Blues 2018

[zer0]

Unfortunately we ran into Ronald Jamie Nutbrown, again. But still. On balance of playing away against another NZ side with half the 1st XV in Middlemore, in wasn't a bad effort at all.

[cashead]

It seems to be this unspoken thing - the Blues will be fucked by a referee on multiple occasions, and these costly shitty calls will be the difference between a play-off space and missing out.

[morepork]

Getting them in early gents?

[zer0]

More lamenting Ronald Mcdonald calling the fastest maul in rugby history just so he wouldn't have to risk officiating a Highlanders loss at Forsyth Barr during O-week.

[morepork]

Ronald MacDonald intimidated by scarifies. A dream headline.

[cashead]

There is precedent for Nutbrown's refereeing proving costly for the Blues. Last night's one is still nowhere near as his howler a couple of years ago where he watched Sam Cane tackle a Blues player without the ball while chasing a kick and ignored it.

[zer0]

Season is effectively over after two games. Thanks SANZAAR.

EDIT: And thanks George f*cking Moala. Pretty sure you'd be able to count the number of passes he throws a year on one hand. Stick Rieko at centre.

[morepork]

Good away win for the Bloos.

[zer0]

Nice win, but doubt it will really matter. If the plonkers had done their job and won the two relatively easy matches, instead of the one hard match, then things would be very different.

[J Dory]

Bit of a frustrating game. Blues dominated territory and possession but pushed offloads resulted in turnovers.

Few things stood out for me:
- Stephen Perofeta might be the answer at 10, maybe, fingers crossed.
- Akiro Ioane is awesome, surely he'll be wearing black this year.
- Not convinced with Reiko at 13, I think he's better with the extra space on the wing.
- Both the blues 9's were poor, was hoping for more from Nock especially.

Few less pushed passes, decent service from the base of the scrum/ruck and this could have been a one sided contest. Still, I'll take the win!

[zer0]

I've only seen the highlights but it was great to see A.Ioane being on hand in the 80th minute to give Taramai (who has done a reasonable job given he's the 3rd choice openside) that extra bit of power to get over the line. As you say, if he maintains his efforts over the season, he'll be playing against France. Might even secure the second choice #8 position.

[cashead]

He won't secure the 8 jersey. That's Read's until 2019 at least, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Just remember, there's a reason why Hansen and co. were so reluctant to pull the trigger on him - Ioane as a tendency to get really fucking lazy.

[zer0]

I meant as Read's understudy.

[J Dory]

Ioane to start at 12? Can't see it working out.

http://www.planetrugby.com/news/blues-s ... ane-to-12/

Blues: 15 Michael Collins, 14 Jordan Trainor, 13 George Moala, 12 Rieko Ioane, 11 Melani Nanai, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 9 Jonathan Ruru, 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Murphy Taramai, 6 Jerome Kaoino, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Josh Goodhue, 3 Mike Tamoaieta, 2 James Parsons (c), 1 Pauliasi Manu
Replacements: 16 Leni Apisai, 17 Ross Wright, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Kara Pryor, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Bryn Gatland, 23 TJ Faiane

[zer0]

Me neither. They've got the midfielders the wrong way around. And the wingers still won't be getting any ball unless Perofeta or Ioane start throwing some big cut-outs.

[zer0]

This match has a very Kirwan era feel to it. I didn't see the Stormers match but apparently that was also a complete and utter feeble collapse.

What's Rob Penney's number?

[rowan]

Can the Blues be this bad? Or are the Sharks just really good?

Hopefully for the comp's sake it's the latter . . .

[rowan]

Yellow for the Sharks and the Blues on the comeback. Could be the Cats game all over again . . .

[rowan]

Ok, so whatever I say the opposite happens. Sharks running riot now, 35-56 into the final stages. That's a very impressive scoreline for the visitors!

[rowan]

40-63! Wow, what a scoreline, and what a hammering for the Aucklanders on their home patch!

Well done, Sharks!

[morepork]

You boys maybe want to start backing the Warriors instead?

[rowan]

Never was a basketball fan though.

[morepork]

Neither are you are Bloos fan, right?

BBall?

[rowan]

Neither are you are Bloos fan, right?

BBall?

[cashead]

1. The Blues really missed the power that Pauliasi Manu and Ofa Tu'ungafasi bring. The degree of which was made abundantly clear in their absence from the XV that took to the field.
2. The Blues really can't get Blake Gibson back soon enough. Kara Pryor also needs to start until Gibson is back.
3. The back three needed Duffie out there.
4. For all the hype that surrounds Perofeta, he has yet to truly live up to the billing. On the basis of that largely performance, it's hard to justify any continued selection as the first choice 10.