Blues v Hurricanes
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The last time Akira played 6 for the Blues I think was 2017 vs Sunwolves when Luatua was around. There have been nearly 2 seasons gone since then. Akira would have played 25 odd games for the Blues at 8 since then.
In addition - probably 25 more since then at 8 in Mitre 10 Cup for Auckland.
So thats his last 50 odd first class games at 8.
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@Duluth said in Blues v Hurricanes:
When was his last start at 6?
What does that matter? He can cover 6 and 8 so why not select him and have him in the squad rather than someone who can't start for the Highlanders? And why select Whitelock? You don't leave a player like that out unless there are other issues. Saying it's his positional play makes as much sense as that cråp about Isaac Ross having to improve his power.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues v Hurricanes:
What does that matter?
It matters because he's a specialist 8
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
The last time Akira played 6 for the Blues I think was 2017 vs Sunwolves when Luatua was around. There have been nearly 2 seasons gone since then. Akira would have played 25 odd games for the Blues at 8 since then.
In addition - probably 25 more since then at 8 in Mitre 10 Cup for Auckland.
So thats his last 50 odd first class games at 8.
So with the personnel available they prefer him at 8 for the Blues now. That doesn't mean he can't play there for the ABs. His bench impact alone would be immense. Makes no sense.
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@Duluth said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues v Hurricanes:
What does that matter?
It matters because he's a specialist 8
Except when he wasn't.
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He was playing out of position. There was plenty of discussion about it at the time. He can do a reasonable job there but it negates his running game - his biggest asset
Weird thing to get so worked up over
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@Duluth said in Blues v Hurricanes:
He was playing out of position. There was plenty of discussion about it at the time. He can do a reasonable job there but it negates his running game - his biggest asset
Weird thing to get so worked up over
What? I'm perfectly calm. What are you on about? Point to a single part of my last few posts where I got "worked up over" anything.
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There's no indication that ABs see Akira as a 6 or Shannon F as an 8.
As for Akira - coach Coventry gave an indication last year after he was named Blues forward coach that the ABs wanted to see a more rounded game from him - that the running game was obviously great last year but that he needed to balance it out a bit more.
That has improved this year (and Mitre 10 Cup last year).
He's hit more rucks, his tackling numbers have improved, his passing game has improved.
Now he is in the ABs frame again.
Nothing to do with niggle that he has never been penalised for.
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@KiwiMurph It's a pity though that he hasn't shown any of that improvement for at least a month now.
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@Stargazer said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@KiwiMurph It's a pity though that he hasn't shown any of that improvement for at least a month now.
I disagree. Last night he was back to his earlier self.
He has played into the ground though - he'd be right up there for total minutes played in the comp i'd think?
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
He has played into the ground though - he'd be right up there for total minutes played in the comp i'd think?
If Fox sports is accurate he's 10th with 843mins from 11 games. The only other NZ forward in the top 20 is Blackwell (7th with 854mins)
I see Nanai has yet to be subbed 880min from 11 matches
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
There's no indication that ABs see Akira as a 6 or Shannon F as an 8.
As for Akira - coach Coventry gave an indication last year after he was named Blues forward coach that the ABs wanted to see a more rounded game from him - that the running game was obviously great last year but that he needed to balance it out a bit more.
That has improved this year (and Mitre 10 Cup last year).
He's hit more rucks, his tackling numbers have improved, his passing game has improved.
Now he is in the ABs frame again.
Nothing to do with niggle that he has never been penalised for.
How about Whitelock? And if there are workons then why not work on them within the squad? There are plenty of players selected for the ABs who are far from the finished product.
But we're going round in circles. If you think it's positional stuff, the fact that he's a specialist no. 8 etc then fair enough. I respectfully disagree and think it's his temperament they're concerned about. Btw, now that I think about it, wasn't he yellow carded in the Mitre 10 Cup final?
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@Rancid-Schnitzel That was for a collapsed maul when Canterbury were about to score.
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@African-Monkey said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@Rancid-Schnitzel That was for a collapsed maul when Canterbury were about to score.
I thought it was because he entered from the side after having been warned first.
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@African-Monkey and as for his temperament he came back absolutely firing from the yellow card 10 minute break in that final and was a huge catalyst for the Auckland win.
Not a bad big game temperament i'd say.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@African-Monkey and as for his temperament he came back absolutely firing from the yellow card 10 minute break in that final and was a huge catalyst for the Auckland win.
Not a bad big game temperament i'd say.
Wouldn't want it in a world cup play off game though? Would you?
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@KiwiMurph I didn't even think he was that bad last night apart from his work at the back of the scrum as it was metioned last night where Perenara made it difficult for him. No doubt Savea and Papali'i were the standout loosies but Akira toiled hard I thought.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@African-Monkey and as for his temperament he came back absolutely firing from the yellow card 10 minute break in that final and was a huge catalyst for the Auckland win.
Not a bad big game temperament i'd say.
Wouldn't want it in a world cup play off game though? Would you?
Ben Smith got yellow carded in a RWC final.
Let's not pick him.
#Logic
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@KiwiMurph 10th according to Fox Sports, but most of the guys above him are backs.
Interesting to note he's played nearly 200 minutes more than Scott Barrett, who's played the most of the Crusaders' forwards (and Crusaders have played a game more than the Blues).
Razor has the luxury of depth, but he's doing a good job of managing his guys' minutes. Havili has the most at 680 - nearly 200 less than Melani Nanai.
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