Blues v Highlanders
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Blues are struggling to get the ball to thier weapons out wide, well, normally they have weapons outwide, but the amount of times that Moala was involved and even Ranger (in woeful form) so often just standing out (looking disinterested) there on the wing rather than coming in looking for work, which is when he is at his best.
With the vast improvement in the lineout in the 2nd spell you would have to think that there is an argument to start Cowley-Tuioti, although he aint gonna start over Tupou.
Akira is also another that needs to get himself involved more, he is a beast of a man, needs to be central to everything the Blues do, but if he isnt able to work hard on and off the ball, then he may be a bench man.
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@KiwiMurph That was probably the worse game West has ever played. If he gets dropped would understand but that was a basement performance. Francis will probably get the start but he is only a caretaker at best. The Blues had opportunities but choked whenever the needed to make a play. In fairness to Ranger that bounce was horrendous and it wasn't like he wasn't tracking back and why did Pulu past the ball to Ranger on the line anyway? That was stupid. No one is reading Pulu's game as when he makes the breaks from the base of the ruck as no one is with him in support. While an improvement on Hall he was smart to make the decision to play for Samoa. I have said enough about Collins. Both teams were horrible. Agree with what that other bloke said about Visinia.
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@broughie I agree whilst West had a shocker theyve got other problems. They need to find a way to get Rieko and Nanai the ball in space - that has happened about once in the past 2 weeks. I can see the thinking in Collins in regards to his organisational skills but he is just too slow of foot and mind for this level - I think SBW will help a lot to the backline in the second half of the season - but it might be too late by then.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Highlanders:
@broughie I agree whilst West had a shocker theyve got other problems. They need to find a way to get Rieko and Nanai the ball in space - that has happened about once in the past 2 weeks. I can see the thinking in Collins in regards to his organisational skills but he is just too slow of foot and mind for this level - I think SBW will help a lot to the backline in the second half of the season - but it might be too late by then.
Sopoaga fending Collins off like he was a boy sums up his effectiveness at this level.
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@broughie said in Blues v Highlanders:
No one is reading Pulu's game as when he makes the breaks from the base of the ruck as no one is with him in support. While an improvement on Hall he was smart to make the decision to play for Samoa.
Say what?
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@Bones said in Blues v Highlanders:
@broughie said in Blues v Highlanders:
No one is reading Pulu's game as when he makes the breaks from the base of the ruck as no one is with him in support. While an improvement on Hall he was smart to make the decision to play for Samoa.
Say what?
The Augustine Pulu that played for the All Blacks in 2014 and the 7s last year is a different Pulu that plays for the Blues.
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@antipodean said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Bones said in Blues v Highlanders:
@broughie said in Blues v Highlanders:
No one is reading Pulu's game as when he makes the breaks from the base of the ruck as no one is with him in support. While an improvement on Hall he was smart to make the decision to play for Samoa.
Say what?
The Augustine Pulu that played for the All Blacks in 2014 and the 7s last year is a different Pulu that plays for the Blues.
as in you mean he used to be good but since he moved to the Blues he's turned to shit?
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@WillieTheWaiter said in Blues v Highlanders:
@antipodean said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Bones said in Blues v Highlanders:
@broughie said in Blues v Highlanders:
No one is reading Pulu's game as when he makes the breaks from the base of the ruck as no one is with him in support. While an improvement on Hall he was smart to make the decision to play for Samoa.
Say what?
The Augustine Pulu that played for the All Blacks in 2014 and the 7s last year is a different Pulu that plays for the Blues.
as in you mean he used to be good but since he moved to the Blues he's turned to shit?
No, @broughie 's statement that Pulu decided to play for Samoa...
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@WillieTheWaiter are you talking about Pulu or West?
Edit: sorry just realised West was never any good
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West is so obviously a journeyman 10 - sure he can kick goals but he doesn't have that magic key to unlock the Blues backs on attack, does not have a rapport with Pulu.
Disappointed in Tupou's decision-making and performance for second week in a row , thought Cowley-Tuioti showed some steel and hunger when he came on. Should start next week with Nanai to FB. Akira added some go-forward, maybe he is best used in short bursts. Gibson and Moala are workhorses but need some bloody help. And someone lock Moala in a room and have him watch looped replays of Nonu's passing (Grantec this didn't happen overnight.)
Ranger too lazy like all those who return (do not hold out much hope for Lowe either)Think Tana should start looking at his recruitment for next season - PRIORITY needs to be a decent 10.
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@antipodean said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Bones said in Blues v Highlanders:
@broughie said in Blues v Highlanders:
No one is reading Pulu's game as when he makes the breaks from the base of the ruck as no one is with him in support. While an improvement on Hall he was smart to make the decision to play for Samoa.
Say what?
The Augustine Pulu that played for the All Blacks in 2014 and the 7s last year is a different Pulu that plays for the Blues.
Maybe the Blues funk is rubbing off on him.
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@Crash said in Blues v Highlanders:
Ranger too lazy like all those who return (do not hold out much hope for Lowe either)
I know it was injury enforced, but I bet NH are stoked they invested some $$$ in him when he came back to NZ and hasn't played a minute...hasn't been an announcement about where he will be playing ITM Cup this year, but based on his performances and apparent attitude, if he ends up back here, I hope they don't put too many $$$ out for him.
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@Stargazer said in Blues v Highlanders:
@mimic West has plenty of talent and was a very promising player, but he could not develop into a better player and he has in fact become worse because he plays at the Blues.
I put most of the blame on Hawkes Bay for not developing him properly. All that Championship rugby experience he has just doesn't prepare him well for Super Rugby...
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@Stargazer said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Dice He spent more time in the Blues environment the last few years than in Hawke's Bay, so no, you're wrong.
He's born and raised in Hawkes Bay, so I don't think I'm wrong.
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@Stargazer said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Dice Ahh, so they don't indeed develop players any further once they arrive at the Blues. That explains it all!
Hard to develop someone who stands 15m's behind the gainline
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