Blues 2018
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On this African tour I'd like to see Perofeta come on at fullback (im assuming he'll be eased in off the bench) with 30 minutes to go.
He has experience at fullback, can use his running and playmaking ability against tired legs and with both he and Gatland on the park at the same time it offers a nice balance the Blues backline wouldn't have had for a long time.
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The Blues have lost prop Alex Hodgman to an arm injury, with Sione Mafileo travelling as a replacement, but their entire squad showed such form at Ellis Park, including, significantly, their reserves, that Hodgman's absence shouldn't be an issue.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12011106
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The Blues have lost prop Alex Hodgman to an arm injury, with Sione Mafileo travelling as a replacement, but their entire squad showed such form at Ellis Park, including, significantly, their reserves, that Hodgman's absence shouldn't be an issue.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12011106
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The Blues have lost prop Alex Hodgman to an arm injury, with Sione Mafileo travelling as a replacement, but their entire squad showed such form at Ellis Park, including, significantly, their reserves, that Hodgman's absence shouldn't be an issue.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12011106
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@tim don't see why not, Stormers coming off 2 bruising losses, a lot will come down to Tana getting his selections right and resisting changing the line-up too much and making change for changes sake
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Also the Stormers have to travel. The Blues might even be favourites.. I wouldn't put any money on it though
Looking forward to the battle between Damian Willemse and Perofeta.
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Any tips on how to embed a video link?
Anyway a nice video of Akira's ball in hand highlights here
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/watch-akira-ioane-turns-man-match-performance-blues
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Any tips on how to embed a video link?
Anyway a nice video of Akira's ball in hand highlights here
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/watch-akira-ioane-turns-man-match-performance-blues
@kiwimurph said in Blues 2018:
Any tips on how to embed a video link?
You can embed video from youtube, facebook, streamable, gfycat etc.
Easiest way to embed a video from a random site is probably to upload it to streamable.
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Any tips on how to embed a video link?
Anyway a nice video of Akira's ball in hand highlights here
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/watch-akira-ioane-turns-man-match-performance-blues
@kiwimurph said in Blues 2018:
Any tips on how to embed a video link?
Anyway a nice video of Akira's ball in hand highlights here
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/watch-akira-ioane-turns-man-match-performance-blues
Best game I’ve ever seen him play. Really stood up to the big lions pack.
Even more impressive given the altitude and the fact he was still smashing guys up to the end of the game.
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@kiwimurph said in Blues 2018:
Any tips on how to embed a video link?
Anyway a nice video of Akira's ball in hand highlights here
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/watch-akira-ioane-turns-man-match-performance-blues
Best game I’ve ever seen him play. Really stood up to the big lions pack.
Even more impressive given the altitude and the fact he was still smashing guys up to the end of the game.
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@kiwimurph said in Blues 2018:
Any tips on how to embed a video link?
Anyway a nice video of Akira's ball in hand highlights here
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/watch-akira-ioane-turns-man-match-performance-blues
Best game I’ve ever seen him play. Really stood up to the big lions pack.
Even more impressive given the altitude and the fact he was still smashing guys up to the end of the game.
@sammyc He certainly looks much fitter and much more certain of what his role in the team is. His discipline has really improved (he still has some niggle in his game but personally I think this is overblown - ive seen every first class game he has played and he has never been penalised for any off the ball stuff - compare that to what Dane Coles has done and it's chalk and cheese). Hopefully he can keep it going as it is a long season.
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@sammyc He certainly looks much fitter and much more certain of what his role in the team is. His discipline has really improved (he still has some niggle in his game but personally I think this is overblown - ive seen every first class game he has played and he has never been penalised for any off the ball stuff - compare that to what Dane Coles has done and it's chalk and cheese). Hopefully he can keep it going as it is a long season.
@kiwimurph pace is a real asset. If he can start throwing in some of those bone jarring hits like Read does I'm sold.
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I'm always surprised at how strong he is, because he's not a big unit, and hes not very muscular.
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14 MAR 2018
While the Blues are in South Africa preparing to play the Stormers this week, the balance of the squad and some of the regions best talent have come together for the Blues A fixture against the Hurricanes Development team in Wellington this Saturday. The A team started the 2018 campaign with a 26-all draw against the Chiefs two weeks ago.
Matt Moulds, Kara Pryor and Isaac Salmon are fit to play for the first time in 2018, while Harry Plummer, Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa, Scott Gregory, Jack Heighton and Rob Cobb all step up from our Under 20’s side that beat their Hurricanes counterparts two weeks ago.
Former NZ Under 20 prop, Ezekiel Lindenmuth who has been training with the Crusaders and Auckland’s wing/centre Loketi Manu are also new to the squad.
Kick off is at 1pm at Evans Bay. Lineup to be announced later this week.
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BLUES A TEAM VS HURRICANES
Kick off is at 1pm at Evans Bay. The team is:
Ezekiel Lindenmuth
Matt Moulds
Isaac Salmon
Ben Neenee
Jacob Pierce
Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa
Kara Pryor
Matt MatichLewis Gjaltema
Harry Plummer
Caleb Clarke
Orbyn Leger
Tumua Manu
Loketi Manu
Jordan TrainorReserves
Kurt Eklund
Rob Cobb
Jack Straker
Kondo Masaki
Adrian Choat
Jack Heighton
Song Gi Paku
Scott Gregory
Salesi Rayasi
Sione Havili (#26)
