Blues 2022
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@muddyriver I’m with you on that , don’t like to be critical of a player who has played at a level that I could only dream about but I can’t help think the Canes would have kept Riccitelli if they really rated him.
There’s a couple of players I have seen running around in the last few seasons for me personally that I would have converted into hookers . -
@steven-harris said in Blues 2022:
There’s a couple of players I have seen running around in the last few seasons for me personally that I would have converted into hookers
Who? Niko Jones?
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@duluth , your a mind reader as Niko Jones was one player I was thinking about especially given the dearth of loose forward talent we have .. wearing my Taniwha hat Matt Matich always plays a solid game he always gives 100% and is accurate on the tackle is great on the carry but has never quite made it to super level ..being cast as loose forward utility I suspect has not helped him ..still plenty to offer but it might be a little late .
Also Jacob Matiu who played number 8 for Northland , he’s got something you can’t coach , absolute mongrel ..was the Auckland club player of the year when suburbs won the Gallagher shield under Charlie McAlister ..
The problem that I suspect that holds Matiu back as number 8 is height or lack of ..I would be surprised if he’s 6 foot which is ironic because another player who I reckon would have made a dynamic hooker was Jordon Taufua..another short 8/6 with a ton of mongrel -
You would need to make that transition early in your career, probably once leaving school. Mealamu and Gatland are two past examples of loose forwards becoming hookers. Ollie Norris was a 1st XV no.8 that has made the switch to prop. There is no reason players couldn't do the same for hooker, and spend plenty of time practicing your throwing.
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@bovidae throwing in would be a massive work on for anybody transitioning on saying that both Asafo Amua and Samisoni Taukei’aho struggled big time at this aspect only a few seasons ago ,so with enough work it’s possible if the player is prepared to overcome that aspect ..
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@steven-harris Like any skill, throwing needs to be worked on. I've seen enough 1st XV hookers who struggle to throw straight. Hell, Mealamu had issues throughout his AB career. I would think that initially scrummaging would be more of a shock.
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@chris most probably. With BB starting at 10 you'd think Kneepkens would now fill the 23 spot covering wing and fullback as opposed to Lam who only covers wing. You'd think Tamati Tua/Tele'a and maybe Evans vying for 2 spots at 12 and 22? Then there's Bryce Heem? Or is he injured?
Interesting week coming up! -
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@nogusta said in Blues 2022:
@chris most probably. With BB starting at 10 you'd think Kneepkens would now fill the 23 spot covering wing and fullback as opposed to Lam who only covers wing. You'd think Tamati Tua/Tele'a and maybe Evans vying for 2 spots at 12 and 22? Then there's Bryce Heem? Or is he injured?
Interesting week coming up!Bryce Heem was good last SR season he maybe worth a bench spot.
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@chris Hoping it was rustiness but yes, it was terrible viewing watching him yesterday. Will get a better indication next week.
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@african-monkey said in Blues 2022:
@chris Hoping it was rustiness but yes, it was terrible viewing watching him yesterday. Will get a better indication next week.
I hope it’s only that.At worst it would be a sad way to end your career.
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@chris said in Blues 2022:
Any Blues Fans on here concerned about BB having what I think was a shocker against the Chiefs, and looking really gun shy from contact.
Or is the feeling its first game back he will improve.You'd think he has been doing full contact training sessions though. Surely that would have shown out in those.
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@crucial said in Blues 2022:
@chris said in Blues 2022:
Any Blues Fans on here concerned about BB having what I think was a shocker against the Chiefs, and looking really gun shy from contact.
Or is the feeling its first game back he will improve.You'd think he has been doing full contact training sessions though. Surely that would have shown out in those.
You would think so,But it did look like he was gun shy.
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@chris said in Blues 2022:
Any Blues Fans on here concerned about BB having what I think was a shocker against the Chiefs, and looking really gun shy from contact.
Or is the feeling its first game back he will improve.He was obvs very close to not making the 23, since he was bracketted, so I am imagining he’ll improve. Maybe he should’ve waited another week - some stern contact training required this week
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@chris said in Blues 2022:
So is Zarn Sullivan out of the 23 for the Blues now.
Hard to drop Perofeta after his performance v Chiefs he was outstanding.Perofeta should get a lock on fullback now. He offers a bit more in attack and I haven't seen enough in his general kicking but it would have to be pretty good to match Sullivan.
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@themojoman said in Blues 2022:
@chris said in Blues 2022:
So is Zarn Sullivan out of the 23 for the Blues now.
Hard to drop Perofeta after his performance v Chiefs he was outstanding.Perofeta should get a lock on fullback now. He offers a bit more in attack and I haven't seen enough in his general kicking but it would have to be pretty good to match Sullivan.
With BB starting sure, but with Plummer we looked to missing Sullivans longer kicking game.
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After coach Leon MacDonald described the injuries as "serious" Tuivasa-Sheck has pulled up better than expected, and will only face weeks on the sidelines - better than first feared. But Plummer hasn't been as lucky in his diagnosis, and will require surgery that ends his 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season.
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