Blues v Sharks
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<p>Yeah, pretty tough on Nanai - I would have kept Nanai at fullback and put Visinia at wing for Li. I would have also started Akira at 8 and moved Luatua to lock for Matenga.</p>
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<p>We seem to always lose to the Sharks, but I'm not too worried about it. I don't think we have a mental block against these guys, it just sort of ended up like this.</p> -
<p>Nanai the best back on the park last week for the Blues. A positive that the same midfield combo starts another game together.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="572097" data-time="1460593830">
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<p>great that Latimer is back and all, and the Blues back row looks pretty good, but why the reluctance to start Akira? I know he makes an impact off the bench, but why not start him as he is a genuine threat for the blues, gets them good go forward and will attract defenders allowing more space elsewhere</p>
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<p>The Ioane bro's and Ardie have only got three games left before they rejoin the Sevens squad, right? Could be the reason.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="572127" data-time="1460596710">
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<p>The Ioane bro's and Ardie have only got three games left before they rejoin the Sevens squad, right? Could be the reason.</p>
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<p>Seems like a good reason to use him while you can, if you ask me.</p> -
No one else thinks Akira is a bit loose? Seems to get his hands in the ruck on the wrong side a bit much and doesn't mind giving away a few penalties.<br><br>
From what I have seen he runs like Sione Lauaki, just hope he stays fit and plays smart rugby.<br><br>
Agree he's probs being held back because of his 7s commitments but his brother is still getting extended playing time..<br><br>
Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk -
<p>My sense is that Tana really values impact off the bench and Akira has constantly delivered in this aspect and it suits his game (ball running against tired opposition in 2nd half etc) so he will continue with what works. He's basically getting a full half anyway so it's not like he isn't being used. </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Razbra" data-cid="572147" data-time="1460600714">
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<p>No one else thinks Akira is a bit loose? Seems to get his hands in the ruck on the wrong side a bit much and doesn't mind giving away a few penalties.<br><br>
From what I have seen he runs like Sione Lauaki, just hope he stays fit and plays smart rugby.<br><br>
Agree he's probs being held back because of his 7s commitments but his brother is still getting extended playing time..<br><br>
Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk</p>
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<p>The opposite actually, he's a real force with his tackling close to the ruck. </p>
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<p>Most physical 20 year old I've seen in years</p> -
I didn't say he was a defensive liability. You can tackle like a demon and be penalised for silly plays.<br><br>
Ill be clear too. I think his ball in hand is destructive like Lauaki. Thats it. Im not saying he is the new Lauaki.<br><br>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="572150" data-time="1460601152">
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<p>My sense is that Tana really values impact off the bench and Akira has constantly delivered in this aspect and it suits his game (ball running against tired opposition in 2nd half etc) so he will continue with what works. He's basically getting a full half anyway so it's not like he isn't being used. </p>
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<p>I guess you could argue the win/loss ratio thus far, that things aren't quite right yet...but I'd of still given him a crack starting, he just brings so much to the field, I'd be keener to utilize it early, rather than late when the Blues could be chasing the game.</p>
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<p>Playing more may also help iron out his tough guy kinks he seems to have in his game.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Razbra" data-cid="572154" data-time="1460601784">
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<p>I didn't say he was a defensive liability. You can tackle like a demon and be penalised for silly plays.<br><br>
Ill be clear too. I think his ball in hand is destructive like Lauaki. Thats it. Im not saying he is the new Lauaki.<br><br>
Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk</p>
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<p>Sorry if I misunderstood</p>
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<p>You said he plays loose, then I said he does a lot of tackling close to the ruck. </p>
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<p>He's a big force at the breakdown, so no, I don't think he plays too loose. </p> -
<p>I think his point was more around silly penalties and niggly stuff, which won't fly in the AB environment (unless your surname is Franks).</p>
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<p>It's easy to forget how bloody young he is. This side of his game will mature especially once he gets in the AB environment. Future star for sure.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="572157" data-time="1460602276">
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<p>I think his point was more around silly penalties and niggly stuff, which won't fly in the AB environment (unless your surname is Franks).</p>
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<p>Fair enough, I see your point.</p>
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<p>He's one of my fav players at the moment, really excited about his future.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="572107" data-time="1460594507">
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<p>Yeah, pretty tough on Nanai - I would have kept Nanai at fullback and put Visinia at wing for Li. I would have also started Akira at 8 and moved Luatua to lock for Matenga.</p>
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<p>We seem to always lose to the Sharks, but I'm not too worried about it. I don't think we have a mental block against these guys, it just sort of ended up like this.</p>
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<p>You didn't lose to them back in the day when you had the services of Jonah and Joeli.</p>
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<p>Just saying.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="572157" data-time="1460602276">
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<p>I think his point was more around silly penalties and niggly stuff, which won't fly in the AB environment (unless your surname is Franks).</p>
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<p>It's easy to forget how bloody young he is. This side of his game will mature especially once he gets in the AB environment. Future star for sure.</p>
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<p>guess that's the thing though, he needs more time in the middle to hone his niggling and boundary pushing skills, granted he is young and a immensely huge prospect it seems odd you have such a weapon and he is only playing 30mins or so each week.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="572156" data-time="1460601981"><p>Sorry if I misunderstood<br><br>
You said he plays loose, then I said he does a lot of tackling close to the ruck. <br><br>
He's a big force at the breakdown, so no, I don't think he plays too loose.</p></blockquote>
I suppose loose is too broad a term. But I have watched since last year times where he goes for the niggle when he needed to just tackle. Last week he had his hand all over the ball on his own line on the wrong side of the ruck. If they hadn't scored he would've have been binned.<br><br>
I am a huge fan. Honestly. I pay special attention to him as, for a start, i am not a Blues fan. So I guess i can train spot a little easier than if its the canes playing.<br><br>
He is a ball player and a future AB but IMO he likes the dark arts maybe a little too much.<br><br>
Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk -
<p>Akira has appeared to have toned down the niggle/silly stuff over the past few weeks. Often when he comes on the Blues need him to be a force and provide immediate impact, and he has down that on both sides of the ball IMO.</p>
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<p>I actually don't mind how they've used him as a bench player. Whether that's related to the 7s or not, I think it's been one of the few things Tana has got spot on.</p> -
<p>Yeah I don't think Akira will fully start ironing out his kinks as a fifteens player until he is done with his sevens commitment and gets back into ITM Cup and then very possibly a run on the end of year tour (touch wood for no injuries) at the end of the year. There's too much back and forth with 7s in the first part of this year. </p>
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<p>A bit of consistency in selection which is nice. </p>
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<p><strong><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Sharks</span></strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">1. Tendai Mtawarira (c) 2. Franco Marais 3. Lourens Adriaanse 4. Etienne Oosthuizen 5. Stephan Lewies 6. Daniel du Preez 7. Jean-Luc du Preez </span><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">8. Philip van der Walt</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">9. Cobus Reinach 10. Joe Pietersen 11. Lwazi Mvovo 12. Andre Esterhuizen 13. </span><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Paul Jordaan 14. JP Pietersen 15. Willie le Roux</span></p>
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<p><em><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Reserves</span></em><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"> :</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">16. Kyle Cooper 17. Thomas du Toit 18. Coenie Oosthuizen 19. Hyron Andrews 20. Keegan Daniel 21. Michael Claassens 22. Garth April 23. Odwa Ndungane</span></p>
