Hurricanes v Blues

KiwiMurph

As has been discussed that was an enjoyable game.
 
As a Blues fan it's disappointing to again lose in the second half due in large part to an inferior bench but looking at the teams on paper it's not unexpected, so this season it's just the way it is. 
 
Some of the bench issues are the Blues own doing however with recruiting, not selecting Fatialofa has been talked about for example but also i'm not quite sure how Greg Pleasants Tate wasn't able to pick up a Blues contract after an outstanding ITM Cup - Quentin MacDonald has been pretty average and Sua hasn't been sighted. GPT is behind two good hookers at the Highlanders and I think Quentin is off overseas so i'd suggest GPT is a good chance of picking up a Blues contract next year. 
 
The Blues also need to work on flattening their attack, particularly in the second half they got stuck deep and flat footed too often. It got worse when Francis went off - West needs Francis there to help with structure. Obviously a much improved Canes defensive effort in the second half played a part in this as did a lack of punch in the Blues backs with much of their firepower missing. 
 
For the Blues in the backs Nanai was excellent, Sau had his best game of the season, however Duffie other than high ball take offers fuck all. In the forwards as has been mentioned the loose forward trio were all outstanding - Pryor has the odd error in his game but I love how he rips into everything. Ofa T was very good up front too - even better than pre-June - that AB camp has done him a world of good.
 
While Pat T did a lot of very good stuff but he also made some errors - he had some soft defence at times, on Marshall and Goodes in the leadup to Goodes try and a couple of other defensive lapses too.
 
I was impressed by Proctor and Goodes for the Canes - they will need to be a lot better next week in Sydney against a Tahs team that seems to have found their mojo (although the Canes had a much better hitout in this game than the Tahs did in an opposed training run game v the Sunwolves). 
 
On Julian Savea my thinking at this stage would be to leave him out of the End of Year Tour - give him time to clear his head and have a proper preseason - it worked for Dagg, i'm not sure 'he needs to keep playing' is the right option for Julian.

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="593727" data-time="1467514524">
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As has been discussed that was an enjoyable game.
 
As a Blues fan it's disappointing to again lose in the second half due in large part to an inferior bench but looking at the teams on paper it's not unexpected, so this season it's just the way it is. 
 
Some of the bench issues are the Blues own doing however with recruiting, not selecting Fatialofa has been talked about for example but also i'm not quite sure how Greg Pleasants Tate wasn't able to pick up a Blues contract after an outstanding ITM Cup - Quentin MacDonald has been pretty average and Sua hasn't been sighted. GPT is behind two good hookers at the Highlanders and I think Quentin is off overseas so i'd suggest GPT is a good chance of picking up a Blues contract next year. 
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Dont think Sua is in the squad, Moulds is the 3rd hooker that cant get any time on the park isnt he?

KiwiMurph

My apologies, yes it is Moulds. Who hasn't had much game time himself. Now that the Blues are completely out of the equation playoff wise, it would make sense to see Moulds get some game time in the last two games.

Frank

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"On Julian Savea my thinking at this stage would be to leave him out of the End of Year Tour - give him time to clear his head and have a proper preseason - it worked for Dagg, i'm not sure 'he needs to keep playing' is the right option for Julian. "
 
The way he is going, I'd be bloody surprised if he makes the Rugby Championship squad.
Moala and Naholo can play left wing. 
 
 
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Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="593723" data-time="1467512185">
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Fatialofa. I've become quite a fan. But he made at least two bad missed tackles.
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I'm actually bemused by this, I think this was his worst game since his early matches when even Canefan/Cane4Life (sorry can't tell the Canes apart) was fluffing him like a mofo.

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="593730" data-time="1467516174">
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My apologies, yes it is Moulds. Who hasn't had much game time himself. Now that the Blues are completely out of the equation playoff wise, it would make sense to see Moulds get some game time in the last two games.
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Wouldn't mind seeing Nock get a go too.

taniwharugby

first few games it seemed Tana was doing a bit too much experimenting, now it is almost like he is thinking the blues have a shot at the finals so isnt looking beyond each week

Steven Harris

Agree with the comments in and around their depth,no question,injuries and unavailability have played their part,but that's the same for all the teams,but when you consider,who comes back into this Blues team for 2017,especially the backline,SBW,Augustine Pulu,Reiko Ioane,Rene Ranger & Ben Lam,both unavailable because of injury,George Moala and Melani Nanai,things are not looking too bad in terms of depth,if they pick up Tim Nanai Williams,that will also improve an area,they have struggled to fix since the departure of Charles Piatau,Williams makes very good decisions. 
To be honest,I'm not that fussed,if Barrett does'nt come to the Blues,I have always wondered how Ihaia West would perform with a quality halfback running the cutter,I would also hang on to Piers Francis,been very impressed at what he brings to the table, 
Matt McGaghan has been a real disappointment,very limited,with only a left foot,don't see him featuring in 2017,another I would not even bother with is Matt Duffie,another who is simply out of his depth, 
Throw in Akira Ioane back in the mix.and that's some serious ability,wether he starts or comes of the bench.. 
The only real concern I have is the loss of Josh Bekuis,he has been huge for the Blues this year,especially with the line out,

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Steven Harris" data-cid="593772" data-time="1467534997">
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Agree with the comments in and around their depth,no question,injuries and unavailability have played their part,but that's the same for all the teams,but when you consider,who comes back into this Blues team for 2017,especially the backline,SBW,Augustine Pulu,Reiko Ioane,Rene Ranger & Ben Lam,both unavailable because of injury,George Moala and Melani Nanai,things are not looking too bad in terms of depth,if they pick up Tim Nanai Williams,that will also improve an area,they have struggled to fix since the departure of Charles Piatau,Williams makes very good decisions. 
To be honest,I'm not that fussed,if Barrett does'nt come to the Blues,I have always wondered how Ihaia West would perform with a quality halfback running the cutter,I would also hang on to Piers Francis,been very impressed at what he brings to the table, 
Matt McGaghan has been a real disappointment,very limited,with only a left foot,don't see him featuring in 2017,another I would not even bother with is Matt Duffie,another who is simply out of his depth, 
Throw in Akira Ioane back in the mix.and that's some serious ability,wether he starts or comes of the bench.. 
The only real concern I have is the loss of Josh Bekuis,he has been huge for the Blues this year,especially with the line out,
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Yup agree with everything you said. It could be a straight shootout between McGahan and Francis for a contract next year and I'd probably take Francis.
 
Jimmy Tupou is a make or break signing for our lineout I feel. Yes he'll be better around the field than Bekhuis, but we need someone to lead our lineout which falls to pieces with Bekhuis not there.

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="593764" data-time="1467531620">
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I'm actually bemused by this, I think this was his worst game since his early matches when even Canefan/Cane4Life (sorry can't tell the Canes apart) was fluffing him like a mofo.
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Have you watched any of the Canes games this year?? Fatialofa has probably been our most damaging forward on defense. 
 
I agree Fatialofa had a bad night last night but he has been one of our best all season. Maybe the break ruined some of his momentum. I expect him to gain his form back as we move into the playoff stages though.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="593793" data-time="1467547238">
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Have you watched any of the Canes games this year?? Fatialofa has probably been our most damaging forward on defense. 
 
I agree Fatialofa had a bad night last night but he has been one of our best all season. Maybe the break ruined some of his momentum. I expect him to gain his form back as we move into the playoff stages though.
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That's exactly what I said ....
 
(The misunderstanding might have been that the 'was' before fluffing in my post was supposed to be a 'wasn't').

mimic

Are u sure it was Fatialofa who missed the tackles? The biggest miss I saw was from Fifita.. think u guys mightve got them mixed up

taniwharugby

All those hurricanes look the same...BB! Fatialofa, Cory Jane, Fifita....always getting them messed up

booboo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mimic" data-cid="593935" data-time="1467623285">
Are u sure it was Fatialofa who missed the tackles? The biggest miss I saw was from Fifita.. think u guys mightve got them mixed up</blockquote>
 
No

The Silver Fern

Hurricanes v Blues