Blues v Chiefs
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Fear not. All is not lost Blues fans. Thought they performed well, just need to be more clinical in the red zone - oh and find a decent kicker,
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@Jailbreak7 said in Blues v Chiefs:
Fear not. All is not lost Blues fans. Thought they performed well, just need to be more clinical in the red zone - oh and find a decent kicker,
So the same issues as last year then?
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Chiefs:
@Jailbreak7 said in Blues v Chiefs:
Fear not. All is not lost Blues fans. Thought they performed well, just need to be more clinical in the red zone - oh and find a decent kicker,
So the same issues as last
yeardecade then? -
If all healthy, this is the team I'm hoping to see this week.
- Alex Hodgman
- Ray Niuia
- Sione Mafileo
- Patrick Tuipulotu
- Tom Robinson
- Dalton Papali'i
- Tony Lambourn
- Hoskins Sotutu
- Sam Nock
- Harry Plummer
- Rieko Ioane
- TJ Faiane
- Joe Marchant
- Mark Telea
- Emoni Narawa
- Kurt Eklund
- Ofa Tu'ungafasi
- Karl Tuinukuafe
- James Tucker
- Akira Ioane
- Finlay Christie
- Stephen Perofeta
- Tanielu Telea
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@cgrant said in Blues v Chiefs:
They need to start with Nock at halfback, Plummer at first five and Perofeta at fullback. It isn't an outstanding combination but less disastrous than what has been shown last Friday.
I don't think Perofeta's basics are good enough to be a starter. I'm thinking we try him as an impact player off the bench and see if he has the same success Ihaia West had for us in that role.
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@cgrant said in Blues v Chiefs:
Goodhue was not too bad when he came in. I'd try this backrow combination : Robinson - Papali'i - Sotutu, as Lamborn's workrate looked rather low and Gibson was anonymous.
Goodhue was super average. Main memory of his play was missing that kickoff like a goober.
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@cgrant said in Blues v Chiefs:
Robinson - Papali'i - Sotutu, as Lamborn's workrate looked rather low and Gibson was anonymous.
I like Robinson at lock. At least for the first part of the season when the games will be at their quickest
I'd go for Papali'i/Akira/Sotutu.
I prefer not to play Papali'i at openside but he's the best option. Akira and Sotutu are both natural 8's but I want them both on the field.
Lamborn and Pierce on the bench. Goodhue has a good workrate but is not physical enough. I think the injuries have taken a toll on Gibson, he's way down on his form from 2-3 year ago.
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@Duluth said in Blues v Chiefs:
Goodhue has a good workrate but is not physical enough
I wonder if he is gunshy...has had a number of head knocks over a couple of seasons, he just isnt confident going hard, which brings into question his ability to foot it at this level if he cant use his size.
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Maybe. I think there was shoulder injuries too?
One of the turning points of that match was Tuipulotu getting subbed followed by a minor injury to Robinson.
Tuipulotu/Robinson smashing into things vs Goodhue and a compromised Robinson was a big step down
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@Duluth oh yeah, forgot about those...bear in mind Goodhue also chose to sit out a season of NPC then Super rugby at the start of his career as he felt he wasnt ready physically.
If he takes another head knock this season, you'd have to wonder about his long term options.
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Agreed on the comments above about Perofeta. He doesn't have the confidence to be a 10, or the dynamism to drive the team. Plummer would be better, although maybe a bit on the small side?. Leave Perofeta on the bench, and play him at FB if you must. And please - get rid of Ruru! Nock was way more assured, and just - well - better.
Macca needs to decide who his ltop locks are going to be. Not sure I like Big Red in the second row good LO but better more explosive in the loose for mine.
Chiefs on the other hand had to carry a sustained attack into that second half to nail the win. It was no secret that the introduction of Cruden was a big part of that and a real turning point as was the Alaimalo try.
Bit worrying for the ABs propping stocks if Nepo and Ta'avao have issues already.
Overall, happy with the win. I think the Blues will only get better, just need to sort out the halves. -
Plummer is bloody near 100kg and can play 2nd five as well, so size is not the issue. Goal kicking on the other hand - although hold on, Perofeta is shit at that too.
Plummer it should be unless they want Black in the pocket again until BB comes back.
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@gt12 Otere Black is still on the injured list isn't he?
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@Jailbreak7 Thank goodness. He is useless and not that I am wishing him any ill will.
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@gt12 said in Blues v Chiefs:
Plummer is bloody near 100kg and can play 2nd five as well, so size is not the issue. Goal kicking on the other hand - although hold on, Perofeta is shit at that too.
Plummer it should be unless they want Black in the pocket again until BB comes back.
Plummer's best attribute, other than size, is he's a great communicator. Ruru won't be in any doubt about where to go with him on the field, might speed up his decision making.
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@gt12 said in Blues v Chiefs:
Goal kicking on the other hand
A very good kicker at u20's etc, then he had technical problems during his first NPC and SR seasons.
There were positive signs in the 2019 NPC where he kicked at 74%. Thats a pass mark at least and far better than the previous 14 months
