Why the Blues are going OK...

nzzp

Righto, bear with me please. This post is why I think the Blues are tracking along OK this season, despite the scorn and vitriol being heaped on them from some quarters (Rugby scribes, Ferners, everyone outside Auckland basically). 
 
Obviously I'm not saying that we're dominant, or even going well, but the green shoots of recovery are there.
 
1 - Results 
Won v Highlanders 33-31
Lost v Crusaders 28-13
Lost v Canes 19-23
Draw Reds 25-25
Won v Jaguares 24-16
Lost v Chiefs 29-23
Won v Sharks 23-18
 
So overall 3-1-3. But here's the thing - we've lost to NZ teams, and except for the Crusaders, we have been bloody competitive. In every other game (Reds included), we had the opportunity to score a try to win. Yes, I know we lost, but by god this is a young team... so see below. Win a bunch of games against foreign teams in the next few weeks, and you'd say it's been an OK season.
 
2 - Potential to improve
let's be honest, we've been playing pretty crap. Our backline sometimes stands static, we seem to introduce new players and chop and change. We have about 6 wingers in our squad, two 10s and no midfielders or fullbacks. Our 9 and 10 haven't played particularly well. There are glaring weaknesses around the paddock tactically ... and yet we're right up there at the business end of games. In short, there is a shedload of potential in this outfit, and I don't think we are far away from starting to unlock it.
 
Tana needs to bring more structure to the team, but that takes time and practice. I reckon he's looking hard at next year, and laying some foundations this year.
 
3 - Good things
Fitness looks good - we're finishing strongly
Scrum has improved dramatically since the Crusaders debacle in the first half
Attitude in the squad looks sound
 
4 - Recruitment and retention
This is one of the key pointers for me. Previously we were wrecking players and coaches careers left, right and centre. In the last few weeks we've signed Augustine Pulu (hurrah!) and re-signed big Patrick T. These boys are coming or staying because of Tana. We are almost at the point where at 10 may consider moving to the Blues... which is not where we were at the start of the season. If the environment and coaching is good, then players will stay on and keep playing
 
5 - Development
We're starting to see players coming regularly out of our development system and playing at a high level at Super. Keep those boys and you can start to build a team. Over the last few years we've seen Charlie Piutau (a massive loss), the Ioane brothers, Blake Gibson on top of a number of players who are Super level . 
 
So, overall, there are pleasing signs. It's not blind faith in Tana, but after the recent seasons we have had, there is at least light at the end of the tunnel. Here's hoping that it's not an oncoming train!
 
 
 
As an aside, I've been trying to figure out if Luatua is playing really well, or very poorly. I think he's going fine - he's doing a load of tight work at 8, and seems to be bulking up to turn into a lock/loose cover. This is the way the ABs use him, but it means he doesn't seem to be out in the open so much. Other than a few ball drops, I think he's having a good year and I'd expect him to get into the AB squad as bench cover.

Milk

Blues will start looking better and better as the other NZ teams start beating each other up.

JK

Good post.
 
Other than in the 1st game we've been pretty crap but not been far off winning most games, and actually managed to win a few of them.
 
Could be much worse placed on the table given how average we've looked.

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nzzp" data-cid="573902" data-time="1461268753">
<div>
Tana needs to bring more structure to the team, but that takes time and practice. I reckon he's looking hard at next year, and laying some foundations this year.
 
 
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Yep, I reckon Tana has written this season off as a develop and learn season, and has pretty much had his eyes fixed on 2017, despite the obvious issues with development and confidence of the way he had been doing things.

Crucial

I agree with you nzzp and you haven't even mentioned the possibility of SBW being there next year.
 
Maybe Blues fans are also coming around to seeing that their team isn't as bad as the think solely based on 'W's". JKs teams would often have runs of good games that went unrewarded through the odd bit of bad luck or reffing errors but the team itself still copped shit from the fans making it a downward spiral of frustration for everyone.

nzzp

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="573911" data-time="1461271925">
<div>
I agree with you nzzp and you haven't even mentioned the possibility of SBW being there next year.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Is this a thing? If we could nab him that'd be awesome. He could wreak some merry havoc with some of the wingers we've got running off him
 
 
also, a shout out to our forward pack. Quietly going along well I think.

Crucial

I think it is a definite possibility. He is off contract with the Chiefs and although there will be some loyalty to them there is also the bond with Tana that saw him sign with CM.

SammyC

Crucial you should write an article for the Herald about it.
 
So far they've reported.
 
SBW is going to the roosters
SBW is going to Toulon
SBW is signing with the chiefs/NZRFU and continuing his boxing career
 
probably some more I've <strike>missed</strike> ignored :)

mariner4life

The Blues lineout is pretty strong as well. There are some building blocks there

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="573924" data-time="1461273590">
<div>
Crucial you should write an article for the Herald about it.
 
So far they've reported.
 
SBW is going to the roosters
SBW is going to Toulon
SBW is signing with the chiefs/NZRFU and continuing his boxing career
 
probably some more I've <strike>missed</strike> ignored :)
</div>
</blockquote>
 
 
I think you may have missed these.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11622083'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11622083</a>
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">Sonny Bill Williams and Umaga are close and the Blues are keen to see if they can prise the All Black midfielder from the Chiefs.
 
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie confirmed to Fairfax Media this week he is keen to retain Williams, who played 28 matches for the Hamilton-based franchise and won a title with them in 2012. Williams is contracted to the Chiefs this year but opted to play sevens this year.
Blues coach Tana Umaga has a strong relationship with Williams, too. The pair first linked at Toulon when Williams switched from the Bulldogs in 2008, and again with Umaga guiding Counties Manukau in 2014.
"If Sonny Bill decides to stay in New Zealand, we'd love to have someone of his calibre with us," Umaga said. "It goes without saying what he's achieved as a player and what he's like as a person, I'm fortunate to know that.
"An environment that's young like ours, he would add immense value. He likes to make sure he's up for a challenge and we all know the Lions are coming so that could keep him. But you never know.
"Sonny doesn't make emotional decisions. He likes to go into a good environment. He's got connections with Dave and the Chiefs, and is part of the reason why they are what they are at the moment.
"But if he's up for a challenge with us, hopefully he'd think about that."
 
</blockquote>
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/78736957/nz-rugby-clears-sonny-bill-williams-return-to-ring-as-chiefs-and-blues-chase'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/78736957/nz-rugby-clears-sonny-bill-williams-return-to-ring-as-chiefs-and-blues-chase</a>

gt12

Good post NZZP. I mostly agree. 
However, Barry Schwartz would tell you that the secret to happiness is low expectations. 
I can't stop thinking about that every time I hear some one talk about how the Blues are 'building'. 
Their set piece is pretty good, and they've got some forwards who are working their asses off (Luatua particularly). Their defense is pretty reasonable too, which is keeping them in games. 
But, without some 1-minute magic from Ioane or ANother, they'd have lost at least one more and I wonder what we'd be saying then. 
Furthermore, they haven't looked as good in any games since their first. That Reds game really fucked things around, and since then all I can see is deck-chairs have been moved and 'planning' for next year. But, I'm not sure it's even good ' planning'- Francis is definitely not the answer at 2nd five, they dropped the guy who put in the best shift at FB, and they continue to be deep on attack. 
They are losing two guys who've been really adding (Ioanes) and Gibson being injured has hurt them at the breakdown. 
So, I'm selling. I reckon they might have a bit of a hard run home, despite having already played the kiwi teams. Hope I'm wrong (and going by my tipping, that's more than likely).

nzzp

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="573947" data-time="1461281561">
<div>
But, without some 1-minute magic from Ioane or ANother, they'd have lost at least one more and I wonder what we'd be saying then.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Yep, but if we had a different ref in teh Canes game we may have gone 4-1-2 and everyone would be banging on about how great we are. 
 
I'm not too worried about results this year, if the team can build and show improvement that's a win for me. Low expectations is the lot of a Blues fan these days! The post was there to make the point that, unlike previously years, I think there are some tangible things that indicate improvement in the side.
 
Will be an interesting second half of the year. Pro rugby takes its toll on bodies, and I expect us to fade. Still, mid table would be sound given our start and the bodies coming next year.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">everyone outside Auckland basically
 
</blockquote>
Hasn't it been the opposite? It seems to be the Blues fans (on here anyway) who are hardest on the team - expecting them to be the 1996/1997/2003 teams.

Dice

There's a bit more grit in this team than last year, even though there's still a lot of the same players in the squad. With the late coaching appointment, we weren't really able to make any big upgrades to any position in the off-season, but we've clearly made some strides this season.
 
I'm honestly not too worried about the future of the Blues, as I think we have a decent base to build off of and have some good talent coming through. I think we can fill a lot of our weak positions in the next couple of years, as well as add some good depth to the team. Like myself, Auckland Rugby probably believe in the talent coming through, as they've now increased their academy spots per year from 12 to 24, which is a pretty big deal to me.
 
In recent years, the ARU and Blues have been putting a lot more work into the grade programs and appear to me to have adopted a 'leave no stone unturned' mentality - this, along with many schools up here playing more structured and a high percentage style of rugby, has meant more rounded and higher IQ players being developed. I remember several years back when we could barely get a player to make NZ schools, but we've probably had the most in the last few years.
 
I use to be a big critic of the ARU, but I've quickly become a bit of a fan of theirs. The hard work they've put in is definitely paying off for the Auckland ITM Cup team at the moment, and I think with a bit more time, the Blues will benefit from it too.

mimic

The ARU has definitely put in work at schoolboy 1st XV level.. I noticed the change maybe 4-5 years ago, and i think it is funneling through..

hydro11

The thing is I'm not seeing any great coaching from Tana so far. Take the Chiefs game - great tries from Nanai and Ioane got you close but the Blues were completely outplayed. Having taken the lead, the Blues surrendered it very quickly. Against the Sharks last week, the Blues were outplayed in the first half but dominant in the second. Again though it was individual brilliance from Ioane that won them the game.
 
The Blues had to do better this season. I think they are doing well because they have some of the best young players in the country. I'm yet to see a clear example of where Tana has created a game plan and got the Blues to follow through on it. I'm not criticising Tana for this and I think it was a good decision to appoint him coach. I'm just saying the jury is still out on whether he can get a team together which can compete for the title.

fcc

Threads like this are very similar to the early days of Hammett at the Canes

No Quarter

I never backed Hammett to get the best out of the Canes.

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="fcc" data-cid="574013" data-time="1461303265">
Threads like this are very similar to the early days of Hammett at the Canes</blockquote>
 
Hammett had better results at this stage

No Quarter

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="574016" data-time="1461303371">Hammett had better results at this stage :)</blockquote>
Hammett had a better team at this stage. We really got to see his quality as a coach in the proceeding years when he had "his" team.

The Silver Fern

Why the Blues are going OK...