Highlanders vs Blues
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@Kirwan Red had 10 and no misses...problems in this team are elsewhere.
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@taniwharugby said in Highlanders vs Blues:
@Kirwan Red had 10 and no misses...problems in this team are elsewhere.
He was good, just needs to work on getting off the scrum quicker. That’s all that’s obvious though, he’s been huge.
Has been over played though, surely he’s going to run out of petrol?
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@Kirwan possibly, but I do know he is incredibly fit and works bloody hard off the field.
Easy to forget this is is first full season of pro rugby after some pretty major injuries, last year was his first full season of NPC, even then broken up due to injury.
Csny wait for him to come back this season.
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@taniwharugby totally agree with your Coms,
You get the impression with Robinson he will get better,and accuracy will come..
There was some very poor leadership after the Blues had scored ,TJs Faiane who decided to run into contact after fielding a kick off ,when the better option was to drop it on to your boot and go to the next set piece lineout..
What escalated was Ruru once again having a kick charged down,this actually happens very often ..!
And it was almost like a door was opened for the Landers to get a foothold back into the game..
We are very average when it comes to making smart decisions..and once our ability to exit from our 22 red zone is just horrendous..
And once again,we turn down points on offer to kick to the corner and turn the ball over,
Take the points on offer,if the kick misses,you do stay on attack at least keep the scoreboard ticking.
Only problem we have got to exit when we do score points,and that’s always a case of holding your breath.
Personally I think we are done for the season,we still have 4 NZ derbies to come,2 away and 2 at home..and I would not be that confident about beating either the Brumbies or Reds away..
Would not mind seeing somebody different start at both hooker and halfback ..
What last night told me about Otere Black was the reason why he was the number 2 at the Canes and should be nowhere near an All Black jersey..he’s journeyman first five,nothing more,nothing less..
I would go after a Hayden Parker just on goalkicking stats alone -
@Kirwan not sure how many other options Leon will have, he has close to the best players likely available to him (He just re-signed Parsons)...similarly Kirwan and Tana inherited teams and the same was said of them.
Watched the game then re read this thread, Blues weren't too far off, a few critical errors were very costly in terms of field position or points.
Highlanders had their share of errors too, but a few points they blew also came from Blues errors.
Some criticism of players I reckon is a bit OTT and emotional, plus some make the same error as another and no one mentions it.
Just not a great night at the office for the Blues, just too inaccurate and a shade off the pace...we often get told there is fuck all between teams at this level and it comes down to the little things...I think the blues are on the right path, just need to not stumble every few steps.
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@taniwharugby we all get caught up with our own bais ,but in many cases even our so called better players make some very basic errors and it gets overlooked ..
There is improvement in this Blues team,no question..
But we are still way off the pace when it comes to smart decision making and that’s almost right across the board -
@Victor-Meldrew said in Highlanders vs Blues:
@Kirwan said in Highlanders vs Blues:
How fast we forget Ben Blair.
...and Jamie McIntosh
Not sure he played in the back three...
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As I neutral I found myself wanting the Blues to win this one, so I am disappointed for them.
The biggest take for me from this game was Nonu's contribution. I thought he was a little MIA in the second half, but his first half efforts showed what the Blues, and more importantly the ABs, have been missing skills wise during the last few years. It was so fucking refreshing to see a back that can actually pass the ball, and I am not just talking about that sweet pass to the big ginger. Numerous times during that first half Nonu set players into space with crisp accurate passing, something we haven't seen at AB level from SBW, B Barrett, Fekitoa or Laumape for quite some time. No wonder we haven't been able to break down the rush defence.
Best NZ passing inside backs - Smith, Mo'unga, Nonu/ALB, Goodhue. Let the ball beat the man.
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@Crazy-Horse Great comment. Add to those an outside back Ben Smith who creates space and passes better than anyone. I would say that is the Blues greatest weakness - they have had so many destructive ball runners yet constantly miss opportunities with backs not passing in the open or forwards off loading in 50/50 contact areas.
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@kev said in Highlanders vs Blues:
@Crazy-Horse Great comment. Add to those an outside back Ben Smith who creates space and passes better than anyone. I would say that is the Blues greatest weakness - they have had so many destructive ball runners yet constantly miss opportunities with backs not passing in the open or forwards off loading in 50/50 contact areas.
It was a big problem in past seasons when we were stuffing wingers into the midfield, but I'm not sure that this has been that big a problem for us this year, probably because we have proper midfielders in the midfield now who are willing passers. Then you have Melani who has improved his passing and ability to put players away.
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An entertaining game to watch as a neutral. From an All Black perspective there were some really pleasing performances. Shannon Frizell continues to play well, and must surely be the favourite to get first shot at the All Black no.6 jersey this year? Ma'a Nonu continues to play with energy and enthusiasm that belies his age. He just exudes composure and consistently makes good decisions. I guess that's experience? I thought Josh Ioane played strongly, and whilst 2019 might be a year or two too soon for him in terms of being selected for the All Blacks, it was great to see him play well in a pressure game.
The scrums were a bit of lottery. I thought the Blues scrum looked dominant early, but then the Highlanders scrum took the ascendency in the 2nd half. Karl Tuinukuafe looked very strong early but fell away late, I wonder if that's a fitness issue? Ofa T made some handling errors and overall looks a bit underdone.
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@Cantab79 yeah it is good to see Frizell showing some form (guess that comes with being selected to start) making the selection of our 6 a wee bit less concerning...he has a real chance to own the jersey this year.
While many parts of NOnu's game make you want him back in, who are they gonna drop for him?
Goodhue - no
Crotty - no (although see SBW below)
ALB - no
Laumape - maybe, but probably notLeaving SBW, his durability sees him the most vulnerable IMO, if fit, we know they will select SBW...if he isnt it, this is where I see the door opening for Nonu (add Crotty to this too...)
Assume the AB coaches has access to all Nonu's fitness stats, so will know how much he has dropped off since leaving and whether he still has it (numbers-wise) to be a force at the top level.
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@Cantab79 said in Highlanders vs Blues:
Karl Tuinukuafe looked very strong early but fell away late, I wonder if that's a fitness issue? Ofa T made some handling errors and overall looks a bit underdone.
Ofa's worst match for a while
The pack faded but I think that's because of the errors, penalties etc giving a glut of possession to the Highlanders.
35min-55min killed the chances in that game. The Blues had hardly any ball and were working very hard on defence -
The All Black front rowers looked totally gassed. Karl T and Ofa do not have the fitness to maintain the same momentum week in and week out.
Hodgman looked good in the 15-20 minutes against the Chiefs and now the Highlanders. Leon needs to start Hodgman and now Ofa with Mafileo being out.
We have lost our mojo it is obvious that Hodgman has the fitness, bring the ABs off the bench, in two games now we look real flat. Go back to the winning formula.
