How good was Kieran Read...?,actually thought he should have been the MOTM..!

Walked away from Eden Park on Saturday night asking myself one question..have the Blues got the right skipper..?
Being down 3-12 and with a man in the bin,I thought the Blues did extremely well to keep the Saders scoreless during that time.
However the decision not to take 3 points from a very kickable position on the stroke of halftime had many of us in the west stand shaking our heads..On 2 other occasions points on offer were turned down..
You often wonder why the Blues never quite get across the line in this local derby games..much of it you can put down to poor leadership and decision making on field.

Sure you can heap blame on individuals but despite that in many cases poor options when coming to terms of what’s required and understanding game situations is something they need to fix and in a hurry..
I was often told,when your playing a good team,stay in the fight and when it gets down to the wire anything can happen,for that to happen you have to keep accumulating points.

There was a lot to like,talking to a good friend in Christchurch who caught up with Matt Todd earlier today..Todd had told him the Blues were definitely a different beast from previous years ,very tough up front and more structure to their game.but they also knew whom to pressure in the last 15 minutes and get maximum value..interesting coms..

Just from my own point of view,I think the Blues would have Brocken their duck against any other franchise ,but after all we are playing a team that’s got everybody else’s number in NZ.

Just on a man of the match..if Ardie and Sam are considered the best 7s in the country ,Matt Todd must the unluckiest player running around..watched his running lines from the top of the west stand always in the right place at the right time..not far behind the young Ennor ,but I have always known how good this kid was gonna be from his St Kent’s and NZ 20s days.

For the Blues,if Akira can keep this form up,who knows I am sure Hansen will no choice but to have him involved with the Blacks.
Nonu surprised me,did most things right and more ,got gassed by Ennor,but at the end of the day just up against younger faster legs.

Like the look of Tom Robinson,would love to see him used more running off a short pass from a prop channel 1 or 2..

Disappointed with the loss,but will be back for the next home game..loved the banter from the supporters up on the West Stand,never laughed so much at a game.

As much as I have wanted the Blues to get across the line this evening ..I have got to question how much some really do know about the game of rugby ...the one area where the Crusaders have dominated has been in the high kick stakes..the Blues have been completely overshadowed in this aspect...the much maligned George Bridge has put so much pressure on the receiver from high kicks ...the Blues have failed to negate this area..and their own high kick when it really mattered , unfortunately fell by the wayside ..both Christie and Barrett at crucial times put kicks out on the full...to me the turning point was the charge down of Blacks kick ..and the subsequent short kick off from Mo’unga , the Blues had fallen asleep and you could see the momentum change ,some great individual performances , but big match players come up with big moments ..on that aspect ..The Crusaders Take the chocolates ..it was great to watch a game that I really feel the Blues are now relevant again..you know when a Canterbury crowd goes silent for long periods means you have them under the pump..to blame this evenings official is joke..game management when it really mattered was the difference..

Interesting listening to Murray Mexted this morning on Radio Sport,touched on both the Blues & Auckland and the issues both have had over the last decade.

I was delighted to hear Mexted speak both frankly about the failure to identify or scout talent,which has been a big bug bear I have had for a least 10 years..

Even the current Auckland Mitre 10 cup is classic,having watched quite a bit of Auckland club rugby,I have been highly impressed with the 3 argentine Costa brothers that play for Eden,I was told by someone on the AK coaching staff,that they were not up to mitre 10 level.

yet Nico comes on for Auckland v Canterbury at halfback and almost changes the game,a position Auckland have struggled at in the last few seasons,and I would imagine all 3 x Brothers would have a great understanding of each other's game..just saying..!

I also question the Blues ability to select a player required for their roster,I see the Blues signed the boy Ruru from Otago,with the greatest respect I reckon Jack Stratton from Canterbury looks a much better prospect,can think right back to the Lions first game against the NZ Babas,he was awesome against quality opposition.

Even the selection of Otere Black bothers me,he was targeted by the Blues a couple of seasons ago and declined,
Personally when the Blues were chasing Beauden Barrett,I would gave gone after Richie Mo'unga,at the time he was the 3rd choice 10 at the crusaders,but having seen him at NZ 20s level,one could see he had the goods.
Even in recent times,best young first five at the NZ under 19s tournament a couple seasons back was Brett Cameron from Canterbury,..will probably be the 3rd choice at the saders in 2018 behind Mo'unga and Hunt.

Another player I would be all over is Jackson Hemapo from Manawatu,the man is a beast,and from the time Stephen Luatua signed with Bristol,they should have been all over it.
I realise in the scheme of things there are agents and money to deal with,but man alive,open your eyes..!

For all the commotion that was made about releasing Matt Todd from his Japanese contract,he hardly played 20 minutes in the 2 most important tests of the tour..what was the point..?

Caleb Clark nailed down a starting position in my opinion , so strong

Now that the emotion has died down.
I really enjoyed that test and further more had we lost , Would not have bothered me the least .
Thought the Wallabies were tremendous and I have always said, regardless of what we think of the standard of their rugby , it’s only takes a squad of 23 on the day to do the job.
First order of business from an All Blacks piece , and this is what really worries me under Foster you have got to earn the right to go wide, if it means means doing a bit more work up front then so be it.
To be honest when I first saw the All Black team that was named for the test , I was quite underwhelmed ..
I thought it was the perfect opportunity as the Wallabies did to promote a couple of youngsters into the starting XV , Wil Jordon and Caleb Clark come to mind and I would have just left D.Mac on the bench and not played Bridge at all.
Fosters conservative approach concerns me.

Thinking back on super rugby watching many of the NZ contests which were fast paced and highly skilled compared to the Australian comp which at times could be a grind especially when watching the Brumbies with lineout drives and mauls and holding on to the ball for long periods ,but if you really think about it .
Which style is closer to test Rugby ..?.
The Wallabies I thought we’re a lot better than I thought they would be , but on saying that as proven when Rennie took over the Chiefs ironically from Foster he selected a group of players from all over the country and bought them together win a title in his very first year , sure you had Wayne Smith in the background but at the end of the day this was Rennies team .

Really liked the way their forwards went about their work ,Harry Wilson running in the wide channels was superb ,Only 20 years old , Lukhan Salakaia Loto was an absolute beast and his his locking partner Matt Philip has got some work rate and Taniela Tupou being used as a first receiver dragged in at least 3 tacklers was a master stroke in terms of coaching
Add in Nick White who was superb behind the Wallabies pack , Dalgunu on the wing looks a handful and Tom Banks at the back is safe as houses at the back superb under the highball and has a massive punt .
Plenty of pluses for the visitors .it seems as though Rennie has got buy in from this squad which for an outside coach is your first victory.

Outplayed and out coached by the Irish on the day,no real complaints from me.
Not the end of the world, but I have seen plenty of evidence to suggest signs of staleness within this coaching group.

No question it was a points decision to Joe Schmidt after this mornings match and that what’s worrying me
We have the players,but is this coaching group getting the best of out of this group..?
I have often believed if you have several players at their best in a team of 15 there’s a good chance you go on an win.
That’s been a real concern not just in this mornings game,but also last weeks performance against England ,just the lack of our so called world class players standing up and when you consider the All Black coaches pulled out all the stops by taking away 51 players on this tour to protect many of our big guns..
Was it the right strategy..?,based on what we have seen you would have to say no..
Also our discipline when don’t have the ball has been terrible,some of our senior players the real culprits.
What’s that all about..?
Which leads me on to why all the penalties,when you give up ball with a poor kick game against a team like Ireland who can hold on to the ball no matter where they are on the paddock..you have got to ask questions abou strategy and dare I say it captaincy..

My apologies if I am sounding like Watto,but I would like to think I have outlined my argument with a degree of thought.

Read has been the standout ABs loose forward in the opening 20

Really enjoyed this contest ,seeing another repeat of last week would have done nothing for anyone..
Fiji really bought it physically showing the benefits of many of their forwards especially playing in France and Europe in general but I suspect being stuck in isolation and lack preparation finally told especially in and around breakdown accuracy and discipline..All Blacks looked better when both Whitelock and Coles were on the field ..but in terms of consistency I thought Ethan Blackadder playing in the unfamiliar jersey was very solid ..biggest disappointments to me where Sotutu,Tuipulotu and Frizzell..

@cgrant Tyler Laubscher has an ongoing groin injury which has kept him out of rugby this year , he’s a real talent , we saw examples of that during his debut season last year.

Very strong Turbos team ,
Going to be tough day at the office for a seriously depleted Taniwha outfit .

@taniwharugby that’s a few unavailable, the good news is we should have a few more bods back on deck next week..

Northland Team to play Manawatu Turbos

Noah Cooper
Jone Macilai
Pisi Leilua
Scott Gregory
Blake Hohaia
Rivez Reihana
Sam Nock

Sam McNamara
Raikabula Moemoedonu
Kara Pryor
Sam Caird
Josh Goodhue

Corey Te Whata Colley
Luatangi Li
Ross Wright

Reserves
Ben Tou
Kaliopasi Uluilapeka
Justin Davies ( Injury cover)
Tevita Faukafa
Jonah Mau’u
Wil Grant
Johnny Cooper
Kalani Going ( injury cover)

Up to 16 players unavailable or injured .
Unavailable
Jordon Olsen ( (maternity leave)
Injured

Brady Rush ( back next week)
Jack Goodhue (not available until Feb 2020)
Tamati Tua ( back next week)
Rene Ranger (back next week)
Allan Craig
Corey Taylor
Tom Robinson (possible return towards the end of the Season)
Rob Rush (MCL 4 x weeks)
Isileli Manu (next week suspension)
Dan Hawkin (next week suspension)

Stuck in Auckland due to lockdown
Liam Hallam Eames
Jordon Hyland
Manu Paea
Leka Tuangafasi
George Tuineau (Ongoing HIA)

Part of the squad but not used
Fano Funaki
Brody Lam
Mason Hohaia
Renata Roberts Tenana ( injury cover)

@muddyriver do you think some of these players are struggling with the step up from Club to NPC ..?, I totally get the loyalty piece which rewards club form but at the end of the day they have got to perform .

@canes4life then your issue should be directed at the Canes forwards coach Chris Gibbs ,plenty of good lineout forwards in Canes region , Parsons and Cridge from Hawkes Bay , Mitchell from the Turbos , and even Scrafton ,
I believe the Canes should be looking away from Princep and looking for a bigger physical presence in the 6 jersey ,Princep and Blackwell to me are similar type of players , they work their backsides off but in reality don’t always get gainline TK Howden from the Turbos is a very promising young guy with size and a lineout game.

The Hurricanes should be doing everything in their power to get Marino Mikaele Tu’u back from the Landers ,Flanders at number 8, and Ardie in the 7 jersey , that would be the perfect fit for the Canes style , all the back 3 can be used as lineout options and Scrafton who is your best lineout jumper can rotate with either Blackwell or ITW ..
My front row would be Lomax ,Rakete Stones and Coles , that’s your best starting front row right there.
Canes current problem at the minute in my opinion Chris Gibbs .

@cgrant no relation from i believe,i found this information ,talented sportsman

https://www.mags.school.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Ben-Skelton.pdf

@gt12 Todd Blackadder ,1.90 6.2 126 games for Canterbury, 71 x games for the Crusaders and 12 tests for the All Blacks not the tallest guy , but good number of those games at lock . ..in fact he’s exactly the same height as his son Ethan ..

Congratulations to all the Northland boys who have made the Blues under 20s including the boys that are in the Auckland squad with Northland affiliations ..

Damon Kitchen Dilworth
Hohaia Whiu Dilworth
JT Pont Bellamy Kelston Boys
Xavier Tito Harris Kelston Boys High
Tama Anderson Mount Albert Grammar

I don’t know why James Blackwell gets such a hard time on this forum.., sure he’s not the biggest lock you would ever see but the guy has some engine and from what I have heard ticks all the required training boxes .
You can’t do anything about the body you were born with when it comes to height .
I have seen some locks that are well over 1.98 and have nowhere near the work rate as Blackwell, I suspect if he was playing in the Crusaders nobody would notice his height.