Reds v Blues
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I was at the game last night at Suncorp and got to hang with some of the Blues post-match via a mutual friend. Great bunch and really focused on making this game the momentum builder into finals.
It wasn’t a vintage performance but I’ll take the win. The Blues looked the much stronger team ie, contact area, scrum but we couldn’t breakdown the Reds in 1st half.
Heem looked better than Rieko has all year TBH. Not saying he should replace him but damn I wish we could find a spot for him in the backline. Lam was good until he went off, beat the highly touted Vunivalu all ends up on one occasion. Vunivalu looked awful, like it was his first game of union.
Akira has bounced back well from injury and was busy around the park, really impressive in close and defended well. Choat like Heem needs to be in the lineup somewhere.
Nock hasn’t seen much action but he was good, clearing and defending well.
Nepo..I’m not sure what he offers atm. Renata is scrummaging well and is light years ahead around the park. Maybe it’s a form thing but he is not playing well and I’ wouldn’t be surprised if Tamaiti Williams has leapfrogged him.
All in all a 7/10 for Blues. Did enough to win but bonus point or lack thereof is a prob.
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Forgot to mention Telea. Is there a harder player to get a good hit on? Plus man he’s busy, constantly running. Would love to see his stats on how much ground he covers.
Only problem is teams have worked out one of his weaknesses which is he can get caught upright and turned over after maul goes to ground. I was chatting with Reds halfback this morning at our local school game and he said it was a deliberate tactic Reds have been targeting and they did it twice last night, almost caught him another two times.
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Blues player ratings vs Reds | Super Rugby Pacific
The Blues returned to winning ways on Friday night, but it may have come at a cost with star playmaker Beauden Barrett limping off the field early in the second half.
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'Couldn't get his boot on': Blues coach gives update on Barrett injury
Star first-five hobbled off early in the second half of Blues' clash against Reds
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Lam should be starting ahead of Clarke.
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@Mattasaurus said in Reds v Blues:
@nzzp said in Reds v Blues:
@antipodean said in Reds v Blues:
@KiwiMurph said in Reds v Blues:
Best game Nock has played for ages. Good stuff.
Good decision making, fast and accurate pass. Best Blues #9 performance this year IMO.
My only complaint (and it's a modern 9 issue aside from Smith) is not firing the ball out quickly from rucks. Not pass speed, but getting the ball off the ground and in the air. So many 9s seem to want to wait for the defence to get set and ready to tackle ... it's weird.
Minor quibble in teh scheme of things, and probably a coaching/gameplan related issue, but I don't love itAlso need you offensive line ready for the quicker ball too -- running the lines, hitting the holes for the likes of Smith to put it there... but agree a bit more urgency to getting the ball off the ground and in the air really puts the pressure on to the defensive team and certainly creates more opportunities for the attacking team.
I get the feeling Nuggie loads, instantaneously sizes up who’s in line, and bullets pass to where he thinks best option is.
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A couple of observations, other than agreeing that kick run balance was much better.
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Blues’s post tackle reach back and ball presentation exemplary, and beget very quick ball.
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Choat/Akira/Sotutu has excellent balance about it. Paps at 7 adds something, but somehow more 6 1/2?
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Suafoa is FAB, but maybe as utility.
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@pakman Agree with your first two points. Akira was my MOTM, thought he had a really impactful game, with real presence and was ably supported by Choat & Hoskins. Suafoa was also into everything. Paps hasnt done himself any favours with that rush of blood, and thought PT's captaincy was perfectly understated, leading quietly and responsibly from the front.
Also, I like BB when he takes the ball to the line like that. He just doesn't do it often enough for mine. -
@Jailbreak7 said in Reds v Blues:
Akira was my MOTM, thought he had a really impactful game
Probably the most cleanouts, and lowest body position, that I have seen from him.
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