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.

[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.

[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.

[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?

[rowan]

Umaga as a coach ??

Nothing against the guy. Highlight of my sports journalism career was hanging out with him and Christian Cullen and Bull Allen at a sports awards gala one evening. Swell bunch of guys. But I'd thought of the 3 Bull Allen was the only one likely to go onto a coaching career.

[J Dory]

I haven't watched the game, not sure I can bring myself to. Damn you Blues.

[rowan]

Umaga has a history of success, having elevated Counties Manukau into the NPC Premiership, with a lengthy (by modern standards) Shield reign as well as laying out the groundwork for them to be a solid, competitive side that should have a reasonable expectation of making the play-offs each season.

Wow, Counties had a shield reign? Must've been the first. I guess that would've elevated the guy into the realms of legendary provincial coaches. Anyway, I certainly didn't think it was all about Umaga. I've said before that when a team has a series of losing coaches with previous good records, that's a sure sign there is something wrong with the administration. That's Wales' problem nowadays, and it was certainly the Wellington rugby union's for a good long while. Changing your undies won't cure the hemorrhoids . . .

[morepork]

The fish rots from the head down, does it not? The ARU board doesn't exactly come across as a model of diversity. What are member criteria? Attending Grammar/Kings? Be a relative of a current member?