I missed the Laulala move this week. So the Blues have become a Super version of the Tasman Invitational XV under Leon ... you Blues fans should start worrying, TJ is going to be fluffing you like crazy now.

Good idea

@nzzp said in Highlanders v Blues: @Bones said in Highlanders v Blues: @nzzp Just me that is instantly irritated at the sight of Christie then? Definitely triggers me. That feeling of wanting to throw up when he scores against your team.... it's only because you're racist against ginga. PAUL TITO TOM ROBINSON FINLAY CHRISTIE HELP I'M OUT OF REDHEADS James Blackwell Cullen Grace Mitch Drummond comes close Ayden Johnstone's beard, too Oli Jager's mo Sam McNicol's beard

Pierce was very good for his comeback within the 23. He is a better lock the Goodhue IMO but PT and GCT are on fire for the moment so it will be hard for him to find a place in the starting 8.

I remember hearing that Laumape was one of the quickest over 40m when he was at the Warriors. That's when the Warriors had quite a few speedsters.

@junior said in Crusaders v Blues: @nzzp said in Crusaders v Blues: @Nevorian said in Crusaders v Blues: @junior said in Crusaders v Blues: @Winger said in Crusaders v Blues: @booboo said in Crusaders v Blues: @Winger said in Crusaders v Blues: @KiwiMurph said in Crusaders v Blues: Beauden was rubbish. One of the worst games i've ever seen him play. He gave away 2 soft penalties - he kicked out on the full - he put in a shit kick before halftime. He was pants. He also looks like he has seriously lost his pace. He was brilliant about 4-5 years back and before then. But hes been going slowly downhill since. But still good but not great. I hoped the Blues coaches would get him moving back towards great again. But so far hes moving in the opposite direction. Maybe his time is up. Or the Blues move was a big mistake. Or hes not really a FB. I'm bored with the Crusaders winning year after year so disappointed with this result. The only team that might have challenged is so far behind now the title is decided after 4 games So the other teams have got to get better It can't be done if most of the best players sign for the best team (as their AB chances are much better). And the next level down quality players bugger of overseas. NZR need to come up with a (financial) system were the best players are evenly shared out (at present it almost ensures the opposite). Otherwise a new competition will slowly die. Or will never achieve the following it could have if one team wins ever year. This includes Aust (or SA if still included although this model has done its time). Aust can only support 3 teams at most. So 5 EVEN NZ teams and three QUALITY Aussie teams = success. But NZ need to be ruthless (ignore reasons why it can be done. For example Abs might need to move teams as Barrett did) to ensure an even distribution of players. This new competition must be seen as very important rather than just the ABs. And super rugby almost as an irrelevant feeder for the ABs (the current set up). I would have thought the best way to do this is actually to ensure that the coaching at all franchises is strong. Despite their poor recent form, one would think having Gats coaching the Chiefs would make that a desirable destination (perhaps he needs to improve his assistants). Similarly, it seems Rangi is leading a strong coaching unit at the Blues and I’m sure the way they’ve played this year will make players consider moving there. The Crusaders would be lucky to have more than four or five of the best players in NZ at the moment - Taylor, Whitelock, Mo'unga, Goodhue, Jordan with Moody debatable spot on - which makes their comeback on Saturday night even more remarkable The issue is not the spread of the best players, contrary to what @Winger says. The issues is rather than evenness of the remaining talent. The difference between the 'Saders' best and worst players, IMO, is significantly less than that at other franchises. This means that they have less glaring weaknesses across the park and, crucially, on their bench. This is to my mind a large part of why they so often pull away from their opposition in the last 20 mins of matches. Similarly, it's what made the ABs so lethal between say 2010 and 2016 and it's where we've been caught up by our major opposition since that time. You are probably onto something there , they have the best worst players , most teams have a few stars , but its the bottom half of your talent that makes the difference at this level

@pukunui said in Blues v Highlanders: @Bones said in Blues v Highlanders: @pukunui I think there was one early on in this game! I said rarely, not never, so there may well have been. Which would highlight how inconsistent it is. Oh I know, I've never seen it, that's why I was surprised and at the same time TJ mentioned that it is one of the areas the refs are looking at. Always annoyed me that it should be ruled so differently.

That would be the ideal scenario, very good chance the Crusaders could end up more than a game clear by the time we get there though, by beating them first time around at home , and accumulating more bonus points

Some analysis of the game. https://ekrugbyanalysis.com/2020/06/19/kicking-off-the-cobwebs-how-tactical-kicking-influenced-the-blues-winning-return-to-rugby/

Great coaching. Blues playing with a lot more width and freedom. The defensive system is really coming along and that is building the confidence in attack. Duffy looks a different player and when he comes into the line as a playmaking option he’s making better decisions.

The cards were easy decisions but I didnt like the way the ref controlled the game from the start, creating flow is a must between nz teams, other than that i feel wellington scoring after a minute was the worse thing that they did as after that they seemed to relaxed, b4 they knew it and 1 million free kicks later it was still only 5nil. But well done blues finally got sm rub of the green.

Mallett and de Bruin analyse the Stormers loss to the Blues

With Lamborn only making 1 tackle last week, I'm hoping we put Papali'i at 7 this week. We have to roll out our very best line-up against the Stormers. Hopefully Rieko is ready to go this week.

@Bones that chiefs game was heavily influenced by all black substitutions though. Two different sides in each half for each team. Edit; literally a game of two halves. Goddamnit, I finally did it; used a cliche in a genuine and appropriate sense

@RoninWC said in Waratahs vs Blues: With Beaudy to come in and steer the cutter behind that pack has me looking forward to the remainder of the tournament. And... Akira who? Sotutu played really well and didn't deserve that yellow card. What has impressed me most is his work-rate. With him and Patty T working in tandem we have two imposing defenders. Akira came on and looks fat and disinterested, yet again. That guy just doesn't seem to have it between the ears. All the talent in the world but doesn't look to have the drive. There was that one tackle where his jersey got pulled right up exposing his trunk and quite frankly, what you saw was very disappointing for what should be a first class athlete. So he's fa..., sorry, "working on his conditioning".

@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Chiefs: just put a different halfback in rather for some reason always defaulting to Ruru as the starter you would hope Nock will get a chance this weekend, and he has a massive opportunity to claim that jersey, if not, Christie will get his chance and the merry-go-round will continue.

@nzzp that shit wouldn't have happened on his watch that's for damn sure

@booboo said in Hurricanes v Blues: @Bones said in Hurricanes v Blues: @Chris said in Hurricanes v Blues: Totally agree the percentage of kicks neutralized by players skill sets this year far out way how effective the kicks made have been. [booboo mode] out weigh[/booboo mode] You wouldn't believe the Engrish I decline to correct ... Here you are posting on the Hurricanes versing Blues thread... Which could be a thread about a couple of rugby teams in a poetry competition. I didn't actually realise that was a word but found it from this sauce: verse /vəːs/ verbARCHAIC gerund or present participle: versing speak in or compose verse; versify. "he began to verse extemporaneously in her ear" Thread diversion complete - I will now Blexit (so still here really).

@Nepia I'm fine with players from outside playing for us, but on the condition they have been playing cub footy here (super players excepted) which is a rule that has been in place for a number of years now. Yeah not sure a draft system would work in NZ, I think the current one, is probably as good as we will get, much better than the one where players were all but made to sign for a province in the Super teams catchment. I dont really support the Blues any more than any other NZ team, reasons are more than just they are/were cnuts to Northland I want all Kiwi teams to go well and will always support a Kiwi side over a foreign one.

@booboo said in Blues v Bulls: @Stockcar86 said in Blues v Bulls: Good to see Robinson using his boots to ruck the yarpie out of the way of that ruck This! yes old school rucking, awesome

I think that another fast outside would be useful, but also having a halfback who makes a big effort there would be good. It’s an important part of TJ, Weber, and Smith’s games.

Not sure if it's been mentioned, but Otere didn't even get off the bench in this game. Actually, 3 players didn't get off the bench, which is pretty rare these days. I bet the coaches were almost going to make it 4, but they somehow convinced themselves to let Pulu come on.

@Nepia said in Blues v Hurricanes: @Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues v Hurricanes: @Nepia said in Blues v Hurricanes: So after watching this game I’ve decided that Tony Johnson is either @Rancid-Schnitzel or Jordie Barrett’s publicist. I swear if JB had crouched down and taken a dump in the middle of the field Johnson would have been praising him for the consistency of the tutae (hopefully the advertisers algorithms don’t speak Maori). And I could swear you're related to the Ioanes or in love with them or both. Don't forget Josh! You still loved Weepu, even when he was (extra) fat and shït. Now that's loyalty!

@taniwharugby That was Nock's first start this year and he played really well - quick decision making, fast pass, good box kicks, covered well. The Blues look so good when their big forwards maintain their structure and hit the advantage line and he was part of that. Of recent times he has had some time off the bench and looked much better than last year (even with one intercept pass) - the key being the quicker decision making. I don't know what has happened but either he has woken up or the coaching and tactics have improved. I do think with MacDonald we are seeing a more structured uptempo game plan. I want to see him get some more game time and see how he goes. If he plays like he did on Saturday then he deserves to be there. The fact that the Coaching team gave him a start says that they were also are pleased with his cameo's to that point. He is the perfect example of a player selected too early - his quiet nature has probably been part of that, but to me he looks like he starting to step up. But I wold like to see him run more more as he is quick and to keep working on his physicality which has improved.

@Chris said in Highlanders vs Blues: @pakman if you wish to be pedantic Or not confusing

@Nogusta Well that's fucked for the young bloke. He was starting to really show some form too at fullback.

@No-Quarter said in Blues vs Waratahs: @ACT-Crusader said in Blues vs Waratahs: @taniwharugby so openside and midfielders need to have the same fitness levels - the Ardie to 12 is not so outrageous afterall I'm just gutted we'll never see a Dagg - Ardie combo at 10 and 12. Would have been impossible to contain. Especially with DMac at 9 and Messam at 13

@Kirwan said in Blues vs Stormers: @pakman said in Blues vs Stormers: @Kruse said in Blues vs Stormers: @taniwharugby said in Blues vs Stormers: @Kruse yeah kinda (although isnt that just catch it full stop, not be on the ground?) but given there arent off-sides and > It simply isnt an easy fix because this game is all about the contest, but as soon as the ball goes in the air, one person seems to have all rights and the other doesnt, meaning there isnt really a contest. Yeah - the "AFL" call was a facile comment, But anyway - at the moment - which "one person" has all the rights? Some people seem to think it's the person who jumped first, some who think it was who jumped the highest, some who think it's who was in place first. And generally - it turns out to be (in the ref's eyes) who got least injured in some sort of potentially career-ending collision. It's fucked. And yeah, your particular suggestion - I'm not sure I agree with it being the best one, but it's certainly an option. Possibly one that achieves the effect both I was thinking of, and Mariner's. If I were involved in the rule setting I'd get a couple of AFL experts in and ask how within their rules they ensure people don't break their necks. Those jokers climb up each other's backs, but I'm not aware (perhaps because of sheer ignorance) that lots of neck/back injuries result. This a good question, would prefer a skills based solution Mainly because they're jumping in the same direction, leaping upwards as opposed to forwards. The increase in forward velocity in rugby contests in the air make someone invariably unstable and easier to rotate when they hit another player who becomes a fulcrum. The faster both players in rugby are travelling at each other, the greater the moment (turning force) when they collide.

@Bones said in Blues v Highlanders: @Kirwan said in Blues v Highlanders: He’s a commentator that wants the Blues/Auckland to lose. Stuff that other teams do, he pulls the Blues up on and just doesn’t mention it for the other four. Like what though? It thoroughly perplexes me too. Yeah I have been listening out for it too, but just don't hear it. Nobody seems to give any specific examples either.

@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Sunwolves: I thought it was interesting to see quite a lot of chat out on the field. Both Ioane brothers, Nanai, SBW etc. I'm used to seeing the Blues walk around with puzzled looks on their faces so it was good to see some chat. SBW commented on it post game. You could see them joking and staying relaxed too. TJ seems to be in the middle of that, like he was for Auckland. In previous years you could see the pressure building as a team got close.. which would result in the inevitable loss in the last 5mins

@Kirwan Totally agree that is why he needs to be included in the drill so that he isn't the one doing those pop passes.

@chimoaus if rest of the world you mean T14, GP etc, then I would disagree. Some of the rugby on display in those comps is pretty dire at times, particularly the defence. If you are referring to test rugby then trying to compare a couple of Super rugby rounds at the start of a RWC year, is probably not fair. No doubt there are some issues to sort through, but it’s only two rounds.

FYI The Blues have offered to give us some tickets to the Blues v Sunwolves game to give away!

@KiwiMurph said in Blues vs Crusaders: @rotated I think Faiane stands out as the obvious option from next year onwards if the Patty T/Blake Gibson combo does not work. With SBW and Nonu both likely off he would be favourite to start at 12 and did a terrific job as captain of Auckland. I would be hard pressed to go with Faiane next season, which will be his make or break year in terms of making ABs after the exodus. Tough to saddle him with the captaincy for such an important individual season. Wouldn't surprise me if he captains the Blues at some point shortly after though.

@pakman said in Hurricanes v Blues: @crucial said in Hurricanes v Blues: @snowy said in Hurricanes v Blues: @bones There will have been a shit load more to that. Annoying for you but you got there alive didn't you. There is reason air travel is safe. Yep, it is as annoying as fuck but aircraft repairs are way more complicated than chucking on a replacement part and crossing your fingers. Any fault has to be logged with full tracing of the faulty part in case it is potentially from a faulty batch. Any replacement must also have that same traceability and be checked for potential compatibility issues with other parts on that plane. The level of checking and caution is very high. Admittedly, I believe that like many airlines AirNZ have pulled back on their engineering spend to find a better cost balance although compared to some other large airlines they are still very good. Talk to an airline engineer about what airlines they won't fly on and you will get some surprises. Can't remember who told me this, about 20 years ago, but some engineering fellow said to stick to airlines with 'British' trained engineers. Back then I recall that as including BA, Virgin, ANZ, Qantas, Cathay, Singapore and SAA. Avoid American if possible. Three grades of fault, 1,2 & 3. Grade 1 immediate fix, 2 something like that week. Grade 3 was not vital but needed to be done at some point. Trouble was to save on costs American Airlines only did 3s every six months, as against promptly by 'Brits'. Cumulative impact of many 3s can become as risky as a 2, and in exceptional circumstances a 1. May be out of date by now. I occasionally have this discussion with an ex AirNZ engineer and this is what I picked up BA are awful now, massive interference in engineering by the accountants. Cathy and Singapore have always been very good and maintained high standards The UK/US thing is a bit true but doesn't always hold water. One of the key things is the investment in parts on hand. As I described earlier every nut and bolt on a commercial aircraft is computer logged with identifiers and makes it possible to trace faults, compatibility and batch issues If you need to order a part (as opposed to having it in store) this safety aspect can mean that it takes a little longer. In passenger impact this can mean that an expected small repair becomes a bigger issue when the part you expect to use is not usable on that particular aircraft. So you get those situations where they sit you on the tarmac saying short delay, which then becomes a long delay.

@mimic said in Blues vs. Reds: @pukunui said in Blues vs. Reds: What a cripple fight. Ref'd by a retard. Probably the most consistently bad ref performance i have ever seen. How long until he is fucking up international rugby? Blues are fucked if the Ioanes leave. It might be a good time to strip them of their ABs and create a second division of not so super rugby. AB's coaches have rocks in their heads if they can't see that Akira is the second best 8 in NZ. Duffie looks like he has given up. Maybe he has realised his AB career is toast. Didn't Duffie dedicate this season to Tana or something? It certainly looks like he did. He’s playing as well as Tana’s coaching....

Blues should give it to Schmidt in 2020 if he’s interested.

@act-crusader said in Blues vs Crusaders: @majorrage said in Blues vs Crusaders: Talk about retarded. I'm sorry I smashed you in the face, can I have a lighter sentence now. Apologising was irrelevant to anything in 2005, it still is in 2018. What is relevant is if Franks is a good Christian. Depends on the judiciary's point of view I suppose ... he's either Retarded for believing in a fairy in the sky Retarded for being an infidel Worth of sentence reduction and going into credit. Not the best odds.

@kirwan said in Blues v Hurricanes: Doesn’t have a two game AB break due? I hope so, Tana is grinding him into dust because he’s so reliant on the Ioanes saving his blushes. I'm not sure he does as he's not an AB, only those that played full ABs tests last year are included, I think. Even if they're on the radar. Hard enough to take those guys out of two games, let alone possibles and fringe players.