Blues v Sharks
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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>Lauaki was more of a bruiser though, Ioane strikes me as more a wide ranging runner.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="572336" data-time="1460670896">
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<p>Lauaki was more of a bruiser though, Ioane strikes me as more a wide ranging runner.</p>
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<p>He does seem that way, particularly knowing what he could do in sevens, but what I've really been surprised about is how much ground he makes up the middle in traffic.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Milk" data-cid="572377" data-time="1460682966">
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<p>He does seem that way, particularly knowing what he could do in sevens, but what I've really been surprised about is how much ground he makes up the middle in traffic.</p>
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<p>Yea, it isn't often he bowls someone over, but he tends to drive the tacklers back a bit.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="572165" data-time="1460602951">
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<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>
<p> </p>
<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>
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<p>I don't mind how they are using him, I just think the way he has played would have warranted a start (even before now)</p> -
<p>This is Akira's 2nd to last game before going back to 7s anyway so they are going to have to get used to playing without him, which I think factors in to Tana's decision to leave him on the bench.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>But yes his power/drive in contact is very impressive.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I see the Blues invited a number of the 96 team (e.g. Vidiri, Tonu'u) along to today's Captain's Run to present the jerseys to the team - and even busted out the original Super 12 trophy - very cool.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Duluth" data-cid="572335" data-time="1460670420">
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<p> </p>
<p>We should win. But the record against the Sharks is a disgrace. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The worst run between any two teams? 10 wins in a streak that goes back 11 years</p>
<p> </p>
<div>Blues v <strong>Sharks</strong><span> </span>23-29<span> </span>Albany 2014<span> </span></div>
<div>Blues v <strong>Sharks</strong><span> </span>20-22<span> </span>Durban 2013<span> </span></div>
<div>Blues v <strong>Sharks</strong><span> </span>23-29<span> </span>Auckland 2012</div>
<div>Blues v <strong>Sharks</strong><span> </span>12-26<span> </span>Durban 2011</div>
<div>Blues v <strong>Sharks</strong><span> </span>10-23<span> </span>Durban 2010</div>
<div>Blues v <strong>Sharks</strong><span> </span>31-35<span> </span>Auckland 2009</div>
<div>Blues v <strong>Sharks</strong><span> </span>17-22<span> </span>Durban 2008</div>
<div>Blues v <strong>Sharks</strong><span> </span>18-34<span> </span>Durban 2007</div>
<div>Blues v <strong>Sharks</strong><span> </span>25-32<span> </span>Albany 2007 </div>
<div>Blues v <strong>Sharks</strong><span> </span>15-32<span> </span>Durban 2006</div>
<div><strong>Blues </strong>v Sharks<span> </span>36-13<span> </span>Auckland 2005 :good1:</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Overall record is 14 loses out of 18 against this team</div>
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<div> </div>
<div>Here's is that 2005 team that last beat the Sharks:</div>
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<div>Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett, Ben Atiga, Luke McAlister, Joe Rokocoko, Tasesa Lavea, Steve Devine, Xavier Rush (c), Daniel Braid, Jerome Kaino, Bradley Mika, Chresten Davis, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock</div>
<div>Reserves: Derren Witcombe or Roger Dustow, Saimnone Taumoepeau, Nick Williams, Justin Collins, Ben Meyer, Carlos Spencer, Isa Nacewa.</div>
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<p> </p>
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<p> </p>
<p>And some would ask how on earth did you win that with Lavea at 1st 5 and Atiga at centre
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<p> </p>
<p>Seriously though, that was a very good side, AB front and back row. AB backline bar Lavea with quality on the bench. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Duluth" data-cid="572335" data-time="1460670420">
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<p> </p>
<div> </div>
<div>Here's is that 2005 team that last beat the Sharks:</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett, Ben Atiga, Luke McAlister, Joe Rokocoko, <strong>Tasesa Lavea</strong>, Steve Devine, Xavier Rush (c), Daniel Braid, Jerome Kaino, Bradley Mika, Chresten Davis, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock</div>
<div>Reserves: Derren Witcombe or Roger Dustow, Saimnone Taumoepeau, Nick Williams, Justin Collins, Ben Meyer, <strong>Carlos Spencer</strong>, Isa Nacewa.</div>
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<p> </p>
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<p>From the WTF Files! But, that's a seriously good 'on paper' team.</p>
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<p>I'm surprised Chresten Davis was still going in 2005 - he was almost the Brodie Retallick of the 90s.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="572391" data-time="1460686099">
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<p>wut?</p>
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<p>Big fella who burst on the scene as a young fella in his first year of Super rugby (which happened to be the actual first year if Super rugby), made the ABs ... but then got injured and that was all she wrote.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="572403" data-time="1460688716">
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<p>Big fella who burst on the scene as a young fella in his first year of Super rugby (which happened to be the actual first year if Super rugby), made the ABs ... but then got injured and that was all she wrote.</p>
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<p>Ignoring the fact that Brodie is tough as nails, and Davis played like a winger in a locks body.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="572406" data-time="1460690495">
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<p>Ignoring the fact that Brodie is tough as nails, and Davis played like a winger in a locks body.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>The Isaac Ross before Isaac Ross?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="572406" data-time="1460690495">
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<p>Ignoring the fact that Brodie is tough as nails, and Davis played like a winger in a locks body.</p>
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<p>haha what?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="572421" data-time="1460695180"><p>
haha what?</p></blockquote>
<br>
Maybe I'm wrong, was a long time ago. But didn't Mitchell not select him for the Chiefs because he wasn't big or physical enough?<br><br>
And I seem to recall Paul Tito and slater starting ahead of him at taranaki too?<br><br>
But I'll admit the memory is a bit hazy -
<p>He played for Manawatu, the Vikings and Waikato didn't he?</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Duluth" data-cid="572335" data-time="1460670420">
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<p> </p>
<p>We should win. But the record against the Sharks is a disgrace. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The worst run between any two teams? 10 wins in a streak that goes back 11 years</p>
<p> </p>
<div>Blues v <strong>Sharks</strong> 23-29 Albany 2014</div>
<div>Blues v <strong>Sharks</strong> 20-22 Durban 2013</div>
<div>Blues v <strong>Sharks</strong> 23-29 Auckland 2012</div>
<div>Blues v <strong>Sharks</strong> 12-26 Durban 2011</div>
<div>Blues v <strong>Sharks</strong> 10-23 Durban 2010</div>
<div>Blues v <strong>Sharks</strong> 31-35 Auckland 2009</div>
<div>Blues v <strong>Sharks</strong> 17-22 Durban 2008</div>
<div>Blues v <strong>Sharks</strong> 18-34 Durban 2007</div>
<div>Blues v <strong>Sharks</strong> 25-32 Albany 2007 </div>
<div>Blues v <strong>Sharks</strong> 15-32 Durban 2006</div>
<div><strong>Blues </strong>v Sharks 36-13 Auckland 2005 :good1:</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Overall record is 14 loses out of 18 against this team</div>
<div> </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Here's is that 2005 team that last beat the Sharks:</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett, Ben Atiga, Luke McAlister, Joe Rokocoko, Tasesa Lavea, Steve Devine, Xavier Rush (c), Daniel Braid, Jerome Kaino, Bradley Mika, Chresten Davis, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock</div>
<div>Reserves: Derren Witcombe or Roger Dustow, Saimnone Taumoepeau, Nick Williams, Justin Collins, Ben Meyer, Carlos Spencer, Isa Nacewa.</div>
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<p> </p>
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<p>Yeah, not pretty viewing. Most of the games are close though. Interesting that only 2 of the last 10 games against them have been at Eden Park.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="572403" data-time="1460688716">
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<p>Big fella who burst on the scene as a young fella in his first year of Super rugby (which happened to be the actual first year if Super rugby), made the ABs ... but then got injured and that was all she wrote.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Wasn't he the guy who used to run with a (coaches nightmare) one handed carry consistently? </p>
<p> </p>
<p>20 years ago ... man I feel old. I remember that first final, too. The Shorks had that crazy eyed coach Ian McIntosh. He and Gordon Tallis had a stare that was just intense ... </p>
