 and included Ioane in his favoured 11 jersey but I can also see what Leon is trying to do.
Exciting times for Blues fans with Beauden not too far away either.
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@Hooroo said in Stormers vs Blues:
Is this Reiko's first time at 13 or has he finished some of the games there, this year?
He's played one game on the wing this year before getting injured
He's finished a few games for the AB's at 13. Defence is the biggest question, he can be a bit slow moving laterally
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The less Sam Nock plays the better his reputation becomes.
This is his fifth season of pro rugby and we are still waiting for his break through.
I'm sceptical that he'll suddenly be good this far into his career. Yes, he has a fast pass when he pulls the trigger. It's not always the most accurate though. My main concern is with the brain farts we've seen over the years.
There's even been plenty of times in the last few years Northland TSFers were calling for him to be dropped from his NPC sideI hope I'm wrong. It'd be great for the Blues if I am wrong.
I like the selection though. It's a roll of the dice in a game the Blues are very unlikely to win. A shot for nothing.
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@Duluth yep, he shows glimpses of his massive talent, but only rare glimpses.
Not to mention his game is pretty predictable given he passes or kicks, almost never uses his pace to keep the defence guessing.
That game and a half where he looked to have finally made the next step, his passing was slick, and was noticable how slow and loopy passes form Pulu were when he was subbed on after Nock hurt himself.
Such a frustrating player, has to be a confidence thing, but by the same token, if he hasnt the self belief by now, chances are he will never get it.
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There's a massive amount of pressure on him in this game
a selection MacDonald said was about giving his young No 9 a crack and easing the load on the heavily used RuruRuru is rested and I believe Christie is back next round. Nock's whole season depends on this match
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@nzzp said in Stormers vs Blues:
@Kirwan said in Stormers vs Blues:
TJ has been defending extremely well this year, and issue last year when played at 13 and Marchant has certainly improved defence when he played at 13. A risk swapping them around, but I like this backline.
that Marchant Ioane swap is weird. Must have some reason, but Rieko seems a better winger, and Marchant a better centre. I dunno, hope this isn't back to the days of Tana's lottery...
Rieko wants to play 13 - it's his preferred spot. Leon has confirmed he is going to get plenty of chances to play 13.
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@KiwiMurph said in Stormers vs Blues:
@nzzp said in Stormers vs Blues:
@Kirwan said in Stormers vs Blues:
TJ has been defending extremely well this year, and issue last year when played at 13 and Marchant has certainly improved defence when he played at 13. A risk swapping them around, but I like this backline.
that Marchant Ioane swap is weird. Must have some reason, but Rieko seems a better winger, and Marchant a better centre. I dunno, hope this isn't back to the days of Tana's lottery...
Rieko wants to play 13 - it's his preferred spot. Leon has confirmed he is going to get plenty of chances to play 13.
Well perhaps just this one
Up to him to demand selection there.
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@Duluth well I was surprised the Blues had re-signed him when they did last time...its sink or swim time, but by the same token, not seen anything of Christie to say he is the answer to the Blues woes.
Ruru looks to be where McDonald has put all his money.
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@taniwharugby said in Stormers vs Blues:
Ruru looks to be where McDonald has put all his money.
MacDonald definitely prefers Ruru to Nock at this stage. Where he rates Christie we don't know.. he hasn't been fit for selection
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@nzzp said in Stormers vs Blues:
@Kirwan said in Stormers vs Blues:
TJ has been defending extremely well this year, and issue last year when played at 13 and Marchant has certainly improved defence when he played at 13. A risk swapping them around, but I like this backline.
that Marchant Ioane swap is weird. Must have some reason, but Rieko seems a better winger, and Marchant a better centre. I dunno, hope this isn't back to the days of Tana's lottery...
Could it be a missprint?
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@Nepia said in Stormers vs Blues:
@nzzp said in Stormers vs Blues:
@Kirwan said in Stormers vs Blues:
TJ has been defending extremely well this year, and issue last year when played at 13 and Marchant has certainly improved defence when he played at 13. A risk swapping them around, but I like this backline.
that Marchant Ioane swap is weird. Must have some reason, but Rieko seems a better winger, and Marchant a better centre. I dunno, hope this isn't back to the days of Tana's lottery...
Could it be a missprint?
No, Reiko wants to play there so they are giving him a shot in a game they sort of expect to lose, hence the shot to nothing comments for this and Nock.
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@Duluth no bigger game or stage for Nock to step up, or likely check out....
Career defining game for him
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@taniwharugby said in Stormers vs Blues:
@Duluth no bigger game or stage for Nock to step up, or likely check out....
Career defining game for him
100%. What's weird is he's been in the squad for so long, but without game time. If they don't rate him, why keep him?
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@nzzp said in Stormers vs Blues:
Hopefully Kurt's improved. Any update on the Parsons injury? I haven't seen anything, but getting trampled by a couple of monsters didn't look good
The info on injuries on the Fern's frontpage is up-to-date.
Click on the Blues' logo in the Super Rugby panel and then click on "squad". -
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@Duluth my tip for this game was decided by a coin toss...
