Un-Australian Activities 2019

[KiwiM]

Akira was ok, I only pointed it out as the most frustrating thing with him is he can do so much stuff well, but has brain farts where he has to be the glory boy and doesn't do the basics (like push in the scrum as long as he should), a little like Higgers who plays for the Reds, and doesn't get much test rugby!

It's fairly clear at this point you've got it in for Akira no matter what he does. Out of all the Blues on display today you single him out - one of the best Blues today. It's not like there aren't ample other Blues that deserve criticism from today's game! Nonu, Cowley-Tuioti, Ruru etc. Take your pick.

 

[zer0]

The real blame lies with Tuipulotu for opting for a scrum at the point in the match where putting the ball into the scrum was a liability for both sides. Hopefully Gibson is active for the Sunwolves match.

As for the final scrum itself, the whole thing seems to just move sideways. Looking at the replay, there's a case for a reset due to it coming back out the tunnel. If they got that reset, they can rectify by parking Ioane between the lock and loosie to get it in and out ASAP.

 

[Dan54]

The real blame lies with Tuipulotu for opting for a scrum at the point in the match where putting the ball into the scrum was a liability for both sides. Hopefully Gibson is active for the Sunwolves match.

As for the final scrum itself, the whole thing seems to just move sideways. Looking at the replay, there's a case for a reset due to it coming back out the tunnel. If they got that reset, they can rectify by parking Ioane between the lock and loosie to get it in and out ASAP.

I agree I wondered about going for lineout, but I do find it a bit hard to blame Tuipulotu who had been subbed well before that , but anyway it happened, and I still believe the Blues can knock over some reasonable teams!

 

[Derpus]

I agree I wondered about going for lineout, but I do find it a bit hard to blame Tuipulotu who had been subbed well before that , but anyway it happened, and I still believe the Blues can knock over some reasonable teams!

You throw all your credibility into doubt with such wild statements.

 

[Dan54]

You throw all your credibility into doubt with such wild statements.

 

[fatprop]

I am still baffled as to what has happened to the Chiefs

 

[Dan54]

I am still baffled as to what has happened to the Chiefs

You are not alone FP!

 

[zer0]

I agree I wondered about going for lineout, but I do find it a bit hard to blame Tuipulotu who had been subbed well before that , but anyway it happened, and I still believe the Blues can knock over some reasonable teams!

Ah of course. Cowley-Tuioti was on along with Goodhue. Well, whoever was captain needs a slap. Though I don't think a lineout would've been much better given how shaky some of Moulds' throws were. A tap would've been the safest bet. Maybe even a wall with Williams and Ioane lurking behind it, if they have/had anything like that in the playbook.

I am still baffled as to what has happened to the Chiefs

Colin Cooper happened. That mistake is, in turn, being compounded by the powers from on high demanding that a fullback be shoehorned into first five.

 

[fatprop]

Colin Cooper happened. That mistake is, in turn, being compounded by the powers from on high demanding that a fullback be shoehorned into first five.

well, they have Jack Debreczeni there to save the day ......................................

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Akira was ok, I only pointed it out as the most frustrating thing with him is he can do so much stuff well, but has brain farts where he has to be the glory boy and doesn't do the basics (like push in the scrum as long as he should), a little like Higgers who plays for the Reds, and doesn't get much test rugby!

I've been pondering the Akira situation esp how awesome he was in M10 last year & I think it's at least possible he can't see the point in busting his guts for the Bloos when most of the guys around him are just going through the motions. The flip side of that is that if you get him in an environment where everyone is giving it 100% all day every day maybe it'll flick the switch that makes him the Zinny v2.0 he's obviously capable of being instead of the Turner/Pope v2.0 he currently is. Worth a go IMO.

 

[Dan54]

I've been pondering the Akira situation esp how awesome he was in M10 last year & I think it's at least possible he can't see the point in busting his guts for the Bloos when most of the guys around him are just going through the motions. The flip side of that is that if you get him in an environment where everyone is giving it 100% all day every day maybe it'll flick the switch that makes him the Zinny v2.0 he's obviously capable of being instead of the Turner/Pope v2.0 he currently is. Worth a go IMO.

I would agree WOB if I thought Akira was actually awesome in ITM cup, he did some great stuff, running over people etc, but even in that comp he did no real grunt work. Actually thought in Bloos first game against Crusaders he actually did more honest work than I have seen from him.

 

[PaarlBok]

Look like SA rugby force is back to the two arc rivals, Bulls and Stormers.

Stormers really surprised by beating the high riding Sharks. The Sharks pack were out Etsebeth and PSdTed,

The Stormers really needs to manage these two well. We need them in the WC.

The Bulls look like a different animal with Brits and Vermeulen.

 

[PaarlBok]

Look like NZ ran out of locks.
S24

Injury-hit Hurricanes sign South African lock

RELATED LINWellington - In a rare move, New Zealand Super Rugby giants, the Hurricanes, signed South African lock Andries Ferreira on Monday as a replacement for injured second-rower Sam Lousi.​

The Hurricanes were looking short of options after a pectoral tear last month sidelined Lousi for the season, but coach John Plumtree put his experience working in South Africa to good use and recruited Ferreira.
"I've got a lot of respect for the way Andries plays and approaches the game and we believe he is going to be a great asset to the squad," Plumtree said.
Ferreira, 28, has previously played Super Rugby for Lions and Cheetahs - who are no longer part of the competition - as well as completing club rugby stints in France, Italy and Japan.

New Zealand's five Super Rugby clubs generally prefer to recruit locally but exceptions can be made if a side lacks a player in a specialist position and no local is available to fill the spot.
The Hurricanes said Ferreira will be available for Friday night's match against the Highlanders in Wellington.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

U-AA this week:

Fri 'canes v Clan
Sat CruSadists v Tribe
Sat Bloos v 'wolves
Sun Lions v Jags
Sun Bulls v Shawks

 

[Derpus]

I've been pondering the Akira situation esp how awesome he was in M10 last year & I think it's at least possible he can't see the point in busting his guts for the Bloos when most of the guys around him are just going through the motions. The flip side of that is that if you get him in an environment where everyone is giving it 100% all day every day maybe it'll flick the switch that makes him the Zinny v2.0 he's obviously capable of being instead of the Turner/Pope v2.0 he currently is. Worth a go IMO.

Is this code for 'join the Crusaders and you are also joining the All Blacks'?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ I was more meaning the AB setup but now that you mention it, it worked for Ron Cribb (and others)........

 

[Dan54]

It's fairly clear at this point you've got it in for Akira no matter what he does. Out of all the Blues on display today you single him out - one of the best Blues today. It's not like there aren't ample other Blues that deserve criticism from today's game! Nonu, Cowley-Tuioti, Ruru etc. Take your pick.

No KiwiM, I haven't got it in for him as such, just that he disappoints so much, as I think he could be as good as the fanbois all say if he just put in a little work, I in no way was saying he only Blues player that didn't play well, the other players you mention are nowhere near Akira in potential, (including Nonu who is a past his best), the only reason I notice him skiving off is because I am convinced of what he is capable of, and hope every time I watch him he will prove me right and play the complete game!!

 

[KiwiM]

No KiwiM, I haven't got it in for him as such, just that he disappoints so much, as I think he could be as good as the fanbois all say if he just put in a little work, I in no way was saying he only Blues player that didn't play well, the other players you mention are nowhere near Akira in potential, (including Nonu who is a past his best), the only reason I notice him skiving off is because I am convinced of what he is capable of, and hope every time I watch him he will prove me right and play the complete game!!

For the first bolded point what about Papali'i then? This is the second week in a row that his ill discipline has cost the Blues.

As for the second bolded point good to see you are keeping your expectations reasonable then.....

For the record - according to Fox Sports on the weekend Akira had 8 tackles (zero missed), he didn't concede a penalty, he didn't make a handling error. You say he's a glory hog but conveniently overlook his try saving tackle in the first half and overlook his near try assist for Ofa in the second half.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ according to The 1014 Rugby he's also had the most carries in the NZ Conference this year (41) which is more-or-less a continuation of what he was doing for Aucks last year.

Also on The 1014 (which I believe is also a podcast) they put up ASav's attack stats for the year & he's second or third in all of them for the NZ Conference. It was also implied that he's probably well ahead for metres gained post-tackle.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Highlanders team to face Hurricanes: Ben Smith (cc), Richard Buckman, Sio Tomkinson, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Tevita Li, Josh Ioane, Aaron Smith, Luke Whitelock (cc), James Lentjes, Jackson Hemopo, Pari Pari Parkinson, Josh Dickson, Tyrel Lomax, Liam Coltman, Ayden Johnstone.
Replacements: Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Josh Iosefa-Scott, Tom Franklin, Elliot Dixon, Kayne Hammington, Marty Banks, Waisake Naholo

Liam Squire out for at least two more weeks:

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/a...6-liam-squire-to-miss-at-least-two-more-games

Running outta time to first displace Frizell as the Clan's starting 7 then convince Shag&Co. that he's up to RWC standard.