Blues v Sharks
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<p>Another ugly game from us, but on the plus side, we beat our bogey team and tied our win total of last year. After the bye, I thought we could easily go 0 - 3, but we've collected a decent 9 points. We're now into the easier part of our schedule, with the Force, Rebels and Kings in our next 4 matches.</p>
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<p>Luatua was definitely big out there. He's really stepped it up in the last few weeks. Another forward who put in a big shift was Faumuina, he was physical and busy all game.</p>
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<p>It's crazy to think that Rieko is still eligible for the U20s next year, but with the way he is going and how big a weapon he is for us, I doubt we'll release him for the JWC next year. On the other hand, how is Li better than Nanai? Li adds very little to the team, but starts every match.</p>
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<p>West was so bad last night, he almost became the 2nd player to be booed by the fans. The first guy to get booed was Stephen Brett.</p> -
It's got to be a confidence thing with West. He is a decent player but he doesn't give himself a chance standing so deep all the time. Tana needs to get him playing a similar game to Barrett - stand flatter and first instinct is to attack the line, if nothing on then pass. That will help hold the defense in closer opening up a bit of space out wide. When the first five stands so deep in the pocket it makes it nearly impossible to organise anything on attack.
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<p>Blues have made big strides in the scrum this season too. It's not an Achilles heel like last year. Ofa T has gone better when he has switched to tight head and agree with TR that Waa looks to have something about him. Even Prattley has improved to the point where he is competent. With Mayhew coming back soon things are looking solid in that area.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="572948" data-time="1460859067">
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<p>Blues have made big strides in the scrum this season too. It's not an Achilles heel like last year. Ofa T has gone better when he has switched to tight head and agree with TR that Waa looks to have something about him. Even Prattley has improved to the point where he is competent. With Mayhew coming back soon things are looking solid in that area.</p>
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<p>Yup sure has. Everyone playing their part which is good to see. Our set piece is working very well at the moment.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="572943" data-time="1460857876"><p>
I've been wanting West to deliver but he just hasn't.<br><br>
Doesn't Francis play 10? He looks like he's got a bit about him.<br><br>
Swap him for West. Moala to 12. Ioane to 13.</p></blockquote>
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Yeah I thought he looked very solid. Nothing flashy, but dependable and less likely to do something stupid.<br><br>
Moala has to be there somewhere. -
Wow. Piers Franzis as a starting 10 at SR level. Never would have thought that would happen. I would have thought there are about 25 better NZ 10s around, admittedly half or more of them are overseas ......
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<p>Lol I'd still rather have a struggling Ihaia West ahead of any other options thrown around. </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="572979" data-time="1460873956">
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<p>Lol I'd still rather have a struggling Ihaia West ahead of any other options thrown around. </p>
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<p>that is the main problem, the cupboard is bare...all the eggs are in the West basket...gotta take the cards they been dealt with (thats a trio of cliches right there)</p> -
<p>He's not great but not as bad as he's being made out to be over the course of the season. He made a few errors last night but also did some good things and is the 3rd highest points scorer this season (not that anyone will care about that stat).</p>
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<p>I think we might just ride it out with West until the end of the season, as the other 10 options really aren't that good. If Banks is available next year, we should try to sign him.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="572973" data-time="1460872601">
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<p>Can Little play 10? I'd like to see him get a few more opportunities (mainly because the Littles are friends of the family and Michael is a good kid, I can't say I saw much of his NPC play).</p>
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<p>He can play 10, but I don't think he's played 10 at ITM Cup level for a few years. With Ranger out for the season, he's probably one midfield injury away from getting game time.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="572995" data-time="1460878405"><p>I think we might just ride it out with West until the end of the season, as the other 10 options really aren't that good. If Banks is available next year, we should try to sign him.<br><br>
He can play 10, but I don't think he's played 10 at ITM Cup level for a few years. With Ranger out for the season, he's probably one midfield injury away from getting game time.</p></blockquote>
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Be great to see him do well if he gets s chance, although I imagine he'll go on to represent Fiji anyway. -
Hickey to come back next season isn't he? Not that I really think much of him<br><br><br>
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<p>Hickey should stay where he is, where the level of play is slow and ponderous enough for him to be a star in.</p>
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<p>Has Breen been getting any time for the dev side??</p>
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<p>West didn't have a good game, but my observation was he was standing deep only when he kicked. Whenever he ran or passed he was up.</p>
