Blues v Crusaders

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="582919" data-time="1464231069">
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From a neutral perspective this is where I believe the Blues need to 
 
If I was Tana I would throw all my coin at Beauden Barrett's younger brother Jordie in the off season. He is the exact type of player the Blues desperately need in their arsenal. An inside centre who can cover 1st five with an array of skills that differs from the usual crash and bash style of play that the Blues bring week in and week out. He is also a pin point goal kicker, unlike his bro.
 
If I was Tana I would also negotiate with Otere Black's manager and get him out of the Hurricanes where he is stuck behind Beaudy and will most likely fall behind TJ Va'a. 
 
Someone I know close to the Hurricanes said Black has been getting a little restless due to the lack of game time and with TJ Va'a also in their ranks it would be a smart move by the Blues to snap him up while he is not in the spotlight.
 
In terms of Moala he does not possess a passing game good enough to warrant test selection. He looks great at Super Rugby level with his ability to gain metres over the advantage line every time he carries but International footy is another beast altogether. I prefer him on the wing.
 
With many believing Tana has more of an eye towards next year, how good would it be if he managed to conjure up a backline of this magnitude in 2017: 9. Pulu 10. Black 11. Li 12. Barrett 13. Ioane 14. Ranger 15. Nanai. That backline would surely get bums back on seats and if they also add the signature of someone like SBW they would be looking like contenders once again.
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To paraphrase.... sign a bunch of players from Wellington.

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="582920" data-time="1464231147">
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To paraphrase.... sign a bunch of players from Wellington.
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Good one SammyClueless
 
Otere Blacks from Manawatu
Barrett is down in Canterbury.

bobily

Otero Black already has a contract but they could go for Perofeta, who already has a combination with Barrett, and looks classy.

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="582923" data-time="1464231434">
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Good one SammyClueless
 
Otere Blacks from Manawatu
Barrett is down in Canterbury.
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I assumed they were from Wellington, as you don't watch any other teams apparently.

gt12

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="582919" data-time="1464231069">
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From a neutral perspective this is where I believe the Blues need to improve before next year as making this years playoffs is a bit of a stretch.
 
If I was Tana I would throw all my coin at Beauden Barrett's younger brother Jordie in the off season. He is the exact type of player the Blues desperately need in their arsenal. An inside centre who can cover 1st five with an array of skills that differs from the usual crash and bash style of play that the Blues bring week in and week out. He is also a pin point goal kicker, unlike his bro.
 
If I was Tana I would also negotiate with Otere Black's manager and get him out of the Hurricanes where he is stuck behind Beaudy and will most likely fall behind TJ Va'a. 
 
Someone I know close to the Hurricanes said Black has been getting a little restless due to the lack of game time and with TJ Va'a also in their ranks it would be a smart move by the Blues to snap him up while he is not in the spotlight.
 
In terms of Moala he does not possess a passing game good enough to warrant test selection. He looks great at Super Rugby level with his ability to gain metres over the advantage line every time he carries but International footy is another beast altogether. I prefer him on the wing.
 
With many believing Tana has more of an eye towards next year, how good would it be if he managed to conjure up a backline of this magnitude in 2017: 9. Pulu 10. Black 11. Li 12. Barrett 13. Ioane 14. Ranger 15. Nanai. with 21. Nock 22. West and 23. Moala on the bench. That backline would surely get bums back on seats and if they also add the signature of someone like SBW they would be looking like contenders once again.
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You're one of my fav. posters C4L, guaranteed to over-egg it for canes players :)
 
Barrett would be a good buy (unless SBW goes), but with Ioane and Moala, he won't be starting, unless Ioane stays on the wing - where I think they really need some help Li? Duffie? WTF? Visinia should have been moved there ages ago, as I suggested...
 
A 10 though is a good idea, and Black does look likely, although a gamble. Probably worth it though.
 
I'd be looking for a lock to partner Paddy, and trying to magic up a Super level 10.

Tim

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="582942" data-time="1464235714">
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You're one of my fav. posters C4L, guaranteed to over-egg it for canes players :)
 
Barrett would be a good buy (unless SBW goes), but with Ioane and Moala, he won't be starting, unless Ioane stays on the wing - where I think they really need some help Li? Duffie? WTF? Visinia should have been moved there ages ago, as I suggested...
 
A 10 though is a good idea, and Black does look likely, although a gamble. Probably worth it though.
 
I'd be looking for a lock to partner Paddy, and trying to magic up a Super level 10.
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Lam will be back from injury next year. Trainor will be another year more experienced too. Not sure if Goodhue is coming back the Blues area.
 
Hope to see TJ Faiane get a good run in the midfield during the ITM Cup.

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="582944" data-time="1464235989">
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Lam will be back from injury next year. Trainor will be another year more experienced too. Not sure if Goodhue is coming back the Blues area.
 
Hope to see TJ Faiane get a good run in the midfield during the ITM Cup.
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from what I hear, the signs are promising, if it happens, it is a while off yet anyway and plenty can change; whether any move is just for Mitre 10 as well as Super rugby is the bigger question I suspect, if his brother is offered another Blues contract, who knows

KiwiMurph

Yes TJ Faiane is an interesting one - a real talent but will his body continue to breakdown, he's had two ACL injuries in the last year (2015 U20 World Cup final and 2016 Super Rugby preseason). A centre pairing of him and Rieko Ioane would be very interesting in the Mitre 10 Cup.

kiwiinmelb

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="582864" data-time="1464225839">
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Just our luck that Nadolo comes back from suspension when they face us.
 
Which country will Duffie be flying to this time?
 
 
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And last time he was playing FB, 
 
This time he is marking him , he probably wont sleep this week

broughie

Is it just me but Otere Black does not seem like a player you want to build a franchise around. He seems rather average.

Tim

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="broughie" data-cid="582965" data-time="1464240888">
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Is it just me but Otere Black does not seem like a player you want to build a franchise around. He seems rather average.
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I haven't seen enough of him to judge. Has he got the physical ability?

African Monkey

Matt Duffie really?! They guy is fucken hopeless. Don't mind Pryor being there even if it is for an injury. He's a bit quicker around the field.

Chris B.

Crusaders named

Billy Tell

Fonatia ðŸ˜¡ 
That guy has the most charmed existence when it comes to selection. 
Blues should target him hard.

Tim

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="583042" data-time="1464260926">
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Fonatia 
That guy has the most charmed existence when it comes to selection. 
Blues should target him hard.
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Yeah, when I saw the team sheet I was thinking Moala outside him all night.
 
That, ah, depends on a lot of things though.

ACT Crusader

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="583042" data-time="1464260926">Fonatia [emoji35] 
That guy has the most charmed existence when it comes to selection. 
Blues should target him hard.</blockquote>
 
Exposed against the Landers, but I thought he bounced back pretty well last week against Folau and the Tahs. Read the game far better and didn't get caught out on his outside shoulder. 
I would however love to see what 12. Havili 13. Crotty could do for more than 5 minutes in a game.

Chris B.

I think Toddy must like a midfield pairing with a smaller more nimble 2nd five and big lump like Fonotia at centre. Mo'unga/Havili/Crotty might be a bit lightweight, so we might have to wait until Freuan is available to see any change.
 
An alternative might be to try Nadolo at centre and NcNicol/Macilai on the wings, which would give us more attacking weaponry, but the new centre pairing could be exposed.
 
Generally, I think Fonotia has gone pretty well this year, with the obvious exception of the Highlanders game. Faddes really exposed his lack of pace and, if we were to meet them again, we would have to find a way to fix that.

No Quarter

Got tickets to a corporate box through work for this, looking forward to seeing the Blues put one past the Crusaders at home.

SammyC

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="583119" data-time="1464311816">
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I think Toddy must like a midfield pairing with a smaller more nimble 2nd five and big lump like Fonotia at centre. Mo'unga/Havili/Crotty might be a bit lightweight, so we might have to wait until Freuan is available to see any change.
 
An alternative might be to try Nadolo at centre and NcNicol/Macilai on the wings, which would give us more attacking weaponry, but the new centre pairing could be exposed.
 
Generally, I think Fonotia has gone pretty well this year, with the obvious exception of the Highlanders game. Faddes really exposed his lack of pace and, if we were to meet them again, we would have to find a way to fix that.
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Agree Chris, it's been pretty rare for Toddy to play Crotty at centre. And to be honest he's way better at 12 for us.
 
He's been tried at 13 in previous years and I don't think it suits his game.

broughie

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="582967" data-time="1464240943">
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I haven't seen enough of him to judge. Has he got the physical ability?
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He might be Jimmy Goppeth but does not have anything close to the running game or speed of West.

The Silver Fern

Blues v Crusaders