Blues v Brumbies
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<p>Righto, a match report from the cheap seats.</p>
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<p>I think this was the most dominant performance from the Blues in a long time. What was particualrly pleasing was that we played some smart rugby. It is a good sign when a coach gets their hands on the players for a month, and their game demonstrably goes forward. Looking forward to next year when we get a few key additions to the backline.</p>
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<p>Specific things</p>
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<p>Luatua and Kaino. Massive.</p>
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Ref. Weird. And annoying. And weird. Seemed to ref some laws I wasn't familiar with.</p>
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<p>TMO. Coming back for a try after all that? Really? A great way to devalue the rugby watching experience - why bother celebrating a try when you don't know if it's a try. </p>
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<p>Ihaia West. Best game he's played. Still think there are better options out there, but may go far better with Pulu and SBW around him.</p>
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<p>Piers Francis. Mockingly referred to as a human highlights reel, who now has a shed load of highlights to watch. Tana obviously knew more than we did... I didn't recognise his talent.</p>
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<p>Tevita Li. Not much to say. Hopefully can take some coaching and kick on at the Highlanders, he sure has heck hasn't at the Blues. Pity, was a real talent coming up throuhg the grades.</p>
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<p>Fardy - hope he's OK. TWo knocks to the head in the same game, and the second was a doozy. Poor bastard, get well soon.</p>
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<p>Stephen Moore. Still grumbling at refs. Still not working.</p>
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<p>An enjoyable night out, and great to see a bit of rugby intelligence on display. God knows it has been in short supply for a few years. Roll on the Tahs and 2017!</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="595150" data-time="1467972541">
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<p>3 things usually happen with a Li crash ball - He either mistimes his runs completely and runs into a team mate, throws a stupid offload to no-one, or goes to ground like he's been shot by a someone in the crowd.</p>
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<p>haha that is spot on.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="595149" data-time="1467972451">
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Hah. Funniest post all week. You're either mad or a comedian suggesting Li be dropped.</p>
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<p>Matt Vaega looks like much better value. Next year we will have Nanai, Ioane, Vaega, Visinia, and Lam as wing options.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="595184" data-time="1467974329"><p>
I'm just short of half time and Blues up 28 12. But fuck me! Did the Brumbles bring their own ref with them??? Jeez</p></blockquote>
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He's a fucking New Zealander! Check his passport immediately. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="595187" data-time="1467974568"><p>
He's a fucking New Zealander! Check his passport immediately.</p></blockquote>Obviously a double agent.<br><br>
Either that or he had an attack of Marshallitis (ie over-impartiality) -
<p>Dear blues,</p>
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<p>Thank you.</p>
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<p>It's true that I'll never really like you (unless you ever beat a yarpie or ocker team in a super final, then I'll be very fond of you again), and I do consider Aucklanders to be the "Aussies of New Zealand", but today you did a fine service for Aotearoa</p>
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<p>Again, thanks. </p>
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<p> :)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="595187" data-time="1467974568"><p>
He's a fucking New Zealander! Check his passport immediately.</p></blockquote>Tim, when you replied with the above I thought you were telliing me to pull my head in... the I read the thread this morning :)<br><br><blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="595009" data-time="1467964414"><p>
Where's the fucking yellow card for taking out the halfback from an offside position, you absolute fluffybunny?</p></blockquote><blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="595033" data-time="1467965678"><p>
What the fuck was that for. This ref is terrible.</p></blockquote>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="595036" data-time="1467965775"><p>
Would be nice if he could spot something from them.</p></blockquote>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="595050" data-time="1467966555"><p>
I am finding myself unable to adequately articulate my dissatisfaction with this ref ...</p></blockquote>Perhaps we had the same opinion
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="595064" data-time="1467967138"><p>
On the replay to me it looked pretty cynical by Kaino. He went straight to ground and brought Fardy with him. Clear penalty and given the run on and in the red zone, a YC all day.</p></blockquote>
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Agree -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="595073" data-time="1467967587"><p>
Duffie looks a different player to previous weeks. Playing with real confidence and running with a bit of oomph.</p></blockquote>
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Yep. That was on my list on points to make at some stage -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="pukunui" data-cid="595128" data-time="1467970314"><p><br><br>
Nanai = future AB.....Fabmn. Well maybe, but he was good.<br>
Luatua huge. Kaino awesome again. Thought he was meant to be past it? <br></p></blockquote>
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You're not Robinson Crusoe regarding Nanai. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="595133" data-time="1467970852"><p>
Also - I think Luatua has legitimate claim over Todd to be the player most unlucky to miss the ABs - the guy is everywhere on the field.</p></blockquote> two huge fames in a row -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gunner" data-cid="595124" data-time="1467970087">
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<p>Took the Blues head to head as the roughy in a multi, you beauty.<br><br>
Wish I had of taken them 13 plus though, that was paying real good coin!</p>
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<p>yeah I got a few $$$ on a multi but I took the $1.95 giving the Blues a 2.5 pt start, 3/3 so far...got 4 legs to go, but then I have picked a couple of upsets too, so the chances of both coming in is why my multi is paying $26...</p>
