NSW Blues 2024

[ALX25]

Congrats to the Blues. Too strong and just competed for everything.

 

[speedster]

Must admit, wasn't predicting this at the end of Game III after Game I had concluded. I'm sure I'm not alone there. We could now speculate that it could have been a clean sweep if not for the (deserved) send off of Suaalii in Sydney.

Doesn't matter. The good guys won!!! Qld now have the blues.

 

[some11]

Great team, great win.

Maguire has it.

 

[Last Week]

Let's face it. You're doomed anyway.

Why aren't you commenting record breaking moron?

 

[aqua_duck]

I think Madge absolutely nailed the selections, obviously much of the team picks itself but it was a big call to leave Teddy out, a lot of people were questioning the Lomax selection, he picked Murray for game 2 after only half a game back from injury, people were questioning the selections of Leniu and Watson who had missed a decent chunk of footy before their selections, he made the decision to bring in Mitch Barnett even after a dominant win in game 2.

 

[Chins get the wins]

I think Madge absolutely nailed the selections, obviously much of the team picks itself but it was a big call to leave Teddy out, a lot of people were questioning the Lomax selection, he picked Murray for game 2 after only half a game back from injury, people were questioning the selections of Leniu and Watson who had missed a decent chunk of footy before their selections, he made the decision to bring in Mitch Barnett even after a dominant win in game 2.

Yes and no, no Api is criminal.
Billy f**ked up BIG time with his bench

 

[aqua_duck]

Yes and no, no Api is criminal.
Billy f**ked up BIG time with his bench

How is it criminal? You’re making it sound like Api is Cameron Smith or something. They’re 2 different style of hooker, Api is more creative but not as good defensively and hasn’t got the same motor, Robson not as creative but more durable and better defensively, Madge chose a dummy half based on the approach he wanted to adopt simple as that

 

[Chins get the wins]

How is it criminal? You’re making it sound like Api is Cameron Smith or something. They’re 2 different style of hooker, Api is more creative but not as good defensively and hasn’t got the same motor, Robson not as creative but more durable and better defensively, Madge chose a dummy half based on the approach he wanted to adopt simple as that

Api has been the best hooker in the game since the day Smith retired

 

[Maximus]

Why aren't you commenting record breaking moron?

He always disappears when NSW wins.

 

[Fangs]

Picking Robson was the right call.

I'm impressed that Madge actually picked a team based on defence and didn't wheel out the usual characters. Also as good as Tedesco and Api are they tend to take over things with the ball.

Keep him on one year deals and we might see more of it.

 

[Chins get the wins]

Picking Robson was the right call.

I'm impressed that Madge actually picked a team based on defence and didn't wheel out the usual characters. Also as good as Tedesco and Api are they tend to take over things with the ball.

Keep him on one year deals and we might see more of it.

That's complete nonsense about Api. He plays any role given to him, he never got in the way for us

 

[Fangs]

That's complete nonsense about Api. He plays any role given to him, he never got in the way for us

He is a great player but he plays his hand. Madge didn't want that type of player. Too many cooks in the kitchen is one reason why NSW has struggled in previous years.

Check the defensive stats this season and you'll see why Robson was selected. The McInnes selection the same. Yeo, Murray etc. It was a defence first mindset with a dominant half leading the ship and it paid off.

 

[Chins get the wins]

He is a great player but he plays his hand. Madge didn't want that type of player. Too many cooks in the kitchen is one reason why NSW has struggled in previous years.

Check the defensive stats this season and you'll see why Robson was selected. The McInnes selection the same. Yeo, Murray etc. It was a defence first mindset with a dominant half leading the ship and it paid off.

Yes the lack of a good hooker and Moses awful 5th tackle options kept it close last night

 

[Captain Apollo]

 

[soc123_au]

View attachment 91225

Tucking in the state of QLD for bed, Father of the year right here folks.

 

[aqua_duck]

Api has been the best hooker in the game since the day Smith retired

At NRL level yeah maybe so but Api isn’t the perfect player you’re so desperately trying to paint. Api has had a few games in origin and whilst he hasn’t been bad I’ve never looked at him and thought wow we need to pick him forever.
You keep going on and on about how creative he is, how he can play any role, how he’s the next coming of the messiah but completely choose to ignore the point about his defence

 

[Chins get the wins]

At NRL level yeah maybe so but Api isn’t the perfect player you’re so desperately trying to paint. Api has had a few games in origin and whilst he hasn’t been bad I’ve never looked at him and thought wow we need to pick him forever.
You keep going on and on about how creative he is, how he can play any role, how he’s the next coming of the messiah but completely choose to ignore the point about his defence

Api is a god. His defence is fine in a good side, using stats from the Tigpies is pretty useless

 

[Fangs]

Api is a god. His defence is fine in a good side, using stats from the Tigpies is pretty useless

You can use Robson's stats then (In a notably bad Cowboys side). Or even stats from years previous. Both illustrate the point just fine.

I don't see non-selection as a slight on Korisau in this instance. Its not just a question of defence its about squad balance and thinking about the brand of football Madge wanted the team to play. Watson isn't a world beater but he covers more positions so bench was out.

The Edwards selection is a similar argument. It isn't to say Tedesco is bad at returning the ball for instance, his numbers are fine in a good side. Tedesco has elite numbers in many other categories like Korisau but its not what Madge was after. It paid off.

 

[aqua_duck]

You can use Robson's stats then (In a notably bad Cowboys side). Or even stats from years previous. Both illustrate the point just fine.

I don't see non-selection as a slight on Korisau in this instance. Its not just a question of defence its about squad balance and thinking about the brand of football Madge wanted the team to play. Watson isn't a world beater but he covers more positions so bench was out.

The Edwards selection is a similar argument. It isn't to say Tedesco is bad at returning the ball for instance, his numbers are fine in a good side. Tedesco has elite numbers in many other categories like Korisau but its not what Madge was after. It paid off.

Exactly, Madge obviously wanted to play through the halves and keep it tight up the middle, Robson might not have the array of tricks and craftiness of Api but his service is good and he defends well. Watson and Api are completely different players, Api is a specialist hooker who can fill in the halves if he has to where as Watson can cover pretty much every position, besides that he’s lightning quick off the mark out of dummy half which is what you want in a bench utility. Just to illustrate Watson’s versatility throughout his career he’s been a starting fullback, 5/8th, hooker, lock and bench utility, he’s also filled in at centre and edge backrow at different times

 

[ALX25]

Crichton joins illustrious Wally Lewis Medal list

NSW's Angus Crichton adds his name to Rugby League history by becoming a Wally Lewis Medal winner.

www.nswrl.com.au