@taniwharugby I agree as far as selections go - surely he would have the over riding say, but as far as systems and plans etc, surely the bulk of that would fall on Konia as basically the backs coach?

On another note, I know some people suggest that we need to move away from the locals only policy - I think seasons like this is why it is important we have the locals only policy. If we had that many injuries with a bunch of imports we would have hoisted the white flag near the start of the season and the ring ins wouldn't be near the same quality. As it stands we've managed to blood a whole bunch of local players so that we potentially have better depth going forward.

Amazing the difference one positional change made. Gregory being at centre changed a lot - not surprising having a physical presence in defence that doesn't just wave people through makes a big difference. Also being a threat with ball in hand and being able to set up the outsides - basics for a centre - made a huge difference.

I don't think we should be so quick to put the boot into Witcombe - we've had a couple of good seasons since he came back and his first 2 were good too. Konia probably deserves a few questions his way. Even when we've been playing well the last few years we've tended to rely on the ad lib Northland off the cuff style (much like yesterday) and showed very little in the way of backline structure and plans. I think Northlands forward set piece still performing despite the injury toll points to the work Witcombe does with the pack. He does need to take ownership for Matt Johnson getting so many minutes this season though.

Is overall fitness an issue or just a handful of players? I thought overall we looked quite fit, just seemed to be a bit of a drop off once we got into the ring ins and a handful of others (Wright, Te Whata-Colley etc) Someone like Atkins looked much sharper this year than last. I wonder if at times it is an intent thing rather than fitness. When the opposition get a breakaway some of the guys basically stroll back and then others like McNamara, Olsen, Atkins etc will put a lot of effort into chasing back. Look at the effort Olsen put in yesterday when Otago scored first. He was never going to catch a winger but he put the hard yards in to be first on the scene if someone else caught him.

Definitely some bright spots from the season. Matiu stepped up and really started to dominate - quite telling he's still in the top 10 for carries in the comp and has missed basically the last 3 games and game one. Caird and Mayavanua stepped up at lock when not much was expected. Despite using 4 halfbacks, Levien and Grant looked like they could handle it. Gregory is starting to show he will be a dominant player at this level (especially if played in best position). I think with a bit more luck with injuries we would have been top 2 or 3 this season.

The problem is that not only is it a long injury list but it is of our best players. Of our main players, probably only Jack Debreczeni is the only one who hasn't missed a game or gone off early with injury.

Olsen, Goodhue, Robinson, Matich, Jacobson, Nock, Ranger, Hyland, Gregory, Tua are probably all 1st choice starters. Then add in Matiu who didn't start as first string but has probably been our best player and it makes for sorry reading. 2/3 of our first choice starting XV have missed most of the season.

I would be hesitant to blame the coaches too much. I think the forwards have mostly performed well, set piece has been very good considering the injury list. The backs have been poor but I would put most of that down to the midfield. They offer nothing in attack and regularly out of position or falling off tackles in defence. We have relied too much on individual play from guys like Hyland and Gregory and even then, if we had a decent midfield we would probably have more space for them too. The coaches need to take some responsibility for persisting with Johnson and Hohaia instead of moving Gregory back into midfield.

On the Brightside - a lot of players have been blooded creating depth for next season.

It's all relative though isn't it - The All Blacks are about the only sporting team that is guaranteed to attract a big crowd - possibly due to supporters virtually guaranteed a win. Super Rugby doesn't get big crowds and that's the next tier down and the M10 Cup is next tier down again. Warriors get ok crowds but considering they're one team in that comp and some of the good promotions they do on tickets they should get more. Phoenix struggle unless it's a finals game. Hard to point out exactly why it is because ticket prices are normally cheap compared to overseas. Drink and food on the other hand is a different matter...

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

The standard of officiating at this level is so poor. Vince Aso's try for Wellington was CLEARLY a knock on and so was Jonty Raes try for Northland. The level of officiating is almost as bad as Matt Johnson's performances at 13 for Northland.

I'm not too worried about this season. We've had absolutely rotten luck with injuries since pre season. A smaller province like us is always going to struggle with such a big injury list. The long term upside to so many injuries is that more guys get a crack so potentially better depth for the future. Guys like Stokes, Caird, Mayavanua, Atkins, McNamara, Byrnes etc have all played way bigger roles than probably expected of them and Matiu has had a breakout season.

I still think despite all the injuries this season if we had a functioning midfield we would have performed so much better. Hohaia tries hard but is probably better suited to the B team. Johnson will hopefully never play another game for Northland again. You could handle all his basic errors, missed tackles, handling errors etc if he was putting in 100%. Hard to believe he even got close to a S15 gig let alone had a season at the Blues. When he gets beaten in defence (as often happens) he makes absolutely no effort to get back and help in support or try and make up for it. The Manawatu game was telling - gaping holes in midfield defence and instead of chasing back he would just stroll back yet guys like Atkins and McNamara are chasing back basically on his behalf.

I think if we had stopped persisting with Gregory at 15 and put him at 12 we would have had a much better season. He would have offered a much bigger threat in midfield with ball in hand, would've created more time and space for J Deb and would've strengthened the defence. If he gets left to settle at 12 he will become one of the best in NZ. He's best suited to that position - can probably cover the outside backs if needed but doesn't have the pace to dominate as an outside back.

The backs (midfield) have really let the forward pack down this season. The forwards have battled bloody hard all season.

@J77 said in JMB/IMB rugby:

Bloody PC gone mad tree hugging society we live in these days.

The game is becoming taylor made for soccer mums/dads.

What happened to the days when I played JMB in the Hokianga/Bay of islands wrestling with giant bush monsters every Saturday.. I would have been 30kgs wringing wet! Loved every minute of it though..

Harden up world!

Stick to the subject, we don't need to hear about what you got up to with your girlfriends

Would be an absolute waste if they put Scott Gregory on the wing or at Fullback. Should be nailed on at 12

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.