Blues 2022
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@gt12 said in Blues 2022:
@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.
I mean Robinson has the tools - height/lineout capability, big motor/workrate, defensive game. He probably is the best of the flanker/lock combo's we've had in a while too. I haven't seen a flanker make a successful transition to lock yet. Jimmy Tupou was OK. Brad Thorn wasn't a natural flanker or 8 anyway. Luatua never really played lock at top level. Fifita was serviceable at Super Level but again, not a top level lock.
Maybe Robinson can make the transition?
@themojoman said in Blues 2022:
@gt12 said in Blues 2022:
@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.
I mean Robinson has the tools - height/lineout capability, big motor/workrate, defensive game. He probably is the best of the flanker/lock combo's we've had in a while too. I haven't seen a flanker make a successful transition to lock yet. Jimmy Tupou was OK. Brad Thorn wasn't a natural flanker or 8 anyway. Luatua never really played lock at top level. Fifita was serviceable at Super Level but again, not a top level lock.
Maybe Robinson can make the transition?
Cameron Woki (France) is a flanker who played lock against the All Blacks last weekend. He did well so I don't know why Tom Robinson wouldn't make it. However, the problem is that the All Blacks need a big munter in the second row (à la Brad Thorn) to partner a 2m+ one.
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@dice really looking forward to seeing him out there!
If handled right, he will make a smooth transition, has footwork like 2015 NMS, but looks to have more size, pace and has some excellent skills.
@taniwharugby I saw Caleb Clarke in an interview saying that RTS had stepped him a few times already at practice then he smiled and said "but I was social distancing".
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Bronco today for the boys. The trainers reckon Beauden Barretts record might be under threat today from young Jock Mackenzie.
@nogusta said in Blues 2022:
Bronco today for the boys. The trainers reckon Beauden Barretts record might be under threat today from young Jock Mackenzie.
Someone on the TSF said McKenzie was going to be in the Hurricanes extended group? Is that incorrect?
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This post is deleted!
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https://www.blues.rugby/blues-rugby-news/blues-to-play-canes-in-mahurangi
The Blues other pre-season game is against the Chiefs in Te Puke on Friday 11 February. -
From Instagram, it seems that Akira Ioane is training in the gym with some of the Crusaders and Moana Pacifica players in Christchurch.
@tim said in Blues 2022:
From Instagram, it seems that Akira Ioane is training in the gym with some of the Crusaders and Moana Pacifica players in Christchurch.
How much fun would it be if he went there? Several posters heads would likely explode, then they’d have to defend him to the death.
Dreams are free.
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@tim said in Blues 2022:
From Instagram, it seems that Akira Ioane is training in the gym with some of the Crusaders and Moana Pacifica players in Christchurch.
How much fun would it be if he went there? Several posters heads would likely explode, then they’d have to defend him to the death.
Dreams are free.
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@gt12 Well his missus does play for the Tactix netball team there so ya never know haha.
@african-monkey said in Blues 2022:
@gt12 Well his missus does play for the Tactix netball team there so ya never know haha.
They’d have a scarily good loose trio:
Akira, Blackadder, Grace.
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@african-monkey said in Blues 2022:
@gt12 Well his missus does play for the Tactix netball team there so ya never know haha.
They’d have a scarily good loose trio:
Akira, Blackadder, Grace.
@gt12 Matera
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From Instagram, it seems that Akira Ioane is training in the gym with some of the Crusaders and Moana Pacifica players in Christchurch.
@tim said in Blues 2022:
From Instagram, it seems that Akira Ioane is training in the gym with some of the Crusaders and Moana Pacifica players in Christchurch.
He should've moved there a few years ago. Would be much further along as a player IMO.
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@tim said in Blues 2022:
From Instagram, it seems that Akira Ioane is training in the gym with some of the Crusaders and Moana Pacifica players in Christchurch.
He should've moved there a few years ago. Would be much further along as a player IMO.
@themojoman said in Blues 2022:
@tim said in Blues 2022:
From Instagram, it seems that Akira Ioane is training in the gym with some of the Crusaders and Moana Pacifica players in Christchurch.
He should've moved there a few years ago. Would be much further along as a player IMO.
The chat on here is that the Crusaders weren't interested in him.
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Some people are stuck in the past. The Blues develop loosies better than any other side right now.
Coventry has been great for the franchise
@duluth But but but, only the Crusaders can develop special players........
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@tim said in Blues 2022:
From Instagram, it seems that Akira Ioane is training in the gym with some of the Crusaders and Moana Pacifica players in Christchurch.
How much fun would it be if he went there? Several posters heads would likely explode, then they’d have to defend him to the death.
Dreams are free.
@gt12 said in Blues 2022:
@tim said in Blues 2022:
From Instagram, it seems that Akira Ioane is training in the gym with some of the Crusaders and Moana Pacifica players in Christchurch.
How much fun would it be if he went there? Several posters heads would likely explode, then they’d have to defend him to the death.
Dreams are free.
Giving up hair colour for a Goodhue-esque mullet? Can't see it.
