austingtir
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Vito has looked super impressive so far.
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Super Rugby: Hurricanes vs. Blues in Wellington (23/02/2013)
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austingtir
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blues deff wont be bottom of the table this year!
The hurricanes only have themselves to blame for this loss they were pretty lax in the second half and only woke up once the blues got in front and had the upper hand.
The hurricanes only have themselves to blame for this loss they were pretty lax in the second half and only woke up once the blues got in front and had the upper hand.
Amobokoboko
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I'm happy for the Blues, they have lots of pressure on them.
Sam Owen
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We were fantastic tonight and were only getting better. Like Ali said we're only starting.
Our back line has speed. Lot of mention of that from the commentary. However, our backs are very strong on their feet, apart from Chris Noakes.
Forwards are ok. Peter Saili is running nicely now.
Crusaders shouldn't be a problem.
Our back line has speed. Lot of mention of that from the commentary. However, our backs are very strong on their feet, apart from Chris Noakes.
Forwards are ok. Peter Saili is running nicely now.
Crusaders shouldn't be a problem.
Helmy
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I found that as well. There was a lot of leg pumping tackle breaking from the Blues backs, though it will sound very much like sour grapes, I thought this was relied on a bit at times to get over the gain line. Then again, if it ain't broke, don't fix it; they were certainly getting front foot ball with this. I just wonder if that was a specific tactic for the Hurricanes, or something we will see a lot this year? I'm also wondering if they will get 'found out' if they stick with it.
I'm not trying to have a stab at the Blues btw, I'm just curious as to see if anyone else noticed this/what their thoughts are?
Eck. Still think the Hurricanes should bounce back. Parts of the game we looked lethal, but for most of it we just didn't look like we wanted it enough. Never seen Conrad Smith miss two tackles in a game, sadly both ended in tries.
Sam Owen
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Strong robust runners that he dropped off too. If you go at a full steam ahead George Moala and Rene Ranger front on and they wrap the ball up like they're gonna bump you off, you'll most likely get bumped off. Very unusual to see Conrad drop off tackles but at least it was to guys of robust calibre.
Darwin
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Great start to the season for the Blues. I was quite impressed with their work up front which helped deliver their giant backline quality ball to play with. McCartney help his own at scrum time, while I was very impressed with James Parsons (after initially questioning his selection....). The locks did their jobs, and I though all off the loosies had strong games. Luke Braid continued his form from the end of last season, while Peter Saili showed how good he can be when he is focused, with a very dynamic display. I hope he keeps it up all season. Luatua again impressed at 6, running hard with the ball and making a couple of crucial tackles.
Weepu showed some great form (goal-kicking aside) - he was nothing like the fat little man waddling round for the Blues at the start of last season. Noakes did a good job at 10 (even making a break or two), but his defense is still a concern for me. Francis Saili was one of the standouts for me - he just seems to be getting better with each game. Ranger was as destructive as ever, as were Halai and Moala on the wings, though I still think Halai is a liability on defense. Piutau was brilliant at fullback, beating defenders at will whenever he got the ball.
Overall I thought the Canes tight five was pretty solid, but the didn't get the (slight) dominance I was predicting they would pre-game. In general the Canes loosies were outplayed by their counter-parts, though it is more difficult to shine when you are largely confined to a defensive role. Vito was the pick of the Canes loosies for me with a number of good runs, but he did mess up a try in the corner when he attempted a miracle pop pass when he would have been better holding onto the ball.
Perenara and and Barrett looked pretty good, though Barrett still has the odd issue on defense (though in fair most of the Canes backline did this match!). As I predicted the Blues used their massive backs to target the inside channels, and it was very productive, with both Tim Bateman and (somewhat surprisingly) Conrad Smith missing a number of tackles in the midfield. Smith did look very sharp on attack though, and the Canes will be hoping his injury is not too serious. Savea was well contained on the wing, and I thought his defense was pretty poor - he just waved Halai past on a couple of occasions. Leiua looked pretty sharp on the other wing, so should keep the 14 jersey for the next few weeks even when Proctor returns to fitness. Taylor was very quiet with ball in hand at fullback (did he even run with the ball), but I was really impressed with his defense - particularly the time he chased down and tackled Moala (who is very quick).
Weepu showed some great form (goal-kicking aside) - he was nothing like the fat little man waddling round for the Blues at the start of last season. Noakes did a good job at 10 (even making a break or two), but his defense is still a concern for me. Francis Saili was one of the standouts for me - he just seems to be getting better with each game. Ranger was as destructive as ever, as were Halai and Moala on the wings, though I still think Halai is a liability on defense. Piutau was brilliant at fullback, beating defenders at will whenever he got the ball.
Overall I thought the Canes tight five was pretty solid, but the didn't get the (slight) dominance I was predicting they would pre-game. In general the Canes loosies were outplayed by their counter-parts, though it is more difficult to shine when you are largely confined to a defensive role. Vito was the pick of the Canes loosies for me with a number of good runs, but he did mess up a try in the corner when he attempted a miracle pop pass when he would have been better holding onto the ball.
Perenara and and Barrett looked pretty good, though Barrett still has the odd issue on defense (though in fair most of the Canes backline did this match!). As I predicted the Blues used their massive backs to target the inside channels, and it was very productive, with both Tim Bateman and (somewhat surprisingly) Conrad Smith missing a number of tackles in the midfield. Smith did look very sharp on attack though, and the Canes will be hoping his injury is not too serious. Savea was well contained on the wing, and I thought his defense was pretty poor - he just waved Halai past on a couple of occasions. Leiua looked pretty sharp on the other wing, so should keep the 14 jersey for the next few weeks even when Proctor returns to fitness. Taylor was very quiet with ball in hand at fullback (did he even run with the ball), but I was really impressed with his defense - particularly the time he chased down and tackled Moala (who is very quick).
I'll take the victory. I'm glad for the Boys, that said it's just the beginning. As much the backline excites me I'd be much more interested when there is a greater defensive challenge (no offense hurricanes supporters). It'd be interesting to see whether SGH's influence can get both Saiili and Ranger on the same page on defense. Halai & Moala both suffer the "Big man can't turnaround quickly" syndrome that has plagued some of the best "big" wingers but the only way to curb that is by having a good full back, and Piutau hopefully getting there.
Also, as someone that perennially takes a dig at the older Saiili, i'd like say I did not see that coming. That was awesome.
I miss Toeava.
Also, as someone that perennially takes a dig at the older Saiili, i'd like say I did not see that coming. That was awesome.
I miss Toeava.
admartian
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The Blues were impressive. The Hurricanes were out-muscled pretty much for a lot of the game.
But man those Blues backs were insane! Ranger is still Ranger though, you have to take the good with the bad.
Impressive debut and good work from Kirwan so far from his young side.
But man those Blues backs were insane! Ranger is still Ranger though, you have to take the good with the bad.
Impressive debut and good work from Kirwan so far from his young side.
blues look really good, see how much of a difference Piri can make when he's fit? He will make up for a lack of a top level10 though the blues will surely be kicking themselves seeing Gareth Anscombe having a superb game for the chiefs and kicking 8 from 9 basically running the show for the chiefs with Cruden carrying an injury.
Ranger was brilliant as only he can be, basically blew Conrad Smith off the park with his quite unique combative straight up style. Francis Saili was awesome too, actually most of the blues backline caused the Canes some major problems, halai, Moala it was like the canes needed two players to tackle any of them as the game opened up.
Vito started well but same thing happened I've seen many times when the canes get put under pressure he kinda vanishes from the game. Luatua was impressive and probably won that battle. I think Vito is making a mistake switching to #6, he has more chance making the AB's as the 2nd choice #8 than he does becoming the #1 blindside - which is arguably one of NZ's most talent stacked positions. And to me he is clearly more suited to #8
hardly saw Andre Taylor in the 2nd half. Think he popped up once.
The blues team as a whole looked so much fitter and more organized than they were under Lam, when they were behind you could see them lift like they were not content to play out the tame and accept another loss like Lam's blues would do or just throw 50/50 plays around and end up getting well beaten. They were patient and obviously stuck to a gameplan and showed good basic skills. Ali Williams impressed me, he looks good as a captain and though we was walking gingerly for a lot of the game after a long break he made it all the way down field to execute a catch and pass to complete a try, very impressive.
One think that JK said some time ago that stuck with me is that one of his goals for the season was to get at least 11(? not sure on the number he said) blues players into the All Blacks. I think what that does is really get the players behind him because for most/all of them outside winning the ***le they are all there to try and make the All Blacks and with John saying that he is not just there for the team, and it's not all about the team or him personally - he is also there for them as individuals, to help them with there aspirations.
Ranger was brilliant as only he can be, basically blew Conrad Smith off the park with his quite unique combative straight up style. Francis Saili was awesome too, actually most of the blues backline caused the Canes some major problems, halai, Moala it was like the canes needed two players to tackle any of them as the game opened up.
Vito started well but same thing happened I've seen many times when the canes get put under pressure he kinda vanishes from the game. Luatua was impressive and probably won that battle. I think Vito is making a mistake switching to #6, he has more chance making the AB's as the 2nd choice #8 than he does becoming the #1 blindside - which is arguably one of NZ's most talent stacked positions. And to me he is clearly more suited to #8
hardly saw Andre Taylor in the 2nd half. Think he popped up once.
The blues team as a whole looked so much fitter and more organized than they were under Lam, when they were behind you could see them lift like they were not content to play out the tame and accept another loss like Lam's blues would do or just throw 50/50 plays around and end up getting well beaten. They were patient and obviously stuck to a gameplan and showed good basic skills. Ali Williams impressed me, he looks good as a captain and though we was walking gingerly for a lot of the game after a long break he made it all the way down field to execute a catch and pass to complete a try, very impressive.
One think that JK said some time ago that stuck with me is that one of his goals for the season was to get at least 11(? not sure on the number he said) blues players into the All Blacks. I think what that does is really get the players behind him because for most/all of them outside winning the ***le they are all there to try and make the All Blacks and with John saying that he is not just there for the team, and it's not all about the team or him personally - he is also there for them as individuals, to help them with there aspirations.
Icemn
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Canes sucked ball flavoured ass... they looked tired and out of ideas... when smith went off it all fell apart... I felt like playing the song from Moby.. extreme ways... barrett had a bad game... really bad... I don't know its still early days but I think the canes are going to finish last this year...
Surprised no one commented on the Penalty try. Not that the refs decision was terribly bad or anything, but the new law must be one of the worst going around.
The Blues were harshly penalised for pretty much a nothing play. You should have to try a bit harder then that to score points and to top it off a yellow card?
I can't see that law surviving very long. If Halai hadn't touched the ball Savea would have got nowhere near it
The Blues were harshly penalised for pretty much a nothing play. You should have to try a bit harder then that to score points and to top it off a yellow card?
I can't see that law surviving very long. If Halai hadn't touched the ball Savea would have got nowhere near it
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That wasn't a new law...
Straight up, how long has it been around for? Never seen it applied like that before.
As long as I've watched rugby. You can't bat away a ball stil your hand over the tryline. That's a penalty. Interesting the interpretation of "if Halai was not involved in play, would the try have been scored" is the interesitng part. Assuming Halai wasn't there, of course Savea would have got it - but usually the interpretation is 'did the penalisable offence prevent the try being scored'. Chances are that if Halai didn't knock it out but was still contesting for the ball, it's unlikely Savea would have scored it. Either way, to me it looked like he tryed to bat it rather than ground it, so I tend to agree with the decision.
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