Round 10: Blues - Rebels

[TRF_Ezequiel]

I always like the round played with ANZAC day. In Holland we have this on the 4th of may on which we remember the fallen soldiers from World War II (Holland was neutral and didn't fight in he first World War). It's something we just remember with a minute silence at 8 PM but I love the English tradition of the whole ceremony before matches even.

Very nice.

About the match... Well, 8 tries, another piece of evidence that we have one of the most, if not the most, attractive competition in the world. Blues got to the bonus point quite easily and they look like serious contenders for the ***le. The Blues had their slow start and I think that it will be between the Crusaders, Reds, Blues and Sharks for the win. The Stormers still have to go overseas and I don't see them keeping up this tempo for another 10 weeks.

 

[DorceOutSide]

whats is the uk time and day for kickoff ?

 

[candybum]

Brett's goalkicking... ARRRGHH!! his playmaking is bad but geez!

 

[markshaw]

Ranger danger, Him and Hosea on the wings , try and argue it

 

[woodward]

Ranger danger, Him and Hosea on the wings , try and argue it

no way, hes a flake

 

[FlukeArtist]

Ranger is the business.
He has the x factor we need.

 

[nik]

He Bombed a sure try in the last 15 minutes of the match when a break was made down the left edge, all he had to was draw and pass but he decided to take on the defender only to be tackled and lose momentum.
Ranger is pretty good - but he has a lot to learn.

 

[Darwin]

He Bombed a sure try in the last 15 minutes of the match when a break was made down the left edge, all he had to was draw and pass but he decided to take on the defender only to be tackled and lose momentum.
Ranger is pretty good - but he has a lot to learn.

Yep, Ranger did bomb the try...it's certainly not the first time he's blown a try by having a go himself rather than making the simple pass. What was perhaps more worrying about Rangers performance on Friday was his defense. One of his defensive mistakes led directly to Mitchell's try, as Ranger drifted off his wing (despite there being plenty of cover in-field) allowing Delve room to run down the sideline and offload to Mitchell. On another occasion he allowed Mitchell to run straight past him without laying a hand on him, and only scrambling Blues defense prevented another try.

Ranger certainly has some x-factor on attack, but he still needs to cut down basic errors and improve his defense if he wants to make the AB's again.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Go Blues

 

[markshaw]

no way, hes a flake

Your a flake! Give me the name of a better winger my bro and we will debate

 

[woodward]

Hosea Gear with either Jane or Toeava. I would also take Guildford and Rocokoco over Ranger, or maybe even Dagg who I was originally against on the wing. I'm not completely writing Ranger off it depends on the balance of the side, I liked his selection for that Wellington test as I think we needed a bit of firepower and the rest were well established and reliable. The lineup this year I'm imagining will be a bit different with the addition of Williams and Gear a fast, hard working finisher who's good in support and can link would be a good option. I'm talking about Guildford of course although I would pick a fit and in form Jane. I'm in NickD's camp on Ranger in that he's more of a centre but the main problem I have with Ranger is that I don't see his style transferring to test rugby quite as well and in a World Cup year I think we have enough to consider, give him a go next year.

 

[markshaw]

Good points there and I'd struggle to put together something as inteligent as that BUT, I just wanna say Guildford is not the player everyone makes him out to be if your going to talk about pace go with Maitland? Hes faster and not as clumbsy (Im refering to the way guildford looks like a 7 year old when he passes/kicks the ball) So yeah, Im gonna go Hosea Ranger Toeava Maitland?

P.s just realised something, Roks is so far past it its frustrating as a Blues fan to have to watch him week in and week out. His style of play suits a guy with speed, like he used to have. And when he trys to crash and bash it only comes off every now and again against some aussie dwarf halfback! Its just my opinion but I hope someone else will back me up

 

[Darwin]

Good points there and I'd struggle to put together something as inteligent as that BUT, I just wanna say Guildford is not the player everyone makes him out to be if your going to talk about pace go with Maitland? Hes faster and not as clumbsy (Im refering to the way guildford looks like a 7 year old when he passes/kicks the ball) So yeah, Im gonna go Hosea Ranger Toeava Maitland?

Although Guildford looks a bit uncoordinated when he runs/passes, he is far from clumsy - he has very good hands, is excellent under the high ball, and seems to have developed very good awareness when to pass and when to have a go himself. His main issue still remains beating other players 1-on-1; while he looks to have improved in this area, he is still nowhere near as dangerous with the ball in hand as Gear/Toeava/Ranger et al. Incidentally, did anyone else think he scored a try early in Highlanders the game after chasing his own kick through, when it looked like Piutau failed to force the ball? He (and the ref) seemed to think the Piutau forced it, but if they went to the TMO I think Guildford would have been awarded the try.

P.s just realised something, Roks is so far past it its frustrating as a Blues fan to have to watch him week in and week out. His style of play suits a guy with speed, like he used to have. And when he trys to crash and bash it only comes off every now and again against some aussie dwarf halfback! Its just my opinion but I hope someone else will back me up

I don't think Rokocoko has been too bad, but in one way it's frustrating watching him play knowing how good he used to be. He seems to have completely lost the explosive speed he used to have, but he still can use his power to break through the odd tackle. The only reason that Rokocoko may make the RWC squad is if Henry and co. want an experienced wing, as though he's not been great, he has certainly been more impressive than Sivivatu.

 

[markshaw]

Although Guildford looks a bit uncoordinated when he runs/passes, he is far from clumsy - he has very good hands, is excellent under the high ball, and seems to have developed very good awareness when to pass and when to have a go himself. His main issue still remains beating other players 1-on-1; while he looks to have improved in this area, he is still nowhere near as dangerous with the ball in hand as Gear/Toeava/Ranger et al. Incidentally, did anyone else think he scored a try early in Highlanders the game after chasing his own kick through, when it looked like Piutau failed to force the ball? He (and the ref) seemed to think the Piutau forced it, but if they went to the TMO I think Guildford would have been awarded the try.



I don't think Rokocoko has been too bad, but in one way it's frustrating watching him play knowing how good he used to be. He seems to have completely lost the explosive speed he used to have, but he still can use his power to break through the odd tackle. The only reason that Rokocoko may make the RWC squad is if Henry and co. want an experienced wing, as though he's not been great, he has certainly been more impressive than Sivivatu.

I hear ya but Guildford to me isnt an All Black winger. Guess not everyone agrees with me on Ranger but at lease he has something to offer on attack and his kick chase is up there too. Oh well moving on to the Highlanders this week.

 

[Darwin]

I hear ya but Guildford to me isnt an All Black winger. Guess not everyone agrees with me on Ranger but at lease he has something to offer on attack and his kick chase is up there too. Oh well moving on to the Highlanders this week.

Yeah, it really depends what you want out of your wings. Don't get me wrong, I actually quite like Rene Ranger - he can be devastating on attack, offloads well to keep the ball alive, has a good work-rate, tackles well (when he's in position to make the tackle), and has been very effective at ruck time this year as well (something I think all 15 players need to be proficient at). His faults (basic errors, knowing when to pass, defensive positioning) are all things that can be corrected, and because of this I wouldn't be surprised if the AB's selectors do pick him in the early AB's squad this year, in the belief they can get the best out of him (as them seem to rate him highly)..

 

[Tadginator]

Mainland should make it he's in excellent form and is like a good skilled Chris Ashton who's not English and is also good at beating his man in a one on one