Auckland Blues To Infinity and Beyond
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Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
Thanks chief. This is our year. On paper. As per f***ing usual. I think I know how those Warratahs followers feel...
This years pre-season did not feature the poor pricks getting made to do crawling push-ups up One Tree Hill by Coach Kirwan like last year though haha
my expected line-up oh baby what a side
15 - Charles Piutau
14 - Frank Halai
13 - Francis Saili
12 - Ma'a Nonu
11 - George Moala (has he got the positionuing for centre?)
10 - Noakes (jeez can Benji Marshall even play rugby?)
9 - Weepu
what a backline that is, holy swinging ax-murder.
8 - Jerome Kaino
7 - Luke Braid-Whitelock (name changed by deed poll in off-season, purely professional decision)
6 - Steven Luatua
oh god that backrow is field of dreams material, getting excited now, getting geared up to fuck some shit up at home here...
5 - Tom Donnelly
4 - Moli the Wild Man of Borneo?
3 - Faumuina
2 - Mealamu
1 - Woodcock.
This years pre-season did not feature the poor pricks getting made to do crawling push-ups up One Tree Hill by Coach Kirwan like last year though haha
my expected line-up oh baby what a side
15 - Charles Piutau
14 - Frank Halai
13 - Francis Saili
12 - Ma'a Nonu
11 - George Moala (has he got the positionuing for centre?)
10 - Noakes (jeez can Benji Marshall even play rugby?)
9 - Weepu
what a backline that is, holy swinging ax-murder.
8 - Jerome Kaino
7 - Luke Braid-Whitelock (name changed by deed poll in off-season, purely professional decision)
6 - Steven Luatua
oh god that backrow is field of dreams material, getting excited now, getting geared up to fuck some shit up at home here...
5 - Tom Donnelly
4 - Moli the Wild Man of Borneo?
3 - Faumuina
2 - Mealamu
1 - Woodcock.
Hugh Jarse
Rocky Elsom (76)
That is a damn fine playing roster that Surgeon Kirwan has assembled for this year.
I have heard it said that "when Auckland rugby does well, then NZ rugby does well."
Given that the NZ Rugby Team went though last year unbeaten, then WTF will they be like when Auckland Rugby is doing well?
I have heard it said that "when Auckland rugby does well, then NZ rugby does well."
Given that the NZ Rugby Team went though last year unbeaten, then WTF will they be like when Auckland Rugby is doing well?
Bullrush
Geoff Shaw (53)
Here's where my concerns are for the awesome Auckand Blues are:
10 - Please Lord please make Benji AWESOME!! Noakes....how do we attract all these 1st-5's who can't tackle?!? eg. Noakes, Stephen Brett, Luke McAllister
Lock - Tom Donnelly. Ex-All Black. 'Ex' being the key word there.
Moli - I've wanted him to be really, really good but I don't feel like he's a stand-out. He's solid at best at the moment.
I do wonder if we'll see Luatua play a few minutes at lock with Kaino going to 6 and Saili going to 8.
Hooker - Kevvy isn't getting younger. But you know what you'll get from him - solid at worst. I'll take him this year but I do wonder what happens in 2015 and beyond or - heaven forbid - he's seriously injured this year. Although Tom McCartney is pretty reliable, he's not a young man anymore either.
As noted above, it's a bloody strong team on paper - can we put it together on the park?! WTF knows...it's the Blues!!
Re: Luke Braid-Whitelock - this made me laugh. I actually think Braid out-played Sam cane in Super Rugby last year. I actually think he's in a closer mould to McCaw than Cane is - massive motor, makes a shit-load of tackles, gets thru a pile of grunt work and is always backing up the ball runner. Doesn't get a huge amount of pilfers but neither does McCaw these days.
I just love his work ethic and I hope he gets looked at for higher honours this year.
Oh.....does anyone have a spare $300K lying around somewhere so we can get Ranger back??
10 - Please Lord please make Benji AWESOME!! Noakes....how do we attract all these 1st-5's who can't tackle?!? eg. Noakes, Stephen Brett, Luke McAllister
Lock - Tom Donnelly. Ex-All Black. 'Ex' being the key word there.
Moli - I've wanted him to be really, really good but I don't feel like he's a stand-out. He's solid at best at the moment.
I do wonder if we'll see Luatua play a few minutes at lock with Kaino going to 6 and Saili going to 8.
Hooker - Kevvy isn't getting younger. But you know what you'll get from him - solid at worst. I'll take him this year but I do wonder what happens in 2015 and beyond or - heaven forbid - he's seriously injured this year. Although Tom McCartney is pretty reliable, he's not a young man anymore either.
As noted above, it's a bloody strong team on paper - can we put it together on the park?! WTF knows...it's the Blues!!
Re: Luke Braid-Whitelock - this made me laugh. I actually think Braid out-played Sam cane in Super Rugby last year. I actually think he's in a closer mould to McCaw than Cane is - massive motor, makes a shit-load of tackles, gets thru a pile of grunt work and is always backing up the ball runner. Doesn't get a huge amount of pilfers but neither does McCaw these days.
I just love his work ethic and I hope he gets looked at for higher honours this year.
Oh.....does anyone have a spare $300K lying around somewhere so we can get Ranger back??
The best thing about the Blues this season is Dismal Pillock.
Keep posting. You're funny!
Keep posting. You're funny!
Bullrush
Geoff Shaw (53)
A couple of things I'm looking forward to seeing this year:
Benji. Yep, don't care what peope think - I hope he carves. (How flippin good would he have been at the 9's?!)
Angus Ta'avo - good to see a young strong prop coming up.
Albert Nikoro - I don't know what his fitness is like but from what I've seen, he's a freaking exciting prospect in the backs.
Weepu - can he find yester-year's form? Pleas God please.
No Ali Williams - I've always like Ali but I think he cost us bit last year.
Benji. Yep, don't care what peope think - I hope he carves. (How flippin good would he have been at the 9's?!)
Angus Ta'avo - good to see a young strong prop coming up.
Albert Nikoro - I don't know what his fitness is like but from what I've seen, he's a freaking exciting prospect in the backs.
Weepu - can he find yester-year's form? Pleas God please.
No Ali Williams - I've always like Ali but I think he cost us bit last year.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
According to stuff.co.nz:
Last season's rookie All Black sensation Charles Piutau is carrying a niggly injury following the final pre-season hitout against the Chiefs, with a knock to his knee requiring a bit more time than initially thought.
"It looks like he's busted a blood vessel and there's a little more swelling than usual. But it's nothing major, and just needs a couple of extra days of ice."
Kirwan said it was a "possibility" Marshall could play fullback if Piutau was ruled out.
But the Blues coach indicated he was content to give Noakes - coming off neck surgery -- a second straight opportunity to start the season at No 10.
"He had a really good start to the season, like the rest of us [last year]. We just need to find a good mix between attack and making sure we're playing field position, so the balance for the Blues team in general is something that we'll be looking for. We think Chris can really bring that for us."
Kirwan confirmed All Blacks Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu and Ma'a Nonu would not be considered for Saturday, with Woodcock and Mealamu due back next week and Nonu around their third match in South Africa.
But he did not anticipate the lack of big names - star signing Jerome Kaino has still to arrive from Japan - preventing his team making the start he sought.
Last season's rookie All Black sensation Charles Piutau is carrying a niggly injury following the final pre-season hitout against the Chiefs, with a knock to his knee requiring a bit more time than initially thought.
"It looks like he's busted a blood vessel and there's a little more swelling than usual. But it's nothing major, and just needs a couple of extra days of ice."
Kirwan said it was a "possibility" Marshall could play fullback if Piutau was ruled out.
But the Blues coach indicated he was content to give Noakes - coming off neck surgery -- a second straight opportunity to start the season at No 10.
"He had a really good start to the season, like the rest of us [last year]. We just need to find a good mix between attack and making sure we're playing field position, so the balance for the Blues team in general is something that we'll be looking for. We think Chris can really bring that for us."
Kirwan confirmed All Blacks Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu and Ma'a Nonu would not be considered for Saturday, with Woodcock and Mealamu due back next week and Nonu around their third match in South Africa.
But he did not anticipate the lack of big names - star signing Jerome Kaino has still to arrive from Japan - preventing his team making the start he sought.
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
jeez some rotten injuries already
saw a few of his games in Japan, lost weight, lots of running. there, he gets to the breakdown, but its been recycled already, off to next breakdown, repeat process. Not as many chances to lay down the munt
ps
saw a few of his games in Japan, lost weight, lots of running. there, he gets to the breakdown, but its been recycled already, off to next breakdown, repeat process. Not as many chances to lay down the munt
ps
On this day in Auckland Blues History...
"Look, there's your new 1st 5 Tasesa Lavea....whoops, he's kicked it away."
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
Rd 1 vs Otargo
15 - Charles Piutau - v.sharp. Israel Dagg might have his hands full maintaining that #15 AB jersey...
14 - Frank Halai - a bit lost. Might lose that place to Tevita Li if he doesnt look for more work...
13 - Francis Saili - enigmatic
11 - George Moala - gave it a good burl
10 - Noakes - running Benji Marshall at 10 all week then biffing Noakes in on game day perhaps not the flashest coaching manoeuvre in hinsdight. He hardly knew who would be where. Still not up to it really. His tactical kicking was rubbish, as was the goalkicking
9 - Weepu - too bloody porky pedestrian sllowww. time to biff the new kid in
7 - Luke Braid-Whitelock - all guts
6 - Steven Luatua - invisible!
tight 5 - just fuckin hurt some people please. and not from 7-29 down.
"That was a bit shit, really."
15 - Charles Piutau - v.sharp. Israel Dagg might have his hands full maintaining that #15 AB jersey...
14 - Frank Halai - a bit lost. Might lose that place to Tevita Li if he doesnt look for more work...
13 - Francis Saili - enigmatic
11 - George Moala - gave it a good burl
10 - Noakes - running Benji Marshall at 10 all week then biffing Noakes in on game day perhaps not the flashest coaching manoeuvre in hinsdight. He hardly knew who would be where. Still not up to it really. His tactical kicking was rubbish, as was the goalkicking
9 - Weepu - too bloody porky pedestrian sllowww. time to biff the new kid in
7 - Luke Braid-Whitelock - all guts
6 - Steven Luatua - invisible!
tight 5 - just fuckin hurt some people please. and not from 7-29 down.
"That was a bit shit, really."
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
haha jeez he does a bit too.
He'll need to sort his shit out this weekend because the irate Cantabs are coming to town, oh God, messrs Mccaw and Read.... O.Franks... S.Whitelock... not looking good....Moli the Wild Man of Borneo is like a fuckin' Lada compared to those blokes. A 3-wheeled Lada with 2 hubcaps. 1 of which is missing. And two comically-huge fluffy dice completely obscuring his view out the front window. (the hair)
Noakes dropped from 22 altogether. But Benji still benched.
wow Slackbladder's dropped Israel Dagg too. Took him about 12 games last year but 1 game in this year. Oh well, Dagg'll be back on the paddock soon enough though, after Colin Slade explodes into pieces due to an errant gust of wind roughly 3 seconds into the match
He'll need to sort his shit out this weekend because the irate Cantabs are coming to town, oh God, messrs Mccaw and Read.... O.Franks... S.Whitelock... not looking good....Moli the Wild Man of Borneo is like a fuckin' Lada compared to those blokes. A 3-wheeled Lada with 2 hubcaps. 1 of which is missing. And two comically-huge fluffy dice completely obscuring his view out the front window. (the hair)
Noakes dropped from 22 altogether. But Benji still benched.
wow Slackbladder's dropped Israel Dagg too. Took him about 12 games last year but 1 game in this year. Oh well, Dagg'll be back on the paddock soon enough though, after Colin Slade explodes into pieces due to an errant gust of wind roughly 3 seconds into the match
Bullrush
Geoff Shaw (53)
Rd 1 vs Otargo
15 - Charles Piutau - v.sharp. Israel Dagg might have his hands full maintaining that #15 AB jersey.
14 - Frank Halai - a bit lost. Might lose that place to Tevita Li if he doesnt look for more work.
13 - Francis Saili - enigmatic
11 - George Moala - gave it a good burl
10 - Noakes - running Benji Marshall at 10 all week then biffing Noakes in on game day perhaps not the flashest coaching manoeuvre in hinsdight. He hardly knew who would be where. Still not up to it really. His tactical kicking was rubbish, as was the goalkicking
9 - Weepu - too bloody porky pedestrian sllowww. time to biff the new kid in
7 - Luke Braid-Whitelock - all guts
6 - Steven Luatua - invisible!
tight 5 - just fuckin hurt some people please. and not from 7-29 down.
"That was a bit shit, really."
I reckon Noakes must have known all along that he was going to start in the first game. Surely. I mean....surely you don't just chuck him in on a whim?!
This. Times by about a zillion. Maybe a gazillion. My lord that first 40min was painful to watch in terms of how the tight 5 went.
But here's what pissed me off....I had Angus Ta'avao on my bench and in his 20min he got about 4x as many Fantasy points as f**kn Mtawira (or whatever his name is) at the Sharks got!!
Need a huge step up from the forwards this game (Luke Braid had a massive 2nd half but was pretty quiet in the first as well) and how the hell is this new 10 we have?!?
**Keep the faith**Keep the faith**Keep the faith**Keep the faith**Keep the faith**Keep the faith**Keep the faith**Kee.....
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
@ Dismal: Dagg didn't have a great game, to be fair none of our backs did, but I reckon it's more a case of Todd wanting a reliable goal kicker on the park given what happened last week. Won't be amazed to see Taylor benched, Slade into 10 & Dagg on early in the 2nd... provided, of course, Col hasn't exploded by then!
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
I'm sure I read somehwere BM was running the cutter all week at 10.
Noakes was standing well back and not even feigning to run., maybe a bit gunshy coming off the neck injury. cos a coupla seasons back I remmeber quite a few great snipes when everyone expected him to shovel it on to the firepower out wider
it was all too fuckin' laborious.
yeah, of course, ddint think of that. i dunno though, TTaylor is usually rock solid with his kicking isnt he?
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waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
@ Dismal due to Queenzland inexplicably not having daylight saving & me working til 6 I'm gonna miss the game, will you be doing a running comm like last week? If so I'll keep tabs, even if your lot are winning.
On the kicking thing, Taylor did miss a couple & Todd being a Cantab probably subscribes to the theory that the first guy picked is your kicker & the 2nd is your backup. Blyendaal, like Taylor, is usually way more reliable than last week, I can only assume that the occasion & Chiefs D got inside his head.
On the kicking thing, Taylor did miss a couple & Todd being a Cantab probably subscribes to the theory that the first guy picked is your kicker & the 2nd is your backup. Blyendaal, like Taylor, is usually way more reliable than last week, I can only assume that the occasion & Chiefs D got inside his head.
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
ha, I'll probably be to exasperated with intenet links by then chief. Havent done a match thread since the Highlanders took on The Bye last season...
http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/index.php/topic/38430-highlanders-v-the-bye/page-2
Local rugby fan enjoying watching rugby on the internet.
http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/index.php/topic/38430-highlanders-v-the-bye/page-2
Local rugby fan enjoying watching rugby on the internet.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Managed to sneak away early last week, sadly can't do the same this week so will have to make do with stuff's (not-so) live scoring.
Hugh Jarse
Rocky Elsom (76)
10 minutes gone. No score yet but Taylor is lining up a PK from 40 metres out. Should be 3 -0 to the Saders but he does a Blyendall and drops it short. The wind is behind the Canterbury team.
Not enough Whitelocks playing for them tonight.
Not enough Whitelocks playing for them tonight.