Blues 2021
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@chris-b said in Blues 2021:
Whew.
I was a bit concerned that if Nuggie got injured, we'd be stuck with Brad Weber and TTT for the All Blacks.
But, it turns out we've got a guy called Nock who's so good the Blues fans are going to sack their best coach since Sir Gram if he doesn't get a game.
My main question now is whether Nock will be starting and Aaron's going to be watching from the bench!
Nock hasn't been selected this year because he's not playing well. He had opportunities and didn't take them, once being dragged just after halftime.
You could say the same for Christie and to a lesser degree Ruru (who has been playing better than both, despite his flaws). Not the coaches fault, up to the players to fit the gameplan and do the basics.
@kirwan said in Blues 2021:
Not the coaches fault, up to the players to fit the gameplan and do the basics.
I think the bench halfback has performed better than the starting halfback in every match? Look at the MOTM voting the only times the halfbacks registered were from the bench.
(starts were Ruru 4, Nock 2, Christie 2)It's time to move on from Ruru at least. It appears Nock has not been rated by multiple coaches. Remember last year he missed a match because of an off field fight? I hope it's not that bullshit again.
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@kirwan said in Blues 2021:
Not the coaches fault, up to the players to fit the gameplan and do the basics.
I think the bench halfback has performed better than the starting halfback in every match? Look at the MOTM voting the only times the halfbacks registered were from the bench.
(starts were Ruru 4, Nock 2, Christie 2)It's time to move on from Ruru at least. It appears Nock has not been rated by multiple coaches. Remember last year he missed a match because of an off field fight? I hope it's not that bullshit again.
Let's break down the halfback usage for the Blues this season.
Game 1 - Nock Start, Ruru Bench
Game 2 - Ruru Start, Nock Bench
Game 3 - Ruru Start, Christie Bench
Game 4 - Christie Start, Ruru Bench
Game 5 - Nock Start, Ruru Bench
Game 6 - Ruru Start, Christie Bench
Game 7 - Ruru Start, Christie Bench
Game 8 - Christie Start, Nock BenchA total mess.
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@kirwan said in Blues 2021:
Not the coaches fault, up to the players to fit the gameplan and do the basics.
I think the bench halfback has performed better than the starting halfback in every match? Look at the MOTM voting the only times the halfbacks registered were from the bench.
(starts were Ruru 4, Nock 2, Christie 2)It's time to move on from Ruru at least. It appears Nock has not been rated by multiple coaches. Remember last year he missed a match because of an off field fight? I hope it's not that bullshit again.
@duluth said in Blues 2021:
@kirwan said in Blues 2021:
Not the coaches fault, up to the players to fit the gameplan and do the basics.
I think the bench halfback has performed better than the starting halfback in every match? Look at the MOTM voting the only times the halfbacks registered were from the bench.
(starts were Ruru 4, Nock 2, Christie 2)It's time to move on from Ruru at least. It appears Nock has not been rated by multiple coaches. Remember last year he missed a match because of an off field fight? I hope it's not that bullshit again.
That's not something that happens only at the Blues.
A couple of years ago at the Mako, we had Christie as the No.1 halfback and Keisuke Uchida coming off the bench looking like an absolute gun.
It seemed like a no-brainer that they should switch roles - but, when they did - Uchida looked like a roughie and Christie looked like a gun.
I concluded that it's a lot harder being a starting halfback when everyone is fresh and you've got fractionally less time.
I think the same thing happens regularly at the Crusaders with Hall and Drummond. Whomever comes of the bench tends to look slicker.
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@duluth said in Blues 2021:
@kirwan said in Blues 2021:
Not the coaches fault, up to the players to fit the gameplan and do the basics.
I think the bench halfback has performed better than the starting halfback in every match? Look at the MOTM voting the only times the halfbacks registered were from the bench.
(starts were Ruru 4, Nock 2, Christie 2)It's time to move on from Ruru at least. It appears Nock has not been rated by multiple coaches. Remember last year he missed a match because of an off field fight? I hope it's not that bullshit again.
That's not something that happens only at the Blues.
A couple of years ago at the Mako, we had Christie as the No.1 halfback and Keisuke Uchida coming off the bench looking like an absolute gun.
It seemed like a no-brainer that they should switch roles - but, when they did - Uchida looked like a roughie and Christie looked like a gun.
I concluded that it's a lot harder being a starting halfback when everyone is fresh and you've got fractionally less time.
I think the same thing happens regularly at the Crusaders with Hall and Drummond. Whomever comes of the bench tends to look slicker.
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@duluth said in Blues 2021:
@kirwan said in Blues 2021:
Not the coaches fault, up to the players to fit the gameplan and do the basics.
I think the bench halfback has performed better than the starting halfback in every match? Look at the MOTM voting the only times the halfbacks registered were from the bench.
(starts were Ruru 4, Nock 2, Christie 2)It's time to move on from Ruru at least. It appears Nock has not been rated by multiple coaches. Remember last year he missed a match because of an off field fight? I hope it's not that bullshit again.
That's not something that happens only at the Blues.
A couple of years ago at the Mako, we had Christie as the No.1 halfback and Keisuke Uchida coming off the bench looking like an absolute gun.
It seemed like a no-brainer that they should switch roles - but, when they did - Uchida looked like a roughie and Christie looked like a gun.
I concluded that it's a lot harder being a starting halfback when everyone is fresh and you've got fractionally less time.
I think the same thing happens regularly at the Crusaders with Hall and Drummond. Whomever comes of the bench tends to look slicker.
@chris-b it isnt quite as bad when you have 2 9s alternating starting/bench roles, but the Blues do it with 3 halves, and while Ruru has a longer rope than the other 2, none really have had much chance to get going, as I think only Christie has had an injury but that was in the 1st game.
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@chris-b it isnt quite as bad when you have 2 9s alternating starting/bench roles, but the Blues do it with 3 halves, and while Ruru has a longer rope than the other 2, none really have had much chance to get going, as I think only Christie has had an injury but that was in the 1st game.
@taniwharugby From Murph's post above, looks like Ruru has played in every game, except this latest dead rubber.
Otherwise there's a bit of a pattern of everyone getting some game time.
Maybe Leon has an eye to future and is trying to develop all three, while none is clearly standing out over the others (but, perhaps Ruru is a little bit ahead - in LM's eyes)?
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@taniwharugby From Murph's post above, looks like Ruru has played in every game, except this latest dead rubber.
Otherwise there's a bit of a pattern of everyone getting some game time.
Maybe Leon has an eye to future and is trying to develop all three, while none is clearly standing out over the others (but, perhaps Ruru is a little bit ahead - in LM's eyes)?
@chris-b oh I am sure he is, but I also dont think there 'seems' to be any real pattern (horses for courses) given until last week, the 8 & 10 remained unchanged.
I think all 3 have really been given a bit of a raw deal with limited chances to really claim the spot.
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@duluth said in Blues 2021:
@kirwan said in Blues 2021:
Not the coaches fault, up to the players to fit the gameplan and do the basics.
I think the bench halfback has performed better than the starting halfback in every match? Look at the MOTM voting the only times the halfbacks registered were from the bench.
(starts were Ruru 4, Nock 2, Christie 2)It's time to move on from Ruru at least. It appears Nock has not been rated by multiple coaches. Remember last year he missed a match because of an off field fight? I hope it's not that bullshit again.
That's not something that happens only at the Blues.
A couple of years ago at the Mako, we had Christie as the No.1 halfback and Keisuke Uchida coming off the bench looking like an absolute gun.
It seemed like a no-brainer that they should switch roles - but, when they did - Uchida looked like a roughie and Christie looked like a gun.
I concluded that it's a lot harder being a starting halfback when everyone is fresh and you've got fractionally less time.
I think the same thing happens regularly at the Crusaders with Hall and Drummond. Whomever comes of the bench tends to look slicker.
@chris-b said in Blues 2021:
I concluded that it's a lot harder being a starting halfback when everyone is fresh and you've got fractionally less time.
Byron and Justin as well, going back a few years.
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@taniwharugby From Murph's post above, looks like Ruru has played in every game, except this latest dead rubber.
Otherwise there's a bit of a pattern of everyone getting some game time.
Maybe Leon has an eye to future and is trying to develop all three, while none is clearly standing out over the others (but, perhaps Ruru is a little bit ahead - in LM's eyes)?
@chris-b said in Blues 2021:
Maybe Leon has an eye to future and is trying to develop all three, while none is clearly standing out over the others (but, perhaps Ruru is a little bit ahead - in LM's eyes)?
I've always assumed that MacDonalds preference was for Christie (based on some media comments he's made)
My guess is the other two were trialling against each other for the bench spot while Christie was still out. Then Christie came back from illness/injury and kind of sucked
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@chris-b it isnt quite as bad when you have 2 9s alternating starting/bench roles, but the Blues do it with 3 halves, and while Ruru has a longer rope than the other 2, none really have had much chance to get going, as I think only Christie has had an injury but that was in the 1st game.
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2021:
@chris-b it isnt quite as bad when you have 2 9s alternating starting/bench roles, but the Blues do it with 3 halves, and while Ruru has a longer rope than the other 2, none really have had much chance to get going, as I think only Christie has had an injury but that was in the 1st game.
After game 1, Ruru has had 4 starts in 6 games and came off the bench in the other two - so he's arguably had a pretty decent run. I'd guess he'd have a similar pattern of starts to Hall and Drummond, who have switched around a fair bit - and maybe even Smith and Fakatava.
The other two have had a decent amount of game time, so neither can sit there like Ere Enari thinking, "I'm clearly number 3, I think I'll try my luck elsewhere".
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@taniwharugby said in Blues 2021:
@chris-b it isnt quite as bad when you have 2 9s alternating starting/bench roles, but the Blues do it with 3 halves, and while Ruru has a longer rope than the other 2, none really have had much chance to get going, as I think only Christie has had an injury but that was in the 1st game.
After game 1, Ruru has had 4 starts in 6 games and came off the bench in the other two - so he's arguably had a pretty decent run. I'd guess he'd have a similar pattern of starts to Hall and Drummond, who have switched around a fair bit - and maybe even Smith and Fakatava.
The other two have had a decent amount of game time, so neither can sit there like Ere Enari thinking, "I'm clearly number 3, I think I'll try my luck elsewhere".
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@chris-b so the halfback who was 3rd choice last year, never proven at Super Rugby level and who has a game least suited to Super Rugby Aotearoa is the one who has been given the most chances.....
@kiwimurph It's Ruru who's had the most chances.
I don't know about the other stuff.
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So with Clarke heading off to the Mount now - who out of Narawa/Lam/Kneepkens/Heem should get first crack for the SR TT!?
@nogusta said in Blues 2021:
So with Clarke heading off to the Mount now - who out of Narawa/Lam/Kneepkens/Heem should get first crack for the SR TT!?
AJ Lam had a tremendous few minutes on the park. High workrate, chased down the kickoff from the Blues at 19-19, and did a good job.
Not saying he'll keep that up for 80 min, but I was impressed.
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So with Clarke heading off to the Mount now - who out of Narawa/Lam/Kneepkens/Heem should get first crack for the SR TT!?
@nogusta said in Blues 2021:
So with Clarke heading off to the Mount now - who out of Narawa/Lam/Kneepkens/Heem should get first crack for the SR TT!?
Is that certain? All I could find in the media is this (from 1 May 2021):Caleb Clarke says he’ll use next week to decide whether he’ll go to the Olympics or play Super Rugby trans- Ta$man for the Blues and then for the All Blacks.
The team will then have week off, before preparing for their first game of the inaugural Super Rugby trans- Ta$man competition.
But the 22-year-old Clarke says he’ll spend the next few days deciding whether he’ll chase a gold medal at the Tokyo Games, or spend the rest of the season in the 15-man game.Clarke says right now he doesn’t know which way he’s leaning, but it will be one that Blues coach Leon MacDonald, All Blacks coach Ian Foster and sevens coach Clark Laidlaw will be anxiously waiting on.
“I’m talking to both parties at the moment,” Clarke said.
“Personally I feel like I haven’t really got to my full potential, it’s been a lot harder this year, trying to get into these games.
“So that’s one side of it, but on the other, the Olympics is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so we’ll see how we go.” -
@nogusta said in Blues 2021:
So with Clarke heading off to the Mount now - who out of Narawa/Lam/Kneepkens/Heem should get first crack for the SR TT!?
AJ Lam had a tremendous few minutes on the park. High workrate, chased down the kickoff from the Blues at 19-19, and did a good job.
Not saying he'll keep that up for 80 min, but I was impressed.
@nzzp said in Blues 2021:
@nogusta said in Blues 2021:
So with Clarke heading off to the Mount now - who out of Narawa/Lam/Kneepkens/Heem should get first crack for the SR TT!?
AJ Lam had a tremendous few minutes on the park. High workrate, chased down the kickoff from the Blues at 19-19, and did a good job.
Not saying he'll keep that up for 80 min, but I was impressed.
I would go for Lam as well
It's interesting how many 14's there are. Caleb started every match at 11, Telea mostly was the 14 but occasionally it was Heem.
So the Blues really are looking for an 11Lam, Narawa and Kneepkens consistently started on the right wing for their provinces
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@nzzp said in Blues 2021:
@nogusta said in Blues 2021:
So with Clarke heading off to the Mount now - who out of Narawa/Lam/Kneepkens/Heem should get first crack for the SR TT!?
AJ Lam had a tremendous few minutes on the park. High workrate, chased down the kickoff from the Blues at 19-19, and did a good job.
Not saying he'll keep that up for 80 min, but I was impressed.
I would go for Lam as well
It's interesting how many 14's there are. Caleb started every match at 11, Telea mostly was the 14 but occasionally it was Heem.
So the Blues really are looking for an 11Lam, Narawa and Kneepkens consistently started on the right wing for their provinces
@duluth said in Blues 2021:
@nzzp said in Blues 2021:
@nogusta said in Blues 2021:
So with Clarke heading off to the Mount now - who out of Narawa/Lam/Kneepkens/Heem should get first crack for the SR TT!?
AJ Lam had a tremendous few minutes on the park. High workrate, chased down the kickoff from the Blues at 19-19, and did a good job.
Not saying he'll keep that up for 80 min, but I was impressed.
I would go for Lam as well
It's interesting how many 14's there are. Caleb started every match at 11, Telea mostly was the 14 but occasionally it was Heem.
So the Blues really are looking for an 11Lam, Narawa and Kneepkens consistently started on the right wing for their provinces
I want them to move Reiko there, he's their best left wing.
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@duluth said in Blues 2021:
@nzzp said in Blues 2021:
@nogusta said in Blues 2021:
So with Clarke heading off to the Mount now - who out of Narawa/Lam/Kneepkens/Heem should get first crack for the SR TT!?
AJ Lam had a tremendous few minutes on the park. High workrate, chased down the kickoff from the Blues at 19-19, and did a good job.
Not saying he'll keep that up for 80 min, but I was impressed.
I would go for Lam as well
It's interesting how many 14's there are. Caleb started every match at 11, Telea mostly was the 14 but occasionally it was Heem.
So the Blues really are looking for an 11Lam, Narawa and Kneepkens consistently started on the right wing for their provinces
I want them to move Reiko there, he's their best left wing.
@nepia said in Blues 2021:
he's their best left wing
and he's the best centre
There's a queue of exciting young wingers that are worth a look. The same can't be said for 13
