Blues v Tahs

KiwiMurph

Obviously a lot of positive signs for the Blues - Tana has definitely sorted the culture out, they really put in on defence and are starting to show good plans on attack rather than individual brilliance which is what a lot of Blues teams of old relied on.
 
One other positive is the improvement in players both from last year and during the season - Prattley was the worst starting prop in the comp last year and he had a much improved season, Bekhuis looked well off the pace last year but again was much improved. Then there are the players that improved during the season - the likes of Duffie, Sau and Pryor really stood out in the last few weeks.
 
All of the above is the sign of a good coaching setup.
 
A special mention for Melani Nanai - he is some player - other fullbacks in NZ this year have gotten more attention (and Nanai has been in and out of the side until the last few weeks) but he is a keeper - the Blues have long been searching for a long term fullback (Piutau to me always looked like a winger playing fullback) and I think Nanai is the guy - tremendous attacking talent and can certainly tackle (in addition to the hit on Folau on halftime, he also made the final tackle after the hooter). He is going to keep other back 3 players in NZ honest in the race for AB jerseys in the leadup to the Lions.

hydro11

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="596944" data-time="1468626011">
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We're pretty thin at tighthead, with Yamashita, Halanukonuka, Geldenhuys, Alaalatoa all ineligible for the ABs. Things improve a bit when Nepo comes back, but right now the only viable alternative to Ofa that I can see is Jeff Toomaga-Allen.
 
We need to prune the ineligible tightheads.
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Ofa was picked because he can play both sides. If you don't pick Ofa then you need to find someone else who can play both sides or you need to take six props. If you take an extra prop then you have to cut someone somewhere else. I don't know who our third best loose head is.

leytonandamanda

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="broughie" data-cid="596936" data-time="1468623521">Problem is that Charlie did not have the same problems.</blockquote>
Had waratahs changed their front row at that point though? 
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leytonandamanda

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="596944" data-time="1468626011">We're pretty thin at tighthead, with Yamashita, Halanukonuka, Geldenhuys, Alaalatoa all ineligible for the ABs. Things improve a bit when Nepo comes back, but right now the only viable alternative to Ofa that I can see is Jeff Toomaga-Allen. 
We need to prune the ineligible tightheads.</blockquote>
Chris eves maybe 
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mimic

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="596939" data-time="1468624851">
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Should be strong enough to counter that. 
Also the scrum improved immensely when Faumauina came on, coincidence?
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Charlie got penalised once didn't he?
i think maybe it was his experience that was the difference, knowing how to counter what the tahs were doing.. ofa T has only started playing TH this season i think

Higgins

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="596994" data-time="1468642119">
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Ofa was picked because he can play both sides.
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But very poorly at tighthead if last night is anything to go by.

reprobate

ah the old tactic of picking a prop that can play neither side. good around the field though.
can we put him down as being unable to play both sides and just go to golden oldies cause we don't have any qualified props left on the bench?

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="596923" data-time="1468600348">
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Ofa T comes off with a smile and gives the crowd a bit of a clap after conceding not one but two pushover tries. 
And tighthead is apparently his good side. Oh yeah and this was up against a first year kid. 
All Black yeah nah.
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Paddy Ryan is not a first year kid but yes, Ofa had a bad night with the scrummaging which is a shame as he has been good there in previous weeks.

broughie

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mimic" data-cid="597000" data-time="1468645215">
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Charlie got penalised once didn't he?
i think maybe it was his experience that was the difference, knowing how to counter what the tahs were doing.. ofa T has only started playing TH this season i think
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I agree that he is young and needs some time to develop. This was his worse game in a while and perhaps since last year and the Waratahs scrum is pretty solid. He offers other intangibles in taking the ball up and tackling that impact a game.

Frye

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="597385" data-time="1468697410">Paddy Ryan is not a first year kid but yes, Ofa had a bad night with the scrummaging which is a shame as he has been good there in previous weeks.</blockquote>
Tom Robertson ran out at 1 and played loosehead. I don't know why he and Ryan were named the way they were.

kiwiinmelb

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="leytonandamanda" data-cid="596920" data-time="1468587715">
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Kara Pryor has really impressed in the last 2 games. Not the biggest but really puts himself about 
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Might lack the physicality to play at the higher level , not sure, but a tailor made 7 for super rugby IMO , so quick and busy

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="597388" data-time="1468698165">
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Tom Robertson ran out at 1 and played loosehead. I don't know why he and Ryan were named the way they were.
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Oh ok my bad. I was at the game so I couldn't really tell and just went with the sides they read out.

Sapetyvi

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Don Frye" data-cid="597388" data-time="1468698165">Tom Robertson ran out at 1 and played loosehead. I don't know why he and Ryan were named the way they were.</blockquote>
Checked for the highlights in YouTube and 1. Ryan 3. Robertson and they were accordingly placed at least for the first pushover scrum

Frye

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="saulityvi" data-cid="597407" data-time="1468703825">
Checked for the highlights in YouTube and 1. Ryan 3. Robertson and they were accordingly placed at least for the first pushover scrum</blockquote>
 
Oh geez I must have been a lot more tired than I realised. I just checked and you guys are right, it was Ryan giving Ofa so much grief. 
My bad.

NTA

On that note: geez Robertson has impressed this year. Still a kid, built like a brick shit house, studying to be a doctor. 
Could have a long and successful career at the Tahs and in gold

pakman

Agree that TH stocks pretty thin, all the more so if Charlie F does head off to France. 
Thought Ofa was OK in test. But as a tall TH would expect his best pushing zone is bearing down on LH, which requires hooker to help with height of engagement. Noticeable that Tahs LH and hooker worked together to get under him, and the rest, as they say, was history. Not really an AB TH. Can see why Tana and Shag like his around the field play. Imagine good lineout lifter and helped ensure up the middle from Tahs got no change from Blues. 
As for specialist alternatives, as noted, quite limited. 
Name I've not seen mentioned elsewhere, and not sure about general game, but when he came on against Brumbies Sione Mafileo Blue scrum was suddenly was rock solid.
Any word on Moody's neck?

pakman

See Moody not travelling to Jo'berg for quarters -- nerve damage.

The Silver Fern

Blues v Tahs