Justin Marshall has written that we are screwed for next year aswell, saying we do not have the quality of players needed to get anywhere in this comp.
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11461403
He has to be wrong! I cant sit through another year of countless losses and pathetic performances. I've had enough...
Its sad to think we used to be a powerhouse in this competition and now were the joke of the NZ teams!
So what needs to be done to make this team competitive again??
OK obviously Kirwan needs to go. Not even considering this year's performance, he has truley made a mockery of this team and lost some of the countrys best up and coming players to other clubs. He was once completely hesitant to play younger players with potential when first coming in as head coach as, 'there not ready for the next step', only for them to bugger off elsewhere and become stars of super rugby or all blacks. Utter joke. Now to make up for that he almost seems to keen to play younger players, picking up every 19 and 20 year old in the area and handing them maiden debuts like hot cakes. (I dont think this is bad but its just comical the change of heart).
Tossing away Anscombe the most promising 10 in the country at the time,to debut and make Simon Hickey the starting 10, was a complete joke. Not giving Fekitoa, the form ITM cup player of the year any game time (even on the bench) was pathetic. He may aswell have personally told him to **** off. Naholo is another who looks all blacks bound, who wasnt good enough for Kirwan.
These deeds on there own are enough for him to get the sack surley.
So forgetting about the coach and looking at the players- what positions do we look alright in? where do we need to bring in more players? who could we attempt to sign?
Notable Loses:
Keven Mealamu (retiring, 162 Blues games)
Charles Piutau (Ulster, 41)
Francis Saili (Munster, 42)
Frank Halai (Wasps 39)
Luke Braid (Bordeaux, 70)
Brendon O'Connor (Leicester, 40)
Angus Ta'avao (Waratahs, 48)
Pita Ahki (Hurricanes)
Probable Loses:
Tony Woodcock
Hayden Triggs
Jimmy Cowan
Key retentions:
Jerome Kaino (2018)
Steven Luatua (2017)
Charlie Faumuina (2017)
James Parsons (2017)
Props: I would like to see a quality loosehead prop signed. I dont think Sam Prattley is the future here. We have Faumuina and Tuangafasi on the tighthead plus Auckland have tons of powerhouse pacific Islander tightheads. We need a quality good scrumaging loosehead to become the next Woodcock and balance out the pack. Surley Joe Moody gets fustrated playing second fiddle to Crockett?? He would be a perfect signing. Getting Pauliasi Manu back from the chiefs would be alright. Maybe Jaime McKintosh. Someone needs to be signed.
Hookers: Parsons showing good commitment to NZ rugby.. good on him. Surley some sturdy backups can be produced from the region. The likes of Matt Moulds or Gafatasi Sua'a should be OK as backups. Injury to Parsons would mean trouble here though.
Locks: Tuipulotu= class! William Lloyd showing great promise. They should try retain Bekhuis with his experience. I rate Callum Retallick, should get more game time. Maybe Dominic Bird will have a second thought at joining Blues after being shown the backdoor by Blackadder. A locking combination of him and Tupipulotu would be unbelievable.
Backrow: 6/8's we are covered with Kaino, Ioane, Luatua, Joe Edwards. We need 7's badly. Blake Gibson looks like a classy prospect able to play 6.7 & 8 but does he have the experience to go straight into starting? A signing needs to be made here.
Halfbacks: I do feel some what confident here for the future. Gibson Park has potential just needs a few years on the park, and needs to simplify his game alot of the time and not try to do to much. (i guess the same could be said for most of the team). Bryn Hall unfortunately injured for all of this year but is a good player. Need to retain these two and let them fight it out for starting spot. Word is Sam Nock the current NZ U20 halfback has been signed. Great Youth and promise here all round.
First Fives: Bowden, West, Hickey. Not the best bunch but sorted. West is promising. Bowden looked pretty sturdy pre injury. Hickey promising.
Centers: Moala, Ranger. Scary scary thought. I tip Moala for an all black jersey next year if he can maintain his current form and work on his distribution. who else? TJ Fiane looks like an all black in waiting at U20 level, better sign him up fast. Hamish Northcote had some nice touches this year. Wish we didnt loose Pita Ahki though.
Wings: Tevita Li didn't impress me this year. defensively was a joke. But has potential cant deny that. Melani Nanai is OK, I reckon the commentators overate him a little bit, but has potential without a doubt. Ben Lam is far better at 7's then 15's but just needs time on the park.
Fullbacks: Lolagi Visinia. Tip for tip replacement to Piutau. was a bit quite this year, just saw glimpses of his talent. but in the past hes looked like a future all black for all money. Cardif Vaega?
I guess to sums up most of the team- has potential just needs experience badly.
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11461403
He has to be wrong! I cant sit through another year of countless losses and pathetic performances. I've had enough...
Its sad to think we used to be a powerhouse in this competition and now were the joke of the NZ teams!
So what needs to be done to make this team competitive again??
OK obviously Kirwan needs to go. Not even considering this year's performance, he has truley made a mockery of this team and lost some of the countrys best up and coming players to other clubs. He was once completely hesitant to play younger players with potential when first coming in as head coach as, 'there not ready for the next step', only for them to bugger off elsewhere and become stars of super rugby or all blacks. Utter joke. Now to make up for that he almost seems to keen to play younger players, picking up every 19 and 20 year old in the area and handing them maiden debuts like hot cakes. (I dont think this is bad but its just comical the change of heart).
Tossing away Anscombe the most promising 10 in the country at the time,to debut and make Simon Hickey the starting 10, was a complete joke. Not giving Fekitoa, the form ITM cup player of the year any game time (even on the bench) was pathetic. He may aswell have personally told him to **** off. Naholo is another who looks all blacks bound, who wasnt good enough for Kirwan.
These deeds on there own are enough for him to get the sack surley.
So forgetting about the coach and looking at the players- what positions do we look alright in? where do we need to bring in more players? who could we attempt to sign?
Notable Loses:
Keven Mealamu (retiring, 162 Blues games)
Charles Piutau (Ulster, 41)
Francis Saili (Munster, 42)
Frank Halai (Wasps 39)
Luke Braid (Bordeaux, 70)
Brendon O'Connor (Leicester, 40)
Angus Ta'avao (Waratahs, 48)
Pita Ahki (Hurricanes)
Probable Loses:
Tony Woodcock
Hayden Triggs
Jimmy Cowan
Key retentions:
Jerome Kaino (2018)
Steven Luatua (2017)
Charlie Faumuina (2017)
James Parsons (2017)
Props: I would like to see a quality loosehead prop signed. I dont think Sam Prattley is the future here. We have Faumuina and Tuangafasi on the tighthead plus Auckland have tons of powerhouse pacific Islander tightheads. We need a quality good scrumaging loosehead to become the next Woodcock and balance out the pack. Surley Joe Moody gets fustrated playing second fiddle to Crockett?? He would be a perfect signing. Getting Pauliasi Manu back from the chiefs would be alright. Maybe Jaime McKintosh. Someone needs to be signed.
Hookers: Parsons showing good commitment to NZ rugby.. good on him. Surley some sturdy backups can be produced from the region. The likes of Matt Moulds or Gafatasi Sua'a should be OK as backups. Injury to Parsons would mean trouble here though.
Locks: Tuipulotu= class! William Lloyd showing great promise. They should try retain Bekhuis with his experience. I rate Callum Retallick, should get more game time. Maybe Dominic Bird will have a second thought at joining Blues after being shown the backdoor by Blackadder. A locking combination of him and Tupipulotu would be unbelievable.
Backrow: 6/8's we are covered with Kaino, Ioane, Luatua, Joe Edwards. We need 7's badly. Blake Gibson looks like a classy prospect able to play 6.7 & 8 but does he have the experience to go straight into starting? A signing needs to be made here.
Halfbacks: I do feel some what confident here for the future. Gibson Park has potential just needs a few years on the park, and needs to simplify his game alot of the time and not try to do to much. (i guess the same could be said for most of the team). Bryn Hall unfortunately injured for all of this year but is a good player. Need to retain these two and let them fight it out for starting spot. Word is Sam Nock the current NZ U20 halfback has been signed. Great Youth and promise here all round.
First Fives: Bowden, West, Hickey. Not the best bunch but sorted. West is promising. Bowden looked pretty sturdy pre injury. Hickey promising.
Centers: Moala, Ranger. Scary scary thought. I tip Moala for an all black jersey next year if he can maintain his current form and work on his distribution. who else? TJ Fiane looks like an all black in waiting at U20 level, better sign him up fast. Hamish Northcote had some nice touches this year. Wish we didnt loose Pita Ahki though.
Wings: Tevita Li didn't impress me this year. defensively was a joke. But has potential cant deny that. Melani Nanai is OK, I reckon the commentators overate him a little bit, but has potential without a doubt. Ben Lam is far better at 7's then 15's but just needs time on the park.
Fullbacks: Lolagi Visinia. Tip for tip replacement to Piutau. was a bit quite this year, just saw glimpses of his talent. but in the past hes looked like a future all black for all money. Cardif Vaega?
I guess to sums up most of the team- has potential just needs experience badly.
