Force v Blues

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="581469" data-time="1463833000">
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I think West would make a good bench option. He's a decent impact sort of guy because he likes to up the tempo when it's a little looser. But as a starter expected to direct and lead for large portions of a game, he is not. 
Was very surprised to see Luatua stay on the pitch after that maul.
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I think so too. He'd be good in Matt McGahan's role but can't control a game to save his life. Unfortunately for us we don't have anyone else and there isn't really anyone else out there that could come in and do better next season either so we could be with him for a while.

Crucial

Blues certainly looked hard ways to lose that but going back to the overall season questions do you realise they are equal with the Brumbies on points and only one point off the leaders of the Oz group despite having to play more games in the toughest group?
 
We may even see them miss out on the finals solely because they don't talk out of their noses.

hydro11

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="581508" data-time="1463867900">
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Blues certainly looked hard ways to lose that but going back to the overall season questions do you realise they are equal with the Brumbies on points and only one point off the leaders of the Oz group despite having to play more games in the toughest group?
 
We may even see them miss out on the finals solely because they don't talk out of their noses.
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I think the conference complaints are pointless. Last year you played 50% of your games against New Zealand teams, this year it is only 40%. The new system clearly benefits the Blues as compared with the old system. The new team, the Kings, are so shit the Blues actually won in South Africa.
 
The problem with the Blues is that they have just looked so shit in almost every game.
 
Game 1: vs Highlanders - this was a really good performance.
Game 2 vs Crusaders - dominating performance from the Crusaders
Game 3 vs Hurricanes - pretty good from the Blues. Should have won this game.
Game 4 vs Reds - a very poor effort. The Blues started well and finished well but the Reds dominated the middle.
Game 5 vs Jaguares - an average performance against a weakened team. The Jaguares were very poor on their trip to NZ.
Game 6 vs Chiefs - a flattering score line. The Blues scored two tries from individual brilliance. The Blues then let the Chiefs back in the game and conceded a bonus point. Only goal kicking kept the Blues in it.
Game 7 vs Sharks - the Sharks did pretty well in New Zealand but I don't think they are a great team.
Game 8 vs Rebels - The Blues again let the Rebels back into the game. Every other NZ team won by 20+ points against them.
Game 9 vs Kings - Beating the Kings by 16 is no achievement.
Game 10 vs Lions - this was shit
Game 11 vs Force - outplayed for most of the second half but hold on to win.
 
The Blues have conceded 6 more tries than they have scored and have negative points difference. All the other NZ teams have played some dross this season but there have been some 'fuck yeah' performances in there and some other shit performances where we have still put away shit teams (Hurricanes vs reds). I really don't think the Blues have played a very good game of rugby since round 1.
 
What the Blues have done well is win the close games. Most of those close games shouldn't have been close in the first place, however. The Blues aren't easy beats in the sense that you can just turn up and beat them. I'm sure they will give the Hurricanes a good go and maybe even beat them in the return fixture. I'm just confident that over a whole season, they will finish at the bottom of the New Zealand teams. I can't see how that changes next season, short of signing Beauden Barrett.

nzzp

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="581520" data-time="1463874154">
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The problem with the Blues is that they have just looked so shit in almost every game.
...
What the Blues have done well is win the close games. 
...
I'm just confident that over a whole season, they will finish at the bottom of the New Zealand teams
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So, to be clear, we're playing crap and winning close games, but we're going to finish at the bottom of every NZ table.
 
That, and our only hope is to sign Beaudy to get better.
 
I'm a Blues fan, but I struggle with this logic. Seems like cognitive dissonance to me - we can't be playing shit, winning close games and also only have the potential to prop up the nZ table. 
 
 
Genuine question - do you see potential for improvement in the Blues? I do, and I am hopeful for the franchise going forward - some improvements in structure and consistency (who knows, they could even be linked) and we're into the playoffs. Do that, and it's all on. Tana with an offseason to work the players the way he wants will be important.

taniwharugby

winning ugly no longer matters it would seem? 
 
Sure this Blues side is struggling, obviously with alot of things, but they have picked up 2 wins on the road, 1 of which was thier first in a very long time, have picked up 4 other wins and sit on the dark side of mid-table.
 
They are ahead of 3 Aussie sides on the table, 2 SA and then the other 2 new teams.
 
Hate on them all you like (I certainly have/do for a raft of reasons) but I think the fact they are winning a few tight matches, ugly as they might be, are still winning, and simply learning to win is a skill in itself, and one that is not a common thing for many in this Blues squad.
 
I dont like some of the ways Tana is doing things, but I expect he has a plan, and that he had all but written 2016 off before they even played the Highlanders.

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nzzp" data-cid="581532" data-time="1463878533">
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So, to be clear, we're playing crap and winning close games, but we're going to finish at the bottom of every NZ table.
 
That, and our only hope is to sign Beaudy to get better.
 
I'm a Blues fan, but I struggle with this logic. Seems like cognitive dissonance to me - we can't be playing shit, winning close games and also only have the potential to prop up the nZ table. 
 
 
Genuine question - do you see potential for improvement in the Blues? I do, and I am hopeful for the franchise going forward - some improvements in structure and consistency (who knows, they could even be linked) and we're into the playoffs. Do that, and it's all on. Tana with an offseason to work the players the way he wants will be important.
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I think we're doing quite well with what is quite an average side on paper. In previous seasons we would have lost a lot of the close games we've been involved in so winning ugly has been pleasing. 
 
Can't say I'm too concerned with coming last in our conference. The other sides have stepped up big time which is something we can't control so if we come last then so be it. I feel that this side is going to continue to improve - big question as it is with us every year is what to do at 10? There's no-one really out there that could come in and do any better so we may be stuck with West. Wouldn't mind Otere Black but he's locked up isn't he? Should have made a play for Banks imo.

SammyC

Should have made a big play for Marty Banks. Big lost opportunity there

Chris B.

Question for those who've watched much more of the Blues than me. With five potential AB forwards in the pack - of which Kaino and Faumuina are lock ins and Parsons is a fair sort of outsider - are Tuipolotu and/or Luatua going well enough to warrant AB selection?
 
I'm inclined to think Romano is going reasonably well - pretty sure he was official man of the match on Friday night - so if they only pick three locks then PT has to beat LR out.
 
Luatua has to be better than Dixon, Taufua, etc.

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="581543" data-time="1463880591">
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Question for those who've watched much more of the Blues than me. With five potential AB forwards in the pack - of which Kaino and Faumuina are lock ins and Parsons is a fair sort of outsider - are Tuipolotu and/or Luatua going well enough to warrant AB selection?
 
I'm inclined to think Romano is going reasonably well - pretty sure he was official man of the match on Friday night - so if they only pick three locks then PT has to beat LR out.
 
Luatua has to be better than Dixon, Taufua, etc. 
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Yep Tuipulotu and Luatua are definites imo. Luatua has been our best all season easily outplaying Kaino and Tuipulotu continues to get better from his long injury layoff. Parsons has had a good season also but they won't pick him.

Crash

Parsons has blossomed with the captaincy role. Still inclined to have a few rush of blood to the head moments which he needs to eliminate from his game.
The selectors will favour Taylor, but good to see competition for places and Parsons is a good option.
Always hard to look good in a tam that is struggling.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crash" data-cid="581556" data-time="1463884330">
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Parsons has blossomed with the captaincy role. Still inclined to have a few rush of blood to the head moments which he needs to eliminate from his game.
The selectors will favour Taylor, but good to see competition for places and Parsons is a good option.
Always hard to look good in a tam that is struggling.
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Taylor is going well - stepped up from last year - and I think he and Coles are certainties.
 
I think they'll take a third hooker though - probably Elliott if he's not blackballed, possibly Harris if they're only planning on sitting him on the bench if one of the top two are injured, and just maybe Parsons (who I think was tried and found wanting) or even..... Ash Dixon?

KiwiMurph

The wet really helped the Force.
 
My standouts were Luatua (who was brilliant, his workrate was exceptional) and in the centres Francis (defensively) and Moala (offensively) were very strong. One of Kaino's better games. 
 
That kick from Hall near the end was an absolute shocker. Guyton was good and the level went down with Hall on. Looking forward to Pulu next season. 
 
Blues muscled up well to keep the Force out, especially down to 14 for a quarter of the game.
 
Another away win and in the wet too - I'll take it. We've improved from a bottom of the table team to a mid table team.
 
The key next season will be finding a 10 to groom behind West.

SammyC

Picking parsons would be a bit like picking Andy Ellis. Probabably deserves a spot because he's the third best hooker, but won't get it because he doesn't fit the game plan 
Both Coles and Taylor are lightening quick, I've seen Taylor score 50metre runaway tries in club rugby, and everyone has seen Coles do similar. 
So the abs play them out wide in a ball running role, they also station them at the back of he lineout on defense to utilise this pace. 
Parsons is hard and physical but it's also really noticeable that he's a bit of a cart horse when he starts to run with the ball.

taniwharugby

When Parsons is poor, he is pretty bad, but otherwise is pretty consistent and just lacks a bit of pace and spark I think.
 
Never been a big fan myself, and I'd be hugely surprised if the ABs went back to him.

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="581565" data-time="1463887160">Taylor is going well - stepped up from last year - and I think he and Coles are certainties. 
I think they'll take a third hooker though - probably Elliott if he's not blackballed, possibly Harris if they're only planning on sitting him on the bench if one of the top two are injured, and just maybe Parsons (who I think was tried and found wanting) or even..... Ash Dixon?</blockquote>
 
Harris possibly showed enough for the selectors to bring him back into the fold. Remember they have this thing about giving you another chance if you lost your place through injury. 
With Coles, Taylor and Harris they have the makings of a locked in trio of options in a key position for some years to come.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="581569" data-time="1463888832">
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Harris possibly showed enough for the selectors to bring him back into the fold. Remember they have this thing about giving you another chance if you lost your place through injury. 
With Coles, Taylor and Harris they have the makings of a locked in trio of options in a key position for some years to come.
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Wouldn't surprise me - it's probably the way I would go, especially if Hika isn't considered - lack of game time is the main question.

nzzp

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="581543" data-time="1463880591">
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are Tuipolotu and/or Luatua going well enough to warrant AB selection?
...
Luatua has to be better than Dixon, Taufua, etc. 
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</blockquote>
 
Short answer: yes.

Longer answer: Luatua - yes as a great bench player to cover 6 and a bit of lock.
Tuipolotu carries well, is atheltic and just looking to blossom under decent coaches.
 
Luatua's strength this year has been physicality, smart decision making and low error rate. For test rugby, that's all boxes ticked, thanks. The AB selectors know he has the mental game - hopefully doesn't show up fat and slow :)
 
Tuipolotu will be a mainstay of the Blues for some time if he sticks around.

nzzp

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="581534" data-time="1463879308">
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...they have picked up 2 wins on the road, 1 of which was thier first in a very long time, have picked up 4 other wins and sit on the dark side of mid-table.
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Having not won on the road for two years, to go 2-1-1 is just fine by me.
 
I reckon if we play the Reds again at the back end of the season, we win. This side is starting to grow

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nzzp" data-cid="581612" data-time="1463902442">
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Tuipolotu will be a mainstay of the Blues for some time if he sticks around. 
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He's signed through to 2019 which is a bonus. Hopefully his injuries are behind him.

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nzzp" data-cid="581532" data-time="1463878533">So, to be clear, we're playing crap and winning close games, but we're going to finish at the bottom of every NZ table. 
That, and our only hope is to sign Beaudy to get better. 
I'm a Blues fan, but I struggle with this logic. Seems like cognitive dissonance to me - we can't be playing shit, winning close games and also only have the potential to prop up the nZ table. 
Genuine question - do you see potential for improvement in the Blues? I do, and I am hopeful for the franchise going forward - some improvements in structure and consistency (who knows, they could even be linked) and we're into the playoffs. Do that, and it's all on. Tana with an offseason to work the players the way he wants will be important.</blockquote>
 
To me the majority of the teams are pretty rubbish.

The Silver Fern

Force v Blues