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Super Rugby: Blues vs. Bulls in Auckland (10/03/2013)
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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 556042" data-attributes="member: 24910"><p>[media=youtube]G11BcyGtBjI[/media]</p><p></p><p>Naholo had some outstanding games for Taranaki during the ITM Cup - anyone who can score tries like that obviously has some potential! He reminds me of Sivivatu in many ways, as he looks like he can beat players without even trying. He obviously has a lot of work to do on his game, but I still think he could develop into a top class Super Rugby player in future.</p><p></p><p>I rate George Moala highly, and it has been great to see him get a good chance for the Blues this season (I felt he deserved more starts for them last season). I actually rate him much more highly than I do Halai (who seems to be getting all the plaudits). Moala himself had a few issues under the high ball last season - he hasn't really been tested this season, but hopefully he has been putting a lot of work into this area. I'm surprised Stowers wasn't included in the Blues squad (or any Super Rugby squad...) - based on ITM Cup form I agree he was probably better than Naholo (as he was far more consistent), but in my opinion Naholo has more potential.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Moli has been a massive disappointment for me. I remember watching him in the Under 20's, and he looked like a man among boys. He dominated the lineouts, flew into the breakdown, knocked players back on defense, but what really impressed was his ball running. Almost every time he ran the ball he would go well beyond the advantage line, often with 2-3 opposition players hanging off him. To me he looked like the new (and improved!) Brad Thorn. However he has looked like a shadow of that player in Super Rugby. Physically he was so superior to everyone else at Under 20's level, but against professional players this no longer seems to be the case. Without this advantage his lack of basic rugby skills are quite apparent. I don't really want to write him off this early (he is only 23), but I wouldn't have him in my Blues 22 when Boric returns. Incidentally I think Cullum Retallick has been impressive for the Blues - I thought he was criminally under-used by the Highlanders...</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I agree that Braid and Ranger both had strong games, while Piutau was pretty good from the back too. I'm glad you are becoming a member of the Luke Braid fan-club - I was getting a bit lonely being the only member <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> </p><p></p><p>In all honesty I don't think it will matter how much sprint training Luatua and Barrett do, they will never be close to matching Spies for pace (as he is a freak). Barrett should focus on getting off he scrum a bit quicker though!</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 556042, member: 24910"] [media=youtube]G11BcyGtBjI[/media] Naholo had some outstanding games for Taranaki during the ITM Cup - anyone who can score tries like that obviously has some potential! He reminds me of Sivivatu in many ways, as he looks like he can beat players without even trying. He obviously has a lot of work to do on his game, but I still think he could develop into a top class Super Rugby player in future. I rate George Moala highly, and it has been great to see him get a good chance for the Blues this season (I felt he deserved more starts for them last season). I actually rate him much more highly than I do Halai (who seems to be getting all the plaudits). Moala himself had a few issues under the high ball last season - he hasn't really been tested this season, but hopefully he has been putting a lot of work into this area. I'm surprised Stowers wasn't included in the Blues squad (or any Super Rugby squad...) - based on ITM Cup form I agree he was probably better than Naholo (as he was far more consistent), but in my opinion Naholo has more potential. Moli has been a massive disappointment for me. I remember watching him in the Under 20's, and he looked like a man among boys. He dominated the lineouts, flew into the breakdown, knocked players back on defense, but what really impressed was his ball running. Almost every time he ran the ball he would go well beyond the advantage line, often with 2-3 opposition players hanging off him. To me he looked like the new (and improved!) Brad Thorn. However he has looked like a shadow of that player in Super Rugby. Physically he was so superior to everyone else at Under 20's level, but against professional players this no longer seems to be the case. Without this advantage his lack of basic rugby skills are quite apparent. I don't really want to write him off this early (he is only 23), but I wouldn't have him in my Blues 22 when Boric returns. Incidentally I think Cullum Retallick has been impressive for the Blues - I thought he was criminally under-used by the Highlanders... I agree that Braid and Ranger both had strong games, while Piutau was pretty good from the back too. I'm glad you are becoming a member of the Luke Braid fan-club - I was getting a bit lonely being the only member :) In all honesty I don't think it will matter how much sprint training Luatua and Barrett do, they will never be close to matching Spies for pace (as he is a freak). Barrett should focus on getting off he scrum a bit quicker though! [/QUOTE]
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Super Rugby: Blues vs. Bulls in Auckland (10/03/2013)
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