QF: Blues v Tahs
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@antipodean I don't really agree. We need an entirely new tight five, except for Bell, who is suitable when fit.
Don't get me started on Donaldson. I had some hope for the backs when Harrison hit the team but he's now perma crocked.
Couple decent outside backs but whats the point when Edmed and Donaldson are inside you?
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@Machpants does make you wonder why we bother with play-offs (outside tv money). Top team is gunna win at home.
I wonder how many times the team coming first has lost a home final?
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@Derpus said in QF: Blues v Tahs:
I wonder how many times the team coming first has lost a home final?
Lions Crusaders back in the days of shitty conferences where you could finish first without playing NZ teams.
It would be like our teams having to play Australia in cricket. It's a gulf that is hard to bridge.
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@Kirwan said in QF: Blues v Tahs:
@Bones I know you don’t like Clarke, but he’s in the top few of the clean breaks this year. Not sure that thought holds up.
I don't not like Clarke and he's definitely better this year, I just don't see the value in what he brings. Solid super rugby player and does a job, but I'd probably have two or three guys ahead of him that would be more useful higher up, including switching Telea. Plus stats don't tell the full story eh, are clean breaks those without beating a defender? How many turnovers? Genuine questions.
I reckon he'd make a good fist of centre actually, depending on handling (surely could oust Ennor and TUJ in that queue).
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Men v boys
Tahs were poor - combo of Blues dominance and no cutting edge -
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@Bones said in QF: Blues v Tahs:
I reckon he'd make a good fist of centre actually, depending on handling (surely could oust Ennor and TUJ in that queue).
I wondered that too but defending and strategy at centre would be considerable workons.
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@hydro11 said in QF: Blues v Tahs:
@Derpus said in QF: Blues v Tahs:
@Tim i meant from two different nations. Wasn't clear though.
It has happened twice. Crusaders have won grand finals away to the Lions and Brumbies.
1998 was notable also.
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@nostrildamus said in QF: Blues v Tahs:
@Bones said in QF: Blues v Tahs:
I reckon he'd make a good fist of centre actually, depending on handling (surely could oust Ennor and TUJ in that queue).
I wondered that too but defending and strategy at centre would be considerable workons.
For sure, but he might actually defend better closer to the communication rather than some of the guesswork required from the wing (winging it, hah). Would want a reliable, eyes up 12 which both Heem and Plummer are.... but Rieko ain't going nowhere.
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Just watched the game.
Thought Heem brings a lot of stability to the Blues backline - he's a real good foil between Beaudy and Rieko. He'd be in my AB squad - big, physical and so much utility.
Blues forwards really did the business. Robinson and Akira were into everything. Set piece was one sided.
Apart from a couple of ropey kicks Zarn was class.
For the Tahs - I thought Hanigan and Marky Mark did some nice things but their second half was atrocious. Tahs were in the game in the first half - 10-7 down and raiding the Blues line but schoolboy errors cost them.
Scoring just before and just after halftime for Blues was crucial.
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@KiwiMurph noticeable that Akira was a bit niggly again, perhaps a little bit of frustration working out when he's not starting regularly? Best bit was when he earned the penalty with the tackle off the ball and just got up and ran back to the ruck. Perfect.
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Ofa and Nepo were excellent again as was Big Red. I know if Akira farts some people on the fern comments but for some reason, the Blues loosie trio always seem less than the sum of its parts. It is a weird phenomenon as they are all excellent players. They do some really good things that make the highlights reel but then...... what is it? Fail to hunt as a pack?
