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Semi Final 1: Blues vs Waratahs

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Bullrush

Geoff Shaw (53)
From Pat Lam:

For the Blues to be in the playoffs for first time in four years, the first time at home since 2003 and the first time in my coaching reign is pleasing and very exciting. There’s a great sense of satisfaction for everyone concerned, from the board right down to all the players and the administration staff. A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes from a lot of people to get us to this stage and it’s fair to say that everyone in those areas is pretty excited about the upcoming game against the Waratahs on Friday night.

In saying all that none of us are fully satisfied; we’re excited but we want to push on now. We’ve given ourselves that chance after 18 rounds and a longer competition and when you consider the quality of the teams, the individuals and the management teams that are now out of the competition it does increase the sense of satisfaction to have made it this far but we’re certainly not content and we’re focussing on the home qualifier against the Waratahs. We want to kick on from here, do the job and earn our place into the semis.

The most pleasing thing from the Highlanders game last week was our attitude. I mentioned after the game against the Crusaders in Timaru that we got our mojo back and a lot of people have asked me ‘what does that mean?’ It’s nothing to do with game plans, structures or systems, it’s to do with body language, it’s to do with heart and it’s do to with attitude. That’s not to say we weren’t trying before but it was a collective coming together and it was indicated in our defence where we only missed one tackle in really trying conditions.

When attitude and heart comes into your game that’s the result and it enables you to execute your game plan better. It was epitomised towards the end of the game when the Highlanders winger broke out. The game was already won but to see five guys chase desperately back and surround him and bring him down was an indication of what I mean by our mojo coming back.

We went through a trying time and we got tested over the previous four weeks and I continue to say that good times don’t change your character, it’s when times get tough and that’s what we went through as a group. It’s put us in good shape for the playoffs now and it’s fair to say there’s a real buzz and plenty of excitement heading into this week’s game.

Another bonus of making the playoffs is it gives John Afoa and Luke McAlister an opportunity to reach their milestones of 100 games for the Blues and 50 games for the Blues respectively.

I’m really pleased for John; to reach 100 games for the Blues behind Kevvie and Woody at the young age of 27 is massive, particularly playing in the front row. I put the acid on Johnny last week that his 99th game needed to be good because if he didn’t have a good 99 he wouldn’t have the opportunity to reach 100 and for him to go out and top our tackle count in his 68 minutes on the field was superb. He carried the ball well, did his core role well and was awesome and it highlights how much we’re going to miss Johnny next year. He’s really grown not only as a rugby player but also as a husband and father and it’s really good to see the strength of character from John to go out there and celebrate 100 games for the Blues - the boys will certainly want to put in a big game for him.

It’s the same with Luke McAlister. He came back from overseas and he’s had his fair share of injuries but I know it means a lot to him and his family to play 50 games for the Blues and again the boys want to get out there and do well for him and they do that by playing as a team, that’s the most important thing. The Chiefs last week talked about getting overcome by emotion and so forth and it’s important that the focus is on the team rather than individuals. If we do that and everyone strives to do their bit for the team everything will come together.

The Waratahs will be a dangerous team on Friday there’s no doubting that. They came here earlier in the season and we blew out to a big lead before they showed their strength in defence and they restricted our points in the second half. The last few weeks they’ve been playing some good footy and they’re one of the best defensive teams in the competition.

Like a lot of the teams at the moment they’ve got plenty of injuries to contend with but it’s always more dangerous when you’ve got a player who hasn’t played much and is keen, he’s fresh and unknown and certainly that’s what we’re going to face on Friday night. I’ve got a lot of respect for the Waratahs and they’re very similar to us in many regards. In Sydney they get a lot of unfair criticism but they’re consistently in the playoffs and they’ve got quality players and Wallabies across the park. They are well led by Phil Waugh so we’re certainly not taking them lightly and we’ve got a real battle on our hands.

There are plenty of tickets still available for the game and I know a lot of the players have been talking about the hope of getting some really good support from the crowd. It’s been a long time since the Blues have been in a playoff game and even longer since it was a home game at Eden Park so to get a big crowd will make a massive difference. I encourage everyone out there to get along and really get behind us, wave those flags and try and get us through to the next stage of the playoffs.

Until next week,

Pat Lam
Blues head coach
 

rugbysmartarse

Alan Cameron (40)
I am suprsed to read on the other SF thread that SANZAR cleared Michelk to play for the Shorks as injury cover, despite only playing 2 games (one of which he spent part of locked in the sheds - thats another story)

Did the waratahs apply for vickerman? If so was he refused, and why? Anyone know the story?
 

Slim 293

Stirling Mortlock (74)
I am suprsed to read on the other SF thread that SANZAR cleared Michelk to play for the Shorks as injury cover, despite only playing 2 games (one of which he spent part of locked in the sheds - thats another story)

Did the waratahs apply for vickerman? If so was he refused, and why? Anyone know the story?

I believe the Tahs didn't apply because they have adequate lock cover...
 

Gnostic

Mark Ella (57)
Lachie Turner, Atieli Pakalani, Ryan Cross, Tom Carter, Soseni Anesi, Kurtley Beale, Josh Holmes; Dave Dennis, Phil Waugh (c), Dean Mumm, Sitaleki Timani, Kane Douglas, Paddy Ryan, John Ulugia, Benn Robinson. Res: Elvis Taione, Jeremy Tilse, Pat O'Connor, Chris Alcock, Hugh Perrett, Brendan McKibbin, Bernard Foley.

Source:- http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...aratahs-hot-seat/story-e6frg7o6-1226080562623


I am happy with that side under the circumstances. Really reinforces the point that players outside of the top 22 need to be rotated through the year to get some game time in case of injury. EVen 15-20 off the bench would be preferable to a guy coming on cold so to speak as we now have with Holmes.

With Burgess gone this is a big big chance for Holmes to stake his claim for a contract and the starting job at 9 for the Tahs. I hope he plays to the potential he has always had.
 

Sully

Tim Horan (67)
Staff member
After all the bitching about having to use 1 more player than the Reds this year.:fishing
That's not a bad side!
 

qwerty51

Stirling Mortlock (74)
I am suprsed to read on the other SF thread that SANZAR cleared Michelk to play for the Shorks as injury cover, despite only playing 2 games (one of which he spent part of locked in the sheds - thats another story)

Did the waratahs apply for vickerman? If so was he refused, and why? Anyone know the story?

Michelak played 3 games.
 

SuperGrover

Darby Loudon (17)
Seems a bit harsh on McKibben though. Club player of the year in QLD, club player of the year in NSW. What more does he have to do to get a chance.
 

Gnostic

Mark Ella (57)
Seems a bit harsh on McKibben though. Club player of the year in QLD, club player of the year in NSW. What more does he have to do to get a chance.

With the Tahs game plan and defensive structures - play like a fourth backrower. That may well be different next year with a new coach.
 

Blue

Andrew Slack (58)
Michalak played in only two games. SANZAR had to clear him as an injury replacement for the Shorks backup scrum-half to be able to play this weekend (besides it's four games, not three, to be eligible).

So the Guppies squeezed him through as a half back and play him at ten?

Sneaky fish.

I suppose technically it has to be legit?

In the case of the Tahs they can't really make a case for Vicks as a back rower and then play him as lock or something similar.
 

Hawko

Tony Shaw (54)
Considering all the injuries that isn't a bad team. Lets hope Holmes has one of his good games.

Its not a bad team, but its nowhere like the team we would have run out with if we were picking the best we had on contract. Our best team would have been Ben, TPN, Kepu, Timani, Mumm, Dennis (or maybe Mowen), Palu, Waugh, Burgo, Barnes, Carter, Horne, Mitchell, Turner, Beale. That team would have challenged for the top spot and might even have been favourite. Half our best team are missing. Our biggest problem is that almost all those out won't be back at any stage of the finals, whereas most of the other teams are getting their key players back now. Life ain't fair sometimes but you have to take what you are given.

Given the options I would have made two changes. McKibben for Holmes because from what we've seen of the two this year (not very much of course) McKibben has played the better. The other thing I would have done is to cast the dice and play Foley at 10, leaving Kurtley to attack from 15. Foley is a sevens player so he thinks running and passing first, and McKibben is a good kicker from hand, much better than Burgo. Quick ball from McKibben to Foley, cut-out ball to Kurtley and let him work his magic. The occasional Carter bash-up to keep defences honest with our usual forward running. That team means you can bench Anesi.

One other factor that's not yet factored in. Win on Friday and we would be 99% sure to be playing the Reds with their pop-gun scrum. Even our reserves will have a field day. No Waratah player or fan has forgotten the last time we were in Brisbane - it would be oh so sweet to go back again, even under Kaplan.
 

Gnostic

Mark Ella (57)
Nice theory Hawko, but Hickey will not change the plan now. Playing Holmes at 9 allows the Tahs to retain the same basic plan they have had for two-three years. Defend the other team into the ground. They did this last week with the great addition of not kicking as much first or second phase possession and most importantly much better execution with ball in hand. Players were able to run onto the ball in most cases and IMO even more importantly, players without the ball worked hard to get a second touch or just be in such a position as to create defensive issues for the Ponies.

IMO Holmes was picked as he would be the No3 defensive 9 in Oz behind (in order) Burgess and Genia. They will look for him to be solid around the fringes of ruck and maul as his first priority.

Big Big question mark over the front row this week, I know that there are no options but I think the Tahs may well get dusted in the scrums especially if the Myth is back?
 

Slim 293

Stirling Mortlock (74)
Holmes and defence?

One of the many reasons that Phibbs was generally favoured at the Brumbies was due to Holmes' poor defence...

I'm pretty sure most Australian Super rugby scrumhalves would be better defenders, unless they're playing for the Rebels...
 

The_Brown_Hornet

John Eales (66)
As others have said, all things considered that Tahs line up isn't bad at all. They'll have to defend as though their lives depend on it, because the opposition will be coming at them from all angles. I give them a chance. Not a big one, but if Waugh can inspire them sufficiently you never know.
 

Gnostic

Mark Ella (57)
Holmes and defence?

One of the many reasons that Phibbs was generally favoured at the Brumbies was due to Holmes' poor defence...

I'm pretty sure most Australian Super rugby scrumhalves would be better defenders, unless they're playing for the Rebels...

Have a look at the Pony patterns at the time Holmes was there and how he will be required to play for the Tahs. Makes all the difference IMO and Holmes is technically a good defender as evidenced by his play at 12.
 

Lee Grant

John Eales (66)
Did anybody see Bernard Foley play flyhalf for Uni last weekend? He was named for the team but I'm not sure that he actually played.
 
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