Blues vs Crusaders
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https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12202931
Eden Park expected a decent turn out this weekend and had hope for the Blues' Super Rugby season ahead. .................... "We're very hopeful that the crowd will exceed 20,000`` -
@KiwiMurph Eden Park residents association probably hope the Blues continue thier poor form, less people in thier hood!
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@Crucial haha cherry picked. Like the chch schooled players in your backline. Every team recruits from all around nz. Just the crusaders seem to be the best at turning them into good players. After watching the knights trial on Saturday there’s plenty more coming thru too.
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@Crucial said in Blues vs Crusaders:
@chchfanatic said in Blues vs Crusaders:
@Bones mate let’s be honest we’ve got so much depth it doesn’t matter who we choose. Do you think the blues would take both hunt and Cameron before black and Plummer.
@chchfanatic as you will likely find out as the season progresses this is the sort of comment that ensures a continuation of the dislike of your teams from everywhere sans the inbred plains.
Not only do you have stacked teams cherry picked from around the country that you claim as 'locals' but then have the gall to suggest that even your third stringers are superior to other team's first choices.
As much as I admire many Saders players when in the black jersey, I will continue with the Saders as my 'hatiest' NZ team while the classic one-eyed fan remains.
Yeah, well you poached Kieran Read! /sarcasm
Is poaching between provinces even a thing (that anyone cares about) any more? High school players are essentially scouted and recruited by NPC or Super rugby teams with little care for provincial loyalties. Maybe it's time to move to a draft for high school players?
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I love the run up to Round 1, and the anticipation of an improved Blues team.
Anticipation that will barely make it out of the first quarter.
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Crusaders are huge favourites - theirs to lose, all I'm looking for is an improvement in the team structure for the Blues and a coherant game plan.
It'll take time to flush away the Tana stink, so I have low expectations for this year.
It takes time for a coach to get the players they want now thanks to the contract structure, so that's a factor too.
So a loss for the Crusaders will be a bit of a disaster. A competitive, organised looking Blues performance will be the aim for us. Something to build from.
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Blues actually have a decent record under new coaches - they tend to win their first game but that's been something of a false dawn.
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Blues won their first game under Umaga against the Highlanders at Eden Park (their last NZ derby win I think?)
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Blues won their first game under Kirwan against the Canes in Wellington
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Blues won their first game under Lam against the Force in Perth I believe
Having said that - I can't see the Blues winning this weekend - Razor has barely lost a game as Crusaders coach in 2 years. I am very much looking forward to seeing the Blues under their new coaches though.
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@mariner4life said in Blues vs Crusaders:
I love the run up to Round 1, and the anticipation of an improved Blues team.
Anticipation that will barely make it out of the first quarter.
Think you are projecting a bit there. Most of what I see is relief that Tana isn’t giggling his way through interviews anymore.
We are well aware that we have a long way to go.
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@Kirwan said in Blues vs Crusaders:
@mariner4life said in Blues vs Crusaders:
I love the run up to Round 1, and the anticipation of an improved Blues team.
Anticipation that will barely make it out of the first quarter.
Think you are projecting a bit there. Most of what I see is relief that Tana isn’t giggling his way through interviews anymore.
We are well aware that we have a long way to go.
you are doing it wrong
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@mariner4life said in Blues vs Crusaders:
@Kirwan said in Blues vs Crusaders:
@mariner4life said in Blues vs Crusaders:
I love the run up to Round 1, and the anticipation of an improved Blues team.
Anticipation that will barely make it out of the first quarter.
Think you are projecting a bit there. Most of what I see is relief that Tana isn’t giggling his way through interviews anymore.
We are well aware that we have a long way to go.
you are doing it wrong
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You guys were saying the same about Auckland in the NPC and things turned out OK. I am not buying your pessimism.
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Match Blues v Crusaders
Referee Nick Briant
AR1 Federico Anselmi
AR2 Dan Waenga
TMO Ben Skeen -
15 Michael Collins, 14 Melani Nanai, 13 Ma’a Nonu, 12 TJ Faiane, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Otere Black, 9 Jonathan Ruru; 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Tom Robinson, 5 Josh Goodhue, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu ©, 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 James Parsons, 1 Alex Hodgman
Reserves: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20 Matt Matich, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Sonny Bill Williams.
Blues Rugby
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A very good Blues side at home under a new head coach against a young Crusader side with a host of ABs out. Traditionally slow starters and hung over from 2018 title.
Blues heavy favourites and should win by 10+
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@Gunner said in Blues vs Crusaders:
The Blues obsession with M Collins continues.
Not a surprise. I don't recall Trainor playing in the pre-season (maybe injured?)
The 15 used were Perofeta (injured) and Collins
Looking at the Blues A side the fullback is Hawaii Ahokovi who hasn't played NPC yet
