RugbyRebels

Almost certainly, Jared. But I've learned to enjoy the small victories we have to make do with as a Blues supporter. It's the perfect foil for supporting the All Blacks at international level. In fact, this contrast between our regional and national teams probably explains the grounded temperament and lack of hubris among Aucklanders generally.

How is Akira Ioane shaping up as an 8?

He was a bit ropey, actually. Some good stuff, but I think he missed a few tackles and certainly didn't look quite settled. He's a great talent, for sure. Both he and Luatua seem more natural at 6 at the moment.

A definite improvement in the second half. R.Ioane in particular looked handy at centre. They now have three straight matches against other NZ franchises (with only one at home), which should be ample time to fit in a good old fashioned Blues meltdown, or two.

Spy wrote:He was a bit ropey, actually. Some good stuff, but I think he missed a few tackles and certainly didn't look quite settled. He's a great talent, for sure. Both he and Luatua seem more natural at 6 at the moment.

Cheers boss. Who is the natural back up for Reid (not necessarily from the Bloos)? I'm out of touch.

How much petrol does Kaino have in the tank leading to the next cup? The Norfern hemisphere teams are investing in big bruisers at 8. Most of them operate one out, but some, like Picamoles can do the damage linking out wide. Kaino does a lot of work at 6 in knocking out continuity close in so I'm thinking an 8 like Reid needs a bruiser like Kaino to operate. We've seen what those Irish tractors did when that in close work was breached. What's a logical unit for the ABs going forward here?

Squire is a decent enough stopgap, but in the long term he's better suited to #8 where he's running at people. Similarly, A.Ioane does better when running at people with ball in hand. Out of the bevy of long term blindside candidates, Jordan Taufua is the only one who springs to mind as being able to regularly knock people over in the Kaino fashion. Unfortunately he seems to be too short for the selectors liking.

Well beaten in the Tron. The Chiefs looked a bit sharper and were putting pressure on the Blues lineout, although it was still tight at 15-9 just before halftime. Luatua's red card for a clumsy off the ball high tackle in the 40th minute heralded Chiefs mayhem in the early second half.

Some good spirit shown by the Blues to score 3 late tries, but the game was well lost by then. Chiefs looked pretty good. They have a pretty decent squad. FT 41-26.

Missed all but the final few minutes of the Highlanders match, but sounds like I didn't miss much from either side. By the sounds of it, that could be West's last match? Must say, I wouldn't shed a tear if it was.

Mate, it was rubbish. Awful ball security, fumbling hands, backline flat-footed, lineout dysfunctional. Highlanders not very impressive either, in fact we nearly burgled it despite being utter turds. Very disappointing performance.

We did defend reasonably well. West had a bit of a mare with his general play, but kicked well for goal. I think Ranger's had it at this level. Pulu was good again.

Agree about Francis. I'd like to see him get a start at 10, but if West stays at 10 he needs that sort of player alongside him at 12. Moala's a big strong guy, but he's pretty much a cart it up into contact player. Doesn't create much.

Ranger, no, not the worst on the paddock, but he seems to have lost the zing that made him such a threat before he went to France. He was never a thoughtful player, or a great defensive reader, or very fast even in his heyday. But he was damned strong and hard to tackle. But now that he's no longer bumping players off and seemingly being well-contained he's looking like a slowish, unthreatening, yet defensively vulnerable winger. Which is a shame, because he was great to watch, and I would love him to light a fire and make me eat these words. Think we'll see Nanai take his starting spot. Or even Moala.

What's the point of persisting with West at 10 if he'll always require Francis at 12? Once Williams returns he'll be at 12 which means we'll need a new 10 half way through the season. Might as well make the change now by starting Francis at 10 and slowly introduce Prefertoa when and where they can as the season progresses.

Yeah, about that...

Whoever was captain when they decided to go for the three points that early in the half needs to have a big note next to their name saying "never allowed to make tactical decisions again". Preferably in bright red all-caps.

Fucking hell.

Nothing but a complete lack of leadership from the Shambles. Even before the pressure was on they cracked by turning defensive in taking the three points.

zer0 wrote:Nothing but a complete lack of leadership from the Shambles. Even before the pressure was on they cracked by turning defensive in taking the three points.

I think taking the 3 points was the right decision. Rachet up more pressure by building the lead, make sure of gaining some points for territory. Didn't work out in the end, of course, but it was the correct percentage decision, imo.

If you're the All Blacks, sure. But the Blues lack their mettle and the Crusaders were on a (then) three match comeback hot streak. They had to build a big a lead as possible while they were running hot before the Crusaders pack inevitably muscled their way back into it.

cashead wrote:Blues are currently going hogwild in Christchurch. FUCK YOU, LEN!

Sorry mate. Maybe next time.

The Bloos now have cheerleaders.


Classy. Is the Bloos board from the 1950's?

They've had them for ages.

Sorry. "Dance squad"

I'm still confused as to why it's such a revelation though?

I'm bored and on the other side of the world. I read something about extra dancers replacing the mascot.

Bloos.

morepork wrote:The Bloos now have cheerleaders.


Classy. Is the Bloos board from the 1950's?

They had cheerleaders (or "dance *cough*laugh*vomit*cough squad") when I went to games 7 years ago. They were so bad and embarrassingly useless I'm sure thats where Barney from How I Met Your Mother actually got the idea for the "Cheerleader Effect"