Blues v Canes
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Donsteppa" data-cid="564026" data-time="1457684768">
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<p>Dumb West, there goes my first pick of the weekend down the drain.</p>
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<p>killed my first multi too...</p> -
<p>Man we're a hard team to support.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canerbry" data-cid="564028" data-time="1457684792">
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<p>Disappointing Tana's fledgling career as a coach must surely be at risk.</p>
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<p><img src="http://33.media.tumblr.com/f6251497804088ae69f3066479a84037/tumblr_nsmxfqI3bd1qkko3bo1_400.gif" alt="tumblr_nsmxfqI3bd1qkko3bo1_400.gif"></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="564024" data-time="1457684755">
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<p>Blues robbed, but they made hard work of it.</p>
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<p>They weren't robbed. They shot themselves in the foot. A 2 by 4 might be good for Ioane and the stupid penalties he gave away. Do we have an IQ problem? </p> -
<p>The Blues needed to go wide once the maul was stopped. Exciting finish for a neutral but it was a game of missed opportunities for the Blues. Ioane needs to sort out his discipline, he gave away some dumb penalties.</p>
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<p>I thought Briant had a poor game overall - his officiating at the breakdown was very inconsistent.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="broughie" data-cid="564034" data-time="1457685000">
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<p>They weren't robbed. They shot themselves in the foot. A 2 by 4 might be good for Ioane and the stupid penalties he gave away. Do we have an IQ problem? </p>
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<p>Fully agree. Him and Kaino's unnceseeary late hit on Apisai which changed the game blew it for us. No one to blame but ourselves.</p> -
Good game i enjoyed that. Loving the penalty after the siren rule. Blues ultimately lose because their maul set up would be substandard for a park footy team. <br><br>
Some big performances on both sides, liked Fifita's work, both props for the Blues, both midfielders for the blues, Laumape, A Savea, and Tevita Li.<br><br>
Blues need to be more clinical if they are to improve. Hurricanes showed they are coming right, some really good defense -
<p>Fun game to watch as a neutral. Hurricanes 'deserved' it and did well with their defense at the end.</p>
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<p>However, wtf about the 'not-a-knock-on-in-real-time' call.</p>
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<p>On the other hand, despite my support of him last year, it seems pretty clear that West needs to work on his kicking, because what the fuck else does he offer?</p>
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<p>Good to see Laumape looking better this week, and Ardie looks like an AB (as does Moala).</p>
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<p>BTW; Ranger is better on the wing, and don't take the fluffybunny off Tana!</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="564041" data-time="1457685969">
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<p>Good game i enjoyed that. Loving the penalty after the siren rule. Blues ultimately lose because their maul set up would be substandard for a park footy team.<br><br>
Some big performances on both sides, liked Fifita's work, both props for the Blues, both midfielders for the blues, Laumape, A Savea, and Tevita Li.<br><br>
Blues need to be more clinical if they are to improve. Hurricanes showed they are coming right, some really good defense</p>
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<p>Yup I think that is the best backline going forward and yes our accuracy is poor. Not trying to downplay the Hurricanes win but we should have won that game. It shows in this comp that 1 or 2 bad individual performances can be the difference between a win and a loss.</p> -
<p>Coles injured, Motz injured, now Apisai injured? Who's the fifth hooker, just in case they need one? Riccitelli is doing fine so far at this level, something that really surprises me from such a young lad, but who's next in line?</p>
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<p>Hurricanes backs also dropping like flies, NMS's injury looked bad. Was there also something wrong with Jules? With Proctor already out, maybe time for the Canes to call up Magpie Mason Emerson? Or do they still have some spare outside backs?</p>
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<p>Does anyone know whether a team can call up an unused player from another team (not WTG)? Ryan Tongia hasn't had any game time yet.</p> -
<p>While we can pick at the Blues mistakes , I think last years team doesnt get close tonight , </p>
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<p> there has been some progress made . </p> -
Really impressed with laumape. A real powerhouse on defence and attack. Is it to soon to mention him as a possible chance for all blacks when squad is named?<br><br><br>
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk -
Yes
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="564050" data-time="1457686652"><p>Coles injured, Motz injured, now Apisai injured? Who's the fifth hooker, just in case they need one? Riccitelli is doing fine so far at this level, something that really surprises me from such a young lad, but who's next in line?<br><br>
Hurricanes backs also dropping like flies, NMS's injury looked bad. Was there also something wrong with Jules? With Proctor already out, maybe time for the Canes to call up Magpie Mason Emerson? Or do they still have some spare outside backs?<br><br>
Does anyone know whether a team can call up an unused player from another team (not WTG)? Ryan Tongia hasn't had any game time yet.</p></blockquote>
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I'm pretty sure that in past seasons a WTG player has been 'on loan' when a squad has been decimated with injuries in a position. -
<p>Righto, a belated match report.</p>
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<p>Firstly, the ref had a huge impact on the game. We lost, but could have won with some different calls, or by executing better. Sign of a young team.</p>
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<p>Secondly, that controversial Canes try.</p>
<p>Watched a replay in HD this morning. Clearly a knock on, amazing that it didn't get called at the ground. HOwever, what really cheesed me off (and what no-one is talking about) was the Canes taking the blind side defender out of play to allow TJP to run through. We were blowing up about this at the ground, not sure why it hasn't been discussed.</p>
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<p>Thirdly, the Blues Tevita Li forwrad pass. On another night, that's just flat. I've got into arguments on here before abount momentum and forward out of the hands vs forwrad on the ground, so I won't go there except to say this is the sort of play that brings that all up. Players who are getting stopped in contact ... but the pass is flat. What does annoy me is the lack of realtime calls by the referees; it's heartbreaking to go back 50 metres.</p>
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<p>Fourthly, the 'diving over' call on Ihaia West' breakout. Personally, I'd love to see this called frequently and often as it enables a contest for the ball. HOWEVER, calling it on the attacking side in midfield with no defenders (and I'll give you odds that only gets called once every round or two) is bloody annoying. THe breakdown was a shambles all night, but that is modern rugby for ya.</p>
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<p>anyway, enough going full Aussie on the ref, there was more.</p>
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<p>In the washup, this was an inexperienced side that battled (the Blues that is, not the Canes). Had multiple chances to win the game. Goal kicking let them down big time, composure let them down at the end with forced passes. The ref was pivotal (and outside our control), but the quality of play was generally poor I thought. Still a major step up on last year, though, so there are some good signs going forward.</p>
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<p>A few comments on players</p>
<p>Rene - not a great wing. Good try, positinally and instincts not great out there. Probably a better centre.</p>
<p>Moala - bloody good</p>
<p>Tevita Li - has upsides, plenty of gas, but limited</p>
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<p>Patrick. OMFG. Huge impact when he came on, busted tackles, put in some good shots, played really well and made a difference.</p>
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<p>West'/Hall not bad at all. West loves the cross field kick into space, great when it comes off, but boy that's high risk with the bounce</p>
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<p>Luatua - generally OK at lock</p>
<p>Fatties in general - not bad, got around the park pretty well</p>
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<p>The blues were noticeably fitter than the Canes. THe last 20 or so they were hands on knees, and stretched. Of course, we didn't then push play, start tap kicks, etc. Just slow grinding - probably inexperience out there.</p>
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<p>All in all, entertaining. Not the greatest game of rugby, but plenty of willing (cliche alert!) and a grandstand finish. All else aside, we could have won if we had converted either possession at the end of the half into points instead of knocking on. That's footy :)</p> -
<p>My thoughts on this game</p>
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<p>1) Umaga HAS to stick with Hall and West. They look pretty good. In particular, West is playing much tighter this season so far.</p>
<p>2) I don't get the love for Ngatai. I think Moala looks to have a much higher ceiling, just needs a few rough edges polished, but he's my early 12 preference for the ABs.</p>
<p>3) Ardia Savea was very good again, and Tuipolotou just brings real impact off the bench.</p>
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<p>I also quite like the look of Visinia.</p>
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<p>Can't wait for AB squad selection #1 of 2016.</p>
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<p>Oh, and BB's goalkicking. If nothing else does, it is reason alone not to start him in a test match. He misses some real sitters.</p>
