Match thread

Nepia

@rancid-schnitzel I didn't say they made conscious decisions not to return, for many I think other stuff just replaced Super Rugby and by the time the Canes had sorted out their organisation they had other things going on with their lives.

Maybe they could be called crap fans, but these were people who spent a lot of money on tickets and gears for 15 years

Siam

Any rugby "fan" that packs a sad and "leaves" the team because they're losing has as much cred as a self absorbed millennial and should pretty much fuck off...

In my opinion

Nepia

@siam said in Blues v Jaguares:

Any rugby "fan" that packs a sad and "leaves" the team because they're losing has as much cred as a self absorbed millennial and should pretty much fuck off...

In my opinion

I think you missed the point of this discussion.

Rancid Schnitzel

@nepia said in Blues v Jaguares:

@rancid-schnitzel I didn't say they made conscious decisions not to return, for many I think other stuff just replaced Super Rugby and by the time the Canes had sorted out their organisation they had other things going on with their lives.

Maybe they could be called crap fans, but these were people who spent a lot of money on tickets and gears for 15 years

Fair enough. It's just a shame theyre missing out now. Canes have (mostly) been a joy to watch the past 3 years.

Chester Draws

Those who left the Canes during Hammett deserve nothing but scorn.

Imagine if Chiefs fans did that before Rennie. There'd be no franchise left!

Bovidae

We just didn't take the Chiefs seriously (win, lose or draw). And I say that as someone who went to a Chiefs home game at NH stadium.

But I can fully understand if someone from a non-franchise city/town is ambivalent towards Super rugby.

Siam

@nepia yep. A get off my lawn senior moment

booboo

@chris-b said in Blues v Jaguares:

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Mark Watson and Shane Howarth calling for Tana's head...from 8.53.

Endorsing pretty much everything Blues fans are saying here...fill yer boots! ๐Ÿ™‚

I hate that I agree with anything Mark Watson says.

I'll say I don't agree 100% with him over this (fuck he has a massive chip about NZR/Hansen etc) but he's got a point re Tana. Just can't see him going this year. Recruiting post-RWC may be interesting though.

African Monkey

@kirwan And have Tupou as captain with Apisai as his vice captain.

KiwiPie

What struck me as a disinterested observer was the contrast between watching the Blues and then watching the Crusaders immediately after.

The Crusaders were far from perfect and dropped a lot of ball. But they had a clear game plan that everyone knew and they had energy - notably on defence - they looked like they enjoyed defending, all the players bouncing back to their feet and back into the line and sprinting across the line if they thought they were undermanned somewhere.

The Blues team looked tired - I know the conditions were sapping but not many of them looked energetic. And no clear game plan at all. They had to use the wind to pin the Jags back in their 22 and make them work from deep and then use energetic defence to force mistakes - that's what you do on a foul night with a lead and the wind behind. Still no idea why I tipped them to win - and something has to give next week with the NZ teams beating Aussie teams every time, who will back the Blues to win in Sydney?

Duluth

@kiwipie said in Blues v Jaguares:

What struck me as a disinterested observer was the contrast between watching the Blues and then watching the Crusaders immediately after.

The Crusaders were far from perfect and dropped a lot of ball. But they had a clear game plan that everyone knew and they had energy - notably on defence - they looked like they enjoyed defending, all the players bouncing back to their feet and back into the line and sprinting across the line if they thought they were undermanned somewhere.

The Blues team looked tired - I know the conditions were sapping but not many of them looked energetic. And no clear game plan at all. They had to use the wind to pin the Jags back in their 22 and make them work from deep and then use energetic defence to force mistakes - that's what you do on a foul night with a lead and the wind behind. Still no idea why I tipped them to win - and something has to give next week with the NZ teams beating Aussie teams every time, who will back the Blues to win in Sydney?

Agreed. The preparation issues you touch on have been evident since the first game against the Chiefs. The fall off in effort is a more recent problem.. perhaps the wheels are completely falling off..

If you were to single out the players who put in a good effort over the weekend it probably would be Goodhue and Papali'i.
Whats notable about them? They have only recently been exposed to the top team.

Against the Waratahs I wouldn't be surprised if we are slight favourites with the bookies again. By my count the Blues have been favourites in 5 matches and only converted that once against the Sunwolves (progress is being made! players are growing! don't throw out the progress!)

KiwiMurph

Agreed about the the lack of fitness/tired looking Blues team.

The other two things that really get me is the predictable nature of their attacking structure and the soft/dumb penalties they give away every week. Well coached teams with a good culture do not have this happen week after week after week.

Blues will be doing well to win another game this season.

taniwharugby

@kiwimurph yep, Hurricanes & Saders home and away out of their 7 remaining games....

can the Tahs break the Aussie drought, or will they shoot their load and give the Blues a bit of a reprieve given they will likely being trying their arses off to not be the 1st Kiwi side in almost 40 games to lose to an Aussie one.

Kirwan

Be annoying if we are team that breaks the Aussie losing streak. I was hoping that would get over 50.

Still, another target for Tana. Whatโ€™s his list now?

  • First kiwi team to lose to the Sunwolves
  • First kiwi team to lose to the Jaguares
  • Worst home losing streak
  • Worst home loss
  • Worst winning percentage against kiwi teams

Did. I. Miss. Anything?

Is it time to ring the changes up front ? The Blues must get rid of these fatties who can't scrum and can't run either. I know they are still very green but it would be interesting to try young props like Lindenmuth and Salmon from the bench. Lyndon Dunshea's density could be useful at 6. A Dunshea - Papali'i - Ioane combo would ask questions to the Tahs defence.

nzzp

@cgrant young props can get munched out there. Could get ugly -- I'd rather go and beat the Tahs at home to make everything right with the world, and provide the space to reappoint Tana. I'm not even sure what's satire any more.

also, do we have talent coming through? I'm not seeing it yet - it takes years to get the development right.

taniwharugby

@nzzp I thnk Ross Wright has done enough to warrant a shot to start, be it at prop or Hooker, but in saying that, start him at prop and put Moulds alongside him at , Parsons needs a rest to watch things form the sideline....

nzzp

@taniwharugby said in Blues v Jaguares:

@nzzp I thnk Ross Wright has done enough to warrant a shot to start, be it at prop or Hooker, but in saying that, start him at prop and put Moulds alongside him at , Parsons needs a rest to watch things form the sideline....

Id' like to see Akira and Rieko given a decent break as well. We've flogged them this season, and it cna't be good for the ABs

taniwharugby

@nzzp Rieko in particular seems to be struggling, Blues are playing him out of form (and position)