@Daffy-Jaffy Yeah, I thought Tolai had a good NPC and was unlucky not to get a contract.

That tackle on Plummer at the end might need a look at by the judiciary.

@Tim I watched Tolai from the sideline last season at a Blues Development team game. He was very aggressive and busy and always looking for a tackle to make, a ruck to hit or for a hit up to carry.

Good performances from 2, 9, 10, and 15 - our recent problem areas. Got to give credit to the coaches for that.

Blues were to good on saturday. The Stormers maybe needed this for their next phase of matches which will be challenging starting with the Sharks in two weeks time. They'll need to move forward now without PSdT.

and good luck to the Blues. They are much better then most think they are.

@Dice I thought we conceded a few against the Chiefs didn't we? Either way I'm glad we're showing signs of improvement there as I haven't seen the last few games (I think I should stay away from watching more often) . It used to drive me nuts when sides would get automatic 5 pointers against us on the maul.

@Tim said in Stormers vs Blues:

Really good to see Nock being more assertive and bossing and pushing his forwards around. Would love to see him back himself and have a run.

There was one bit where he scooted into space and then threw a pass to support runners. Was great to see - so often it's tempting to die in the hole with that stuff.

Your 9 has to snipe occasionally to keep defences honest. Doubt leads to indecision, which leads to space

@nzzp that is something I have always had an issue with in his game, he has wheels but rarely tests the defence and is therefore easy to defend.

His issue now is getting re-selected and backing it up.

@taniwharugby I'm not getting my hopes up for this weekend. PLaying after a long travel trip like that is really tough; particularly playing away. Expecting the Canes to win in the final quarter

@African-Monkey You're right, I forgot we conceded one against the Chiefs in the first half.

There was a try by Takeiaho in the 2nd half that was scored after a lineout drive, but we defended the maul so well, Takeiaho had to break off and run, so I don't really count that as conceding one from a maul.

@nzzp said in Stormers vs Blues:

@taniwharugby I'm not getting my hopes up for this weekend. PLaying after a long travel trip like that is really tough; particularly playing away. Expecting the Canes to win in the final quarter

It'll also be our 6th game in a row. I think we'll fair better in the return match at Eden Park, when hopefully that Beauden guy is in the line-up.

@nzzp said in Stormers vs Blues:

@taniwharugby I'm not getting my hopes up for this weekend. PLaying after a long travel trip like that is really tough; particularly playing away. Expecting the Canes to win in the final quarter

Yeah, travel and an away game against a NZ side, and no bye yet. Going to be a tough ask, just want to see another good performance.

@Kirwan their flight was delayed a day out of South Africa apparently. They only got back early hours this morning a day later than planned so thats a short turnaround.

@Nogusta said in Stormers vs Blues:

@Kirwan their flight was delayed a day out of South Africa apparently. They only got back early hours this morning a day later than planned so thats a short turnaround.

That sucks, mind you getting straight on a plane after a tough game can't be fun either.

Hopefully a decent number of the guys left behind will get a start........(Akira...)

@Kirwan said in Stormers vs Blues:

Hopefully a decent number of the guys left behind will get a start........(Akira...)

I'm hoping he has a game for the ages ... wonder if seeing Sotutu dominate will light a fire.

@nzzp said in Stormers vs Blues:

@Kirwan said in Stormers vs Blues:

Hopefully a decent number of the guys left behind will get a start........(Akira...)

I'm hoping he has a game for the ages ... wonder if seeing Sotutu dominate will light a fire.

No need to set the bar too high, he just needs a busy game with some good contributions. We shouldn't swap playing Akira into the ground with playing Sotutu there instead.

We are going to need to rotate.

@nzzp said in Stormers vs Blues:

@Kirwan said in Stormers vs Blues:

Hopefully a decent number of the guys left behind will get a start........(Akira...)

I'm hoping he has a game for the ages ... wonder if seeing Sotutu dominate will light a fire.

and if he scores a try I hope he does the football thing where they have a shirt underneath and for it to read "I'm not Fat" (Hopefully printed just around his love handles.....)

@Hooroo said in Stormers vs Blues:

@nzzp said in Stormers vs Blues:

@Kirwan said in Stormers vs Blues:

Hopefully a decent number of the guys left behind will get a start........(Akira...)

I'm hoping he has a game for the ages ... wonder if seeing Sotutu dominate will light a fire.

and if he scores a try I hope he does the football thing where they have a shirt underneath and for it to read "I'm not Fat" (Hopefully printed just around his love handles.....)

@Hooroo