Blues 2022
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@duluth Realistically the only 2 of those players could have been in contention for a Blues call up for next season, Tolai and Marshall.
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@daffy-jaffy Would have been interesting to watch Harbour's scrum this season. Lay and Renata aren't the strongest scrummagers.
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@nzzp said in Blues 2022:
@bovidae said in Blues 2022:
@nzzp I've been to a Chiefs home game at NHS. It was a bloody Friday night match so driving up was a mission.
that's rarer than being at Woodstock, right?
I'm sure Woodstock would have been much more fun! The Chiefs lost to NSW that night.
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@themojoman said in Blues 2022:
@gt12 said in Blues 2022:
@themojoman said in Blues 2022:
@gt12 said in Blues 2022:
@duluth said in Blues 2022:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2022:
@duluth I'm guessing, but I reckon they may have only locked together in one or 2 games back in 2019, games when both have been available usually had Tom at 6.
Only 5 NPC starts at lock for Robinson. He has 1 start at SR level too
So yes, there's not much evidence that it would work.
I hope they experiment with it though. The question is how the scrum goes. It would allow the four AB standard loosies to start, plus would make room for a guy like Plumtree to make the bench
He's pretty similar to Itoje in terms of size, isn't he?
Maybe he's need to add a bit of bulk, he might be 5 kgs light.
Anyway, I think the Blues have missed a trick by now trying it before, and if it came off it could be huge for the ABs, as he would be the obvious Scott Barrett replacement.
There is a big difference between being the size of a lock and actually playing lock TBH. Robinson may have the size but the temperament and comfort to play lock? I remember when they chucked Jerome Kaino in at lock against the Irish, didn't go well.
No I think keep him at Blindside, he'll have to rotate with Akira and/or come off bench. For Akira's long-term development at 6 he needs to play there regularly IMO. He faded away towards the end of the tour but again so did a few of them, you can't expect them to tour for almost 3 months and not get faded and fatigued.
I think that's fair, but I'd put it to the player as a question: Would you try to take on playing in this position as well if it would increase your chances of a Black jersey?
I don't know whether he would be successful or not, but he is much more of a lock than Kaino (I don't think he ever played there except for that atrocity) and we would be able to see whether he can develop there or is just a six.
My rationale is funnily enough also similar yours in that Akira (and perhaps Paps) need as much time at 6 as possible, so I don't see him busting into the starting team.
I mean Robinson has the tools - height/lineout capability, big motor/workrate, defensive game. He probably is the best of the flanker/lock combo's we've had in a while too. I haven't seen a flanker make a successful transition to lock yet. Jimmy Tupou was OK. Brad Thorn wasn't a natural flanker or 8 anyway. Luatua never really played lock at top level. Fifita was serviceable at Super Level but again, not a top level lock.
Maybe Robinson can make the transition?
Cameron Woki (France) is a flanker who played lock against the All Blacks last weekend. He did well so I don't know why Tom Robinson wouldn't make it. However, the problem is that the All Blacks need a big munter in the second row (à la Brad Thorn) to partner a 2m+ one.
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@dice really looking forward to seeing him out there!
If handled right, he will make a smooth transition, has footwork like 2015 NMS, but looks to have more size, pace and has some excellent skills.
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@taniwharugby I saw Caleb Clarke in an interview saying that RTS had stepped him a few times already at practice then he smiled and said "but I was social distancing".
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@nogusta said in Blues 2022:
Bronco today for the boys. The trainers reckon Beauden Barretts record might be under threat today from young Jock Mackenzie.
Someone on the TSF said McKenzie was going to be in the Hurricanes extended group? Is that incorrect?
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This post is deleted!
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The Blues other pre-season game is against the Chiefs in Te Puke on Friday 11 February.Blues to play Canes in Mahurangi — Blues Rugby
The Blues will take on the Hurricanes at Mahurangi Rugby Club on Saturday 5 February, with a day of fun activities planned. The match, to be hosted by Mahurangi Rugby Club and North Harbour Union, will be the only pre-season game in the region, and the Blues hope the Waitangi Weekend match will at
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@tim said in Blues 2022:
From Instagram, it seems that Akira Ioane is training in the gym with some of the Crusaders and Moana Pacifica players in Christchurch.
How much fun would it be if he went there? Several posters heads would likely explode, then they’d have to defend him to the death.
Dreams are free.
