Blues v Crusaders
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@kiwimurph said in Blues v Crusaders:
So the refs don't have the review until Tuesday (if there is a game on Sunday) - but by this stage the refs for the next weekend's games have already been announced? - something is a bit off there.
Ben O'Keeffe has been the best ref so far this year - he should be reffing this game.
Having said that - Williams will be fine - he's a good ref - just not a good TMO!
It’s ok Lawrence says that they don’t punish refs for one bad game, or one bad performance. He somehow missed that they same guy fucked up in two games in the same week.
Apparently he had never actually TMO’d before.
That’s a disservice to teams and fans to try someone out in our premier competition isn’t it. -
@crucial how is TMOing really any different?
The rules don't change, just you sit and watch and make decision when required.
It should be easier, no split second ones after you have followed the play over 3 mins non-stop, you e
get the benefit of time, TMO shouldn't get it wrong.There will be stuff they can't see to rule on, but 2 of the howlers on the weekend he had the evidence to make the right decision and got it wrong.
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@taniwharugby said in Blues v Crusaders:
@crucial how is TMOing really any different?
The rules don't change, just you sit and watch and make decision when required.
It should be easier, no split second ones after you have followed the play over 3 mins non-stop, you e
get the benefit of time, TMO shouldn't get it wrong.There will be stuff they can't see to rule on, but 2 of the howlers on the weekend he had the evidence to make the right decision and got it wrong.
I would say that you need to experience going through the processes and not getting flustered or distracted. These guys are used to judging what is right in front of them, not what is on TV like us experts.
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@duluth Mark Telea will be hoping he's unavailable Bridge was all over him in the air last time we played
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@african-monkey said in Blues v Crusaders:
Mark Telea will be hoping he's unavailable Bridge was all over him in the air last time we played
Yeah, Telea had a shocker last year
I think Narawa might start. He had a very strong second half against the Highlanders and has played plenty at fullback.
The negatives would his lack of experience and sometimes his defence looks off.I think it's worth the risk of picking Narawa
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I'd keep Telea regardless tbh. Think he and the coaching team would have learned a lot last year from that game.
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If Dalton Papali’i doesn’t play on Sunday Blake Gibson would be the obvious selection if recovered from his injury.Looking forward to the team selection for this game.
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@duluth said in Blues v Crusaders:
@african-monkey said in Blues v Crusaders:
Mark Telea will be hoping he's unavailable Bridge was all over him in the air last time we played
Yeah, Telea had a shocker last year
I think Narawa might start. He had a very strong second half against the Highlanders and has played plenty at fullback.
The negatives would his lack of experience and sometimes his defence looks off.I think it's worth the risk of picking Narawa
Can someone tell me why Leon is refraining from selecting AJ Lam, Zarn Sullivan or Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens on the bench over Narawa? Pretty sure Narawa played in both of the Blues losses in SRA 2020, he was poor against the Hurricanes in Wellington, making defensive errors and knock-ons, I was really not impressed. Surely the others are better options at this stage?
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@kiwi_expat well
Zarn is a 10/15. Blues currently have 3 x 10s in the playing 23.
Kneepkens I imagine you will see very soon. A debut against the Crusaders is a tough ask so probably won't see him this weekend.
Lam I would sense is behind Kneepkens as an option.
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@kiwimurph Bryce Heem might just leapfrog all of em. Experienced player in a big game. He was in the warmups last Sunday which tends to mean those guys are the next cab off the rank. Mind you Kneepkens was in the warmups as well. TJ Faiane looks to be fit again so he may come into the matchday squad.
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The big, bad Blues still need speed where it matters, and they’re breathing a sigh of relief that Blake Gibson has recovered from a rib injury in time to face the Crusaders at Eden Park on Sunday. With All Black Dalton Papalii out this week after taking a knock to his noggin’ against the Highlanders last Sunday, and new signing Dillon Hunt potentially out for the season with ongoing concussion issues, the Blues have been forced to dig deep in their openside flanker stock. They have added well-performed Auckland No 7 Adrian Choat to their squad as a replacement (for Hunt), but forwards coach Tom Coventry confirmed to Stuff that Gibson had made a full recovery from his rib problems and would be available to face the Crusaders on Sunday, if required. The Blues will name their squad on Friday, but will almost certainly start with Gibson at No 7, alongside the line-busting duo of Akira Ioane and Hoskins Sotutu, with Tom Robinson likely to provide loose forward cover off the bench. They will have their fourth All Black prop, Alex Hodgman, available for selection this week after he came through Tuesday’s training well -
@kiwimurph with Break Gibson starting looks like Akira will get some more time at 7 when the inevitable happens.
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@kiwimurph said in Blues v Crusaders:
@nepia nice nickname
I’m surprised it’s taken me this many years to think of it.
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@nepia said in Blues v Crusaders:
@kiwimurph said in Blues v Crusaders:
@nepia nice nickname
I’m surprised it’s taken me this many years to think of it.
He certainly has been unlucky. Mike Brewer levels of durability.
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Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Cullen Grace, Sione Havili Talitui, Ethan Blackadder, Samuel Whitelock, Scott Barrett (c), Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody.
Reserves: Brodie McAlister, George Bower, Oliver Jager, Mitchell Dunshea, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Mitchell Drummond, Fergus Burke, Dallas McLeod.
