Blues v BI Lions
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@pakman said in Blues v BI Lions:
@Crucial To expand a bit. IMO DMac isn't anything special at 10. Special in this context meaning AB quality. There isn't the space and he has to play accordingly. By way of contrast, at 15, either at the back or as a roving receiver, he is absolutely extraordinary. Given space and unstructured defences he ignites the Chiefs attack. A pleasure to behold.
But what are you making this call based on?
When I have seen him play 10 consistently he is very Cruden like. Takes the ball to the line, identifies gaps and space, has a better kicking game than Cruden.
Cruden is AB quality. DMac needs to show he can do all of this at Super Level now as despite you and I thinking he has great quality at 15 the AB selectors obviously feel differently for test rugby. I think they have even stated that they see him as a potential 10.
It will be a hard ask given that we have BB, Sopoaga and Mounga already proven BUT if you look slightly longer term versatility is gold when it comes to the RWC. Being able to carry 2 specialist 10s, a DMac AND a JB could be valuable.@Crucial DMac was fine at 10 in H2. But he simply doesn't have Cruden's exceptional ability to thread through traffic and game management, in particular from set piece ball. DMac kicks better from the back, but Crudes has a (superior) tremendous quiver of kicks from 10. DMac's pace much superior, but yet to see him make a BB adjustment and use it as well at 10 as 15.
Agree that selectors have concluded that DMac isn't a starting 15. But I think they would be shortsighted to abandon his playing a bench role whereby BB came on as 15 and changed the shape of the AB attack. -
@Crucial DMac was fine at 10 in H2. But he simply doesn't have Cruden's exceptional ability to thread through traffic and game management, in particular from set piece ball. DMac kicks better from the back, but Crudes has a (superior) tremendous quiver of kicks from 10. DMac's pace much superior, but yet to see him make a BB adjustment and use it as well at 10 as 15.
Agree that selectors have concluded that DMac isn't a starting 15. But I think they would be shortsighted to abandon his playing a bench role whereby BB came on as 15 and changed the shape of the AB attack. -
@Crucial DMac was fine at 10 in H2. But he simply doesn't have Cruden's exceptional ability to thread through traffic and game management, in particular from set piece ball. DMac kicks better from the back, but Crudes has a (superior) tremendous quiver of kicks from 10. DMac's pace much superior, but yet to see him make a BB adjustment and use it as well at 10 as 15.
Agree that selectors have concluded that DMac isn't a starting 15. But I think they would be shortsighted to abandon his playing a bench role whereby BB came on as 15 and changed the shape of the AB attack.@pakman said in Blues v BI Lions:
@Crucial DMac was fine at 10 in H2. But he simply doesn't have Cruden's exceptional ability to thread through traffic and game management, in particular from set piece ball. DMac kicks better from the back, but Crudes has a (superior) tremendous quiver of kicks from 10. DMac's pace much superior, but yet to see him make a BB adjustment and use it as well at 10 as 15.
Agree that selectors have concluded that DMac isn't a starting 15. But I think they would be shortsighted to abandon his playing a bench role whereby BB came on as 15 and changed the shape of the AB attack.I don't agree with your last point at all. It is just what I have been banging on about. Making DMac the new BB that adds the unexpected touches of brilliance in the last 20..
What I am resigned to though is that the ABs don't see it the same way so I'm looking for how I hope he can fit in because I'd hate to see him go overseas because the door has closed. -
@pakman said in Blues v BI Lions:
@Crucial DMac was fine at 10 in H2. But he simply doesn't have Cruden's exceptional ability to thread through traffic and game management, in particular from set piece ball. DMac kicks better from the back, but Crudes has a (superior) tremendous quiver of kicks from 10. DMac's pace much superior, but yet to see him make a BB adjustment and use it as well at 10 as 15.
Agree that selectors have concluded that DMac isn't a starting 15. But I think they would be shortsighted to abandon his playing a bench role whereby BB came on as 15 and changed the shape of the AB attack.I don't agree with your last point at all. It is just what I have been banging on about. Making DMac the new BB that adds the unexpected touches of brilliance in the last 20..
What I am resigned to though is that the ABs don't see it the same way so I'm looking for how I hope he can fit in because I'd hate to see him go overseas because the door has closed. -
@Crucial He should look at halfback - woud be fantastic to have a kicking halfback with attacking skills as good as Perenara, but with a better pass...
@Bones said in Blues v BI Lions:
@Crucial He should look at halfback - woud be fantastic to have a kicking halfback with attacking skills as good as Perenara, but with a better pass...
Funny you say that because during the game he made an atrocious clearing pass and I thought "Well, he definitely can't cover halfback"
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I think there is a big opportunity next week for DMac starting at FB against a test strength lions side ,
I think his ratings as a test prospect could go up or down massively as a result of that one game
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It was pretty cool that on a night where the Blues paid homage to their former 11 Jonah Lomu that the man wearing the Blues 11 jersey had an absolute scorcher. Little bit different style to Jonah but I think he would have approved.
Now like Jonah they just need to give Rieko the black 11 jersey.
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@Bones said in Blues v BI Lions:
@Crucial He should look at halfback - woud be fantastic to have a kicking halfback with attacking skills as good as Perenara, but with a better pass...
Funny you say that because during the game he made an atrocious clearing pass and I thought "Well, he definitely can't cover halfback"
@Milk said in Blues v BI Lions:
@Bones said in Blues v BI Lions:
@Crucial He should look at halfback - woud be fantastic to have a kicking halfback with attacking skills as good as Perenara, but with a better pass...
Funny you say that because during the game he made an atrocious clearing pass and I thought "Well, he definitely can't cover halfback"
Yeah I saw that when watching again last night, made me laugh. You couldn't even call it a pass... although still wasn't as bad as some of Perenara's.
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@Crucial I THINK we're agreeing that it makes sense for DMac to fill that role. Is the disagreement that I hope the selectors may still consider that but you feel the ship has sailed?
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Great win Blues. But Lions to burst Christchurch bubble. They'll be much more comfortable handling a structured, more tight based game. You heard it here first!
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@Rocky-Rockbottom Well said.
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@pakman The good news is that AB selectors are keen to see DMac in. Needs to play at 10 to develop game and so they can assess him: http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/93546477 IMO needs to play as much NPC at 10 as possible.
@pakman said in Blues v BI Lions:
@pakman The good news is that AB selectors are keen to see DMac in. Needs to play at 10 to develop game and so they can assess him: http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/93546477 IMO needs to play as much NPC at 10 as possible.
Is Crucial moonlighting as a stuff journo?
The short stint he played at 10 last night, he just looked to rush everything. If he does get an extended run later in he year hopefully he calms it down a bit.
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@pakman said in Blues v BI Lions:
@pakman The good news is that AB selectors are keen to see DMac in. Needs to play at 10 to develop game and so they can assess him: http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/93546477 IMO needs to play as much NPC at 10 as possible.
Is Crucial moonlighting as a stuff journo?
The short stint he played at 10 last night, he just looked to rush everything. If he does get an extended run later in he year hopefully he calms it down a bit.
@ACT-Crusader That did cross my mind!!
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