Blues 2022
-
Be interesting to see how this pans out. Left Ireland on a low (yet another ¼ final exit) and several players hinted they were happy to see the back of him (obsessive compulsive attention to detail, snuffed out all creativity, withering post-match criticism of players). Could be a master stroke though.
@billy-tell said in Blues 2022:
Be interesting to see how this pans out. Left Ireland on a low (yet another ¼ final exit) and several players hinted they were happy to see the back of him (obsessive compulsive attention to detail, snuffed out all creativity, withering post-match criticism of players). Could be a master stroke though.
Depends what Joe wants to do and how ambitious he is, or is this a semi-retirement gig.
How many coaches of international teams leave their first gig on a high though - any?
Graham Henry resigned from Wales in 2002, admitted he shouldn't have taken up the (losing) 2001 BIL role, lost with the ABs in the 2007 RWC quarter final ... kept on learning from his failures. Bloody driven. Eddie Jones looks a bit similar imo. Warren Gatland was panned after Ireland, left Wales on a high. Now on a low after the Chiefs and the latest BIL tour etc? ... swings and roundabouts.
Coaches like Henry and Jones just acknowledge where they need to get better and keep on learning.
-
@nostrildamus said in Blues 2022:
@chris said in Blues 2022:
@african-monkey said in Blues 2022:
@chris As @chchfanatic said, your crew knew what to do and fucked it up. No ones fault but your own.
Totally agree we fucked up,That doesn't turn the comp into a true competition.
Thats my point not about the Blues not deserving to win.
My point being the Competition format was seriously flawedAnd yet the Crusaders still entered the comp.
I did not know they were unaware of the bonus points system or that they would not play every team. So unfair. I feel sorry for them now.
You do also realize the Boks fans will now seize on your logic to deny the All Blacks one RWC win, don't you? Mark Keohane will just love you.I don't give a crap either way, but I do find it amusing many are saying tough shit the Crusaders knew the rules, yet in another thread many (the same many?) lamented the rule that 'awarded' the Cricket World Cup to England. Surely the Black Caps knew the rules so it's tough titties to them too?
@crazy-horse Well yeah, it's exactly the same. Again, no one to blame but ourselves for not winning that WC.
-
@billy-tell said in Blues 2022:
Be interesting to see how this pans out. Left Ireland on a low (yet another ¼ final exit) and several players hinted they were happy to see the back of him (obsessive compulsive attention to detail, snuffed out all creativity, withering post-match criticism of players). Could be a master stroke though.
He won't be the head coach though, so very unlikely that he will be calling out players in the post-match press conferences. Also, those Irish are very sensitive souls, so I can see how maybe his calling out those guys may have a more detrimental impact
@junior said in Blues 2022:
@billy-tell said in Blues 2022:
Be interesting to see how this pans out. Left Ireland on a low (yet another ¼ final exit) and several players hinted they were happy to see the back of him (obsessive compulsive attention to detail, snuffed out all creativity, withering post-match criticism of players). Could be a master stroke though.
He won't be the head coach though, so very unlikely that he will be calling out players in the post-match press conferences. Also, those Irish are very sensitive souls, so I can see how maybe his calling out those guys may have a more detrimental impact
I dunno about sensitive souls but the Irish sure love a chip on the shoulder.
-
One of my favorite Blues tries. Brilliant by all involved.
This would be in my top 5 favorite Blues tries. Replay value is high.
https://streamable.com/863fr4 -
One of my favorite Blues tries. Brilliant by all involved.
This would be in my top 5 favorite Blues tries. Replay value is high.
https://streamable.com/863fr4@dice Braid starts the move, then gets in support to receive the offload from Ice, and then flicks the pass to Atiga while falling. Just class.
Although Howlett didn't have any involvement in the try, of course he's already in support as an option even though he's coming from the far side of the field.
-
One of my favorite Blues tries. Brilliant by all involved.
This would be in my top 5 favorite Blues tries. Replay value is high.
https://streamable.com/863fr4 -
@dice Haha remember being at that game, sitting in the old terraces with some school mates.
Gee Toeava was some talent, as was shown in that play. Sadly he left NZ way too early.
@african-monkey Toeava put on a show in that game.
-
Blues instagram account posted a picture of Bryce Heem training with the squad, so assume he is returning next year.
Marcel Reneta too.
@tim Also Tanielu Tele'a is there so with Ioane and Heem that is 3 of the five midfielders confirmed. Maybe Tua and Evans to complete the group? Or there is that Wrampling rumor about. They could still pick only 4, carry an extra forward and keep Evans in the wtg.
Edit: I doubt he is staying on but if he is, Emoni Narawa has looked more than useful for BOP in the midfield this season. -
@tim Also Tanielu Tele'a is there so with Ioane and Heem that is 3 of the five midfielders confirmed. Maybe Tua and Evans to complete the group? Or there is that Wrampling rumor about. They could still pick only 4, carry an extra forward and keep Evans in the wtg.
Edit: I doubt he is staying on but if he is, Emoni Narawa has looked more than useful for BOP in the midfield this season.@daffy-jaffy said in Blues 2022:
@tim Also Tanielu Tele'a is there so with Ioane and Heem that is 3 of the five midfielders confirmed. Maybe Tua and Evans to complete the group? Or there is that Wrampling rumor about. They could still pick only 4, carry an extra forward and keep Evans in the wtg.
Edit: I doubt he is staying on but if he is, Emoni Narawa has looked more than useful for BOP in the midfield this season.RTS will b there and heem a winger as for taniielu not sure doesn't look happy
-
Based on what we know from press releases and the this thread:
Props
Tu'inukuafe
Hodgman
Jordan Lay
O Tu'ungafasi
Laulala
RenataHookers
Vikena
Eklund
RiccitelliLocks
Goodhue (healthy?)
Darry
Romano
1x or 0x lockLock/Loose Forward
Suafoa
1x or 0x lock/loose forwardLoose forwards
Choat
Segner
Papalii
Robinson
Plumtree
Sotutu
A IoaneHalfbacks
Nock
Christie
Funaki1st Five Eighths
Barrett
Perofeta
PlummerMidfield
T Tele'a
R Ioane
2x MidfieldersOutside Backs
Tuivasa-Sheck
Clarke
M Telea
Heem
AJ Lam
Raumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Sullivan -
Might see Plumtree, Evans, and Tua or Wrampling taking up three of those positions in the squad, but lock is tough to pick.
-
@tim They could be needing 4 Locks due to Goodhue having worrying head knock problems again. From the rumors it seems likely Romano and James Tucker will be 2 of them. After them who knows.
-
Based on what we know from press releases and the this thread:
Props
Tu'inukuafe
Hodgman
Jordan Lay
O Tu'ungafasi
Laulala
RenataHookers
Vikena
Eklund
RiccitelliLocks
Goodhue (healthy?)
Darry
Romano
1x or 0x lockLock/Loose Forward
Suafoa
1x or 0x lock/loose forwardLoose forwards
Choat
Segner
Papalii
Robinson
Plumtree
Sotutu
A IoaneHalfbacks
Nock
Christie
Funaki1st Five Eighths
Barrett
Perofeta
PlummerMidfield
T Tele'a
R Ioane
2x MidfieldersOutside Backs
Tuivasa-Sheck
Clarke
M Telea
Heem
AJ Lam
Raumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Sullivan@tim I think they will keep James Lay as the 3rd Loosehead. He was rock solid early this season before his injury. They will need his experience early next year until the All Black props return to play post tour. Unless MP lure him away.
-
McElroy could be a good signing, at least with the WTG. He is a strong scrummager and mobile. He is still young so has plenty of time to develop into a very good SR player.
