@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Reds:

@Jnr said in Blues v Reds:

I'm not a fan of extra time, but for a neutral it makes for entertaining viewing

Why are you not a fan of extra time?

I think a draw is a result, so that's why I'm not a fan.

But @jnr isn't a neutral, he's team BB.

@Mattasaurus said in Blues v Reds:

The siren is pretty crap

@Victor-Meldrew said in Blues v Reds:

Paps looks pissed off

We haven't looked as good since Paddy was reinstated as captain.

So far offside ... correct call

@brodean said in Blues v Reds:

@Victor-Meldrew said in Blues v Reds:

Paps looks pissed off

We haven't looked as good since Paddy was reinstated as captain.

We've looked fine when Patty is on the field

I don't know how FM thought he hadn't done several things illegal there

Will Beauden kick it over?

Nice, got there in the end.

Thank you McReight

A win that feels like a loss

@Nepia said in Blues v Reds:

@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Reds:

@Jnr said in Blues v Reds:

I'm not a fan of extra time, but for a neutral it makes for entertaining viewing

Why are you not a fan of extra time?

I think a draw is a result, so that's why I'm not a fan.

But @jnr isn't a neutral, he's team BB.

I agree, it should only be super point in playoffs.

@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Reds:

@Jnr said in Blues v Reds:

I'm not a fan of extra time, but for a neutral it makes for entertaining viewing

Why are you not a fan of extra time?

I prefer if it's a draw then it's a draw. I get why they do the extra time but it feels contrived.

Well it’s the Hurricanes and Chiefs, daylight, then a huge pile of shit

Watching that felt like a weird fever dream - the defunct Rebels v the Broncos in a fancy stadium I created in my head.

@jimmyb said in Blues v Reds:

Well it’s the Hurricanes and Chiefs, daylight, then a huge pile of shit

Good summary

Still won. Well done Blues.

@Nepia said in Blues v Reds:

@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Reds:

@Jnr said in Blues v Reds:

I'm not a fan of extra time, but for a neutral it makes for entertaining viewing

Why are you not a fan of extra time?

I think a draw is a result, so that's why I'm not a fan.

But @jnr isn't a neutral, he's team BB.

Im always happy when Auckland loses!!!

@jimmyb said in Blues v Reds:

Well it’s the Hurricanes and Chiefs, daylight, then a huge pile of shit

At this point I’ll be surprised if those two teams aren’t in the final.

The Reds’ handling was superb

@Jnr said in Blues v Reds:

@Bones said in Blues v Reds:

@Jnr said in Blues v Reds:

single handedly responsible for at least two wins

Fuck! You had me going for a bit, I thought you were serious. Thank goodness.

Since they were talking 2024, for those with short memories England at Eden Park and effectively the reason we won both games.

DMac was poor. Extremely so.

Wait, so your argument for Barrett to play 10 is two games we won against England in 2024 with McKenzie at 10, in which Barrett came off the bench and played fullback?
We did play England in 2025 too of course, with Barrett at 10 - and we got an absolute hiding.

edit to add, because it still annoys me that people see these two guys as in the same boat: the 2024 England test was McKenzie's 6th start at 10 for the ABs, and Beauden had 56 at that point.

Take that Blues. Prolly "deserved" to win.

@reprobate think we settled on Nonu starting ten with Carter off the bench.

@Bones said in Blues v Reds:

@reprobate think we settled on Nonu starting ten with Carter off the bench.

Honestly, that would probably be better. Now.

Despite our best efforts at losing, we win. That’s how I’d sum the game up.

Our kicking was aimless with Beaudy being the biggest culprit. I lost count how many times he kicked down the throats of the Reds back 3.

Sullivan has test fullback written all over him. Not sure if he’ll make it this year given the depth in NZ but he would not look out of place.

@TheMojoman said in Blues v Reds:

Despite our best efforts at losing, we win. That’s how I’d sum the game up.

Our kicking was aimless with Beaudy being the biggest culprit. I lost count how many times he kicked down the throats of the Reds back 3.

Sullivan has test fullback written all over him. Not sure if he’ll make it this year given the depth in NZ but he would not look out of place.

My summary of the game as well. Yeah, Sullivan is a test fullback in waiting. I would add Sam Darry has AB written all over him, damn, he has a ticker!

Barrett won them the game apparently

I thought Zarn Sullivan was excellent, Sam Darry and Dalton Papalii were very good and Finley Christie was, to be blunt, shite.

@Canes4life said in Blues v Reds:

@jimmyb said in Blues v Reds:

Well it’s the Hurricanes and Chiefs, daylight, then a huge pile of shit

At this point I’ll be surprised if those two teams aren’t in the final.

I can see one of them getting knocked out by the Blues or Crusaders but I don't think those sides have it in them to get up two games in a row against more fancied opposition (a bit like England in 2019).

@His-Bobness a massive opportunity missed on the reds part
Segner top draw again

@Mr-Fish said in Blues v Reds:

@Canes4life said in Blues v Reds:

@jimmyb said in Blues v Reds:

Well it’s the Hurricanes and Chiefs, daylight, then a huge pile of shit

At this point I’ll be surprised if those two teams aren’t in the final.

I can see one of them getting knocked out by the Blues or Crusaders but I don't think those sides have it in them to get up two games in a row against more fancied opposition (a bit like England in 2019).

A lot would have to go right for the Blues - injury list, Christie going into a coma...

@nostrildamus standard reporting to say the kicker win the game with a last minute kick.

Nothing to see here.

Just watched it again. Great game from both sides, very similar to the 2024 classic, but the Blues found a way to win after nearly botching it up. Closing out games is becoming a bit of a concern for us, but, at least we're still getting the wins along the way.

I'd say our season starts in 2 weeks time again in Chch. That's where we need to find another gear going into the finals.

Zarn Sullivan any chance of an ABs callup?

@African-Monkey seeing Zarn live for the first time certainly gives the impression that he has more time than everyone else around him. Certainly looks AB material

@Chuck72 said in Blues v Reds:

@African-Monkey seeing Zarn live for the first time certainly gives the impression that he has more time than everyone else around him. Certainly looks AB material

Yeah, I feel there's too much talent there for him not to be looked at.

@Chuck72 very good player my only concern is his clearing kick it’s very laboured
Seen a few charged down during his career
Speed from hand to foot is the problem, will need to improve that particular aspect other than having his best year
and gee that big boot is a weapon

@Chuck72 said in Blues v Reds:

@African-Monkey seeing Zarn live for the first time certainly gives the impression that he has more time than everyone else around him. Certainly looks AB material

he's been held back by injuries unfortunately - but a solid defender, seriously big boot (although a bit slow at times as @steven-harris says) and dynamite long passing off either hand.

You can build a game around these attributes.

@Steven-Harris said in Blues v Reds:

@Chuck72 very good player my only concern is his clearing kick it’s very laboured
Seen a few charged down during his career
Speed from hand to foot is the problem, will need to improve that particular aspect other than having his best year
and gee that big boot is a weapon

He also can have an issue with his radar at times

Balls out on the full or kicked dead

Still - much rather have that problem than pop gun Beauden punts

@nzzp said in Blues v Reds:

@Chuck72 said in Blues v Reds:

@African-Monkey seeing Zarn live for the first time certainly gives the impression that he has more time than everyone else around him. Certainly looks AB material

he's been held back by injuries unfortunately - but a solid defender, seriously big boot (although a bit slow at times as @steven-harris says) and dynamite long passing off either hand.

You can build a game around these attributes.

13 jersey says hi

Thought it was another promising performance from Ben Ake.

@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Reds:

Thought it was another promising performance from Ben Ake.

It was. Hopefully Ofa comes back and can go to tighthead and replace Matenga, then I'll be reasonably happy with our prop rotation.

@African-Monkey Yeah, am hoping we have Fusitua, Ake, Renata, and Tu'ungufasi in the 23 come playoffs time.