33 replies to this topic

[Duluth]

http://www.nzherald....jectid=10659545

Quote

The Blues are believed to have signed Chiefs flanker Luke Braid and Crusaders fullback Jared Payne - and may be considering an application for their vacant coaching position from former Irish halfback Michael Bradley.

Offshore interest has been raised by the vacancy and the Blues are also moving to fill the gaps in their playing roster.

Gone from the 2010 squad are Williams, Anthony Tuitavake, Rudi Wulf, Tom Chamberlain, Serge Lilo and Viliami Ma'afu.

Luke Braid is set to join his brother Daniel, who was signed several months ago to replace Lilo, who will be available for the Hurricanes. The addition of Luke would give the Blues some back-up and choice at openside

The Blues are also closing in on Crusaders and Northland fullback Jared Payne as a direct replacement for the departed Paul Williams.

The younger Braid was seen as a necessary acquisition because Chamberlain was lost to the new Melbourne franchise. Coach Pat Lam also wants to have players like the Braids who offer continuity.

Payne is sought as an outside back (he can also play wing) to cover the losses of Williams, Tuitavake and Wulf. Having spent the last two seasons at the Crusaders, Payne is aware his game time might be limited next year by the potential arrival of Israel Dagg from the Highlanders. With Sonny Bill Williams also heading to Christchurch and Sean Maitland, Zac Guildford and Colin Slade all top class options in the back three, Payne stands a better chance of playing with the Blues. He is contracted to Northland, so the switch to the Blues makes geographical sense.

The franchise has also secured Alby Mathewson and Stephen Brett. Chris Lowrey and Peter Saili'i have re-signed through until 2012. Most of the 28 players Lam can directly sign are in place, but he will watch the provincial championship closely to see how the likes of Brent Ward, Mat Berquist and Toby Morland perform. Their experience could see them elevated to the Blues as options at wing, first five and halfback respectively.

Bradley has been the coach of Ireland's smallest province, Connacht, for the last six years. He also took charge of the Ireland team that played here in 2008 when coach-elect Declan Kidney was unable to travel due to his existing commitments with Munster.

Connacht, where Warren Gatland also cut his coaching teeth, are one of the great over-achievers of world rugby, competing in the Magners League alongside the better resourced Leinster and Munster as well as the likes of Cardiff, Edinburgh and the Scarletts.

While Connacht finished bottom of the Magners League this year, they made it to the semifinal of the Amlin Challenge Cup - the second tier European competition behind the Heineken Cup - losing to Toulon in the semifinal.

Bradley announced last November that he would step down at the end of the current season and is now looking for coaching work. It is understood a number of overseas-based applicants have made contact hoping to work as Pat Lam's assistant now the role, held for the last two years by Shane Howarth, has been advertised.

Bryce Woodward is the only local candidate to so far declare his interest but it is thought interest has come in from across the country.

Luke Braid hasn't really kicked on yet but hopefully big brother can get him back on track

Payne is pretty much a like for like replacement for Williams. Good to see a player from within the NPC catchment area being called in.

As for Bradley as an assistant coach - I hope not! A non NZ influence is ok if the candidate is outstanding but is this guy any better than half a dozen NZ coaches?
Hopefully Woodward gets the job as he's been coaching well in NZ for years and has earned the opportunity for promotion within the NZ system.

[DMX]

What is wrong with the Blues, whats the point of choosing an NH coach for the backs? I know I questioned some of the decision-taking but surely thats kind of taking it to the other extreme.

[Duluth]

DMX said:

What is wrong with the Blues, whats the point of choosing an NH coach for the backs? I know I questioned some of the decision-making but surely thats kind of taking it to the other extreme.

Oh they've chosen him now?


From the article

Quote

and may be considering an application for their vacant coaching position from former Irish halfback Michael Bradley.

All that says is the reporter knows of two probable applicants - Bradley and Woodward. Nothing more.

[taniwharugby]

Payne re-signed with Northland this season (as opposed to loaned to us by Canterbury) as he seemed on the outer in the 'saders, so that is good he'll continue at S14 with the blues

[shark]

taniwharugby said:

Payne re-signed with Northland this season (as opposed to loaned to us by Canterbury) as he seemed on the outer in the 'saders, so that is good he'll continue at S14 with the blues

Good signing for the Blues. A better chance of regular games will be good for his development, with the rider that the Blues will need to perform though or he might regress! In saying that, with McAlister at second-five and Ranger at centre, Toeava is the likely fullback I would have thought, so Payne might find himself on the wing more often than not.

[Red Beard]

Nothing personal against offshore applicants but FFS if we are one of the worlds leading rugby nations, surely all ten franchise head coaches should be New Zealanders. Doesnt provide any incentive to outstanding homegrown coaches working their way through our system when they see an import blocking their pathway.

[Kirwan]

Red Beard said:

Nothing personal against offshore applicants but FFS if we are one of the worlds leading rugby nations, surely all ten franchise head coaches should be New Zealanders. Doesnt provide any incentive to outstanding homegrown coaches working their way through our system when they see an import blocking their pathway.

Yep, it was the worst thing about Nucifora being appointed, the NPC and Super14 are development areas not only for our players but our coaches. Should only look overseas is there is nobody up to standard.

[shark]

Theoretically, how would you feel about Rob Penney coaching the Blues? Another good NPC and he'll be banging on the door of a S15 coaching role and his path is blocked locally.

[rotated]

shark said:

Theoretically, how would you feel about Rob Penney coaching the Blues? Another good NPC and he'll be banging on the door of a S15 coaching role and his path is blocked locally.

Theoretically, it would be difficult to replace Pat Lam as coach after he theoretically guided the Blues to a unbeaten theoretical Super 14 season in 2011.

But I would be in favour of it at this point if he could bring Slade with him.

[Kirwan]

shark said:

Theoretically, how would you feel about Rob Penney coaching the Blues? Another good NPC and he'll be banging on the door of a S15 coaching role and his path is blocked locally.

I'd hate it, his coaching style wouldn't suit the players available up here at all. Despite DMX's crusade against Lam, I think he's doing well with the players he has.

Agree he's a good coach though, but a better fir for him might be The Chiefs? They need his sort of steel.

[Kirwan]

rotated said:

Theoretically, it would be difficult to replace Pat Lam as coach after he theoretically guided the Blues to a unbeaten theoretical Super 14 season in 2011.

But I would be in favour of it at this point if he could bring Slade with him.

Be pretty theoretical considering next year is the Super 15....

[Tim]

Well Auckland's going to defeat Harbour in the final this year (I'm going to convert (our) Kirwan's try from the sideline with time up for a 2 point win), so they can choose the new coaches from that lot.

[Deepblue]

Kirwan said:

Be pretty theoretical considering next year is the Super 15....

There's nothing super about the Lions.

Badum pish.

[shark]

rotated said:

Theoretically, it would be difficult to replace Pat Lam as coach after he theoretically guided the Blues to a unbeaten theoretical Super 14 season in 2011.

But I would be in favour of it at this point if he could bring Slade with him.

You might be right. In a parallel universe in which there is a Super 14 next year, Lam might win it and the pressure might not be on him to retain his job.

However, back on Earth, another average season should see Lam with his neck poised under a guillotine.

Agree Kirwan that Penneys' 'steel' might be more suited to the Chiefs, although is there a dubious insinuation there that his style is a little staid and not suited to the Blues' more expansive (yet generally unsuccessful) game plan?

[KiwiMurph]

Good signing in Payne - Williams, Tuitavake and Wulf is a lot of outside back talent to lose in one season.

I wonder if Pakalani could crack the squad or wider squad also as a winger - he seemed to have some serious gas on the wing in the NPC/ANZC/ITM Cup last year ´- maybe Bryce Heen also - Northland and NH also generally don´t seem to have too many problems producing outside backs either....

Good to see Matthewson and Brett sticking around - that combo worked well this year i thought.

Well the Blues will have plenty of talent as usual (the Braid-Braid combo at 7 is a huge upgrade over Lilo-Chamberlain this year) but it will be whether they can pull through enough tough games to crack the 4 - being the top NZ side/best 2nd placed side is a tough ask.

Speaking of which - a top 4 out of 15 teams seems a bit harsh - maybe they should make it a top 6 to provide some more spice? While this sounds like bleating from a Blues fan who´s team is often finishing just outside the 4 - there has been a lot of talk about ABs ability to play knockout rugby - surely adding more knockout rounds to a S15 would help this rather than the current semi finals system......

[Kirwan]

KiwiMurph said:

Good signing in Payne - Williams, Tuitavake and Wulf is a lot of outside back talent to lose in one season.

I wonder if Pakalani could crack the squad or wider squad also as a winger - he seemed to have some serious gas on the wing in the NPC/ANZC/ITM Cup last year ´- maybe Bryce Heen also - Northland and NH also generally don´t seem to have too many problems producing outside backs either....

Good to see Matthewson and Brett sticking around - that combo worked well this year i thought.

Well the Blues will have plenty of talent as usual (the Braid-Braid combo at 7 is a huge upgrade over Lilo-Chamberlain this year) but it will be whether they can pull through enough tough games to crack the 4 - being the top NZ side/best 2nd placed side is a tough ask.

Speaking of which - a top 4 out of 15 teams seems a bit harsh - maybe they should make it a top 6 to provide some more spice? While this sounds like bleating from a Blues fan who´s team is often finishing just outside the 4 - there has been a lot of talk about ABs ability to play knockout rugby - surely adding more knockout rounds to a S15 would help this rather than the current semi finals system......

It's better practice for knockout rugby to have a harder ratio to achieve. Also, as this year showed the knockout stages started before the actual finals anyway, because of the tightness of the competition.

[Duluth]

KiwiMurph said:

Good signing in Payne - Williams, Tuitavake and Wulf is a lot of outside back talent to lose in one season.

I wonder if Pakalani could crack the squad or wider squad also as a winger - he seemed to have some serious gas on the wing in the NPC/ANZC/ITM Cup last year ´- maybe Bryce Heen also - Northland and NH also generally don´t seem to have too many problems producing outside backs either....

Yeah some good outside backs coming through.

Dave Thomas was just as sharp as Pakalani last year, hopefully his error rate is slightly better this year.

I really rate Simon Munro the ex-Aucklander playing for Northland this year too. Although I wonder if his off field incident counts against him.

[taniwharugby]

be good to see Simon Munro with an extended run this season, he fits the Wing/FB role we seem to be seeing more of, has gas and pretty good rugby brain.

[DMX]

Kirwan said:

I'd hate it, his coaching style wouldn't suit the players available up here at all. Despite DMX's crusade against Lam, I think he's doing well with the players he has.

Agree he's a good coach though, but a better fir for him might be The Chiefs? They need his sort of steel.

I still do not undertand why Lam's underachieving style does suit the Blues. Oh I guess Lam allows them to screw it up in their own 22 better than any other coach in the country.

[Kirwan]

DMX said:

I still do not undertand why Lam's underachieving style does suit the Blues. Oh I guess Lam allows them to screw it up in their own 22 better than any other coach in the country.

Yawn, time to change the record. Lam's style is the same as Henry's style, yet strangely I don't see you criticising his gameplan in every thread you can.

They both encourage the team to run it out from the 22 to maintain possession and put pressure on the defending side. The gameplan doest rely on excellent skill execution (and decision making) but like it or not, that gameplan suits the "flair" players the Blues has, and now with the Law interpretations moving to a more attacking stage, the Blues have an extra year of playing under that style. I expect to have pay dividends next year.

Also, the Blues came second out of the NZ teams, and were a few lucky bounces of the ball, or a few missed goal kicks from the semis. Where is your bile for Cooper? Or Foster? Foster in particular has taken under achieving to a new height (or low?).

We get that you have a personal dislike for Lam, but it's pretty boring to be continually reminded of it with nothing new to add to the discussion.

[Duluth]

Kirwan said:

Also, the Blues came second out of the NZ teams

With the third best talent roster too

[Baron Silas Greenback]

Some would argue 4th

[rotated]

Baron Silas Greenback said:

Some would argue 4th

If you give extra weight to key positions almost certainly 4th. Which is an indictment of the franchise partners not an excuse.

[Sambo]

yeah looking forward to the blues next year. I rate Lam and are happy for him to been given a 3rd year. We should hopefully put a very competitive team on the park, hopefully Ali back, really hope Lowry gets some game time, Toe should be back. Lucky hopefully will get a full season under his belt. Here's hoping (like every other year )

[the_doctor]

KiwiMurph said:

whether they can pull through enough tough games to crack the 4 - being the top NZ side/best 2nd placed side is a tough ask.

Speaking of which - a top 4 out of 15 teams seems a bit harsh - maybe they should make it a top 6 to provide some more spice?

The format for the playoffs in the Super 15 will involve 6 teams. The top team from each conference, and the next 3 from a combined table, ie, the next 3 with the most points. The 2 conference winners with the highest points totals will get byes in the first round.

Edited by the_doctor, 28 July 2010 - 03:14 PM.
spelling, as per usual

[Winger]

Kirwan said:

Yawn, time to change the record. Lam's style is the same as Henry's style, yet strangely I don't see you criticising his gameplan in every thread you can.

They both encourage the team to run it out from the 22 to maintain possession and put pressure on the defending side. The gameplan doest rely on excellent skill execution (and decision making) but like it or not, that gameplan suits the "flair" players the Blues has, and now with the Law interpretations moving to a more attacking stage, the Blues have an extra year of playing under that style. I expect to have pay dividends next year.

Also, the Blues came second out of the NZ teams, and were a few lucky bounces of the ball, or a few missed goal kicks from the semis. Where is your bile for Cooper? Or Foster? Foster in particular has taken under achieving to a new height (or low?).

We get that you have a personal dislike for Lam, but it's pretty boring to be continually reminded of it with nothing new to add to the discussion.

I think without the Moa intercept pass they would have made the semi's

[Kirwan]

Winger! Glad to see you out of that Weepu-Awesome-Performance inspired coma. You OK Mate?

And yep, that Moa intercept was awful, at least he's been banished from Auckland for it.

[Winger]

Kirwan said:

Winger! Glad to see you out of that Weepu-Awesome-Performance inspired coma. You OK Mate?

And yep, that Moa intercept was awful, at least he's been banished from Auckland for it.

I was away last WE and have only recently seen the full match

Weepu has a VG first half but not so good in the 2nd

The key with the Moa intercept was it was against the Waratahs so without it the Blues would have made the semi's I think, everything else being equal. (The Blues were unlucky not to finish higher whereas the Canes were lucky to do as well as they did).

Next year will be a test for Lam. He needs to find another backup first (he will watch Kirkpatrick with interest this year) and hope he has more luck with injuries, esp Williams.

What the story with Howard. Why was he dropped. I didn't see too much wrong with the back line.

[Kirwan]

Howarth you mean? Dunno, Duluth mentioned that Lam had to fight for him last year so there's something going on that they aren't happy with. I agree, the backs certainly didn't look much was going wrong there.

[Nepia]

Winger said:

I was away last WE and have only recently seen the full match

Weepu has a VG first half but not so good in the 2nd

.

Ha ha Winger is back and carries on with the same old shtick, good to see some thing's never change.