Blues v Canes
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<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> -
<p>"Thirdly, the Blues Tevita Li forwrad pass. On another night, that's just flat"</p>
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<p>No it wasn't. It was a mile forward on any night. And the knock on wasn't as clear cut but IMO after watching it a number of times it was clearly the right call</p> -
<p>Re the Canes. A Savea had a great game</p>
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<p>But some of these new players are producing the goods. The two hookers are 19 and 20. One was taken out by Kaino who I hope doesn't start taking cheap sots as a regular occurrence now. Fifita is another who looks at home at this level. And the midfield is looking fine now after I had my doubts after week 1</p>
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<p>A much better performance but a lucky win as the Blues were the better side.</p> -
<p>still havent worked out how opinions work huh Winger?</p>
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<p>Seen plenty of passes like the one to Li given, looked flat in real time to me (I even commented on the thread that if the pass was good it was a good try, so saw it as a line ball) clear forward on replay, but for me, the knock was clear, I saw in real time, replay made it clearer, again, I commented at the time in the thread.</p>
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<p>But still doesnt excuse the 60mins or so the Blues played with little enterprise or agression and allowed the canes to dictate terms.</p>
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<p>Was surprised Tana went to his bench in the dying 5 mins though, with the game in the balance, but guess it shows he trusts his entire squad, or wants to.</p> -
I rarely agree with Winger but the pass was forward. We were sitting in line in the south stand and could see it in real time. However I've seen worse ones let go. Same can be said for Ardie's pickup on the way to TJPs try. I would have been ok if it had been disallowed but I'm glad we got the benefit of both decisions going our way
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="564099" data-time="1457726611"><p>
One Blues player that surprised me and doesn't get a lot of notice is Parsons. Turned up in a lot of the right places at the right time to make tackles or link play.</p></blockquote>
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His throwing is spot on as well, which it needs to be in a fairly simple blues lineout structure -
<p>bigger blow for the 7s than the Blues....bummer for him.</p>
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<p>Yeah that was probably the best I have seen Parsons play, also liking the career arc of Moala.</p>
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<p>wITH Nonu & Smith out of the way, there are a few players putting up their hands for further scrutiny</p> -
<p>Based on the injuries this would be my side for next week. I would also give Otere Black a crack at 10 on his home patch against the Force and switch Barrett to Fullback.</p>
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<p>1. Chris Eves</p>
<p>2. Dane Coles</p>
<p>3. Jeff Toomaga Allen</p>
<p>4. Blade Thomson</p>
<p>5. Mark Abbott</p>
<p>6. Vaea Fifita</p>
<p>7. Ardie Savea</p>
<p>8. Victor Vito</p>
<p>9. TJ Perenara</p>
<p>10. Otere Black</p>
<p>11. Julian Savea</p>
<p>12. Ngani Laumape</p>
<p>13. Vince Aso</p>
<p>14. Cory Jane</p>
<p>15. Beauden Barrett</p>
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<p>Reserves: 16. Leni Apisai (Pending Concussion) 17. Reggie Goodes 18. Loni Uhila 19. Brad Shields (Pending Finger) 20. Callum Gibbins 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi 22. James Marshall 23. Willis Halaholo</p> -
Don't know how they managed to win that. Blues had all the ball in the final quarter. Both teams have massive potential but are raw as hell. The Blues in particular will severely fark someone up if they get things to click.
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<div>A few stats that stood out to me.</div>
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<div><strong><u>Running Metres</u></strong></div>
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<div>Blues - 534m</div>
<div>Hurricanes - 248m</div>
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<div><u><strong>Beaten Defenders</strong></u></div>
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<div>Blues - 36</div>
<div>Hurricanes - 16</div>
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<div><strong><u>Clean Breaks</u></strong></div>
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<div>Blues - 14</div>
<div>Hurricanes - 4</div>
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<div><strong><u>Offloads</u></strong></div>
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<div>Blues - 22</div>
<div>Hurricanes - 4</div>
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<div>We needed to come away with more than 19 points with these sort of stats.</div>
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<div>We needed to be rewarded for our hard work, but came away with no points on too many of our attacking raids. Goal kicking, indiscipline and accuracy around the breakdown were our downfall last night.</div> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nzzp" data-cid="564089" data-time="1457723261">
<div>
<p> 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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</div>
</blockquote>
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<p>Then you know how Highlanders felt when Faumina did the same in game 1 that lead to a try. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canerbry" data-cid="564028" data-time="1457684792"><p>
Disappointing Tana's fledgling career as a coach must surely be at risk.</p></blockquote>
Why?<br><br>
Man you Cantabs can be bitter piston wristed gibbons -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="564033" data-time="1457684974"><p><img src="http://33.media.tumblr.com/f6251497804088ae69f3066479a84037/tumblr_nsmxfqI3bd1qkko3bo1_400.gif" alt="tumblr_nsmxfqI3bd1qkko3bo1_400.gif"></p></blockquote>
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Got me. But they're still piston wristed gibbons -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="564122" data-time="1457737004">
<div>
<p> </p>
<div>A few stats that stood out to me.</div>
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<div><b><u>[...]</u></b></div>
<div> </div>
<div>We needed to come away with more than 19 points with these sort of stats.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>We needed to be rewarded for our hard work, but came away with no points on too many of our attacking raids. Goal kicking, indiscipline and accuracy around the breakdown were our downfall last night.</div>
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</div>
</blockquote>
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<p>Those are the stats of a team that should have won comfortably. Unfortunately the Blues squandered possession and territory with bad discipline.</p>
