Crusaders v Blues
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<p>I'm not too concerned if we don't get up tomorrow.We never win in Chch for starters and I personally would be targetting the next two games against the Hurricanes and Reds before the bye. I didn't originally think the changes were a good idea but the more I think about it, I think it's a good time to do it.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="561950" data-time="1456909744">
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<p>Not sure what to think with changing the halves , <br>
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<p>I know tana is his own man and has his reasons , but it feels a little Kirwan like </p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Pat Lam liked to rotate his halves too :whistle:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Kees Meeuws on the breakdown last night reckoned that Tana is saving his best teams for the home games.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sees getting the crowds back at Eden park a priority. I quite like that attitude, it's what Wayne Smith and Robbie Deans did at canterbury and crusaders when they took over.</p> -
<p>I don't think that the Blues target is to win the comp this year. As long as the players are on board with that then fine.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What they are possibly trying to do is target specific games and set their KPIs by that. Home games are an obvious target.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="561997" data-time="1456950682">
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<p>I don't think that the Blues target is to win the comp this year. As long as the players are on board with that then fine.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What they are possibly trying to do is target specific games and set their KPIs by that. Home games are an obvious target.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>And I think getting the fans behind the team is a big priority also. I don't follow the blues as closely as others, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's got the players more involved in community work etc too.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="562002" data-time="1456952248">
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<p>And I think getting the fans behind the team is a big priority also. I don't follow the blues as closely as others, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's got the players more involved in community work etc too.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>They've always done that as well. It is the fickle Auckland crowds that they need to play up to.</p>
<p>Get some home wins, gets the crowds in (no one likes to go to games when their team loses) and you have a better chance of capturing/ retaining the good players.</p>
<p>I'm not saying that the guys tasked each week won't be aiming for a win, just that there will likely be some longer term strategies playing out as well.</p>
<p>It could also simply be a case of the coaches identifying a greater need for squad competition to push the top layer higher. If that meant a promise of giving players a shot in the early rounds then it is a means to an end.</p> -
<p>Yes I agree Blues have made a genuine effort to connect with their fans. Speaking of the Blues and the community they ran their first "Blues in the 'Burbs" night last night at Takapuna</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<p><span style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How often do kids get to try out their skills with their Blues heroes? </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">Well this month they have their chance, with players from the Super Rugby franchise fraternising with the public at Blues in the 'Burbs events across the city.</p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blues coach Tana Umaga says the team wants to reach out more to its communities.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">"In the busy times for our club in the Super Rugby Championship, it is sometimes challenging to find time to spend with our fans," Umaga says.</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);"> </p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">"Our team has been working so hard in pre-season and will continue to work really hard every day. But at the same time we want to spend time in our communities, the places we live, and at the rugby clubs that helped us in this game."</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);"> </p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);"><strong>March 9 – </strong>College Rifles Rugby Football Club, 33 Haast St, Remuera.</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);"><strong>March 15 – </strong>Papatoetoe Rugby Football Club, Sutton Crescent, Papatoetoe.</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);"><strong>March 29 – </strong>Waitakere Rugby Club, under The Trusts Arena, Henderson.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="562169" data-time="1457006413">
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<p>Great back row for the Blues (Kaino, Gibson, Luatua) against a very average Crusaders' one : <strong>Reid is clearly not in form</strong>, Boys is a journeyman and Taufua just not big enough for a Nr.6.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Clearly after 1 game? Surely players should get a couple of weeks to actually show something before having their form judged.</p>
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<p>Interesting the changes to the Blues, Particularly 9/10. Hopefully this is 'giving the guys a crack' and not the start of the chopping and changing that has been an issue at the Blues for years.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="562171" data-time="1457008162"><p>Clearly after 1 game? Surely players should get a couple of weeks to actually show something before having their form judged.<br><br>
Interesting the changes to the Blues, Particularly 9/10. Hopefully this is 'giving the guys a crack' and not the start of the chopping and changing that has been an issue at the Blues for years.</p></blockquote>
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It's all good, Kaino was anonymous last week so is also out of form..... -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="561994" data-time="1456949290">
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<p>Pat Lam liked to rotate his halves too :whistle:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Kees Meeuws on the breakdown last night reckoned that Tana is saving his best teams for the home games.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sees getting the crowds back at Eden park a priority. I quite like that attitude, it's what Wayne Smith and Robbie Deans did at canterbury and crusaders when they took over.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>While all that is fair enough , </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I thought there was possibly the best opportunity to do what no Blues team has done for a long time , and beat the Crusaders away , </p>
<p> </p>
<p>That would have got people talking and helped the crowds for when they return , </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Crusaders do look more vulnerable than we are used to , but im going to stop short of writing them off , we have been here before and they prove you wrong time and time again </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="562180" data-time="1457026685">
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<p> </p>
<p>The Crusaders do look more vulnerable than we are used to , but im going to stop short of writing them off , we have been here before and they prove you wrong time and time again </p>
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<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Considering that they regularly lose their opening game, last week was no big surprise.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="562180" data-time="1457026685">
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<p>While all that is fair enough , </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I thought there was possibly the best opportunity to do what no Blues team has done for a long time , and beat the Crusaders away , </p>
<p> </p>
<p>That would have got people talking and helped the crowds for when they return , </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Crusaders do look more vulnerable than we are used to , but im going to stop short of writing them off , we have been here before and they prove you wrong time and time again </p>
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<p>Agree 100%. If I was Umaga I'd have Faumauina and Ioane starting for sure. Plus the 9 and 10 from last week.</p>
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<p>I think the crusaders are there for the taking</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="562189" data-time="1457035614"><p>
Agree 100%. If I was Umaga I'd have Faumauina and Ioane starting for sure. Plus the 9 and 10 from last week.<br><br>
I think the crusaders are there for the taking</p></blockquote>
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Given the loosies are JK, Gibson and Luatua starting Ioane from the bench is understandable. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="562190" data-time="1457036649">
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<p>Given the loosies are JK, Gibson and Luatua starting Ioane from the bench is understandable.</p>
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<p>I would start him ahead of Luatua.</p>
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<p>I don't think he would have missed that tackle close to the line last week.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="562192" data-time="1457037001">
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<p>I would start him ahead of Luatua.</p>
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<p>Me too.</p>
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<p>Seems like the hottest prospect in NZ rugby, right now.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Mister G" data-cid="562227" data-time="1457046761">
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<p>The Blues have the makings of a decent team but the coaches have been a big hinderence and it looks like another guy is on an ego trip. Why change a winning team?</p>
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<p>WHy don't you read the thread to find out?</p>
