Preseason - Hurricanes v Blues
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Wow didnt expect to see Harkin at 15 - sort of shows that they are really looking at Godfrey at 10 i would say.
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@DurryMexted at least having Harkin at 15 means we'll have a good kicking option from the back.
Odd that Higgins isn't starting, he's clearly our best 12. Let's hope we don't have another year of not quite fielding our best team.
Let's hope Harry takes his opportunity with both hands.
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Beautiful day here in Welly, perfect for some running rugby in the Nui. Fingers crossed for no injuries for both sides and the players get some good prep in for the first round next week.
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@Canes4life I'm expecting the Canes to control the first half against a very green/young Blues 1st half team (aside from the Props, BB and Coles). Could be a game of two halves depending on who of their 21 reserves the Canes send out in the second spell against a much stronger 2nd half Blues side. The Canes might start the 2nd half with an 'A' team to match up for a while. Should be fun in the sun.
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I think this will be Peyton Spencer's first game since August 23 due to injuries. He's gotta be nervous. Just 3 NPC games and only 1 start.
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Blues in early. Beauden looking sharp at 10. 7-0 after 8 mins.
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The Canes pack isn't the same one as announced initially. No Flanders and no Walker-Leawere.
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Brayden Iose cocks up what would have been a spectacular length of the field try after local boy Peter Umaga-Jensen made a break. All he had to do was put Naholo away but hogged the ball.
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@Canes4life Good hard run from a bad miss between Taele and Clark at the scrum. Simply too big a gap to cover between them both.
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@antipodean said in Preseason - Hurricanes v Blues:
@Canes4life Good hard run from a bad miss between Lam and Clark at the scrum. Simply too big a gap to cover between them both.
Peter Umaga-Jensen has apparently not stopped training since the end of the NPC. He's looking very good and has put on a bit more size.
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Blues get a yellow card after continuous infringements defending their own line. Che Clark I think it is.
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Strong scrum to the Canes and Kini Naholo goes in via the left hand corner. Nice hands by Godfrey and Umaga-Jensen to put him away.
Godfrey converts from the sideline and it's 7-7.
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Blues game plan with ball in hand is to play very direct. They are obviously not going to move far away from what worked well last year.
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Both middle rows are’nt the tallest lads
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Cam Roigard. Wow. Take a bow.
Proctor is in via the left hand corner.
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Roigard looking like a good pick for my fantasy league setting that up. Nice pass from Naholo too.
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@antipodean said in Preseason - Hurricanes v Blues:
Roigard looking like a good pick for my fantasy league setting that up. Nice pass from Naholo too.
Pretty sure almost everyone will have him haha.
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If we want to see attacking rugby, that definition of "being on your feet supporting your own body" has to be thrown out with the rubbish.
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Halftime 12-7 to the Canes. Pretty scrappy overall but no injuries which is a good result.
For the Canes, Roigard was a clear step up from Vijoen who was all over the place in the first 20. Godfrey looked threatening on a number of occasions so I hope he keeps the starting jersey for next week. Proctor also made a good run that almost lead to a Canes try so he's picked up where he left off last year.
For the Blues, Barrett has been the standout for them so far. Made a couple breaks and has kicked well. Funaki looked dangerous from the base and Segner has also been busy.
