Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Really The Blues

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  • Yamis, in reply to DexterX,

    Your'e right DexterX. They aren't way off the mark. They lost to the Crusaders on a horse shit penalty against Ranger where he apparently didn't join a tiny ruck from the back when that's exactly what he did, they beat the Bulls away (no easy feat), and lost to the Hurricanes with the last play of the game. And haven't been dealt to in any of their other games but we expect better right? 1 win from 7 games is diabolical in a stat sense.

    They should be winning games and winning them well.

    Their confidence is shot and I think that they are putting in 100% effort but it's that desperate, wide eyed, headless chook type effort that anybody who has played sport can probably relate to. At any level you need to put in 100% effort combined with composure and confidence to get the result you're after.

    The confidence will come after a win. So they probably need some composure in the meantime.

    Who says sport's for boofheads?!!!!

    Since Nov 2006 • 903 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel,

    I saw a headline somewhere at the weekend:
    "Object thrown at Blues players"
    I suspect it was the ball....

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Tom Semmens,

    There is an old observation that an army reflects the politics and culture of the society that created it, maybe the same claim could be made of the Auckland provincial and Blues setup.

    The stories of the Blues/Auckland being a canvas for all sorts of factional infighting (North Harbour vs. Auckland, various white Grammar school old boy's network vs. everyone else), of connections and patronage being the prime qualifier for a job, and all sorts of accusations of cronyism and nepotism from club rugby and up come from to many different sources and are to consistent in tone to all be easily dismissed as nonsense.

    Presiding over this disaster is Andy Dalton, a man whose main credentials appear to be that he was once an All Black captain noted nowadays primarily for getting his jaw broken on an illegal rebel tour of apartheid South Africa and being the guy that didn't get to hold aloft the 1987 Rugby World Cup. it seems to me Mr. Dalton is a thoroughly ineffectual leader who is hopelessly out of his depth running a modern professional sporting franchise. It seems to me the NZRFU, the primary external change agent, is mainly concerned with protecting it's public reputation and nurturing it's own culture of cronyism (ask yourself - are Steve Hansen, the worst of the three previous coaches, Ian Foster, the man whose coaching ineptitude is best summed up by looking at the Chief's performance in 2012, and Grant Fox, a man complicit is Auckland's decline - really the best three coaches for the All Blacks we could find? Or is it more a case of muggins turn?) than restoring the Blues. Change will only come when an absolute nadir is reached. My fear for Auckland rugby is the size of the franchise catchment means they can limp along on with just enough indifferent results to preserve the skin of the current bunch of bozos in charge.

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report

  • Yamis,

    Dalton's reward for ballsing up Counties was to get the Auckland gig.

    Was watching the Warriors Toyota Cup side in the weekend v the Bunnies and they said that Ngataua Hukatai was playing for Kings College last year. He looks a great prospect.

    I'd love to see the looks on their faces when they found that out muhahaha.

    Joining him are St Kentigern College 1st XV captain Albert Vete, Auckland Grammar centre Braxton Stanley, and Palmerston North Boys' High School centre Ngani Laumape.

    Conrad Hurrell was playing for Auckland Grammar 1st XV 2-3 years ago, as was Omar Slaimainkal.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/league/news/article.cfm?c_id=79&objectid=10770697
    Good to see that education is one of the main attractions...

    Since Nov 2006 • 903 posts Report

  • Scott Chris, in reply to Gareth Davidson,

    For all remaining Blues fans (yes, both of you), there is a solution at hand...

    Yeah. Sack Dalton and demote Lam to assistant coach. Today preferably.

    Then appoint a coach with a proven history of success at the top level. If that doesn't work, then you can blame the players.

    Incedentally, Nonu and Weepu have been successfully man-managed by competant man-managers so I don't buy the excuse that they are the problem. (or the ref for that matter Russell - kinda blame a Kiwiblogger would attribute ;))

    Auckland • Since Feb 2012 • 167 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Scott Chris,

    (or the ref for that matter Russell – kinda blame a Kiwiblogger would attribute ;))

    I think I was pretty clear that the Blues' problems run a lot deeper than the refereeing in one match -- but Walsh was awful on Friday.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Yamis,

    He sure was. Typified when that scrum collapsed and he had no idea what to do. The missed knockon was of Wayne Barnes standards, and failing to penalise the Blues for not contesting the scrum leading to the Sharks scrum to fall apart and the Blues scoring under the sticks was rubbish you'd expect from lower grade refs.

    Since Nov 2006 • 903 posts Report

  • Martin Roberts,

    The only positive memory I have of cheerleaders at rugby was when the Auckland ones approached the terraces during a certain Shield match. Cowbells drove them away immediately.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 93 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Martin Roberts,

    The only positive memory I have of cheerleaders at rugby was when the Auckland ones approached the terraces during a certain Shield match. Cowbells drove them away immediately.

    For a while in the 90s, the ones at Eden Park were actually pretty good -- as in highly athletic and well-choreographed. They were worth watching.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Russell Brown,

    But who knew that would be a qualification for presenting tv news, eh.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • DexterX, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    I saw a headline somewhere at the weekend:
    "Object thrown at Blues players"
    I suspect it was the ball....

    it was - they had trouble recognising it................and once that was solved and they had worked out yes it was the ball - they then formed a support group which held a series of high profile meetings to decide what they should do with "it" - said ball.

    The meetings produced no result - so they issued a press release to say that at least they had formed a support group and held meetings.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

  • 3410,

    Remember how the Otago Rugby Union just sorta stopped paying rent to the council? Waikato too.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report

  • DexterX,

    The Blues are not too far off the pace - in a game with an oval ball and dodgy ref calls they did well - they need to spend more time on the front foot - Rather.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

  • Matthew Littlewood, in reply to DexterX,

    The Blues are not too far off the pace - in a game with an oval ball and dodgy ref calls they did well - they need to spend more time on the front foot - Rather.

    It reminds me of the Highlanders' 2009 season, where they won only 4 of their 13 matches, but lost at least another six matches in the dying minutes. This season, the Highlanders are on the other side of that ledger- they've won five from seven, but only one of those victories has been comfortable (against the hapless Rebels), the rest have been dogfights. Luck, composure and self-belief has been the difference.

    I think they scrambled through and did enough to deserve the win last night. It was often torrid stuff, but they held onto the ball, and forced the advantage. A player like Hose Gear makes all the difference, mind- he's able to create opportunities that just wouldn't've otherwis existed.

    Today, Tomorrow, Timaru • Since Jan 2007 • 449 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel,

    How is the air up there?
    Richard Loe has an interesting take on Weepu and the Blues, and makes a valid point about the distancing of professional rugby from grassroots community....

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to 3410,

    I guess religions are exempt

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to DexterX,

    The Blues are not too far off the pace

    Far from game fit from the second half I saw - Weepu wasn't the only one struggling to keep up.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • DexterX, in reply to Matthew Littlewood,

    A player like Hose Gear makes all the difference, mind- he's able to create opportunities that just wouldn't've otherwis existed.

    Yes he is the best attacking back at the moment I hope he gets a black jersey.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

  • Geoff Lealand,

    So, the Chiefs have won again. We have our tickets for the Hurricanes game next Saturday.

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report

  • Ian Dalziel,

    The Blues - Misery loves company...
    after reading this Research Paper - investigating the premise that - "every time Wales wins a pope dies!' - I wonder if there is a causal link between the fortunes of the Blues and the ACT party's continuing fall from grace...

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report

  • DexterX, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    May Wales win often.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

  • DexterX,

    Off to Eden Park see the Blues give it their best shot.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

  • Geoff Lealand, in reply to DexterX,

    Good luck! As a Chiefs supporter, it would be good to see some other NZ team win occasionally.

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report

  • Geoff Lealand,

    Well, there you go.....

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report

  • Matthew Littlewood, in reply to Geoff Lealand,

    Good luck! As a Chiefs supporter, it would be good to see some other NZ team win occasionally.

    Ha! The Highlanders and the Crusaders haven't done so bad this year, either. (Although I predict that the Crusaders are building up for the season, whereas the Highlanders might be stretched near the end). But you're right, the Chiefs have been blindingly good this year, and wonderful to watch too. Makes up for seasons of underachievement.

    Well done to the Blues, 25-3 is a convincing win, but christ both sides were shambolic at times.

    Today, Tomorrow, Timaru • Since Jan 2007 • 449 posts Report

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