Blues vs Jags
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="568571" data-time="1459380493">
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<p>Mahew was good off the bench v the Reds - good to see him get a start.</p>
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<p>I think this may be the best Blues starting front row. Ofa off the bench is a good option.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="568618" data-time="1459394315">
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<p>So if the communication goes well and is better than previous weeks, what happens next round? Does Tana continue to select Francis above Moala? Or will Moala be moved to 13 and Ranger a wing/bench option again?</p>
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<p>My inkling would be that if this midfield shows promise, Moala will come back on the wing. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="568612" data-time="1459392616">
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<p>Some explanation there as to why Francis is at 12 instead of Little/Moala.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=223866'>http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=223866</a></p>
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<p>can't be farked reading it. but presume it says 'cause tanas a retard'?</p>
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<p>seriously Piers was so ar$e he got dropped from the waikato npc side. Now he's the saviour of the blues midfield.</p>
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<p>The sht thing is it's reducing the fun of putting the boot into blues supporters. It's a bit like telling Americans they're sht at rugby. Zero enjoyment.</p> -
<p>Yeah from what I saw I thought Piers was very poor in the ITM Cup for Counties last year - thought he was very lucky to pick up a contract - however that was at 10 not 12 - midfield hasn't been working so I don't mind the taking of a risk - if you are going to try someone else other than Moala at 12 then so be it - can see the thinking behind picking a 2nd pivot. </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="WillieTheWaiter" data-cid="568636" data-time="1459399552"><p><br>
The sht thing is it's reducing the fun of putting the boot into blues supporters. It's a bit like telling Americans they're sht at rugby. Zero enjoyment.</p></blockquote>
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I've quite enjoyed winding up tana fans though. At this stage he's just a new version of Kirwan -
<p>I wonder if Tana's plan for the Blues is looking beyond 2016, however it would appear he is trying to develop players instead of trying to win games.</p>
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<p>Be interesting to see which players have started each game and how many different players have started compared to the other NZ teams.</p> -
<p>deleted because it was wrong</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="568589" data-time="1459384130">
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<p>I see the Jags have left 10 players at home to rest, so maybe that's the reason. </p>
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<p>Are they 10 of their standard match day squad? Would they have the depth to do that and make it a contest against any other New Zealand team?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="568643" data-time="1459402012">
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<p>I wonder if Tana's plan for the Blues is looking beyond 2016, however it would appear he is trying to develop players instead of trying to win games.</p>
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<p>It sure is. He knows we're not going to do much this season and is definitely building for the future.</p> -
<p>still think he is looking a bit further than he needs to was more my point I guess.</p>
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<p>Winning can have a huge effect on players minds, and if you are trying to develop for the future and losing it can be more of an issue IMO.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="568676" data-time="1459407572"><p>still think he is looking a bit further than he needs to was more my point I guess.<br><br>
Winning can have a huge effect on players minds, and if you are trying to develop for the future and losing it can be more of an issue IMO.</p></blockquote>
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Especially coming off a couple of poor seasons. Some of the young players that have been in the squad a couple of years now don't have a lot of winning experience behind them. -
<p>Yeah thought it would have stopped by now but obviously not. Still, he deserves a good amount of time to get the best out of this side (which is a big ask I know).</p>
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<p>Can't believe Piers Francis has been given a run.The guy is barely ITM Cup standard. Would have preferred to see McGahan there if he's looking for someone else there for this game instead of Moala. Thought McGahan went alright against the Reds.</p> -
<p>There's a couple of good players, and some 'potential' talented guys going forward but there's not really many really talented guys in that squad. There's only one player in that team who's the best in his position in the country and barely any who are second or third. </p>
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<p>I actually think that JJ has opened it up for coaches to have a year or so implementing their systems now - from a franchise point of view, not a fans point of view though, they want success and asap. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="568696" data-time="1459412879">
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<p>Things really don't look any different to Kirwan.<br><br><strong>Seems to me like Tana is getting a bit of a free ride. </strong>There's far too much talent in that squad for people to be happy with a 'development' year.</p>
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<p>If Tana is smart, which I think he is, I'd of almost demanded no KPI's based on wins or final table standing for this year....</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="568708" data-time="1459415001">
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<p>There's a couple of good players, and some 'potential' talented guys going forward but there's not really many really talented guys in that squad. There's only one player in that team who's the best in his position in the country and barely any who are second or third. </p>
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<p>I actually think that JJ has opened it up for coaches to have a year or so implementing their systems now - from a franchise point of view, not a fans point of view though, they want success and asap. </p>
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<p>And in arguably the most influential position on the field , 10, they are last , no disrepect intended to west who i reckon would be a handy guy to be sitting on the bench rather than a stater </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="568708" data-time="1459415001"><p>
There's only one player in that team who's the best in his position in the country and barely any who are second or third. <br></p></blockquote>
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Out of this lot? Who is that?<br><br>
Forwards: Nic Mayhew, James Parsons ©, Charlie Faumuina, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Bekhuis, Joe Edwards, Blake Gibson, Steven Luatua; Bryn Hall, Ihaia West, Tevita Li, Piers Francis, Rene Ranger, Rieko Ioane, Lolagi Visinia.<br><br>
Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Sam Prattley, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Hoani Matenga, Akira Ioane, Billy Guyton, Matt McGahan, George Moala.<br><br>
Charlie is the no.2 no.3, Tuipolutu no.4 no.4.<br><br>
I assume you're referring to Jerome? -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="568733" data-time="1459422193">
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<p>I assume you're referring to Jerome?</p>
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<p>Certainly not on current form.</p> -
So who am i missing who is no.1?<br><br>
Moala has a shot at 12 ... but Crotty and Ngatai and any number of others ...<br><br>
Ioane A in the mix<br><br>
Nup ... that's all I got.<br><br>
Li, Nanai, Ioane R and Visinia have talent which could be harnessed but all very much "potential". -
<p>This Blues team has loads of talent. It just needs a shot of confidence, and to be given the chance to build some momentum. Whilst I am loathe to cricticise Tana Umaga at this early stage of his SR coaching career I suspect that his readiness to rotate players is impact negatively on their confidence and ability to gel as a team.</p>
