Umaga makes nine changes to the Blues side for Hurricanes clash

NT, don't worry most were perplexed. Maybe because of pre-season results, just maybe Tana was not sure of his 'best side' ... the shellacking down in Christchurch might have given him a better idea!

CUW players like Gibson (20), A Ioane (20) Nanai (22), Edwards (22), Sione (22) R Ioane (18), Nock (19) are among those who only started with the Blues last year 2015 with Rieko Ioane and Sam Nock having their first year with the Blues. And that does not include several who are 24 and under. By any standards it is a young squad. Part of the reason is that Umaga came on board virtually when players he might have chased had committed to other franchises before his arrival, so most he engaged with are the younger brigade from the catchment area. Retention of players has in the past not been a strong suit either, lets see what happens under Umaga's stint in charge. 2015 was a write off, a non-event under a coach who could not motivate his charges to bleed for the jersey in spite of his good intentions. As I have posted on other threads, I am not expecting miracles in 2016 but I think they might upset a few sides but I will be expecting much more in 2017.

Definitely TM, I think Tana erred with the changes he made, particularly in the 9/10 positions, even Blackadder was surprised. Tana will not 'openly' admit to the selection mistake but nether would I have expected that. What I think was a bigger mistake though was not to have big Charlie Faumuina and James Parsons on sooner when the starting pack was being pummeled. It was amazing that the score was still reasonably close at HT given the dominance of the 'Saders and that I suppose was a credit to the scrabbling defence. The pack played much better in the second half in scrum set pieces at least (less said about lineouts the better) after the bench was used. As for away wins ... yep quite perplexing. Anyhow on 19th March, they have another chance for an away win against the hapless Reds at Suncorp... I'll be at that match where I think the Reds will be under just as much pressure playing at home due to events of this week, so it will be interesting.

Yeah saw that. he says it's about rewarding performance which hardly explains the West, Hall position. For that it was...something else? Oh well, guess we'll just see what he does when he's seen his whole squad play and the first side settles down.

Hickey unwanted - at Bordeaux I think.

Yep with you on that though the one they did lose came with a selection out of the blue so can be easily attributed to the coach more so than the team on that basis. I don't get how he hasn't taken on the challenge of the Blues poor away record. Here he had a decent chance of putting an away win up and based on the selection and result, the A side would probably have been in with a chance. He's gotta get that right. Sooner rather than later. I don't wanna hear another.. "it'll take three seasons". Some players are now in their forties since those words were first trotted out and we're still waiting for that 'third' season.

RT I am perplexed with all these changes, 15 in 2 weeks is not acceptable. I think this team is better than last week, but I think you should play your best side every week, so Im a little concerned with the direction Tana is heading by chopping and changing then making Tuipulotu the scape goat after one poor performance.

enchanted meaning.... "disenchanted" ... but TM they have only dropped the one match (they will drop more) thus far and Tana erred sure, but be patient..

BluesFan, actually I think West has not progressed and stepped up (aside from his goal kicking). A lot of promise a couple of years ago, particularly at ITM level. He's had a couple of year now, I hope this is his year when he can match strides with the other No 10's both incumbents and the ones coming through. Actually I thought Matt McGahan played Ok last week given the circumstances but being behind a pack that was being pounded to death could not have been a lot of fun.

Nah TM, you'll be back supporting the Blues again .. I guess you are a bit enchanted now that's all. While we have not met, I sense I know that like me Blue and Black runs through your veins and anyway better to support the devil you know than the one you don't!! Actually, I have never really criticised coaches openly, except perhaps Nificora. For all Sir JK's failings, he is a nice guy, meet him when he was a butcher's apprentice at Epsom showgrounds some year back in the dark ages ... a big guy when you stand next to him.. Sir JK was a yard off the pace, I thought but with the initial assistance of Sir GH I thought he would be OK. Tana Umaga is a different kettle of fish mate, he served his apprenticeship with Toulon, his charges won the Ranfurly Shield for Counties-Manukau and he has the respect of his players. Don't be too hard on him yet... give him 'a fair crack of the whip'... Blues will be a force again!

Might put me in that group Rugby! but JK was hit pretty hard so I'd expect nothing less with Umaga. I've said all along he doesn't have the pedigree for a sole Superxv coaching role. He may have, and he's just made his first real mistake with the Crusaders match selections. Point being is I think they should have done what they did with Henry. Not change him just because yet another coach didn't bring back the World Cup. I'd have kept JK on one more year. Few would have I know but looking at the first six or so matches last year, all were winnable and it just didn't go for him. Too much to make a good season out of that start.

nah , the problem with blues is they cant settle on a xv and cant play regularly according to script (stemming from the changing xv). add to that the squad is not great considering the talent in the regions. the young guys u talk of have been with the blues for at least a couple of years. Tevita Li melani nanai Lolagi Visinia Ihaia West Hall Luatua Tuipolatu Gibson Ioan brothers ..... some have stepped up some have not - for example the flank Joe Edwards has been around but not gone up. where is the 2nd rower with pedigree Whetton? where is simon hickey? if i recall , Auckland were in the semis of ITM cup . how come they cant feed the blues with quality??

Yes let's wait and see on the Blues. Let's remember only the Brumbies out of Aus/NZ haven't lost a game yet so no need to write off the Blues just yet. I prefer Ioane at 8 and Kaino at 6 - Kaino is the incumbent AB 6 and Ioane is an excellent 8 - he's played it at schoolboys, U20s and ITM Cup. Feels the more natural fit. I've been impressed by West in the first two weeks - I even though he made a difference when he came on last week - they key is consistency - hopefully he can keep it up.

Many 'so called' Blues supporters will probably do just that but lets judge the Blues progress towards their rebuild at the end of the season. Certainly support base is results driven and fair enough but we have had but 2 rounds.

CUW the Blues might have some 'top class names' but compared too the other NZ Franchises, at this moment they are young and inexperienced at this level. Potential ? .... Heaps .... but they need time to settle in at this level. Ok we talk about optimism every year of the Blues only to have them underachieve, however, I cannot recall such a collection of young players (many of whom represented the NZ U20's in recent years) being entrusted to wear the jersey. I am not looking for Umaga to perform miracles but if he is given a 'fair go', I think the team will respond and look out 2017!

Question, if the Blues do come last in NZ and finish towards the bottom of the table, will they blame yet another coach? Will they seriously blame 5 different coaches in a row?

Ioane shud play at 6 and then move to 8. Kaino is the more experienced 8. the problem persists with the Blues - a lot of top class names on paper , on paper that is !!!

Its going to be interesting to see if the Blues have in fact turned the corner. At least with big Charlie starting, I don't think the 'cane's pack will dominate anything like the Crusaders did last week. With Luatua and Bekhuis as the starting 2nd rowers, I'm a little apprehensive. I know Patrick Tuipulotu didn't have the greatest game last week but we will have to wait and see, but given the performance last week changes had to be made. Akira Ioane was a young star last year for both the Blues and the U20's, I think he is one for who the stars are still rising and I guess that Luatua's move to the second row has created the position for Ioane to start.. 9 and 10 haven't been convincing for number of years but in Hall maybe that's about to change for HB. Still not really convinced on Westie and prefer to make comment after a few more rounds. Midfield backs and back three look solid enough where Savea for the 'Canes should be watching out for Ranger! Rene just needs more game time ...

Fixed now

Actually yes the team in the article is incorrect. Moala is 12 and Male Sau is 13.