Blues v Waratahs
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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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@booboo said in Blues v Waratahs:
@booboo said in Blues v Waratahs:
Am watching on delay.
Am liking Zarn muchly
Am watching a little more soberer...
But jeez Zarn is good.
This year's NMS?
Stephenson may have something to say about that admittedly ...
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Is it going to come down to a straight choice between SS and Zarn for the WC? Who has the highest ceiling?
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@Jailbreak7 The way players are dropping through injury, I would say they both get a call.
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@Jailbreak7 said in Blues v Waratahs:
Is it going to come down to a straight choice between SS and Zarn for the WC? Who has the highest ceiling?
I think Zarn
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@Jailbreak7 said in Blues v Waratahs:
Is it going to come down to a straight choice between SS and Zarn for the WC? Who has the highest ceiling?
I think for the 2023 RWC, Stevenson is ahead of Z Sullivan, if only because Zarn is still a bit of a rookie. For the next RWC cycle, I think Zarn will have the advantage.
It will take some injuries for either of them to be part of this year's RWC squad though.
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@Jailbreak7 said in Blues v Waratahs:
Is it going to come down to a straight choice between SS and Zarn for the WC? Who has the highest ceiling?
Not just the ceiling but the positional competition?
SS a 15 and wing, ZS a 15 and backup 10? -
@Jailbreak7 said in Blues v Waratahs:
Is it going to come down to a straight choice between SS and Zarn for the WC? Who has the highest ceiling?
Foster doesn't give a fuck about ceiling it's all about the now for him. It'll be whomever does the best at the pointy end of the season imo
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@nostrildamus said in Blues v Waratahs:
Not just the ceiling but the positional competition?
SS a 15 and wing, ZS a 15 and backup 10?That's the thing, as you say Stevenson and Sullivan don't cover the same positions. Zarn would be more in competition with BB and DMac in a squad.
Players like him will get their opportunity in the AB XV games, but he also needs to show this form in the NZ derbies (if MacDonald selects him).
