The Blues should be happy with the form of Josh Goodhue and Tom Robinson for the Taniwha so far. Also think they could do a lot worse than Ross Wright for a squad spot covering Loosehead and Hooker

Already a minor victory for Northland...Matt Johnson isn't playing.

@majorrage said in British Politics:

And yet, it's the same rhetoric that I've not witnessed once, from anybody living here.

I think a lot of Londoners don't actually know what is going on in their own City. Living over there the last 3 years I was amazed by just how many people largely spend most of their lives in the borough they live in. Venturing out only to catch the bus/coach to Stansted or Gatwick for the week long all inclusive beach holiday at Mallorca or Ibiza etc. I was always shocked how many of them have barely seen their own city let alone their own country. It's one thing living in Wimbledon or Barnes and discussing politics with friends over high tea and a completely different story going to somewhere like Southall, Edmonton Green or Harlesden etc.

A lot of left wing apologists I met try to make it sound like it's all middle aged white people and right wing neo Nazis that voted Brexit or think immigration is out of control. It's most definitely not. I was in a position where I was going to all sorts of different parts of London for work during the Brexit referendum and I always found it interesting hearing peoples thoughts on it.

@steven-harris Despite the scoreline I think Moulds likely would've won that head to head battle. For once someone elses line out was worse than ours and Moulds played well despite most of the others sleep walking through the game

@bovidae I reckon he's rattled and that's why he's carrying on like that. He might not like JP but why not talk to the media? When I lived in London I worked with a guy based in Watford who said he had a bit of a rep around Watford for being a bit of a street thug. Thought maybe it was Tall Poppy/Sour Grapes but heard it a few times during the short time I worked there. I'm not convinced by his 'Holier than thou' act - he's like the Adam Gilchrist of boxing.

@pukunui said in Crusaders v Blues:

What the fuck is with the constant use of "learnings" by coaches, players and the post match tv guys? Coaching 101 buzz word?
Why not say lessons?

Thought Goodhue was awesome tonight.
Closest thing to Nonu NZ have had since Nonu.

Duffy comically bad. Can't remember a single good thing he has done this year.
Rieko at 12 is a disaster.

What happened to Read? Was he just given a rest?

I reckon more like a bigger, more physical version of Conrad Smith. Has a high work rate and very intelligent like Conrad.

Big shame Northland couldn't hold on for the win, with 5 minutes to go I thought we had it.

North Harbour are definitely a good side these days, think we did well but obviously one that got away. Breen was good while he was on but think he will be gutted about his effort on Volavola.

I reckon Sam Nock has been a big improver this season - todays game he was really good. If he maintains that form he will be putting a lot of pressure on for the Blues 9 jumper. Matiu and Faleafa both offered some good aggression - think it's good having Faleafa on the bench with his hard running. We missed Matich (all game) and Bonds tackling in the 2nd half.

Jordan Hyland has definitely stepped up this season, obviously got the try today but also his defence and physicality is a big plus.

Not sure if we will get any extra Super Rugby players despite our form. Still think Jack Ram would be great at that level but I reckon Witcombe will be having franchises keen on him in a coaching role soon - we were good before he left, rubbish while he was gone and he's come back and got us humming. It helps having Goodhue and Ranger come back but other than that the squad is relatively similar to the last 2 seasons.

Also how good was Ross Wrights one handed catch and off load?!? - can't believe he got ruled out for that!

@Crucial said in Blues 2019:

@Tim said in Blues 2019:

Another positive was that Matich looked a lot better than Taramai at this level.

Not getting at your comment or assessment @Tim but it occurred to me that considering the amount of moaning we do about depth being eroded by overseas clubs the players that stick around to make up the numbers here cop a lot of criticism. Taramai is the type of player that could earn ok in Japan/Italy or second tier UK/France yet is still here.
Maybe we should accept that there is a place for these guys and judge them accordingly?

So like Matt Matich then? I had heard he was likely to head offshore after the last NPC if he didn't pick up a SR gig. As @Duluth mentioned he has been consistently good for a few seasons now (arguably much better than Taramai) and never got much of a chance.

I was surprised by Robinsons first half performance (before the YC), he just seemed to seagull around rather than getting stuck in. After he came back on he played a bit more like I was expecting. The YC was damaging but I don't think McDonald will be worried about the intent, just the execution. If he maintains his second half form he will be a big asset for the Blues.

I thought Josh Goodhue had a very good game, carried well and worked hard on defence. No head turning moments but if he keeps playing like that, it should free up some of the other more expansive forwards.

Early days but 9-10 still looks like a weak point. Thought Black stood far too deep which really put the backline on the back foot and meant they were going to have to rely on individual brilliance. Hopefully it improves as the season goes on.

@taniwharugby

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/96751239/champion-crusaders-sign-speedy-canterbury-rookie-braydon-ennor

Contracted Crusaders

Codie Taylor (until 2021), Sam Whitelock, Oli Jager, Mitchell Drummond (2020); Kieran Read, Owen Franks, Israel Dagg, Joe Moody, Ben Funnell, Tim Perry, Mitchell Hunt, George Bridge, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Richie Mo'unga, Tom Sanders, Braydon Ennor (2019); Matt Todd, Ryan Crotty, Seta Tamanivalu, Wyatt Crockett, Jordan Taufua, Scott Barrett, Luke Romano, Mike Alaalatoa, Jone Macilai, Leon Fukofuka, Pete Samu, Digby Ioane, Bryn Hall (2018).

Hopefully he stays injury free for them so gets more gametime next season!

Stoked the NRU got that one across the line. I wonder what gaps we have left...certainly going to have good continuity for next season

This is what I was hoping for. Good appointment. Keeping Dewes as assistant is good too

Agree @taniwharugby hopefully the next re signing is Moorby

It's looking pretty good at this point for next year. Will feel a lot better if we get Moorby re-signed. Really good to see some young guys getting invested in

With Milo Harris and Hape both already re-signed I wonder if that means Nock is moving on? Seems a little strange to have all 3 locked in so far out.

No real surprises so far. Moorby probably the biggest concern - would be good to get him locked in for a few seasons. Will be interesting to see if Ranger gets another contract

@taniwharugby Sounds like a better prospect than Craig though who is probably a bit under sized

I'm not too worried that Hay has gone - the team has been playing a good style of football but no end product. I also think the style is more down to the quality of players getting produced and more and more of them playing pro football at a decent level. Would love to see Des Buckingham get the job. Key thing before the next world cup is getting them playing more regularly.

@Steven-Harris Any idea why he didn't make the Northland Squad for this year? I know we were reasonably well stocked at lock but sounds like he could've been better for the experience

@ACT-Crusader said in QF - Canterbury vs Northland:

Just a little nervous about this one. Has a bit of a banana skin to it with the way the Taniwha play. Been impressed with them this season. Well coached side.

I’ll be interested in what backline we start with.

In some respects like the scrum maybe but overall I think the coaching has been a bit of a handbrake for Northland this year. Selections and tactics have often been questionable. Whilst our intent on defence has been much better we're still defending far too Narrow which has been a problem the last few years as well.

If Northland are to hve any chance in this game they will have to drastically cut down on their error rate. I'm giving us a chance but definitely underdogs.

From a game time point of view Rush might've been better going to the Highlanders. Hard to go past a successful franchise and being only 2.5 hours drive down the road though...

Good on him.

Good for Nock too. Been out of form this year but still a very talented player.

Would think Jared Adams would be another one that is on the Super Rugby teams radar and possibly even Coree TeWhata Colley.

His time has probably been and gone at that level but still think Macilai would be a good option at that level if he could stay injury free

Shows how a clearly poor decision can swing momentum of a game so quickly