Blues 2018
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@kiwimurph said in Blues 2018:
Colour me skeptical - I'm not convinced a Gatland-SBW-Moala 10-12-13 has enough distribution.
I hope that isn't the first choice
I would have a centre paring of TJ/SBW
Moala on the bench most of the time. Although, I would like to see a specialist outside back (Clarke) on the bench occasionally with Ioane providing midfield cover
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@duluth I agree. Especially with Moala pretty much locked in to be heading overseas.
However I don't see it happening. I think Clarke may make the odd appearance but I wouldn't be expecting to see him regularly this year - for one he is almost certain to be part of the NZ 7s squad for Comm Games.
Perhaps another outside back instead. Trainor was the really pleasant surprise from the 10s - he had a woeful 10s in 2017 but this year at the 10s he was brilliant.
I hope with a proper offseason and further away from his injuries Faiane has bulked up a bit. I'm definitely a fan but he does have a tendency to slip off tackles - if he can tidy that up he can really push for the starting spot.
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@kiwimurph said in Blues 2018:
I think Clarke may make the odd appearance but I wouldn't be expecting to see him regularly this year - for one he is almost certain to be part of the NZ 7s squad for Comm Games.
Oh I'm only talking about 3-4 times
Most of the time I would like the backs bench to be: a halfback, a flyhalf, Moala
It's all moot because we'll definitely have an injury crisis at some stage and Tana will do something stupid like picking Kirkpatrick at 12 in every match
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With the first half team looking close to our first string team, anyone else worried that Tupou is there instead of Akira? Might not mean much come week 1, but Tana obviously loves Tupou.
Papalii has probably improved his stocks the most this pre-season. Only 80 minutes of NPC experience and he could possibly start week 1.
Is Tuipulotu still in Tana's bad books? I hope not, we kind of need to play our best team each week to have a chance in the NZ conference.
It seems we might be trying to transition away from Moala as a starter. We have to try it at least, because our backline attack has been too predictable for too long.
Would've liked to have seen Tumua Manu get a go in this game, he's been pretty productive with every chance he's been given. Likely would've been a better option at centre than Leger.
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Heading up the road to have a look,sensational day north of Auckland,will keep you all posted.
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@steven-harris PM me if you want to catch up.
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@steven-harris Given that Warkworth has already had 400 mm of rain this year (230 mm) this month, it's pretty fortunate that it's such a nice day.
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@dice I think it's worth noting other than Papali'i none of the rest of the first half XV played 10s (except Tupou who only played a game or two).
I'd suggest Tupou in the starting XV is more about giving him a run. I highly doubt Goodhue has passed Tuipulotu/GCT but he is in the first half XV.
Likewise I doubt Faiane will be in the starting XV for the first game - as it looks like he is set up to play in both halves in this preseason game.
Agreed on Tumua Manu - was much better than Leger or Tua at the 10s.
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@tim there is a live steam through the Blues F/B SBI productions,I wonder if they need a commentator..?,lol
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@steven-harris Ha ha. None of us could be worse than TJ.
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@steven-harris said in Blues 2018:
@tim there is a live steam through the Blues F/B SBI productions,I wonder if they need a commentator..?,lol
Bloody hell, found the stream only to informed that it is limited to NZ audiences only due to licencing restrictions.
And here I was, boss free for the day thinking... "Hell yeah, get in a bit of S15 pre-season whilst sitting at the desk with the feet up".
Go the Blues. After so many challenging years as a Blues supporter, I don't want to get my hopes up but right now things are looks as bright as they have in many years.
Cheers
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15 minutes until kick off very big crowd,field in excellent condition,28.5 degrees,should’nt be too much of an issue given where they were last weekend
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8 m good lead up work from Canes forwards results in an attacking scrum from which Perenara exploits on the blindside Canes lead 5-0
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13 min,great turnover from Dalton Papalii results in a great little chip through which sees Matt Duffie score just ahead of Laumapi ,Gatland converts Blues 7-5
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17m Murphy Taramai on for Dalton Papalii
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@steven-harris injury?
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@kiwimurph unsure will check at halftime
