Blues v Hurricanes
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
There's no indication that ABs see Akira as a 6 or Shannon F as an 8.
As for Akira - coach Coventry gave an indication last year after he was named Blues forward coach that the ABs wanted to see a more rounded game from him - that the running game was obviously great last year but that he needed to balance it out a bit more.
That has improved this year (and Mitre 10 Cup last year).
He's hit more rucks, his tackling numbers have improved, his passing game has improved.
Now he is in the ABs frame again.
Nothing to do with niggle that he has never been penalised for.
How about Whitelock? And if there are workons then why not work on them within the squad? There are plenty of players selected for the ABs who are far from the finished product.
But we're going round in circles. If you think it's positional stuff, the fact that he's a specialist no. 8 etc then fair enough. I respectfully disagree and think it's his temperament they're concerned about. Btw, now that I think about it, wasn't he yellow carded in the Mitre 10 Cup final?
@Rancid-Schnitzel That was for a collapsed maul when Canterbury were about to score.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel That was for a collapsed maul when Canterbury were about to score.
@African-Monkey said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@Rancid-Schnitzel That was for a collapsed maul when Canterbury were about to score.
I thought it was because he entered from the side after having been warned first.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel That was for a collapsed maul when Canterbury were about to score.
@African-Monkey and as for his temperament he came back absolutely firing from the yellow card 10 minute break in that final and was a huge catalyst for the Auckland win.
Not a bad big game temperament i'd say.
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@African-Monkey and as for his temperament he came back absolutely firing from the yellow card 10 minute break in that final and was a huge catalyst for the Auckland win.
Not a bad big game temperament i'd say.
@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@African-Monkey and as for his temperament he came back absolutely firing from the yellow card 10 minute break in that final and was a huge catalyst for the Auckland win.
Not a bad big game temperament i'd say.
Wouldn't want it in a world cup play off game though? Would you?
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@African-Monkey and as for his temperament he came back absolutely firing from the yellow card 10 minute break in that final and was a huge catalyst for the Auckland win.
Not a bad big game temperament i'd say.
@KiwiMurph I didn't even think he was that bad last night apart from his work at the back of the scrum as it was metioned last night where Perenara made it difficult for him. No doubt Savea and Papali'i were the standout loosies but Akira toiled hard I thought.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@African-Monkey and as for his temperament he came back absolutely firing from the yellow card 10 minute break in that final and was a huge catalyst for the Auckland win.
Not a bad big game temperament i'd say.
Wouldn't want it in a world cup play off game though? Would you?
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@African-Monkey and as for his temperament he came back absolutely firing from the yellow card 10 minute break in that final and was a huge catalyst for the Auckland win.
Not a bad big game temperament i'd say.
Wouldn't want it in a world cup play off game though? Would you?
Ben Smith got yellow carded in a RWC final.
Let's not pick him.
#Logic
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@Stargazer said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@KiwiMurph It's a pity though that he hasn't shown any of that improvement for at least a month now.
I disagree. Last night he was back to his earlier self.
He has played into the ground though - he'd be right up there for total minutes played in the comp i'd think?
@KiwiMurph 10th according to Fox Sports, but most of the guys above him are backs.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/stats/players?sortBy=minsPlayed
Interesting to note he's played nearly 200 minutes more than Scott Barrett, who's played the most of the Crusaders' forwards (and Crusaders have played a game more than the Blues).
Razor has the luxury of depth, but he's doing a good job of managing his guys' minutes. Havili has the most at 680 - nearly 200 less than Melani Nanai.
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@KiwiMurph 10th according to Fox Sports, but most of the guys above him are backs.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/stats/players?sortBy=minsPlayed
Interesting to note he's played nearly 200 minutes more than Scott Barrett, who's played the most of the Crusaders' forwards (and Crusaders have played a game more than the Blues).
Razor has the luxury of depth, but he's doing a good job of managing his guys' minutes. Havili has the most at 680 - nearly 200 less than Melani Nanai.
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@KiwiMurph That thought already occurred to me - and probably Leon and Hansen.
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@Chris-B Exactly. We don't have the depth that the Crusaders have so guys like Akira will get run into the ground unfortunately. Still, he carried 23 times last night so workrate clearly isn't a problem.
@African-Monkey yeah makes you wonder if they would have played Robinson if not for his concussion cos he was only 2 mins short of Akira last week...Blues havent had much trust in thier squad for a number of years now.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@African-Monkey and as for his temperament he came back absolutely firing from the yellow card 10 minute break in that final and was a huge catalyst for the Auckland win.
Not a bad big game temperament i'd say.
Wouldn't want it in a world cup play off game though? Would you?
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@African-Monkey and as for his temperament he came back absolutely firing from the yellow card 10 minute break in that final and was a huge catalyst for the Auckland win.
Not a bad big game temperament i'd say.
Wouldn't want it in a world cup play off game though? Would you?
What I don't want is B Barrett diving 6 feet before the try line and sliding over. I had visions of the ball popping out when he did it last night.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@African-Monkey and as for his temperament he came back absolutely firing from the yellow card 10 minute break in that final and was a huge catalyst for the Auckland win.
Not a bad big game temperament i'd say.
Wouldn't want it in a world cup play off game though? Would you?
Ben Smith got yellow carded in a RWC final.
Let's not pick him.
#Logic
@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@African-Monkey and as for his temperament he came back absolutely firing from the yellow card 10 minute break in that final and was a huge catalyst for the Auckland win.
Not a bad big game temperament i'd say.
Wouldn't want it in a world cup play off game though? Would you?
Ben Smith got yellow carded in a RWC final.
Let's not pick him.
#Logic
Yes, because that was my argument wasn't it. Ffs.
Again, for the 6th time now, I think he's a phenomenonal player and I wish he'd been selected already. He could prove invaluable because he's a special player. I was merely expressing an opinion that the reason he hasnt played a test yet (or was even selected for the squad last year) was because of his temperament and/or attitude. You think otherwise. Fair enough.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@African-Monkey and as for his temperament he came back absolutely firing from the yellow card 10 minute break in that final and was a huge catalyst for the Auckland win.
Not a bad big game temperament i'd say.
Wouldn't want it in a world cup play off game though? Would you?
What I don't want is B Barrett diving 6 feet before the try line and sliding over. I had visions of the ball popping out when he did it last night.
@Crazy-Horse said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@African-Monkey and as for his temperament he came back absolutely firing from the yellow card 10 minute break in that final and was a huge catalyst for the Auckland win.
Not a bad big game temperament i'd say.
Wouldn't want it in a world cup play off game though? Would you?
What I don't want is B Barrett diving 6 feet before the try line and sliding over. I had visions of the ball popping out when he did it last night.
I thought that was perfectly using the conditions to his advantage with another player bearing down on him. What concerned me far far more was that he missed the kick.
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@Crazy-Horse said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@African-Monkey and as for his temperament he came back absolutely firing from the yellow card 10 minute break in that final and was a huge catalyst for the Auckland win.
Not a bad big game temperament i'd say.
Wouldn't want it in a world cup play off game though? Would you?
What I don't want is B Barrett diving 6 feet before the try line and sliding over. I had visions of the ball popping out when he did it last night.
I thought that was perfectly using the conditions to his advantage with another player bearing down on him. What concerned me far far more was that he missed the kick.
@Rancid-Schnitzel agree, but I would still shit myself.
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@Crazy-Horse said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@African-Monkey and as for his temperament he came back absolutely firing from the yellow card 10 minute break in that final and was a huge catalyst for the Auckland win.
Not a bad big game temperament i'd say.
Wouldn't want it in a world cup play off game though? Would you?
What I don't want is B Barrett diving 6 feet before the try line and sliding over. I had visions of the ball popping out when he did it last night.
I thought that was perfectly using the conditions to his advantage with another player bearing down on him. What concerned me far far more was that he missed the kick.
@Rancid-Schnitzel meh, he's been kicking well this season. I wouldn't worry too much.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues v Hurricanes:
And Jordie Barrett (of all people) showed why Akira Ioane doesn't get selected for the ABs. He's an absolutely phenomenonal talent but who would bet against him doing something dumb in a big game?
Akira had one of the worst games I've seen from him in ages -- but he didn't (and doesn't) get penalised for his off the ball stuff. It's largely disappeared from his game.
Also, I understand he had 24 carries last night. Twenty four!!! Clearly lazy
@nzzp said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues v Hurricanes:
And Jordie Barrett (of all people) showed why Akira Ioane doesn't get selected for the ABs. He's an absolutely phenomenonal talent but who would bet against him doing something dumb in a big game?
Akira had one of the worst games I've seen from him in ages -- but he didn't (and doesn't) get penalised for his off the ball stuff. It's largely disappeared from his game.
Also, I understand he had 24 carries last night. Twenty four!!! Clearly lazy
His ability to get his hands on the ball has never been an issue at age grade level and now in senior rugby. There are two issues I see (I know everyone’s an expert on Akira), it’s what he does with the ball and also on the defensive side of the game. Things that can be developed and worked on.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@African-Monkey and as for his temperament he came back absolutely firing from the yellow card 10 minute break in that final and was a huge catalyst for the Auckland win.
Not a bad big game temperament i'd say.
Wouldn't want it in a world cup play off game though? Would you?
Ben Smith got yellow carded in a RWC final.
Let's not pick him.
#Logic
@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@African-Monkey and as for his temperament he came back absolutely firing from the yellow card 10 minute break in that final and was a huge catalyst for the Auckland win.
Not a bad big game temperament i'd say.
Wouldn't want it in a world cup play off game though? Would you?
Ben Smith got yellow carded in a RWC final.
Let's not pick him.
#Logic
And the Aussies still couldn’t beat us.
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@nzzp said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues v Hurricanes:
And Jordie Barrett (of all people) showed why Akira Ioane doesn't get selected for the ABs. He's an absolutely phenomenonal talent but who would bet against him doing something dumb in a big game?
Akira had one of the worst games I've seen from him in ages -- but he didn't (and doesn't) get penalised for his off the ball stuff. It's largely disappeared from his game.
Also, I understand he had 24 carries last night. Twenty four!!! Clearly lazy
His ability to get his hands on the ball has never been an issue at age grade level and now in senior rugby. There are two issues I see (I know everyone’s an expert on Akira), it’s what he does with the ball and also on the defensive side of the game. Things that can be developed and worked on.
@ACT-Crusader said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@nzzp said in Blues v Hurricanes:
@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Blues v Hurricanes:
And Jordie Barrett (of all people) showed why Akira Ioane doesn't get selected for the ABs. He's an absolutely phenomenonal talent but who would bet against him doing something dumb in a big game?
Akira had one of the worst games I've seen from him in ages -- but he didn't (and doesn't) get penalised for his off the ball stuff. It's largely disappeared from his game.
Also, I understand he had 24 carries last night. Twenty four!!! Clearly lazy
His ability to get his hands on the ball has never been an issue at age grade level and now in senior rugby. There are two issues I see (I know everyone’s an expert on Akira), it’s what he does with the ball and also on the defensive side of the game. Things that can be developed and worked on.
I'm dirty because his work at 8 in the scrum was woeful. Disrupted by TJ, but the slow, signalled pickups followed by fumbles were a stain on my soul. I've been such a fan of Akira, but last night wasn't a game that made me feel good about anything meaningful
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The last time Akira played 6 for the Blues I think was 2017 vs Sunwolves when Luatua was around. There have been nearly 2 seasons gone since then. Akira would have played 25 odd games for the Blues at 8 since then.
In addition - probably 25 more since then at 8 in Mitre 10 Cup for Auckland.
So thats his last 50 odd first class games at 8.
@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
So thats his last 50 odd first class games at 8.
With pretty much the same cohort of back row partners at both provincial and Super level. The division of responsibilities is always going to be similar. Outside of the scrimmaging considerations the AB selectors have usually picked the back row on overall balance rather than picking for individual jerseys.
Somehow Akira and Read are specialists in the same position who could not be selected elsewhere, yet in no way is Akira a like for like swap for Read. But don't worry boys he is very comfortable with the digit eight on his jersey. I will need to watch the tape from the Maori tour to see if wearing a black shirt, shorts and socks has a noticeable effect on his game and report back.
