Blues 2019

[Nogusta]

@Stargazer yea that was Danny Toala. Played very well scored 3 tries. Finished off another Rayasi break for his first, going 70 metres from an intercept for the 2nd and showing good strength close to the line to go through 2 defenders for his 3rd. Along with Rayasi the pick of the backs. Noticed Proctor was listed but wasn't there.
That crosswind really hampered the kicking and passing today.

[Stargazer]

@Nogusta I saw on instagram that Billy Proctor is in Sydney with the senior squad.

[Tim]

Blues squad.

Forwards: James Parsons, Matt Moulds, Sione Mafileo, Alex Hodgman, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Lua Li, Josh Goodhue, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Tom Robinson, Matt Matich, Hoskins Sotutu.

Backs: Jonathan Ruru, Augustine Pulu, Otere Black, Harry Plummer, Ma'a Nonu, TJ Faiane, Sonny Bill Williams, Tanielu Tele'a, Michael Collins, Melani Nanai, Rieko Ioane, Caleb Clarke.

Would prefer to have Olmstead off the bench, rather than Cowley-Tuioti.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/110654815/super-rugby-leon-macdonald-charges-blues-with-kicking-on-from-opening-lessons

[mimic]

Lua Li, is that Tevita Li's brother?

[Tim]

Yep. Loosehead prop from Harbour.

[Duluth]

Is Renata injured?

[Tim]

@Duluth You'd think they'd want three tightheads rather than looseheads.

[Duluth]

@Tim

Exactly, Ofa could move across

I don't recall seeing Renata play in the A game (he was listed to start at LH but I think Li started)

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Duluth I watched the A game yesterday and Renata was scratched. Li played loosehead and played really well, with energy and some power in the tight/loose.

[pakman]

@Tim said in Blues 2019:

@Duluth You'd think they'd want three tightheads rather than looseheads.

Karl T swings both ways.

[antipodean]

@pakman said in Blues 2019:

@Tim said in Blues 2019:

@Duluth You'd think they'd want three tightheads rather than looseheads.

Karl T swings both ways.

Rule #1: Let your best players play in the positions they dominate in.

[African Monkey]

@antipodean Lucky Tana isn't coach then we'd have Rieko back at 12.

[Tim]

Another positive was that Matich looked a lot better than Taramai at this level.

[booboo]

@Tim said in Blues 2019:

Another positive was that Matich looked a lot better than Taramai at this level.

Damned with faint praise ...

[Crucial]

@Tim said in Blues 2019:

Another positive was that Matich looked a lot better than Taramai at this level.

Not getting at your comment or assessment @Tim but it occurred to me that considering the amount of moaning we do about depth being eroded by overseas clubs the players that stick around to make up the numbers here cop a lot of criticism. Taramai is the type of player that could earn ok in Japan/Italy or second tier UK/France yet is still here.
Maybe we should accept that there is a place for these guys and judge them accordingly?

[Higgins]

Maybe he has tried to farm himself off but unable to find a suitable offer. There could also be personal/family reasons to stay in NZ. Maybe he just prefers the lifestyle here in NZ?

[antipodean]

Either way, the expectation drives a lot of the quality.

[Tim]

@Crucial Perhaps he's going back to sevens? That was his background, and he's always struggled for size in the XV game.

[Crucial]

All I'm saying is that the guy is a good NPC level player and we need those to make up about a third of the Super Squads so he fills a role.
Not saying that he is immune to criticism just that if we want/need these these players maybe we should be less harsh on them and making them feel not wanted.

[Tim]

@Crucial said in Blues 2019:

All I'm saying is that the guy is a good NPC level player and we need those to make up about a third of the Super Squads so he fills a role.

No he doesn't fulfil a role at Super Rugby level, and despite three years of Umaga selection he is still way below the standard.