Hurricanes vs Blues
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Cotter comments on this weeks selections, keeping players fresh etc
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350204928/super-rugby-pacific-blues-play-long-game-hoskins-sotutu-bench-gamble -
I think it's very easy to say Laidlaw is picking on form instead of experience. Who are the experienced options that he could be picking?
Is PUJ even fit? Is Sullivan? Did they feature for the Hurricanes Hunters the other week? With Perenara and Judd injured, a guy like Viljoen was always going to get a go - similar with Lakai etc. Laidlaw might be making more bold selections calls than Holland, but it's also possible that Holland would be making similar calls right now.
It's also funny how quickly the tide turns on what players are considered good or not. It wasn't that long ago that Billy Proctor was considered a waste of space by most people on here whereas PUJ was the great midfield saviour.
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@Mr-Fish said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
It wasn't that long ago that Billy Proctor was considered a waste of space by most people on here whereas PUJ was the great midfield saviour.
Because of performances on the field. PUJ was given every opportunity during last year's NPC and didn't measure up. Whereas Proctor has improved out of sight in recent years.
but it's also possible that Holland would be making similar calls right now.
Holland and Gibbes were poor selectors. Some of their lock selections were idiotic. They preferred 1.90 locks or smaller. And regardless of performance they always went back to their favorites. Including rubbish like Blackwell or Morgan etc.
What I've seen so far, this year gives me hope. No more stupid selections that were made with both the Canes under Holland and Wellington under Ellison. I hope it continues.
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@Duluth said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
Cotter comments on this weeks selections, keeping players fresh etc
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350204928/super-rugby-pacific-blues-play-long-game-hoskins-sotutu-bench-gambleGood sensible coaching, if the AB coaches suggest it ,it end of world.
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At the end of the day Holland made horrible selection decisions, so far we haven't seen that from Laidlaw but it is only week 3. Holland didn't just do it over a span of one year, he selected the wrong guys year after year and it really prevented us from reaching our potential. The fact we haven't seen Morgan yet shows Laidlaw is already making the right moves.
I'm also not sure who made the decision to cut Julian Savea but if that was Laidlaw I give him plenty of cudos. He seems to be a guy that no matter your reputation, if you don't perform then you simply don't get picked. Brad Shields mentioned that Laidlaw made it very clear to him that even though he was made captain of this team he still needed to perform otherwise he would find himself sitting in the stands. Ironically, he's been sitting in the stands to start the season but that's purely down to injury.
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
The fact we haven't seen Morgan yet shows Laidlaw is already making the right moves.
As Cameron has been fit to play. If he isn't then Laidlaw will have a make a decision (Morgan or Love).
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@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@Mr-Fish Holland would have started Morgan, I'm pretty confident of that.
Cameron is far and away the right call. Not flashy but gets the team around the paddock and kicks his goals.
Holland selected Cameron ahead of Morgan when Cameron was fit. The issue was Cameron was injured a fair bit under Holland.
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@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@canefan to be fair to PUJ, the season after he made the ABs, Holland would sporadically pick him for the Canes for whatever reason. He'd play well one week then be dropped. Had to weigh on the guy.
Totally agree, Holland has a lot to answer for. Sports are a confidence game, hard to play your best when you keep getting dropped
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Unless you're a Canes fan I think it will be hard for anyone to understand how much he f'd with that team while he was in charge. The selections at times were completely bemusing and there are countless threads from the past that had so many of us scratching our heads.
I'm so glad he's gone.
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@KiwiMurph said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@Mr-Fish Holland would have started Morgan, I'm pretty confident of that.
Cameron is far and away the right call. Not flashy but gets the team around the paddock and kicks his goals.
Holland selected Cameron ahead of Morgan when Cameron was fit. The issue was Cameron was injured a fair bit under Holland.
Hey kiwiM, don't be saying what everyone who watched could see mate. I also thought Caneron always got selected when fit, but was struggling with fitness. Holland maybe in gun for a few things but not Cameron starting more last year.
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
Unless you're a Canes fan I think it will be hard for anyone to understand how much he f'd with that team while he was in charge. The selections at times were completely bemusing and there are countless threads from the past that had so many of us scratching our heads.
I'm so glad he's gone.
I don't disagree with the bemusing selections at times with Holland - especially in the forwards (Blackwell, Prinsep etc etc)
However - i do think there's nuance involved - he had challenges from a selection point of view Laidlaw hasn't had to deal with yet. Ruben Love was not available through injury, Naholo was unavailable a lot through injury, Cameron was injured. He had to fit in Ardie which is something Laidlaw doesn't have to deal with (i.e. someone from the current loosie mix has to miss out).
Holland selected Roigard at 9 last year and backed him. Holland stuck with Jordie at 12 last year. Holland gave Lakai starts last year but to be perfectly honest Lakai is much more physically ready this season which is not Holland's fault etc.
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@KiwiMurph I see what you're saying, it's more the continued selections of the likes of Prinsep, Savea, Blackwell and a few others when his hand wasn't forced that completely didn't make sense and hamstrung us more often than not. There was rarely a week where the selection of two or three players on the team wasn't questioned, compared to this year where there really hasn't been much to argue with tbh.
Anyway to refrain from the negativity I'm really looking forward to this clash on Saturday. No excuses for both sides and I hope we see a competitive game that will likely come down to a few big moments.
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It is going to be a good indication of where the teams are at I think. Which tight five is going to stand and deliver? Looking forward to it.
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@KiwiMurph said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
Holland selected Roigard at 9 last year and backed him. Holland stuck with Jordie at 12 last year. Holland gave Lakai starts last year but to be perfectly honest Lakai is much more physically ready this season which is not Holland's fault etc.
Your examples are not great.
With HB he had no choice with Booth in terrible form the other main option.
Holland started Lakai in week 1 but what then? Eventually just dopped him from the 23 even when available
Regarding Barrett. When Cameron was injured, I would have moved Barrett to 1st and started Higgins at 2nd. He did neither and instead went for the limited Morgan at first
He was just a limited coach and was super happy when he went. And nothing that's happened so far this year has changed my mind
