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Where to now for The Blues?
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<blockquote data-quote="FlukeArtist" data-source="post: 582146" data-attributes="member: 42995"><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">After JK & Henry were announced as coaches last year, I called it that the Blues would be contenders in 2014 (ie next year).</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Their early season form in 2013 suprised me and had me thinking that they could actually be contenders this year.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">But I am very worried that the Blues will not be anywhere near my 2014 prediction after the last few games the Blues have played this year.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">They look like the Canes of last year. Lots of promise but lacking in crucial areas.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Unfortunately for the Blues the areas that I feel are lacking are not easy fixes.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">They STILL lack a decent 8 and 10. And they still lack nactical nous.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Neither problem will be solved by sticking with the status quo. We need a cull, and quality new recruits.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">It's time for new blood.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff"></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Boric & Ranger are gone after this season (not that Boric has done much). Ranger is a huge loss though. He is showing the form of his career and will now be lost to NZ rugby for 3 years.</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff"></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">It is very hard for me to write the next paragraph about the next two guys, as they are Blues legends, but...</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">We NEED to get rid of Ali Williams, he is worse than just a player who is past his prime; he is a liability in both his effort on the pitch, and in his discipline. </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">he shouldn't be in the starting team, let alone captain.</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">It's also time Mealamu headed off to Japan / Europe for his "gold watch" his fire is burning low these days.</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"></div> <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">We should also be trying to get Kaino back to replace Peter Sai'ili - Sai'ili has shown he is not up to scratch. He has had enough time at this level now, but fails in basic decision making, and you need better at No 8.</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff"></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">We STILL lack a decent 1st five. </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Noakes shows promise, but he is a bit frail physically and defensively. </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Badden Kerr is simply not up to Super Rugby level and the sooner we get rid of him, the better.</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Maybe they should be looking at getting Anscombe back? There are no better options. Unless, possibly Benji Marshall makes the switch (but there is still a question mark over whether he can make the transition)</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff"></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">I think the front row looks good, with Faumuina, Parsons and Ta'avao.</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Liaki Moli still holds promise for me at Lock, and Retallick is a good player.</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Braid and Luatua are fantastic players, but as I mentioned before; they need a decent 8 to complete the loose forward package.</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff"></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Weepu is a given, but i'm not sure Goodison-Park is a good back-up.</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff"></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">Midfield is well served by Willison & Francis Sai'ili (and perhaps Malakai Fekitoa in a couple of years) </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">The back three is in good shape already, and has plenty of other talent coming through too in the likes of Lolangi Visinia (amongst others)</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff"></span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">A big work on point for me this year is that Henry MUST be involved more.</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">He is the key. </span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'tahoma'"><span style="color: #0000ff">If he is 100% focussed on the Blues, the Blues will be in with a good shot of winning the thing.</span></span></span></div> <div style="text-align: left"></div></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="FlukeArtist, post: 582146, member: 42995"] [SIZE=2][FONT=tahoma][COLOR=#0000ff]After JK & Henry were announced as coaches last year, I called it that the Blues would be contenders in 2014 (ie next year). Their early season form in 2013 suprised me and had me thinking that they could actually be contenders this year. But I am very worried that the Blues will not be anywhere near my 2014 prediction after the last few games the Blues have played this year. They look like the Canes of last year. Lots of promise but lacking in crucial areas. Unfortunately for the Blues the areas that I feel are lacking are not easy fixes. They STILL lack a decent 8 and 10. And they still lack nactical nous. Neither problem will be solved by sticking with the status quo. We need a cull, and quality new recruits. It's time for new blood. [/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE][LEFT][SIZE=2][FONT=tahoma][COLOR=#0000ff]Boric & Ranger are gone after this season (not that Boric has done much). Ranger is a huge loss though. He is showing the form of his career and will now be lost to NZ rugby for 3 years. It is very hard for me to write the next paragraph about the next two guys, as they are Blues legends, but... We NEED to get rid of Ali Williams, he is worse than just a player who is past his prime; he is a liability in both his effort on the pitch, and in his discipline. he shouldn't be in the starting team, let alone captain. It's also time Mealamu headed off to Japan / Europe for his "gold watch" his fire is burning low these days.[/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=2][FONT=tahoma][COLOR=#0000ff] [/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=2][FONT=tahoma][COLOR=#0000ff]We should also be trying to get Kaino back to replace Peter Sai'ili - Sai'ili has shown he is not up to scratch. He has had enough time at this level now, but fails in basic decision making, and you need better at No 8. We STILL lack a decent 1st five. Noakes shows promise, but he is a bit frail physically and defensively. Badden Kerr is simply not up to Super Rugby level and the sooner we get rid of him, the better. Maybe they should be looking at getting Anscombe back? There are no better options. Unless, possibly Benji Marshall makes the switch (but there is still a question mark over whether he can make the transition) I think the front row looks good, with Faumuina, Parsons and Ta'avao. Liaki Moli still holds promise for me at Lock, and Retallick is a good player. Braid and Luatua are fantastic players, but as I mentioned before; they need a decent 8 to complete the loose forward package. Weepu is a given, but i'm not sure Goodison-Park is a good back-up. Midfield is well served by Willison & Francis Sai'ili (and perhaps Malakai Fekitoa in a couple of years) The back three is in good shape already, and has plenty of other talent coming through too in the likes of Lolangi Visinia (amongst others) A big work on point for me this year is that Henry MUST be involved more. He is the key. If he is 100% focussed on the Blues, the Blues will be in with a good shot of winning the thing.[/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE] [SIZE=2][FONT=tahoma][COLOR=#0000ff] [/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE][/LEFT] [/QUOTE]
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