Blues v Crusaders

KiwiMurph

Blues named
 
Latimer out with a knee injury so Pryor starts. Moala with some bumps and bruises but i'm guessing he'll play. If he doesn't Sau starts and Michael Little comes onto the bench.
 
I have a bad feeling Duffie is going to get owned by Nadolo again this week, he has destroyed the Blues the last few years. I'd be tempted to line Moala/Sau up against Nadolo on defense. 
 
1 - Prattley
2 - Parsons (c)
3 - Charlie
4 - Tuipulotu
5 - Bekhuis
6 - Kaino
7 - Pryor
8 - Luatua
9 - Guton
10 - West
11 - Li
12 - Francis
13 - Moala/Sau
14 - Duffie
15 - Nanai
 
16 - MacDonald
17 - Ofa T
18 - Sione Mafileo
19 - Matenga
20 - Ram
21 - Hall
22 - Sau/Little
23 - Visinia

Tim

They're starting Duffie again? He was shit against the Force. :-/

taniwharugby

bit surprised they haven't gone for Ram, is a bit more abrasive and tighter than Pryor

Dice

Just our luck that Nadolo comes back from suspension when they face us.
 
Which country will Duffie be flying to this time?
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="582845" data-time="1464224257">
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bit surprised they haven't gone for Ram, is a bit more abrasive and tighter than Pryor
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I have a feeling they don't see Ram having a future here, that's why Pryor is getting all the game time. Because of the 7s, we were able to hold more backrowers this year than usual, so someone has to go after this season, and it seems like Ram is the prime candidate.
 
Not quite sure if Latimer is going to be here again, but I'd like him to stick around to mentor Gibson, as well as add some vet presence in the team.

taniwharugby

you are probably right, and ties in with the fact it seems Tana isn't really focused on results so much this year...still, I think Ram is a better all round player, Kara has good pace for a 7 though, but still has moments where he tries too much, but is certainly a good prospect.

KiwiMurph

Apparently Latimer may need knee surgery for his injury. I think Gibson is due back after the June break which would be timely. It has been reported that Moala seemed to come through training ok.

ACT Crusader

Just out of interest, has West started every game this year? I can't recall a game he has missed. 
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

KiwiMurph

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="582888" data-time="1464228014">
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Just out of interest, has West started every game this year? I can't recall a game he has missed. 
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Every game except for the Crusaders game in Chch ironically, where Tana made the rotation changes.
 
Speaking of, McGahan is out injured this week.

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="582880" data-time="1464227673">Apparently Latimer may need knee surgery for his injury. I think Gibson is due back after the June break which would be timely. It has been reported that Moala seemed to come through training ok.</blockquote>
 
Good news for Moala. He could possibly be one of those players on the fringe that AB selection may turn on this weekends performance.

Dice

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="582865" data-time="1464225986">
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you are probably right, and ties in with the fact it seems Tana isn't really focused on results so much this year...still, I think Ram is a better all round player, Kara has good pace for a 7 though, but still has moments where he tries too much, but is certainly a good prospect.
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Definitely would've liked to have seen more Ram this year, but the longer he didn't get gametime, the more I figured he's just not in our plans for the future. I agree that Ram is the better all round player, which is why I've always preferred him to Pryor.

Canes4life

From a neutral perspective this is where I believe the Blues need to improve before next year as making this years playoffs is a bit of a stretch.
 
If I was Tana I would throw all my coin at Beauden Barrett's younger brother Jordie in the off season. He is the exact type of player the Blues desperately need in their arsenal. An inside centre who can cover 1st five with an array of skills that differs from the usual crash and bash style of play that the Blues bring week in and week out. He is also a pin point goal kicker, unlike his bro.
 
If I was Tana I would also negotiate with Otere Black's manager and get him out of the Hurricanes where he is stuck behind Beaudy and will most likely fall behind TJ Va'a. 
 
Someone I know close to the Hurricanes said Black has been getting a little restless due to the lack of game time and with TJ Va'a also in their ranks it would be a smart move by the Blues to snap him up while he is not in the spotlight.
 
In terms of Moala he does not possess a passing game good enough to warrant test selection. He looks great at Super Rugby level with his ability to gain metres over the advantage line every time he carries but International footy is another beast altogether. I prefer him on the wing.
 
With many believing Tana has more of an eye towards next year, how good would it be if he managed to conjure up a backline of this magnitude in 2017: 9. Pulu 10. Black 11. Li 12. Barrett 13. Ioane 14. Ranger 15. Nanai. with 21. Nock 22. West and 23. Moala on the bench. That backline would surely get bums back on seats and if they also add the signature of someone like SBW they would be looking like contenders once again.

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="582919" data-time="1464231069">
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From a neutral perspective this is where I believe the Blues need to 
 
If I was Tana I would throw all my coin at Beauden Barrett's younger brother Jordie in the off season. He is the exact type of player the Blues desperately need in their arsenal. An inside centre who can cover 1st five with an array of skills that differs from the usual crash and bash style of play that the Blues bring week in and week out. He is also a pin point goal kicker, unlike his bro.
 
If I was Tana I would also negotiate with Otere Black's manager and get him out of the Hurricanes where he is stuck behind Beaudy and will most likely fall behind TJ Va'a. 
 
Someone I know close to the Hurricanes said Black has been getting a little restless due to the lack of game time and with TJ Va'a also in their ranks it would be a smart move by the Blues to snap him up while he is not in the spotlight.
 
In terms of Moala he does not possess a passing game good enough to warrant test selection. He looks great at Super Rugby level with his ability to gain metres over the advantage line every time he carries but International footy is another beast altogether. I prefer him on the wing.
 
With many believing Tana has more of an eye towards next year, how good would it be if he managed to conjure up a backline of this magnitude in 2017: 9. Pulu 10. Black 11. Li 12. Barrett 13. Ioane 14. Ranger 15. Nanai. That backline would surely get bums back on seats and if they also add the signature of someone like SBW they would be looking like contenders once again.
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To paraphrase.... sign a bunch of players from Wellington.

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="582920" data-time="1464231147">
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To paraphrase.... sign a bunch of players from Wellington.
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Good one SammyClueless
 
Otere Blacks from Manawatu
Barrett is down in Canterbury.

bobily

Otero Black already has a contract but they could go for Perofeta, who already has a combination with Barrett, and looks classy.

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="582923" data-time="1464231434">
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Good one SammyClueless
 
Otere Blacks from Manawatu
Barrett is down in Canterbury.
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I assumed they were from Wellington, as you don't watch any other teams apparently.

gt12

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="582919" data-time="1464231069">
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From a neutral perspective this is where I believe the Blues need to improve before next year as making this years playoffs is a bit of a stretch.
 
If I was Tana I would throw all my coin at Beauden Barrett's younger brother Jordie in the off season. He is the exact type of player the Blues desperately need in their arsenal. An inside centre who can cover 1st five with an array of skills that differs from the usual crash and bash style of play that the Blues bring week in and week out. He is also a pin point goal kicker, unlike his bro.
 
If I was Tana I would also negotiate with Otere Black's manager and get him out of the Hurricanes where he is stuck behind Beaudy and will most likely fall behind TJ Va'a. 
 
Someone I know close to the Hurricanes said Black has been getting a little restless due to the lack of game time and with TJ Va'a also in their ranks it would be a smart move by the Blues to snap him up while he is not in the spotlight.
 
In terms of Moala he does not possess a passing game good enough to warrant test selection. He looks great at Super Rugby level with his ability to gain metres over the advantage line every time he carries but International footy is another beast altogether. I prefer him on the wing.
 
With many believing Tana has more of an eye towards next year, how good would it be if he managed to conjure up a backline of this magnitude in 2017: 9. Pulu 10. Black 11. Li 12. Barrett 13. Ioane 14. Ranger 15. Nanai. with 21. Nock 22. West and 23. Moala on the bench. That backline would surely get bums back on seats and if they also add the signature of someone like SBW they would be looking like contenders once again.
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You're one of my fav. posters C4L, guaranteed to over-egg it for canes players :)
 
Barrett would be a good buy (unless SBW goes), but with Ioane and Moala, he won't be starting, unless Ioane stays on the wing - where I think they really need some help Li? Duffie? WTF? Visinia should have been moved there ages ago, as I suggested...
 
A 10 though is a good idea, and Black does look likely, although a gamble. Probably worth it though.
 
I'd be looking for a lock to partner Paddy, and trying to magic up a Super level 10.

Tim

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="582942" data-time="1464235714">
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You're one of my fav. posters C4L, guaranteed to over-egg it for canes players :)
 
Barrett would be a good buy (unless SBW goes), but with Ioane and Moala, he won't be starting, unless Ioane stays on the wing - where I think they really need some help Li? Duffie? WTF? Visinia should have been moved there ages ago, as I suggested...
 
A 10 though is a good idea, and Black does look likely, although a gamble. Probably worth it though.
 
I'd be looking for a lock to partner Paddy, and trying to magic up a Super level 10.
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Lam will be back from injury next year. Trainor will be another year more experienced too. Not sure if Goodhue is coming back the Blues area.
 
Hope to see TJ Faiane get a good run in the midfield during the ITM Cup.

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="582944" data-time="1464235989">
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Lam will be back from injury next year. Trainor will be another year more experienced too. Not sure if Goodhue is coming back the Blues area.
 
Hope to see TJ Faiane get a good run in the midfield during the ITM Cup.
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from what I hear, the signs are promising, if it happens, it is a while off yet anyway and plenty can change; whether any move is just for Mitre 10 as well as Super rugby is the bigger question I suspect, if his brother is offered another Blues contract, who knows

KiwiMurph

Yes TJ Faiane is an interesting one - a real talent but will his body continue to breakdown, he's had two ACL injuries in the last year (2015 U20 World Cup final and 2016 Super Rugby preseason). A centre pairing of him and Rieko Ioane would be very interesting in the Mitre 10 Cup.

kiwiinmelb

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="582864" data-time="1464225839">
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Just our luck that Nadolo comes back from suspension when they face us.
 
Which country will Duffie be flying to this time?
 
 
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And last time he was playing FB, 
 
This time he is marking him , he probably wont sleep this week

The Silver Fern

Blues v Crusaders