2014 Super Rugby: Blues vs Reds (Round 12)

[jessta]

I thought that Piutau may have been a potential replacement for Conrad Smith last year, Fekitoa seems more the likely this year.

Was never a fan of Ben Smith at centre so thought maybe Piutau could fill the gap.

He performs so well at 15 though its hard to move him from there... he has been playing centre a tad at the end of games but hasnt truley been tested. Would be exciting

 

[austingtir]

In what way is he not the right fit?

Not creative enough. He can make/spy gaps for himself but I dont think he's that good at creating anything for others.

 

[Darwin]

Well its pretty simple Nonu looked like a flyhalf on steroids in this match I thought he was outstanding. I know you like Hiki but he's just not the answer when Nonu has to come in and basically run play on attack like that its just crazy even if he was very carter like at times imo. I just cant see Hiki ever developing that far (i see West as having more outright potential actually) but both of them need an experienced guy there to learn off and they aint going to get that.

Excellent super rugby player isnt good enough for the Blues imo. They need the Best to ever be a force again. They need to find that next AB's first five star.

The Blues NEED a creative flyhalf and Nonu provided that this time. I have no idea weather he can consistently deliver at anything close to that but we'll see I guess.

I would even go as far as to say Barrett is not the right fit for this Blues team either he'd be more effective than what they have now but still not what id be looking for in a Blues first five.

Nonu didn't look like any first-five I've ever seen. He was used at 10 for a specific reason - to run at Quade Cooper. He did pass the ball well when required (when the Reds backline started drifting in to help Cooper), but more often than not when he got the ball he ran it. This tactic worked very well against the Reds drift defense - it will not work every week. Just because Nonu played like he is capable of (for a change) doesn't mean that Hickey didn't play well! Hickey (not sure who Hiki is?) too was very effective this match a first receiver (where he was far more than Nonu) - he ran over twice the metres Nonu did (in less runs), broke more tackles, and made the same number of linebreaks. Stats obviously don't tell the whole story, but they do suggest that Hickey too was very effective with ball in hand this match!

I don't agree that the Blues need the 'best' 10 in the country to be a force again. The Chiefs once managed to make the final with Stephen Donald at 10! Having a top class 10 will certainly help the Blues get back to the top - whether Hickey (or West) develop into this top class 10 is yet to be seen. One thing is for sure though: if they ditch incredibly promising 10's before they give them a chance to reach their potential they have they are never going to have a quality 10!

Hickey may not be the most exciting young 10 going around, but he is incredibly composed, controls the game well, and is a top class goal-kicker. The Blues backline is packed with attacking talent - a composed 10 like Hickey could be exactly what the Blues need. At this stage we don't know exactly how good Hickey will be. He may end up just being a solid Super Rugby player. He may end up being an All Black. All we know is that he is incredibly talented (the best 10 in NZ at U20 level not only this year but also last year), and has looked comfortable at every level he has played so far (U20 level, ITM level, and Super Rugby level). He is the only NZ 10 in recent times that has been involved in Super Rugby as a 20 year old, let alone been a starter. Most 10's take several years to look even remotely comfortable at Super Rugby level - Hickey is looking solid so far, and should only get better with more experience....

 

[Kapa O Pango]

Nonu had a not bad game.

 

[steblin]

Nonu didn't look like any first-five I've ever seen. He was used at 10 for a specific reason - to run at Quade Cooper. He did pass the ball well when required (when the Reds backline started drifting in to help Cooper), but more often than not when he got the ball he ran it. This tactic worked very well against the Reds drift defense - it will not work every week. Just because Nonu played like he is capable of (for a change) doesn't mean that Hickey didn't play well! Hickey (not sure who Hiki is?) too was very effective this match a first receiver (where he was far more than Nonu) - he ran over twice the metres Nonu did (in less runs), broke more tackles, and made the same number of linebreaks. Stats obviously don't tell the whole story, but they do suggest that Hickey too was very effective with ball in hand this match!

I don't agree that the Blues need the 'best' 10 in the country to be a force again. The Chiefs once managed to make the final with Stephen Donald at 10! Having a top class 10 will certainly help the Blues get back to the top - whether Hickey (or West) develop into this top class 10 is yet to be seen. One thing is for sure though: if they ditch incredibly promising 10's before they give them a chance to reach their potential they have they are never going to have a quality 10!

Hickey may not be the most exciting young 10 going around, but he is incredibly composed, controls the game well, and is a top class goal-kicker. The Blues backline is packed with attacking talent - a composed 10 like Hickey could be exactly what the Blues need. At this stage we don't know exactly how good Hickey will be. He may end up just being a solid Super Rugby player. He may end up being an All Black. All we know is that he is incredibly talented (the best 10 in NZ at U20 level not only this year but also last year), and has looked comfortable at every level he has played so far (U20 level, ITM level, and Super Rugby level). He is the only NZ 10 in recent times that has been involved in Super Rugby as a 20 year old, let alone been a starter. Most 10's take several years to look even remotely comfortable at Super Rugby level - Hickey is looking solid so far, and should only get better with more experience....

Agree with this. I could understand the desire to go after Barrett or attempt to grab Anscombe back, but that then buries Hickey and West behind two young, first choice 10's. They (at least Hickey so far) have EARNED the chance to be given some time to develop their game, get physically bigger with a year or two working with the strength guys at the Blues. Let the battle be between West and Hickey (and probably Baden Kerr as well), may the best come out on top. What I would like to see considered though is a veteran brought in to cover the position and provide some kind of mentoring.

 

[jessta]

Hickey IMO has showen already that he will be a better 10 then anscombe. Given another year or two with decent game time at the blues, theres no doubt he will surpass anscombe. Dont get me wrong it was still a major cock up loosing anscombe though... West on the other hand is alot more untested but certainly looks like he has great potential. Firstly I dont think anscombe would consider coming back to the blues as kirwan may aswell have told him to F off. Secondly it would be silly to bring in another young 10 when there are two able very promosing tens already.
In regards to barrett he is a proven worldclass ten. Signing him would no doubts be a great signing, however why snub and damage the morale of the two young tens youve already got. The blues are best off not signing another ten but developing hickey and west into long term quality tens. Kerr, hickey and west as the 2015 tens for the blues may not be worldclass, but they are certainly solid enough for this level.
With the extra cash due to benjis departure I have no idea who the blues will/ should sign. The front row and backrow are worldclass while the backs are full of exciting talent from 9 to 15. Perhaps a lock to acompany tuipulotu or someone to improve their squad depth.