Blues v Chiefs

KiwiMurph

@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Chiefs:

@Crucial said in Blues v Chiefs:

@JK said in Blues v Chiefs:

@macandcheese said in Blues v Chiefs:

@JK

Blues should consider moving Plummer to Inside Centre
Got a kicking game & a big frame

Perofeta to Full Back with Otere Black Backing up Barrett

Please no....I struggle with having even one of Perofeta, Black and Plumber on the field. All are mediocre at best

....and not a solution for the Blues biggest weakness, which in my eyes is getting a team on board with having a 10 direct them around the park.
College rugby in the region breeds 10s that shovel the ball more than necessary and midfields that want the ball every time to run into someone, get up and do it all again.

The Blues biggest weakness is 9. It's as clear as day.

I thought it was the boardroom?

There have been significant changes in the boardroom over the last 18 months.

Crucial

@taniwharugby said in Blues v Chiefs:

@KiwiMurph a quality 10 can make an average 9 look good (I know, I had a former professional 10 play outside me when I was playing 9 for a few games, man I thought I had cracked it...) similarly a quality 9 can make an average 10 look good, but right now, Blues have neither (in the quality camp)

Yeah, it is fair to say that the halves together are an issue, and a good player in either position can lift the game of the other. Of the two though the 10 is more important.
.
Blues should ave snapped up Taumeteine before the Canes did. He was showing good signs but was caught in the log jam of 9s at the Chiefs. He would have seen more time at the Blues as well.

Toddy

@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Chiefs:

@macandcheese said in Blues v Chiefs:

@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Chiefs:

@JK said in Blues v Chiefs:

Blues halves are still as weak as piss.

Can't say Im too optimistic about the season ahead. When is BB available for a run in blue?

Beaudie is due back in April

Doubt he makes a big impact this season
Chiefs

Blues first 11 games include 2 games in SA vs Bulls/Stormers, Crusaders twice Hurricanes twice & Jaguares They'll do well to win 3 games

1st game after bye for Blues is in Christchurch then a home game again Canes

I think all this makes this weekend's game very important for the Blues. They seem to specialise in losing in a close entertaining NZ derby to start the season.

They need to find a way to get over the hump this weekend.

A home NZ derby and probably not a bad time to play the Chiefs - with such a tough early schedule Blues need to find a way to win this weekend.

That's why I find the dropping of Akira a bit odd. All good and well not running him into the ground this year but surely you want your best players on the park for a first up derby game.

KiwiMurph

@Toddy it will certainly be criticised if they lose.

Hooroo

Dmac out of the opener with and Abductor strain!

booboo

@Bovidae said in Blues v Chiefs:

@mariner4life

A reminder that Rotorua is in the BOP as well.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/119130728/super-rugby-kaleb-trask-stunned-to-start-for-chiefs-ahead-of-idol-aaron-cruden

I believe Trask is/was a school buddy of my nephew so I hope he goes well.

Hooroo

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/119142712/chiefs-star-damian-mckenzie-pulls-out-of-super-rugby-opener-with-blues-with-injury

Crucial

Fark! Was looking forward to seeing his comeback.

Bovidae

So Trask will definitely be the goal kicker. No pressure young fella.

Tim

Shaun Stevenson is still better than anyone the Blues can play at 15.

JK

Bugger re Dmac!

Taking the lads and they were keen to see him play too.

KiwiMurph

@Tim said in Blues v Chiefs:

Shaun Stevenson is still better than anyone the Blues can play at 15.

That's debatable. He is hot and cold.

Crucial

@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Chiefs:

@Tim said in Blues v Chiefs:

Shaun Stevenson is still better than anyone the Blues can play at 15.

That's debatable. He is hot and cold.

All at the same time usually.

Bovidae

This game will count as one of the 2 games DMac needs to stand-down.

Crucial

@Bovidae said in Blues v Chiefs:

This game will count as one of the 2 games DMac needs to stand-down.

I doubt it. The stand down thing applies when they get a complete rest from a match week. No training, no planning attendance etc

antipodean

@Bovidae said in Blues v Chiefs:

This game will count as one of the 2 games DMac needs to stand-down.

Is he in that group given his injury enforced layoff?

Crucial

@antipodean said in Blues v Chiefs:

@Bovidae said in Blues v Chiefs:

This game will count as one of the 2 games DMac needs to stand-down.

Is he in that group given his injury enforced layoff?

yes. Has been confirmed

taniwharugby

@antipodean I expect it is about managing potential load in the coming year rather than resting from last year.

Tim

NZ TAB odds:

Blues
2.03

Chiefs
1.78

mofitzy_

@DrivingMaul
Gone are the days of giants in the pack like Retallick, Bird and Taleni Seu - we are playing loose forwards in the second row and a 7 at 8. I know it's injury enforced but that will be one of our shorter sides in a while.

The Silver Fern

Blues v Chiefs