Blues v Waratahs
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@KiwiMurph I wonder if he could be a solution in the future at 10 for the All Blacks. He has a powerful boot and looks composed under pressure. I am no expert like some of the other posters, I do feel confident when he is in a pressure situation, he can use his powerful boot to get us out of trouble.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Waratahs:
He really hasn't played much 10 but does jump into first receiver a fair bit when he plays at fullback.
Would like to see him play 10 in the NPC.
I thought his game for the NZ Maori was one of the best games by any NZ fullback last year
I'd prefer not to have him play 10 in the NPC this year. I would like to see him in the AB squad as a fullback. He's good enough now, maybe he becomes a ten later, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's a long term AB fullback
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@Duluth He could play multiple roles. Can remember a few years ago hearing him compared to Dan Carter, while that is a big comparison and big shoes to fill, he isn't all hype. His brother plays centre, is that another position he can potentially cover?
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@SBW1 said in Blues v Waratahs:
@Duluth He could play multiple roles. Can remember a few years ago hearing him compared to Dan Carter, while that is a big comparison and big shoes to fill, he isn't all hype. His brother plays centre, is that another position he can potentially cover?
He is one of those natural looking players that can probably do well in a number of positions. His only limitation would be pace. While he is no Goodhue, he isn't quick.
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@Crazy-Horse Just saw an article in the Herald that had a picture of SP and mentioned two guys missing out on WC due to injury, if true this would surely open the door for Zarn.
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@Crazy-Horse said in Blues v Waratahs:
His only limitation would be pace. While he is no Goodhue, he isn't quick.
Yeah he's quick enough but he's not fast.
I think that's less of an issue at fullback because he's running onto the ball, plus he picks great lines when joining the backline. His running game is more about angles and power. NZ sides all play a similar style and we generally have tens with a lot of acceleration, he doesn't really fit that mould
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All Blacks nightmare: Injury casts shadow over two World Cup contenders
There were two potentially serious injuries to ABs World Cup contenders last night.
After watching his men run in seven-tries-to-three against an understrength and underwhelming Waratahs side, Blues coach Leon MacDonald braced for bad news with Perofeta and Laulala’s prognosis.
“Both look relatively significant,” MacDonald said after the Blues blew out their 20-7 half time lead. “Stevie felt his shoulder move a little bit so we need to get a scan on that and see the extent of the damage. I think he’s done something to that particular shoulder in the past. We’ll be sweating on that.
“Nepo’s calf doesn’t look great either, so we’ll be looking into that as well.”
MacDonald confirmed captain Dalton Papalii and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, following news of his three-year deal with the Warriors from next season, will return from injury for the trip to Fiji.
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@Duluth said in Blues v Waratahs:
@Crazy-Horse said in Blues v Waratahs:
His only limitation would be pace. While he is no Goodhue, he isn't quick.
Yeah he's quick enough but he's not fast.
I think that's less of an issue at fullback because he's running onto the ball, plus he picks great lines when joining the backline. His running game is more about angles and power. NZ sides all play a similar style and we generally have tens with a lot of acceleration, he doesn't really fit that mould
Agree, he is quick enough for most situations.
Zarn is probably my favourite 'young' player going around NZ at the moment. I think he has test player written all over him. He seems to have 'time' about him and like someone said above, he makes things look easy. He reminds me so much of Dan Carter in that regard.
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This is a reel from last year on Zarn and his brother Bailyn. Remember the drop goal he scored against the Tahs last year in an understrength Blues outfit, very much a clutchplay.
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@SBW1 said in Blues v Waratahs:
This is a reel from last year on Zarn and his brother Bailyn. Remember the drop goal he scored against the Tahs last year in an understrength Blues outfit, very much a clutchplay.
He's superb. Injuries and a lack of NPC has counted against him. Made for tests and Super I reckon.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Waratahs:
@Tim said in Blues v Waratahs:
Missed the second half, how has Akira Ioane gone?
Some good stuff. Physical impact.
Good to see his low body position on the clean out. Also good driving work for Darry's try.
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@SBW1 said in Blues v Waratahs:
This is a reel from last year on Zarn and his brother Bailyn. Remember the drop goal he scored against the Tahs last year in an understrength Blues outfit, very much a clutchplay.
Lot of promise.
Hmm, his brother seems a little faster?
And Ardie is faster than Telea?! -
The Blues got big shifts out of their power runners, with clear intent to get the ball to Caleb Clarke (192 metres, six defenders beaten, seven clean breaks), Mark Telea (87m, four tackle-busts and two breaks), Rieko Ioane (86m) and replacement fullback Zarn Sullivan (71m, four defenders beaten). Beauden Barrett also made ground with ball in hand (83m on the carry), as did No 8 Hoskins Sotutu (99m, four tackle-breaks).
MacDonald said the former Canes rake’s mobility was giving him the selection edge over young comer Soane Vikena and Kurt Eklund at No 2. “He’s getting big numbers in the tackle, carries and cleans, and his workrate has been outstanding. He’s also been more physical in the contact area as well.”
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