Blues 2021
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@nzzp I honestly think the Blues have missed BB immensly this year, there appears to be a lack of rugby IQ in backline, and noone talking the right things. Look at last year, Blues started of a bit ropey , and improved a heap when BB joined. Otere has never looked a real good 10 without BB , and even out wider, I was a keen on Reiko as 13, but not sure anymore.
I also not sure loosies are quite working right, with Sotutu and Ioane on it leaving Papali'i ,arguably in best 3 loosies in country, to try and do everything himself. Tom Robertson I think is a huge loss for you, he compliment Papali'i, and allows Sotutu to just roam as he likes.
I also think they struggle a little at hooker, not sure any are good scrummagers, got bloody good props just scrum doesn't dominate as much as I thought it would. -
I think that article sums up a few important points - the Blues last year had a first five and halfback who could keep the ball in front of their forwards, and they employed a game plan that suited their personnel.
This year they seem to be looking for something from Black that he isn’t as well suited to, and they havent had a clear style of play (and really any attack structure) that has given their strengths an opportunity to be imposed on the game (ball running forwards and speedy outsides).
One hopes that the coaching staff have a better plan for SRTT but it looks right now that they don't have a clear strategy about how to use their resources (eg, for the Chiefs this is all about speed and quick ruck ball, to make up for our weakness up front and conceivably make it into a strength).
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@dan54 Blues backline last year also clicked into gear once Nock went to 9. After that Blues peeled off about 7 wins in a row before losing to Crusaders (which was the first game in that streak without Nock at 9).
Ruru continued selection at 9 tells me the coaches are trying fit a square peg in a round hole.
Add to that a lack of trust in Faiane and too much trust in Perofeta - the selection is a shambles.
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The non-selection/ lack of trust in Faiane is one that puzzled me the most (actually, maybe Gibson at 6 is stranger).
Faiane is/was the glue player in that back line and allows Rieko to be more comfortable, so I dont see why he is out of favor.
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@gt12 said in Blues 2021:
The non-selection/ lack of trust in Faiane is one that puzzled me the most (actually, maybe Gibson at 6 is stranger).
Faiane is/was the glue player in that back line and allows Rieko to be more comfortable, so I dont see why he is out of favor.
My reading was that for some reason they decided that switching things up to Plummer at 10 was the key to playing the Saders. Much like Chiefs changed and used DMac at 10 so that the pre-game analysis was disrupted.
From that point they decided to change the 12 because of who Plummer had a better understanding with. -
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@kiwimurph said in Blues 2021:
@crucial the weird thing is Plummer has played a heap of rugby with Faiane at 12 in the Mitre 10 Cup the last 3 seasons.
Ha, yeah. I was just going by the quotes from Rangi.
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@gt12 said in Blues 2021:
The non-selection/ lack of trust in Faiane is one that puzzled me the most (actually, maybe Gibson at 6 is stranger).
Faiane is/was the glue player in that back line and allows Rieko to be more comfortable, so I dont see why he is out of favor.
He's such an important player. He's like Gael Fickou in the way he leads the defensive line
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The Ruru- Black combo had really not worked at all this season.
Is Nock injured or something? Becuase hes was good last season and at the start of this...
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@mackerzzzz said in Blues 2021:
Is Nock injured or something? Becuase hes was good last season and at the start of this...
Still paying the price for being on the end of a dubious yellow card call in one of the two games he has played?
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@gunner said in Blues 2021:
@mackerzzzz said in Blues 2021:
Is Nock injured or something? Becuase hes was good last season and at the start of this...
Still paying the price for being on the end of a dubious yellow card call in one of the two games he has played?
that was rough, too. Justin Marshall (as usual) got it wrong. It looked bad, though, and that's enough
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@tim said in Blues 2021:
I will absolutely start a campaign to oust MacDonald if he doesn't start Nock in the Trans- Ta$man competition. No more bullshit!
holy overreaction batman! MacDonald has some serious rope for me, after the Tana and JK years. I'm a Nock fan, but damn
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@kiwimurph @tim I don't disagree the halfback management has been poor, but who's going to be a better coach? I'm willing to give him more time; changing the coach is not going to fix the problem.
That said, if you want to start a Nock Supporters Campaign and picket Blues HQ if Nock isn't playing, I'll rock down to that and bring placards and a bbq
Nock had the best passing and kicking game of the three halfbacks. Finlay was noticeable at the weekend for not playing heads up - he was determined to pass no matter what, and ignored gaps in front of him to do that. Ruru is definitely not as aware of space, but his ruck work and defence is superior.
Reckon when BB comes back next year he'll have a strong say in the qualities he wants in a 9
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Whew.
I was a bit concerned that if Nuggie got injured, we'd be stuck with Brad Weber and TTT for the All Blacks.
But, it turns out we've got a guy called Nock who's so good the Blues fans are going to sack their best coach since Sir Gram if he doesn't get a game.
My main question now is whether Nock will be starting and Aaron's going to be watching from the bench!
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@chris-b said in Blues 2021:
Whew.
I was a bit concerned that if Nuggie got injured, we'd be stuck with Brad Weber and TTT for the All Blacks.
But, it turns out we've got a guy called Nock who's so good the Blues fans are going to sack their best coach since Sir Gram if he doesn't get a game.
My main question now is whether Nock will be starting and Aaron's going to be watching from the bench!
Nock hasn't been selected this year because he's not playing well. He had opportunities and didn't take them, once being dragged just after halftime.
You could say the same for Christie and to a lesser degree Ruru (who has been playing better than both, despite his flaws). Not the coaches fault, up to the players to fit the gameplan and do the basics.
