Blues 2022
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@bobily2 said in Blues 2022:
I think second-five would be the position I'd least like to see him at outside of the first 10 jerseys. An amazing, dynamic runner in space and we're going to put him in a position with heavy traffic that can take a long time to learn and adapt to.
I hope I'm very wrong about this, and he is the player the ABs have been looking for there - but I'm not convinced.
He’ll be right. He just needs to prove he’s better than David Havilii
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“That was a real boost. There’s a lot of experience in Luke and James, and we see Cameron as a younger version of Gerard with the physicality he plays with. We’re thrilled with being able to fill that gap.”
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Tamati Tua will take a bit of stopping, serious size for a big fella. Hope he can turn well pass well and keep up with play.
@nostrildamus if his body holds up the chances will come, he needs to take them.
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behind a paywall however article on Tua here
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Locks: James Tucker, Josh Goodhue, Sam Darry, Luke Romano
Lock/Loosie: Cameron Suafoa, Tom Robinson, Taine Plumtree
The hardest position to predict. Assuming everyone is fit, who should be the starting locks?
I assume Goodhue is almost certain to start. I'm hoping Romano is more there for injury cover/knowledge transfer
Goodhue/Tucker? An all Northland pair of Goodhue/Robinson might be worth a look?
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Locks: James Tucker, Josh Goodhue, Sam Darry, Luke Romano
Lock/Loosie: Cameron Suafoa, Tom Robinson, Taine Plumtree
The hardest position to predict. Assuming everyone is fit, who should be the starting locks?
I assume Goodhue is almost certain to start. I'm hoping Romano is more there for injury cover/knowledge transfer
Goodhue/Tucker? An all Northland pair of Goodhue/Robinson might be worth a look?
@duluth I'm guessing, but I reckon they may have only locked together in one or 2 games back in 2019, games when both have been available usually had Tom at 6.
On Goodhue, sounds promising, I believe it was more his neck that they were worried about, rather than his head.
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@duluth I'm guessing, but I reckon they may have only locked together in one or 2 games back in 2019, games when both have been available usually had Tom at 6.
On Goodhue, sounds promising, I believe it was more his neck that they were worried about, rather than his head.
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2022:
@duluth I'm guessing, but I reckon they may have only locked together in one or 2 games back in 2019, games when both have been available usually had Tom at 6.
Only 5 NPC starts at lock for Robinson. He has 1 start at SR level too
So yes, there's not much evidence that it would work.
I hope they experiment with it though. The question is how the scrum goes. It would allow the four AB standard loosies to start, plus would make room for a guy like Plumtree to make the bench
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@taniwharugby said in Blues 2022:
@duluth I'm guessing, but I reckon they may have only locked together in one or 2 games back in 2019, games when both have been available usually had Tom at 6.
Only 5 NPC starts at lock for Robinson. He has 1 start at SR level too
So yes, there's not much evidence that it would work.
I hope they experiment with it though. The question is how the scrum goes. It would allow the four AB standard loosies to start, plus would make room for a guy like Plumtree to make the bench
@duluth said in Blues 2022:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2022:
@duluth I'm guessing, but I reckon they may have only locked together in one or 2 games back in 2019, games when both have been available usually had Tom at 6.
Only 5 NPC starts at lock for Robinson. He has 1 start at SR level too
So yes, there's not much evidence that it would work.
I hope they experiment with it though. The question is how the scrum goes. It would allow the four AB standard loosies to start, plus would make room for a guy like Plumtree to make the bench
He's pretty similar to Itoje in terms of size, isn't he?
Maybe he's need to add a bit of bulk, he might be 5 kgs light.
Anyway, I think the Blues have missed a trick by now trying it before, and if it came off it could be huge for the ABs, as he would be the obvious Scott Barrett replacement.
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@duluth said in Blues 2022:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2022:
@duluth I'm guessing, but I reckon they may have only locked together in one or 2 games back in 2019, games when both have been available usually had Tom at 6.
Only 5 NPC starts at lock for Robinson. He has 1 start at SR level too
So yes, there's not much evidence that it would work.
I hope they experiment with it though. The question is how the scrum goes. It would allow the four AB standard loosies to start, plus would make room for a guy like Plumtree to make the bench
He's pretty similar to Itoje in terms of size, isn't he?
Maybe he's need to add a bit of bulk, he might be 5 kgs light.
Anyway, I think the Blues have missed a trick by now trying it before, and if it came off it could be huge for the ABs, as he would be the obvious Scott Barrett replacement.
@gt12 said in Blues 2022:
@duluth said in Blues 2022:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2022:
@duluth I'm guessing, but I reckon they may have only locked together in one or 2 games back in 2019, games when both have been available usually had Tom at 6.
Only 5 NPC starts at lock for Robinson. He has 1 start at SR level too
So yes, there's not much evidence that it would work.
I hope they experiment with it though. The question is how the scrum goes. It would allow the four AB standard loosies to start, plus would make room for a guy like Plumtree to make the bench
He's pretty similar to Itoje in terms of size, isn't he?
Maybe he's need to add a bit of bulk, he might be 5 kgs light.
Anyway, I think the Blues have missed a trick by now trying it before, and if it came off it could be huge for the ABs, as he would be the obvious Scott Barrett replacement.
That bit I like.
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@gt12 said in Blues 2022:
@duluth said in Blues 2022:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2022:
@duluth I'm guessing, but I reckon they may have only locked together in one or 2 games back in 2019, games when both have been available usually had Tom at 6.
Only 5 NPC starts at lock for Robinson. He has 1 start at SR level too
So yes, there's not much evidence that it would work.
I hope they experiment with it though. The question is how the scrum goes. It would allow the four AB standard loosies to start, plus would make room for a guy like Plumtree to make the bench
He's pretty similar to Itoje in terms of size, isn't he?
Maybe he's need to add a bit of bulk, he might be 5 kgs light.
Anyway, I think the Blues have missed a trick by now trying it before, and if it came off it could be huge for the ABs, as he would be the obvious Scott Barrett replacement.
That bit I like.
@crucial said in Blues 2022:
@gt12 said in Blues 2022:
@duluth said in Blues 2022:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2022:
@duluth I'm guessing, but I reckon they may have only locked together in one or 2 games back in 2019, games when both have been available usually had Tom at 6.
Only 5 NPC starts at lock for Robinson. He has 1 start at SR level too
So yes, there's not much evidence that it would work.
I hope they experiment with it though. The question is how the scrum goes. It would allow the four AB standard loosies to start, plus would make room for a guy like Plumtree to make the bench
He's pretty similar to Itoje in terms of size, isn't he?
Maybe he's need to add a bit of bulk, he might be 5 kgs light.
Anyway, I think the Blues have missed a trick by now trying it before, and if it came off it could be huge for the ABs, as he would be the obvious Scott Barrett replacement.
That bit I like.
This year's best ab lock?
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If you see josh goodhue and tom robinson together, tom is the clearly bigger man.
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@gt12 said in Blues 2022:
@duluth said in Blues 2022:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2022:
@duluth I'm guessing, but I reckon they may have only locked together in one or 2 games back in 2019, games when both have been available usually had Tom at 6.
Only 5 NPC starts at lock for Robinson. He has 1 start at SR level too
So yes, there's not much evidence that it would work.
I hope they experiment with it though. The question is how the scrum goes. It would allow the four AB standard loosies to start, plus would make room for a guy like Plumtree to make the bench
He's pretty similar to Itoje in terms of size, isn't he?
Maybe he's need to add a bit of bulk, he might be 5 kgs light.
Anyway, I think the Blues have missed a trick by now trying it before, and if it came off it could be huge for the ABs, as he would be the obvious Scott Barrett replacement.
That bit I like.
@crucial said in Blues 2022:
@gt12 said in Blues 2022:
@duluth said in Blues 2022:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2022:
@duluth I'm guessing, but I reckon they may have only locked together in one or 2 games back in 2019, games when both have been available usually had Tom at 6.
Only 5 NPC starts at lock for Robinson. He has 1 start at SR level too
So yes, there's not much evidence that it would work.
I hope they experiment with it though. The question is how the scrum goes. It would allow the four AB standard loosies to start, plus would make room for a guy like Plumtree to make the bench
He's pretty similar to Itoje in terms of size, isn't he?
Maybe he's need to add a bit of bulk, he might be 5 kgs light.
Anyway, I think the Blues have missed a trick by now trying it before, and if it came off it could be huge for the ABs, as he would be the obvious Scott Barrett replacement.
That bit I like.
You think SB needs a replacement in the ABs? If so, because of penalties or something?
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@duluth said in Blues 2022:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2022:
@duluth I'm guessing, but I reckon they may have only locked together in one or 2 games back in 2019, games when both have been available usually had Tom at 6.
Only 5 NPC starts at lock for Robinson. He has 1 start at SR level too
So yes, there's not much evidence that it would work.
I hope they experiment with it though. The question is how the scrum goes. It would allow the four AB standard loosies to start, plus would make room for a guy like Plumtree to make the bench
He's pretty similar to Itoje in terms of size, isn't he?
Maybe he's need to add a bit of bulk, he might be 5 kgs light.
Anyway, I think the Blues have missed a trick by now trying it before, and if it came off it could be huge for the ABs, as he would be the obvious Scott Barrett replacement.
@gt12 said in Blues 2022:
@duluth said in Blues 2022:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2022:
@duluth I'm guessing, but I reckon they may have only locked together in one or 2 games back in 2019, games when both have been available usually had Tom at 6.
Only 5 NPC starts at lock for Robinson. He has 1 start at SR level too
So yes, there's not much evidence that it would work.
I hope they experiment with it though. The question is how the scrum goes. It would allow the four AB standard loosies to start, plus would make room for a guy like Plumtree to make the bench
He's pretty similar to Itoje in terms of size, isn't he?
Maybe he's need to add a bit of bulk, he might be 5 kgs light.
Anyway, I think the Blues have missed a trick by now trying it before, and if it came off it could be huge for the ABs, as he would be the obvious Scott Barrett replacement.
Tom N. Robinson 1.98m 110 kg
Oghenemaro Miles "Maro" Itoje (thank good for c&p) 1.97m 115kg
...so especially with some extra Waiuku whitebait, yes. -
@crucial said in Blues 2022:
@gt12 said in Blues 2022:
@duluth said in Blues 2022:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2022:
@duluth I'm guessing, but I reckon they may have only locked together in one or 2 games back in 2019, games when both have been available usually had Tom at 6.
Only 5 NPC starts at lock for Robinson. He has 1 start at SR level too
So yes, there's not much evidence that it would work.
I hope they experiment with it though. The question is how the scrum goes. It would allow the four AB standard loosies to start, plus would make room for a guy like Plumtree to make the bench
He's pretty similar to Itoje in terms of size, isn't he?
Maybe he's need to add a bit of bulk, he might be 5 kgs light.
Anyway, I think the Blues have missed a trick by now trying it before, and if it came off it could be huge for the ABs, as he would be the obvious Scott Barrett replacement.
That bit I like.
You think SB needs a replacement in the ABs? If so, because of penalties or something?
@nostrildamus said in Blues 2022:
@crucial said in Blues 2022:
@gt12 said in Blues 2022:
@duluth said in Blues 2022:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2022:
@duluth I'm guessing, but I reckon they may have only locked together in one or 2 games back in 2019, games when both have been available usually had Tom at 6.
Only 5 NPC starts at lock for Robinson. He has 1 start at SR level too
So yes, there's not much evidence that it would work.
I hope they experiment with it though. The question is how the scrum goes. It would allow the four AB standard loosies to start, plus would make room for a guy like Plumtree to make the bench
He's pretty similar to Itoje in terms of size, isn't he?
Maybe he's need to add a bit of bulk, he might be 5 kgs light.
Anyway, I think the Blues have missed a trick by now trying it before, and if it came off it could be huge for the ABs, as he would be the obvious Scott Barrett replacement.
That bit I like.
You think SB needs a replacement in the ABs? If so, because of penalties or something?
I'd like to think we could do better basically .
He's a lock built like a six. Not great at either.
Good for the bench.
But, let's say we could swap him for someone that was a very good 6 that could play lock just as well as him? I'd go for that. -
@nostrildamus said in Blues 2022:
@crucial said in Blues 2022:
@gt12 said in Blues 2022:
@duluth said in Blues 2022:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2022:
@duluth I'm guessing, but I reckon they may have only locked together in one or 2 games back in 2019, games when both have been available usually had Tom at 6.
Only 5 NPC starts at lock for Robinson. He has 1 start at SR level too
So yes, there's not much evidence that it would work.
I hope they experiment with it though. The question is how the scrum goes. It would allow the four AB standard loosies to start, plus would make room for a guy like Plumtree to make the bench
He's pretty similar to Itoje in terms of size, isn't he?
Maybe he's need to add a bit of bulk, he might be 5 kgs light.
Anyway, I think the Blues have missed a trick by now trying it before, and if it came off it could be huge for the ABs, as he would be the obvious Scott Barrett replacement.
That bit I like.
You think SB needs a replacement in the ABs? If so, because of penalties or something?
I'd like to think we could do better basically .
He's a lock built like a six. Not great at either.
Good for the bench.
But, let's say we could swap him for someone that was a very good 6 that could play lock just as well as him? I'd go for that.@crucial said in Blues 2022:
@nostrildamus said in Blues 2022:
@crucial said in Blues 2022:
@gt12 said in Blues 2022:
@duluth said in Blues 2022:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2022:
@duluth I'm guessing, but I reckon they may have only locked together in one or 2 games back in 2019, games when both have been available usually had Tom at 6.
Only 5 NPC starts at lock for Robinson. He has 1 start at SR level too
So yes, there's not much evidence that it would work.
I hope they experiment with it though. The question is how the scrum goes. It would allow the four AB standard loosies to start, plus would make room for a guy like Plumtree to make the bench
He's pretty similar to Itoje in terms of size, isn't he?
Maybe he's need to add a bit of bulk, he might be 5 kgs light.
Anyway, I think the Blues have missed a trick by now trying it before, and if it came off it could be huge for the ABs, as he would be the obvious Scott Barrett replacement.
That bit I like.
You think SB needs a replacement in the ABs? If so, because of penalties or something?
I'd like to think we could do better basically .
He's a lock built like a six. Not great at either.
Good for the bench.
But, let's say we could swap him for someone that was a very good 6 that could play lock just as well as him? I'd go for that.I'm not sure if Foster sees Shannon in that light (and not sure many on here see him as a great lock) but that might be Robinson...
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@duluth said in Blues 2022:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2022:
@duluth I'm guessing, but I reckon they may have only locked together in one or 2 games back in 2019, games when both have been available usually had Tom at 6.
Only 5 NPC starts at lock for Robinson. He has 1 start at SR level too
So yes, there's not much evidence that it would work.
I hope they experiment with it though. The question is how the scrum goes. It would allow the four AB standard loosies to start, plus would make room for a guy like Plumtree to make the bench
He's pretty similar to Itoje in terms of size, isn't he?
Maybe he's need to add a bit of bulk, he might be 5 kgs light.
Anyway, I think the Blues have missed a trick by now trying it before, and if it came off it could be huge for the ABs, as he would be the obvious Scott Barrett replacement.
@gt12 said in Blues 2022:
@duluth said in Blues 2022:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2022:
@duluth I'm guessing, but I reckon they may have only locked together in one or 2 games back in 2019, games when both have been available usually had Tom at 6.
Only 5 NPC starts at lock for Robinson. He has 1 start at SR level too
So yes, there's not much evidence that it would work.
I hope they experiment with it though. The question is how the scrum goes. It would allow the four AB standard loosies to start, plus would make room for a guy like Plumtree to make the bench
He's pretty similar to Itoje in terms of size, isn't he?
Maybe he's need to add a bit of bulk, he might be 5 kgs light.
Anyway, I think the Blues have missed a trick by now trying it before, and if it came off it could be huge for the ABs, as he would be the obvious Scott Barrett replacement.
There is a big difference between being the size of a lock and actually playing lock TBH. Robinson may have the size but the temperament and comfort to play lock? I remember when they chucked Jerome Kaino in at lock against the Irish, didn't go well.
No I think keep him at Blindside, he'll have to rotate with Akira and/or come off bench. For Akira's long-term development at 6 he needs to play there regularly IMO. He faded away towards the end of the tour but again so did a few of them, you can't expect them to tour for almost 3 months and not get faded and fatigued.
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Locks: James Tucker, Josh Goodhue, Sam Darry, Luke Romano
Lock/Loosie: Cameron Suafoa, Tom Robinson, Taine Plumtree
The hardest position to predict. Assuming everyone is fit, who should be the starting locks?
I assume Goodhue is almost certain to start. I'm hoping Romano is more there for injury cover/knowledge transfer
Goodhue/Tucker? An all Northland pair of Goodhue/Robinson might be worth a look?
@duluth said in Blues 2022:
Locks: James Tucker, Josh Goodhue, Sam Darry, Luke Romano
Lock/Loosie: Cameron Suafoa, Tom Robinson, Taine Plumtree
The hardest position to predict. Assuming everyone is fit, who should be the starting locks?
I assume Goodhue is almost certain to start. I'm hoping Romano is more there for injury cover/knowledge transfer
Goodhue/Tucker? An all Northland pair of Goodhue/Robinson might be worth a look?
Romano/Goodhue/Darry would be the 3 game day locks IMO. Start with Romano to give some stability to the set piece. He's almost a straight out swap for Patty.
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@gt12 said in Blues 2022:
@duluth said in Blues 2022:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2022:
@duluth I'm guessing, but I reckon they may have only locked together in one or 2 games back in 2019, games when both have been available usually had Tom at 6.
Only 5 NPC starts at lock for Robinson. He has 1 start at SR level too
So yes, there's not much evidence that it would work.
I hope they experiment with it though. The question is how the scrum goes. It would allow the four AB standard loosies to start, plus would make room for a guy like Plumtree to make the bench
He's pretty similar to Itoje in terms of size, isn't he?
Maybe he's need to add a bit of bulk, he might be 5 kgs light.
Anyway, I think the Blues have missed a trick by now trying it before, and if it came off it could be huge for the ABs, as he would be the obvious Scott Barrett replacement.
There is a big difference between being the size of a lock and actually playing lock TBH. Robinson may have the size but the temperament and comfort to play lock? I remember when they chucked Jerome Kaino in at lock against the Irish, didn't go well.
No I think keep him at Blindside, he'll have to rotate with Akira and/or come off bench. For Akira's long-term development at 6 he needs to play there regularly IMO. He faded away towards the end of the tour but again so did a few of them, you can't expect them to tour for almost 3 months and not get faded and fatigued.
@themojoman said in Blues 2022:
@gt12 said in Blues 2022:
@duluth said in Blues 2022:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2022:
@duluth I'm guessing, but I reckon they may have only locked together in one or 2 games back in 2019, games when both have been available usually had Tom at 6.
Only 5 NPC starts at lock for Robinson. He has 1 start at SR level too
So yes, there's not much evidence that it would work.
I hope they experiment with it though. The question is how the scrum goes. It would allow the four AB standard loosies to start, plus would make room for a guy like Plumtree to make the bench
He's pretty similar to Itoje in terms of size, isn't he?
Maybe he's need to add a bit of bulk, he might be 5 kgs light.
Anyway, I think the Blues have missed a trick by now trying it before, and if it came off it could be huge for the ABs, as he would be the obvious Scott Barrett replacement.
There is a big difference between being the size of a lock and actually playing lock TBH. Robinson may have the size but the temperament and comfort to play lock? I remember when they chucked Jerome Kaino in at lock against the Irish, didn't go well.
No I think keep him at Blindside, he'll have to rotate with Akira and/or come off bench. For Akira's long-term development at 6 he needs to play there regularly IMO. He faded away towards the end of the tour but again so did a few of them, you can't expect them to tour for almost 3 months and not get faded and fatigued.
I think that's fair, but I'd put it to the player as a question: Would you try to take on playing in this position as well if it would increase your chances of a Black jersey?
I don't know whether he would be successful or not, but he is much more of a lock than Kaino (I don't think he ever played there except for that atrocity) and we would be able to see whether he can develop there or is just a six.
My rationale is funnily enough also similar yours in that Akira (and perhaps Paps) need as much time at 6 as possible, so I don't see him busting into the starting team.
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@themojoman said in Blues 2022:
@gt12 said in Blues 2022:
@duluth said in Blues 2022:
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2022:
@duluth I'm guessing, but I reckon they may have only locked together in one or 2 games back in 2019, games when both have been available usually had Tom at 6.
Only 5 NPC starts at lock for Robinson. He has 1 start at SR level too
So yes, there's not much evidence that it would work.
I hope they experiment with it though. The question is how the scrum goes. It would allow the four AB standard loosies to start, plus would make room for a guy like Plumtree to make the bench
He's pretty similar to Itoje in terms of size, isn't he?
Maybe he's need to add a bit of bulk, he might be 5 kgs light.
Anyway, I think the Blues have missed a trick by now trying it before, and if it came off it could be huge for the ABs, as he would be the obvious Scott Barrett replacement.
There is a big difference between being the size of a lock and actually playing lock TBH. Robinson may have the size but the temperament and comfort to play lock? I remember when they chucked Jerome Kaino in at lock against the Irish, didn't go well.
No I think keep him at Blindside, he'll have to rotate with Akira and/or come off bench. For Akira's long-term development at 6 he needs to play there regularly IMO. He faded away towards the end of the tour but again so did a few of them, you can't expect them to tour for almost 3 months and not get faded and fatigued.
I think that's fair, but I'd put it to the player as a question: Would you try to take on playing in this position as well if it would increase your chances of a Black jersey?
I don't know whether he would be successful or not, but he is much more of a lock than Kaino (I don't think he ever played there except for that atrocity) and we would be able to see whether he can develop there or is just a six.
My rationale is funnily enough also similar yours in that Akira (and perhaps Paps) need as much time at 6 as possible, so I don't see him busting into the starting team.
@gt12 said in Blues 2022:
so I don't see him busting into the starting team.
Tom? Given he was captain in Patty's absence this year, you'd think high chance he is captain next year, meaning he will start more games than not, and with the Blues roster, I expect he will get time at lock.
