Lions v Blues
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Attitude problem for this game , feeling too comfortable with where they are at with an away win last week I'm guessing . <br><br>
When you see Kaino slipping off tackles you know something isn't right . -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="579876" data-time="1463266689">
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<p>Attitude problem for this game , feeling too comfortable with where they are at with an away win last week I'm guessing .<br><br>
When you see Kaino slipping off tackles you know something isn't right .</p>
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<p>One of those weird things where all week they were playing lip service to knowing full well the Lions would be fired up and they would have to meet it head on yet something underlying had them thinking the game was going to go OK before it started.</p>
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<p>Every team seems to have one of these attitude drops during a season. Canes had one in SA, Chiefs had one against the Lions as well.</p> -
<p>yep, a scoreline like that surely shows they were not in the right headspace...sure they've been poor at times this year, but nothing like that.</p>
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<p>The Blues must be watching the NZ sevens and thinking to themselves - what could have been?? The Ioane bros are killing it.</p>
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<p>Il say it now. The Blues won't make the playoffs. </p>
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<p>Plenty may disagree but I believe Tana needs to start producing combinations for next year and beyond. He needs to figure out his preferred back three because to be frank Visinia, Li and Nanai are all too similar. Big ball running outside backs with a predictable skill set. The Blues are in desperate need of someone like Damian McKenzie who can bring that speed and ability to set to set up the wings.</p>
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<p>Duffie at Fullback could be their answer and he needs to be introduced on a regular basis because he will add something different in terms of attack.</p>
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<p>As a Canes fan it dreads me to say this but the Blues should spend a fair bob in getting Otere Black up to Auckland. He hasn't been given any opportunity this year with Barrett running the cutter at the Canes and he has a big future IMO, a bigger future than West. </p>
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<p>I believe a backline next year of 9. Sam Nock 10. Otere Black 11. Tevita Li 12. George Moala 13. Reiko Ioane 14. Rene Ranger 15. Matt Duffie could be bloody dangerous.</p>
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<p>Otere Black is also a pinpoint goal kicker which is a vital component in this day and age.</p> -
<p>Augustine Pulu will be starting for the Blues next year over Nock. I'd prefer Nanai over Li or Duffie. I'd probably prefer Visinia to either of them, too.</p>
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<p>Edit: I think if you're wanting someone who plays a bit differently, Trainor is probably a better option at fullback (dependent on his Mitre 10 Cup form). He is raw, and will likely stuff up occasionally, but to me he is a better bet than Duffie, who has shown absolutely nothing at any level of rugby.</p> -
<p>Also Black's contract with the Hurricanes runs to the end of next season. Blues are perhaps best off trying to develop a first five from scratch (at least they now have a halfback with a bit of experience to help out). Perofeta doesn't look to be a bad option. </p>
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<p>I'd go with:</p>
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<p>9.Pulu</p>
<p>10.West (though perhaps sign Perofeta, and consider starting him if he looks to be able to make the step up immediately)</p>
<p>11.Nanai</p>
<p>12.TJ Faiane</p>
<p>13.Moala</p>
<p>14.Ranger</p>
<p>15.Trainor</p>
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<p>21.Nock</p>
<p>22.West/Perofeta</p>
<p>23.Visinia</p> -
<p>Every facet of our game was poor. I hope this is just a one off.</p>
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<p>It seriously seemed like we were playing in different conditions to the Lions. With how well the Lions executed their skills, it seemed like they were playing in perfect conditions, while we looked like we were playing in a cyclone.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="579911" data-time="1463285548">
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<p>Every facet of our game was poor. I hope this is just a one off.</p>
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<p>It seriously seemed like we were playing in different conditions to the Lions. With how well the Lions executed their skills, it seemed like they were playing in perfect conditions, while we looked like we were playing in a cyclone.</p>
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<p>Any idea who will play 1st 5 for Auckland in the NPC this year?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="579912" data-time="1463285754">
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<p>Any idea who will play 1st 5 for Auckland in the NPC this year?</p>
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<p>Simon Hickey most likely.</p>
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<p>The other contenders for game time at 10 are Will Talataina-Mu, D'Angelo Leuila, Wiseguy Faiane, Broc Hooper and Calvary Fonoti. I'd like us to move on from Hickey and try out these guys, but it won't happen.</p> -
<p>Assume they enticed Breen up this way with a view (hope) on him getting into the 1st 15...not sure if he is upto it though, am yet to see him play.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="579913" data-time="1463286018">
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<p>Simon Hickey most likely.</p>
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<p>The other contenders for game time at 10 are Will Talataina-Mu, D'Angelo Leuila, Wiseguy Faiane, Broc Hooper and <strong>Calvary Fonoti</strong>. I'd like us to move on from Hickey and try out these guys, but it won't happen.</p>
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<p>Is he in better shape than last year? Looked quite handy, but rather overweight.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="579910" data-time="1463285410">
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<p>Do you think that Ranger will be able to come back from his injuries and make the starting line up as a wing?</p>
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<p>I'm a bit unsure, personally. Though I forgot about Rieko Ioane, so I'd put him in for Ranger (or he could play 13 with Moala at wing).</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="579915" data-time="1463286753">
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<p>Is he in better shape than last year? Looked quite handy, but rather overweight.</p>
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<p>About the same. He's probably one of those guys who needs to be a full time professional to stay in top shape.</p> -
<p>Ranger will never recapture his form while he is at NH....</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bobily" data-cid="579906" data-time="1463284975">
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<p>Also Black's contract with the Hurricanes runs to the end of next season. Blues are perhaps best off trying to develop a first five from scratch (at least they now have a halfback with a bit of experience to help out). Perofeta doesn't look to be a bad option. </p>
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<p>I think this might be the best plan for now. I'd personally want us to sign Perofeta, Faiane and Matoe in the next year or two, and hope one of them pans out. Just stack up on darts and hope one hits. We really have nothing to lose in trying this out. We probably need to keep West or sign some other journeyman as a stopgap for a year or so until one of those guys is ready to play full time.</p>
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<p>I'd also like us to sign Taumateine before his stocks go higher. Having a Pulu, Nock and Taumateine as our halfback trio for a few years would be pretty sweet.</p>
