[2017 Super Rugby] Round 1: Rebels vs. Blues (23/02/2017)

[Kiwiwomble]

How did collins play?

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

i'm assuming both teams watched the nba all-star game before heading out on the field

 

[Five Meters Out]

Good game I felt. Those Blues will be worth watching this year with their razor sharp attack and leaky defence. Iaone looks like a man playing against boys at times, Sonny Bill wasn't playing and Ranger lasted three minutes. If they're all on together some of the lesser teams are going to suffer worse than the Rebels did last night.

 

[Larksea]

yeah don't forget Moala is to fin in there somewhere as well, he has been the blues best back over the last few years IMO. Coming back from a bit of an injury setback.

I don't thing the blues defense was too bad for the first game of the season, only considering one 7 points was from a penalty kick that hit the post then a charge down.

Blues did give away more penalties than they would have liked.

The rebels got away with some high shots that should have been instantly penalties/cards. From this game I do wonder if there is going to be some serious home ground advantage over these new rules. Crowds will make a lot of noise when they see high shots against their team. And there will be silence when an opposition player gets hit.

- - - Updated - - -

How did collins play?

overall he was solid and looked sharp without making too much of an impact, As was Duffie.

Nanai started with some solid early carries but made some big plays in the 2nd half. and was the best of the back 3.

 

[The Jones Boy]

Don't forget about Kaino, the defence won't be so leaky when he comes out of the starting gates.

I was amazed by this result, absolutely gobsmacked.
Great start for the young Blues and for Tana, just what they needed. Now lets hope they can introduce some more experience and keep cool heads for the local games with the other Kiwi franchises.

 

[InsaneAsylum]

We still suck. I'm not sure what's wrong with the Rebels. Every year they put in a solid preseason and come round 1 it all goes out the window.

That first try from Strizaker kept me hopeful but it was embarrassing from them on. Ioane is a massive unit, and no doubt a good player, but a lot of opportunities came from loose passes by the Rebels, and failure to protect the ruck area, essentially turn over ball with no one between him and the try line.

Ioane's 3 tries plus the one to Nanai which could have gone either way would have made the score more respectable, but the Rebels need to clean up a lot of their mistake if they want to win games.

Garden-Bachop was good in his first run, but another player who is hit and miss off the kicking tee. We really need to be kicking 80%+. Pat Leafa's linout throwing is just not good enough and Jordy Reid who is usually pretty good was atrocious - Seeing Higginbotham run out for the Reds was further insult to injury. Still awaiting the return of McMahon, Weeks, Hanson, Sefa and Koroibete which should improve our prospects.