He's having quite the game

See you guys at FMG next weekend

Man that Ioane is shit. Looking forward to more great posts in the AB thread.

@brodean said in Blues vs Waratahs 2025:

@Bones said in Blues vs Waratahs 2025:

@Tim yeah doesn't exactly feel like the blues are putting on a clinic, but the scoreboard says so.

Nah this is the most fluid play from the Blues this year.

Not sure that's saying a lot.

@booboo said in Blues vs Waratahs 2025:

Taken the gummies off

On that earlier one, I think he was looking too hard for the try assist and missed the chance to put the foot down and score himself

@Tim said in Blues vs Waratahs 2025:

Man that Ioane is shit. Looking forward to more great posts in the AB thread.

Playing like I just dropped him from my fantasy team. If he can play a whole one game that's quality for the ABs this year he might be player of the year. Would definitely win most improved.

@Duluth said in Blues vs Waratahs 2025:

@booboo said in Blues vs Waratahs 2025:

Taken the gummies off

On that earlier one, I think he was looking too hard for the try assist and missed the chance to put the foot down and score himself

Was actually talking about the grubber chase for the try.

Looked normal speed Rieko for that last try.

He was good for the ABs last year, especially against Ireland. He attracts some irrational comments.

Reiko Ioane responds to all the (IMHO some of it justified) criticism he's received with a hat-trick. Good for him!

Tahs kicking possession away like they're trying to entice Beauden to Sydney next year.

Blues player of the match poll:

@Tim said in Blues vs Waratahs 2025:

He attracts some irrational comments.

No he doesn't. He attracts criticism in the same way a shit Cody Taylor or Scott Barrett does.

Baffles me that the tahs have the amount of $$ and wallabies as they do and they end up like this every season. Even with some of the rebels landing with them it’s the same old tahs

Dalton Papalii's been massive this game. Actually he's been great all season for the Blues.

Nice captaincy by Rieko to hand Harry a final moment for his time at the Blues on Eden Park.

@Landers92 said in Blues vs Waratahs 2025:

Baffles me that the tahs have the amount of $$ and wallabies as they do and they end up like this every season. Even with some of the rebels landing with them it’s the same old tahs

Says a lot about culture. Compare to Brumbies who always look well coached with players who step up.

Nice to see some long serving legends of the Blues jersey go out at home on a high note.

@Tim said in Blues vs Waratahs 2025:

He was good for the ABs last year, especially against Ireland. He attracts some irrational comments.

There's a well identified weakness in his game, a below par ability to put his outsides away due to a poor passing game, lack of vision, or both.

Aside from that, which is pretty fuckin important, he's a good center.

@Frank yeah I can't see how Ioane so often getting man and ball at the same time is all on several coaches. His first pass in this game was a great example of the issue too - should have been bread and butter for a good centre but was just a wobbly ol' hail Mary.

Just watching the highlights.
Not sure why he was cut down from behind by Kellaway.
Is he losing some pace or did he not realize all he had to do was pin his ears back?

So I think Rieko now goes level with Doug Howlett on the all time top tryscorers list for the Blues.

If you didn’t know better you’d think that the ‘tahs had money on the result

Thought the Tahs would actually show up.

A few thoughts

• Lam looks like an AB - that late grubber was a beauty and a perfect example of why you grubber late at the line and not early.

• Rieko showing some form will please the AB coaches

• Sotutu really stood up in this game

• Tuipulotu with a game that will please Razor

• Fusitua didn't do his chances any harm

@sparky said in Blues vs Waratahs 2025:

Reiko Ioane responds to all the (IMHO some of it justified) criticism he's received with a hat-trick. Good for him!

Great to see him score the three tries.

BUT

None of them were examples of, or results of, great "centre " play.

He could have scored them from the wing.

A crash ball from 4 yards out and won two kick chase races.

No sleight of hand. No swerve, no nous. He didnt construct any of them himself.

Im not dunking on him, but I feel people are using these tries as a veil to mask sub optimal centre play.

@Jet said in Blues vs Waratahs 2025:

No sleight of hand. No swerve, no nous. He didnt construct any of them himself.

Did you actually watch the full tries or simply the final outcome?

The first try came from a huge break which was the result of a perfectly timed pass by Rieko in midfield to put Beauden in space.

Thank goodness that's over with!

@KiwiMurph yeah was wondering if it was Rieko but assumed it was Lam after nobody commented.

@KiwiMurph said in Blues vs Waratahs 2025:

@Jet said in Blues vs Waratahs 2025:

No sleight of hand. No swerve, no nous. He didnt construct any of them himself.

Did you actually watch the full tries or simply the final outcome?

The first try came from a huge break which was the result of a perfectly timed pass by Rieko in midfield to put Beauden in space.

Which is what you want a centre to do. So good on him. Hopefully he keeps it up.

@KiwiMurph said in Blues vs Waratahs 2025:

@Jet said in Blues vs Waratahs 2025:

No sleight of hand. No swerve, no nous. He didnt construct any of them himself.

Did you actually watch the full tries or simply the final outcome?

The first try came from a huge break which was the result of a perfectly timed pass by Rieko in midfield to put Beauden in space.

Yeah haha he started and finished off the play.