Blues v Highlanders
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@antipodean said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Bones said in Blues v Highlanders:
@broughie said in Blues v Highlanders:
No one is reading Pulu's game as when he makes the breaks from the base of the ruck as no one is with him in support. While an improvement on Hall he was smart to make the decision to play for Samoa.
Say what?
The Augustine Pulu that played for the All Blacks in 2014 and the 7s last year is a different Pulu that plays for the Blues.
Maybe the Blues funk is rubbing off on him.
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@Crash said in Blues v Highlanders:
Ranger too lazy like all those who return (do not hold out much hope for Lowe either)
I know it was injury enforced, but I bet NH are stoked they invested some $$$ in him when he came back to NZ and hasn't played a minute...hasn't been an announcement about where he will be playing ITM Cup this year, but based on his performances and apparent attitude, if he ends up back here, I hope they don't put too many $$$ out for him.
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@Stargazer said in Blues v Highlanders:
@mimic West has plenty of talent and was a very promising player, but he could not develop into a better player and he has in fact become worse because he plays at the Blues.
I put most of the blame on Hawkes Bay for not developing him properly. All that Championship rugby experience he has just doesn't prepare him well for Super Rugby...
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@Stargazer said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Dice He spent more time in the Blues environment the last few years than in Hawke's Bay, so no, you're wrong.
He's born and raised in Hawkes Bay, so I don't think I'm wrong.
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@Stargazer said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Dice Ahh, so they don't indeed develop players any further once they arrive at the Blues. That explains it all!
Hard to develop someone who stands 15m's behind the gainline
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I actually think West has reached his potential - not every player has the ability to be a superstar. He was passed over by NZ franchises, he spent some time as a wider training member for the Chiefs and brought in as a injury replacement for the Blues. He has never been a player to drive a game - more of a complimentary piece which is why his best Super Rugby has come when he's had someone at 12 to take the pressure off (e.g. Nonu or Francis, not that im comparing Nonu and Francis as players)
I think ideally West would be a really good Super Rugby bench 10.
One player i'd like to see at 10 for Blues is Otere Black - but it doesnt look like happening. Be interesting how Perofeta goes if he gets some time later in the season.
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@Stargazer said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Dice At trainings? Poor coaching.
I'm sure he stands flatter in training where there's no risk of getting into contact.
It's hard to coach courage.
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@Stargazer where are his posts nasty
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@SammyC Maybe Bryn Hall is playing better because he's playing for another team. And he was never as bad as some suggested he was.
Not otherwise comparing West or Hall to them, but Naholo and Fekitoa also became better when they left the Blues. We might notice the same with Li.
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@Stargazer Hall looked poor when he started for Crusaders vs Highlanders. He had looked good off the bench for the Blues in the past too. I'd hold the horses on declaring him a much different player just yet.
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@KiwiMurph I think the difference between starting and coming off the bench is marginal. He was excellent against the Reds off the bench, scoring two very important tries.
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@Stargazer the argument about Fekitoa has been done to death, he admitted himself he had the wrong attitude up there.
Edit: Someone like Li you could argue he has been in that one environment for such a long time, touted as a star form his schoolboy days, never quite getting there, but still gets given plenty of chances, right in his comfort zone...he moves to another environment, outside his comfort zone, works his arse off to prove himself and finally starts looking the player people expected.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Highlanders:
I actually think West has reached his potential - not every player has the ability to be a superstar. He was passed over by NZ franchises, he spent some time as a wider training member for the Chiefs and brought in as a injury replacement for the Blues. He has never been a player to drive a game - more of a complimentary piece which is why his best Super Rugby has come when he's had someone at 12 to take the pressure off (e.g. Nonu or Francis, not that im comparing Nonu and Francis as players)
I think ideally West would be a really good Super Rugby bench 10.
One player i'd like to see at 10 for Blues is Otere Black - but it doesnt look like happening. Be interesting how Perofeta goes if he gets some time later in the season.
I think you're spot on. I think the less responsibility he has, the better he plays. I think Francis taking the kicking off him last year also helped, because if West misses an easy kick or two, he tends to let it affect his overall game.
It's too bad Perofeta is injured because he's missing out on getting good game time against Development teams filled with Super and NPC players. He didn't play much 10 for Taranaki last year, which makes it hard to gauge where he is in his development.
I have a feeling the Chiefs will get Black next year.
