I loved this game.A true hard fought Kiwi derby.The wonderful moments silence for the fallen Constable Hunt,with helicopter above.The emotion of Caleb Clarke who had in recent hours lost his grandfather,then being able to honour him with his try.The continuation of the Blues resurgence for most of the first half.Then the great fight back from the tenacious Highlanders who got their noses in front shortly after half time.This coinciding with the worst period of play from the Blues these last three games.Two lost lineouts,very poor box kicks and general sloppiness.Then regrouping and scoring a majestic driving maul try.The impetuosity of the veteran hooker diving over the ruck to drop the ball short,and a dangerous breakout .The cruel mistakes from the young Scott Gregory from probing kicks,he is a much better player than that.The most beautiful pickup of a ball at speed from Beauden Barrett,just class.Then to finish this enthralling encounter,the three battles won in the war when the trenches were threatened,down in the far corner,the maul,the scrum and the lineout.The newly arrived hooker with a grenade in his hand to be lobbed into said lineout.You could almost feel his trepidation.The sweat of the coaches who could only sit and watch.Great game!!
trodthesod
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As the former groundsman of the Chiefs Ruakura training ground ,I can assure you that after the renovation it was and still is a perfect surface.The other training ground on the campus was uneven but didn’t stop Tom Coventry using it to work his forwards relentlessly.Bust ups among the front rows very common. My brother voluntarily maintains Fred Jones and a better club ground in Hamilton would be hard to find. By the way the Chiefs won their first Super title using the old soccer field.,before the renovation.,and the Council’s Beetham Park wasn’t up to standard for the recent World Sevens.
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I would like to relate a small side story to the Blues winning the Gordon Hunter Trophy this afternoon.
When Tom Coventry was studying Physical Education at Otago University he was made captain of the University A club team.
The coach of this team was a local Dunedin detective Gordon Hunter. As with all players who were coached by this wonderful man,Tom recalled all the quirky and funny methods Gordie employed.
He said to Tom”You are my Captain and anything you want just ask me” Gordie looked after his boys on and off the field!
Tom went on to captain the Sth.Island v Nth Island Universities and scored four tries,but were credited to Dallas Seymour his co flanker because of them wearing wrong number jerseys.
We would like to think the Blues team did credit to Tom and his former mentor.Marvellous forwards game this afternoon. -
Thanks for the entertainment .Some great youngsters blooded ,and the senior players leading the way.
Congratulations to the whole Blues franchise.Good luck to those who are in the frame for higher honours. -
Having suffered much criticism over a long time,I would like to commend James Parsons games this year.He seems of recent games to be taking himself out of those channels where he gets hammered backwards.His lineout throwing top class and good carries.Well done that man! He more than any player must be enjoying the Blues resurgence.
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How on earth did the Blues beat the Chiefs.The commentators would have us believe the courageous,under strength Chiefs had the game to bury the bumbling Blues in most facets of the game.From the 70 minute mark the adjectives dried up to a mere trickle.The critics of Blues rugby and all those involved ,continues unabated.
Congratulations to the Blues for overcoming this ineptitude and also to the Chiefs for playing so well tonight and making the final next week.
As the Chiefs proved this year ,form can quickly turn around. -
The Blues are no longer the easy beats of the NZ franchises.
They have developed a close team comradeship that puts the defence of their line a top priority.They fight for each other,and results are forthcoming.No way are they the complete deal yet ,but boy do they fight.,and from time to time thrill us with class tries.Enjoy it Blues fans,I am. -
Seventy nine. Four games for Waikato in 1964.
Didn’t have medial ligaments in those days. -
@Crucial Sorry couldn’t let it go past ! Halcyon Chief years for me .
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An amusing little story to come out of the boys camp at St Paul’s.Tom and Tana asked two boys from the same school what defence pattern they used.They both gave different answers.,so they asked the third boy from the same school what defence system they used.He gave his answer .Tana and Tom said well that’s not what your mates said.He replied “ Well that’s why our defence was bloody crap Sir “ he replied.
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There is a certain irony in yesterday afternoons cliff hanger.
Running along the end of Waikato Stadium is a wonderful wall mural recording Waikato and Chiefs history.On this wall is a page on the Chiefs which recalls the successful 2012/13 years. It mentions the coaches Rennie and Smith,which of course is correct,but omits the forwards coach ,the very unsung Tom Coventry.That he has helped coach the Blues forwards in their latest victories over his former team is probably worthy of mention. -
Have heard Hoskins Sotutu will be back for the Crusaders game.
Thought Tony Lamborn had a handy game,so altogether the Blues loose forwards have covered themselves in glory.Hope Dalton Papali’i’ ‘s injury doesn’t curtail his great season.Akira back to six I suppose. -
Congratulations Blues.You have got the monkey of your backs.As all finals are it was intense and punishing.Well done the Highlanders.,you made it tough.
Have no truck with the demeaning of this competition.All teams knew the format,and not only scoring tries,but defending your line got the two teams to the final.
The Crusaders won the big one,the Blues the small one,but small fish are sometimes the sweetest. -
After watching the Chiefs forwards perform in their 2012 and 2013 title victories it must be said Tom Coventry’s influence was massive .The resurgence of the Blues’ forwards game I feel has a lot to do with his direction.His ability to select players to fill his requirements for their role is also impressive.Brodie Rettalick,Ben Tameifuna,Karl Tu’nukuafe three he has “found” The Blues can be proud of getting him aboard.
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Tom has a meniscus tear ,which needs a clean up .and Blake a hamstring tear.I doubt we’ll see much of them for the next 6 games.
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An article by Hamish Bidwell describes the wonderful Chief’s career of Aaron Cruden.He goes on to praise the work of Dave Rennie and Wayne Smith in the victorious 2012/13 team.,and rightly so.However it is surprising he does not mention the influential forwards coach ,who brought Brodie Retallick,Ben Tameifuna,Kane Thompson,Andrew Horrell,and Mahonri Schwalger to the Chiefs.The work he put into his pack is legendary. It is probably no coincidence that the Blues’ forward pack is now benefitting from his presence,one TJ Coventry.
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The Blues forwards are ,apart from the penalties ,creating a very strong platform to win matches from.A very physical pack they tonight really stood up in the last quarter.With a lot of tight forward carries,which were recycled most impressive.The team are putting a lot of their demons to rest.
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I was working at Ruakura when the Chiefs arrived on the campus.I was able to watch most of their trainings,and got to experience up close the work of Rennie ,Smith,Coventry,Andrew Strawbridge and Carl Hoeft.They all had their time running trainings,and most impressive they all were.They had immediate success ,so have been a fan ever since.
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Team stranded in Dunedin.Flight to Auckland cancelled.
Lucky it’s bye week! -
End of a wonderful career.Always a leader and his knowledge of the game undeniable.Congratulations ,as you once said”if I am part of the problem,I want to be part of the solution”I think at the Blues you have been part of the solution.
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