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Random Thoughts
23rd
September 2005. From the keyboard of
Donsteppa
There’s been a horrible feeling of dread about the last couple of
weeks of rugby. After the highs of 2003 and the screaming vertigo of
2004 we seem to have slipped back into some old habits. 9th
place with only three games to go doesn’t look too good but with a
couple of games that slipped away vs. Auckland and Wellington we
only have ourselves to blame. So, to these random, rambling
thoughts:
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Whoever at the
Union was responsible for the lack of pre-season games needs a
good rucking. Why they thought one game against a poor Japanese
side would suffice is beyond belief. However it’s alarming to
read quotes such as this from Vern: “I think we took it for
granted that players would come straight back from Super 12 but
actually when we got them back they were given an imposed rest.
It was something we hadn't anticipated - I expected
professionals ready to go and it's taken a while to get the
machine cranking.”. Looks like we dropped the ball off the
field.
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Has Vern’s time
with the Crusaders been to his detriment? Since his return we’ve
seen crucial substitutions at key times take the steam out of
the side against the Lions and Auckland. While the Crusaders
have depth off the bench to make wholesale changes in the 50th
minute, sadly the Steamers do not.
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Speaking of the
bench, bring back Ngarimu! Pareanga seriously depowers the scrum
and seems to be a wing lurker. Though the huge puzzler was the
demotion of Taufao Filisie and his replacement by James Afoa.
Afoa will be a very good player but isn’t quite yet, and why
such the class of Filise should be left in the Development side
for 2-3 weeks mid-season is a strange one.
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What’s happened to
another key part of the 2004 team? Apoua Stewart seems to be on
the outer despite his fine play in 2004 and call-up for
Manu-Samoa earlier this year, even though his replacements in
Bolavucu and Johnston have yet to cover themselves in glory.
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Has Ormond reigned
himself in too much? During 2004 he got stuck in first and
worried about the ref second. At times this year it’s appeared
to be the other way around. Time to forget the ref and just get
back to inflicting pain with the big hits.
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Bring back Jacko!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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It’s a shame we
lost Bunting in the preseason, the backline has to look of one
inexperienced player too many, and Murray Williams has yet to
look like the player he was vs. the Lions.
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Rena Schuster
looks a good prospect for the future.
-
Did I mention
bring back Jacko?
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The commitment
that was so strong in 2004 doesn’t quite look to be there.
Players don’t seem to be busting a gut to get back in defence if
they make a mistake as they used to. It took its toll vs.
Auckland and Wellington where we scored more than enough points
to win each game, but our defence was too leaky.
Anyway, that’s enough random drivel from me for one night. Bring on
a win vs. Southland tomorrow and then a raid into the heart of DSW
territory next week.
See you on the message boards
for more musings!
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