Yep he will be in the AB's.

On a bit of a shit stir would there be a case for stating that Nonu deliberatly stuffed up at a couple of key times to ensure the canes kept in the lead e.g. his kick to the in goal instead of passing through the hands late in the game?

Not today

But in pre-season I don't think I was being too foolish by talking up a side full of AB's like Woodcock, Kev, Boric, Ali, Kaino, Braid, Mathewson, Weepu, Nonu, Ranger, Toeava. Nobody saw a side that would lose 7 straight games and occupy the foot of the table at the halfway point.

These Blues matches all feel the same, Blues edge in front then fumble the kickoff and the opposition then score with ease, Blues work their way back infront, 'nother fumble and try conceded, ill discipline, poor skills and just plain bad luck at crucial times, no lineout whatsover, aimless kicking, strong scrum. They haven't moved forward in any way since their first match.

If you showed this starting team to someone before the season I doubt they would rate them highly even on paper.

BTW I don't know how to upload photo's, but has anyone else noticed how Beauden Barret is the 'spittin image' of Brian McKechnie, former AB 10 and 15?

Enjoying this season and enjoyed the game. The 'Canes really can pounce. The Blues really can't. Perenara got MoM and can't argue with that for the enthusiastic kid. Conrad Smith amazing as always. Andre Taylor sparkling again, good game from Jane. Victor Vito the pick of the forwards - he offers so much and is a solid lineout option on top of everything else.

Whenever the Blues got something going, you knew they would probably stuff it up. OK in the scrums but not the lineouts. The backs crabbed sideways and then threw panicky forced passes. Nonu completely ma'aginalised. Piri did alright though in his job audition for next year.

I think the Lions will fancy their chances at Eden Park next Friday.

Like this summary...

He made it clear today that unless the Blues show some improvement Lam can forget about his 2013 contract extension. In other words, he's gone after the S15.

That would be the ultimate embarrassment for the Blues - perhaps the wooden spoon for the S15. Still don't think they will lose that game.

I think Pat Lam's position is almost untenable, and a loss next week to the Lions would see him sacked before the Crusaders game in a fortnight.

Only is he is applying for a bench role. I thought he was quite clearly outplayed by Man of the Match Perenara.

He should be gone already. The Blues don't even appear interested in trying to stop the rot. I'm all for giving a coach a fair shot, but after 9 losses in 10 games and a team that seems to be getting worse rather than better, just pay him out for the rest of the season and get someone else in. I see Rob Penney has left to Munster...maybe if they've offered him the role a couple of weeks back we could have kept the guy here.

ali mate, there is absolutely no chance he will be sacked as long s the nzrfu hold coaches contracts

cheers

Why not? There's only a few games left. Sack him now and get some ITM Cup coach in for some experience.

Pat Lam is leading the team nowhere and tried to weasel his way out of the public eye by playing the race card.

I tend to agree. All the Blues board are doing right now is making a mockery of a once proud team and destroying what little support remains for the Blues in Auckland. They are desperately hoping that Lam can turn things around, and vindicate their loyalty in him. But this is now beyond a joke. Drastic situations sometimes call for drastic responses and the board needs to respond to what is going on. I felt sorry for the Blues tonight, as a Cantab I don't think I've ever felt sorry for an Auckland based team before.

Fair enough that Shag has a pretty damned good idea of his squad but you have to hope he is flexible enough to respond to a dramatic loss of form by any player in the 'squad', while making it clear that this does not spell the end of his career

The nadir.

The NZRU are asleep at the wheel and need to get their shit together. There is no precedent for what we are seeing at the Blues right now. This is an Auckland based rugby team we are talking about, once the strongest non-test team in world rugby. Their demise this season as being as sudden as it has been surprising.

and i dont disagree with any of that, or with what auckman was saying a few posts up. however in my very humble opinion the nzrfu still is getting to grips with professionalism in a way, especially in the way they deal with coaches. they seem happy to give them a contract for 1/2 years, well whatever it is, and they never think to step in if the results arent going their way.

What about the players, it's fine to say Lam must go, but he ain't out there going from blunder to blunder, the players are fucking woeful. There has gotta be 22 young guys and a coach that have never met each other who could put on a better performance than the one we saw tonight.

I agree with who ever said that this is the worst NZ Super rugby team ever, fucking disgraceful!

He needs to do the decent thing, the honouarable thing and the right thing.

He needs to resign with immediate effect.

I can't see how you can ever expect a man with a family to terminate his own career and condemn his family to financial ruin.

Totally, perhaps even start with Motu Matu'u for some real beef up front.

Highlanders next week - let Coles have a go at his mentor.

True. Still a good fit for the team though. A quality experienced player who can cover both 9 and 10. I'd quite like to see Piri back, and whipped into shape by Hammett.

Toomaga-Allen was gash in the scrums.

I see a few on here spruiking Perenara's praises.

Sure he does some good things, but his passing is ordinary at best and his option taking leaves a lot to be desired. Tackling ordinary as well. Sure he has talent, but has a fair way to go yet. needs to stop kicking and leave that to Barrett.

cant see them replacing lam this season

and looking at the respective teams lining up for this match and crazy onfield decisions by some of the his players, you cant just keep blaming the coach

Agree about his passing, but thought his tackling and kicking were very good. Looks like a genuine gamebreaker.

Is Luke Braid made of Teflon? Because every time you read a thread like this or in the media people say how bravely he played in a crap side but watching the game he was just as shit as the rest of them. He never seems to put much pressure on for the turnover, his ball carrying is ordinary and poor tackling allowed Perenara's try for example.

Yet people are still talking him up as a contender to replace McCaw.

Or he was thinking "I don't give a shit, I'm off up north after this season".

Yes, he'll be doing Community Work up in Northland

Anyway, Hadleigh Parkes just made me laugh at the end there. That last bumble was a perfect illustration of the disaster that is the Blues in 2012.

Coaching begins with selection. Selection plays a massive part in being a good coach. Lam needs to accept much of the blame for any deficiencies in his squad.

sure, but he played his best side available on the night, which wasnt strong tonight -or last week, which was my point

certain things like injuries and on field brainfarts arent the coaches fault

You're right. The Blues board should do nothing and hope for the best.

it's only taken half the season but I think we've found our rugby pub for the 5pm Friday night game with sound...The Brecknock has reserved us a table under the big screen, they do $6 imperial pints!
Perenara impressed, Smith and Eaton, Taranaki Taonga!

You think Lam could learn to speak Afrikaans...

Pretty sure he'd be fluent in it already given that North Harbour is in his catchment.

How long is a NZ super 15 coach's contract typically for?

This is Lam's third or fourth year at the Blues helm, is it not?