Why the Blues are going OK...
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="574016" data-time="1461303371"><p>Hammett had better results at this stage :)</p></blockquote>
Hammett had a better team at this stage. We really got to see his quality as a coach in the proceeding years when he had "his" team. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="574016" data-time="1461303371">
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<p>Hammett had better results at this stage :)</p>
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<p>As NQ says Hammett had a better team - I tried to float Kaino as the only top class player in the Blues and apparently he's hopeless too. ;)</p>
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<p>For a start, Hammett had these World Cup winners in his team: Hore, Nonu, Smith, Weepu, Cruden, Jane, and Victor Vito..</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="574016" data-time="1461303371">
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<p>Hammett had better results at this stage :)</p>
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<p>We should also mention too, lest people start believing the propaganda coming out of the Village of the Damned, that the Hammettuer didn't have better results at this stage - the Canes were 2-5 after 7 games in his first year, with one postponed.</p> -
To get the thread back on track before the Cantab trolls derail it
I think there are some hugely positive signs coming out of the Blues camp at the moment. Plenty of inexperience meaning the decision making isn't always the best but their defense and set piece are going very well, and they are an 80 minute team now. The only game they've been completely outplayed in is against the Saders. Otherwise they've either won or had narrow losses - and that's with a pretty dysfunctional attack. If they get that right then look out. -
<p>We're doing ok. As long as we concentrate on ourselves instead of the other NZ sides and play it game by game (cliche I know but it really does apply to us), we should have a good season. As has been said, Umaga looks to be building to next year which is fine and should be judged then instead of this season.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="574017" data-time="1461303797">
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<p>Hammett had a better team at this stage. We really got to see his quality as a coach in the proceeding years when he had "his" team.</p>
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<p>And look at the foundation he laid aye. Boyd is riding the coat tails big time :)</p> -
<p>The other thing is that now only 40% of your games are against New Zealand teams. So far Tana is 1 from 4 versus NZ teams. Kirwan had to play 50% of his games against NZ teams. If Tana ends up at 7 wins, 7 losses and a draw but loses his remaining games against New Zealand teams then he has definitely benefited from a better draw.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="574034" data-time="1461309204">
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<p>We're doing ok. As long as we concentrate on ourselves instead of the other NZ sides and play it game by game (cliche I know but it really does apply to us), we should have a good season. As has been said, Umaga looks to be building to next year which is fine and should be judged then instead of this season.</p>
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<p>Totally agree. Unless the coach is doing egregious or baffling things (alienating players, one-dimensional or stuck-in-the-past tactics etc) the first year good or bad is pretty much a pass. By mid way point of the second year we will start to have a clearer picture.</p>
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<p>First year coaches have so many tools, tactics and options up their sleeve that can mask their true ability. Third and fourth year coaches not so much. This is also true for a certain coach of a TRC nation.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="574031" data-time="1461307395">
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<p>To get the thread back on track before the Cantab trolls derail it I think there are some hugely positive signs coming out of the Blues camp at the moment. Plenty of inexperience meaning the decision making isn't always the best but their defense and set piece are going very well, and they are an 80 minute team now. The only game they've been completely outplayed in is against the Saders. Otherwise they've either won or had narrow losses - and that's with a pretty dysfunctional attack. If they get that right then look out.</p>
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<p>Yep think this sums it up well. Definite positive steps made - it might not be pretty but at least they seem to be creating a proper team culture and are making progress in areas. </p>
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<p>With Ranger out, it will be interesting to see what midfield combo they start with vs the Rebels and what impact that has on the attack. I hope Sau isn't brought back to 13 - he was very unimpressive in his outings since the opening round - i'd rather see Moala at 13 or Little. Given Rieko only has one more game there's probably not much point starting him at 13. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mimic" data-cid="573987" data-time="1461296643">
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<p>The ARU has definitely put in work at schoolboy 1st XV level.. I noticed the change maybe 4-5 years ago, and i think it is funneling through.. </p>
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<p>They've also started holding combines for 1B and 1C schools. The Blues have also started combines for Northland and Harbour schools. They're really casting the net wide now.</p> -
<p>yeah apparently the relationship between Northland and the Blues is better than it has been in many years (current CEO has been there 6 years I think - and think it would pre-date him by a number of years when it was last ok) seems to be a bit more presence in the communities than I can recall for at least a decade</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="574240" data-time="1461396946">
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<p>yeah apparently the relationship between Northland and the Blues is better than it has been in many years (current CEO has been there 6 years I think - and think it would pre-date him by a number of years when it was last ok) seems to be a bit more presence in the communities than I can recall for at least a decade</p>
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<p>Could be Tana's doing? I remember hearing that Tana fixed the relationship between the players and the NZRU when he was captain of the All Blacks.</p>
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<p>When Tana became Counties coach, he made sure the team became more prevalent in the community.</p> -
The world should worry if that happens again; when Auckland rugby is strong, NZ rugby is strong....given we have been in a lull for a while
