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All Blacks bolster battling Blues

By Online Editors

The Blues will welcome back All Blacks Ofa Tuungafasi and Matt Duffie for their week eight clash against the Chiefs.

Both missed last week’s loss against the Sharks with minor injuries.

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Defence and discipline is a big focus for Blues head coach Tana Umaga this week, after they let in six tries and 63 points last weekend.

“We let ourselves down with our team defence. The boys all realise that and have come in this week with a determined attitude.  Last year we were developing into a strong team defensive unit and we must get back to that level.

“We also need to be more disciplined. You can’t give away kickable penalties like we did last week.

“We want to be solid and aggressive in our team defence and in the contact areas and show more patience with the ball. Our aim is to improve our performances every week from here in which is a challenge to the squad individually and collectively as a team.”

There is one change to Tana Umaga’s forward pack, with Northland loose forward Kara Pryor earning his first start of the season.

Halfback Jonathan Ruru earns his first start in the No. 9 jersey, with George Moala starting on the wing in place of the injured Melani Nanai.

TJ Faiane partners with Rieko Ioane in the midfield.

Duffie is bracketed on the wing with Jordan Hyland, and his place in the side will be decided after today’s final training session.

Among the reserves, Northland captain Matt Moulds takes his place in the No. 16 jersey as he returns from off-season surgery.

Former New Zealand Under 20 representative Dalton Papalii provides loose forward cover, and outside back Orbyn Leger joins former high school teammate Bryn Gatland on the bench.

The Blues were edged 21-26 by the Chiefs in their second-round clash earlier in the season.

BLUES

1. Pauliasi Manu, 2. James Parsons (C), 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Josh Goodhue, 6. Jerome Kaino, 7. Kara Pryor, 8. Akira Ioane; 9. Jonathan Ruru, 10. Stephen Perofeta, 11. George Moala, 12. TJ Faiane, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Matt Duffie/Jordan Hyland,15. Michael Collins.

Reserves: 16. Matt Moulds, 17. Ross Wright, 18. Mike Tamoaieta, 19. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20. Dalton Papalii, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Bryn Gatland, 23. Orbyn Leger.

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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