Brumbies v Blues
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Blues named.
Kaino out injured with a knee problem - requires surgery - 6 weeks.
Cripes - how does Nanai get dropped and Collins start - i'm usually ok with Tana's selections but that is ridiculous.
1 Pauliasi Manu, 2 James Parsons (C), 3 Charlie Faumuina, 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 5 Scott Scrafton, 6 Steven Luatua, 7 Blake Gibson, 8 Akira Ioane; 9 Augustine Pulu, 10 Piers Francis, 11 Rieko Ioane, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 13. George Moala, 14 Matt Duffie, 15 Michael Collins.
Replacements: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Leighton Price, 20 Murphy Taramai, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Bryn Gatland, 23 Melani Nanai.
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Blues injury list: Unavailable due to injury: Rene Ranger (ankle), Stephen Perofeta (ankle), Jordon Trainor (shin), Brandon Nansen (wrist/hand), Jerome Kaino (knee), Ihaia West (ankle), Declan O’Donnell (concussion), Patrick Tuipulotu (back), Josh Goodhue (hamstring), Alex Hodgman (calf), Sam Prattley (knee).
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@Stargazer Good to have some information on Pat T. Hodgman has been a dud signing so far, he injured his calf in the leadup to the Rebels opening game over 2 months ago. Hopefully Perofeta can get through club rugby this weekend.
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so Nock finally off the sick list, but obviously being eased back in...and yay they gone back to Taramai as loose back up....I know Pryor played club footy last weekend.
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How the hell does Nanai keep being the one to get shafted? Collins hasn't been bad, but surely a outside back division of Ioane, Moala, Nanai and Duffy has all the balance, speed and power you want? I fail to see what Collins brings that improves on that.
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@mariner4life said in Brumbies v Blues:
How the hell does Nanai keep being the one to get shafted? Collins hasn't been bad, but surely a outside back division of Ioane, Moala, Nanai and Duffy has all the balance, speed and power you want? I fail to see what Collins brings that improves on that.
Safe White Boy ...
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@taniwharugby They forgot to put Tupou on the injured list, despite describing him as injured in the article, so I wouldn't count on Nock having recovered.
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@Tim haha yeah am sure you are right!
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@mariner4life said in Brumbies v Blues:
How the hell does Nanai keep being the one to get shafted? Collins hasn't been bad, but surely a outside back division of Ioane, Moala, Nanai and Duffy has all the balance, speed and power you want? I fail to see what Collins brings that improves on that.
Tana has probably cost Nanai a chance to make the ABs by constantly selecting a player who has half his ability ahead of him. I don't understand that selection either.
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Although I'm not a fan of Taramai, I would've doubled up with the backrowers on the bench with Pryor in there instead of Price. Price just hasn't been part of the team long enough for me to trust him getting minutes. I'd rather just have Luatua covering lock as a starter, but I do think both our locks can play 80 if needed.
Nanai on the bench is weird and unjustified. He just had a great game against possibly the best team in the comp. Regarding him at fullback, I just don't understand how he can't register any game time there this year after being one of the best FBs in the comp last year and making the AB training squad with his form there.
On paper, that midfield looks great, but both guys can't even pass or make the right decision at the moment. I hope we can finally settle on a midfield, because it's week 10 and we have another new combination. I probably would've given SBW and Rieko another go together just to try build something there.
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This is an unfounded guess but just maybe there are reasons Tana isn't starting Nanai that we aren't party to.
Maybe it's training ground issues or a minor injury that has hampered fitness levels.
I suspect we aren't seeing the full picture. -
@Crucial said in Brumbies v Blues:
This is an unfounded guess but just maybe there are reasons Tana isn't starting Nanai that we aren't party to.
Maybe it's training ground issues or a minor injury that has hampered fitness levels.
I suspect we aren't seeing the full picture.Or he's a shit selector.
Plenty of evidence to support my opinion (locks, backrow, fullback), zero for yours.
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@Kirwan said in Brumbies v Blues:
@Crucial said in Brumbies v Blues:
This is an unfounded guess but just maybe there are reasons Tana isn't starting Nanai that we aren't party to.
Maybe it's training ground issues or a minor injury that has hampered fitness levels.
I suspect we aren't seeing the full picture.Or he's a shit selector.
Plenty of evidence to support my opinion (locks, backrow, fullback), zero for yours.
I couldn't stand his selection of Tevita Li as a starter every week last season, when he looked like the worst player in our team. It was a weird fixation. Imagine if Li was with us now, Nanai might miss out on the game day team altogether.
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@Dice We could do with some of his crash balls.
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@African-Monkey said in Brumbies v Blues:
@Dice We could do with some of his crash balls.
I miss those crash balls for zero metres.
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Gatland is starting at 10 because Francis got injured in training. Nock has come onto the bench, so we are going with two halfbacks on the bench. I saw TJ Faiane in the changing room all geared up, so I'm not sure what that's about.
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Collins with the daftest decision there. Not so safe white guy.
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@Dice said in Brumbies v Blues:
Collins with the daftest decision there. Not so safe white guy.
Though a nice assist leading to that almost try.
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Speight was a mile offside there - how was he not penalised?
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These really are two middle of the table teams going at it. Blues look marginally better but neither is a good team.
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Would have liked a closer look at that non try to see which part of the ball touched the ground first. They only had one look.
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The fuck is wrong with Pulu? Put it in!
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wtf was Pulu upto
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Pulu having a shocker.
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big call here
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Even if Brumbies score here this was a bad decision.
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and the big call was the wrong one
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Good work Luatua. Dumb captaincy to not take a guaranteed three points.
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Duffy will surely be an AB this year. His skillset is perfect for test rugby.
Blues otherwise incredibly underwhelming. So frustrating watching this team, even for non-supporters.
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Must be very frustrating for the Blues forwards. Dominating but the inside backs can't turn it into points. Nor can they reliably do the basics.
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We are dominating the stats in this game, but we need to be more clinical and have better ruck security.
Pulu is having a bit of a mare.
Luatua has probably been our best for the half.
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One error aside Gatland has been fine. Especially with Pulu having a shocker. Moala looks best on the wing. Akira has been very involved. Luatua awesome.
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Looks like I'll have to watch a replay. Atmospheric conditions etc etc.
Although, reading this thread, I might not want to? -
@Stargazer it hasnt been a bad watch. Dry conditions lots of ball in play. Id expect it to open up in the second half.
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Where is Alister Rogers from? Very weird accent.
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Real lack of rugby IQ from Brumbies in not taking a guaranteed 3 on the stroke of half-time. A big factor in a decision of going for corner is that if you don't score you are still down at the right end of the field and can keep the pressure on. If it's right on halftime you lose this benefit.
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This post is deleted! -
Wales.
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Great work from A. Ioane.
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@Tim ref waited long enough to give him the penalty.
