Blues 2019

This is what a good board does. Makes changes. Shows how Hart and MacKinnon seem to be making a real difference. Fark mid season reappointments of coaches who aren't performing ... the broom's out, and it feels good at last

Daffy Jaffy

STARTING XV:
1 Alex Hodgman
2 Leni Apisai
3 Sione Mafileo
4 Josh Goodhue
5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
6 Tom Robinson
7 Matt Matich
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Augustine Pulu
10 Stephen Perofeta
11 Tanielu Tele’a
12 TJ Faiane
13 Ma’a Nonu
14 Melani Nanai
15 Michael Collins

REPLACEMENTS:
Marcel Renata
Matt Moulds
Mike Tamoaieta
James Tucker
Evan Olmstead
Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa
Adrian Choat
Jack Grooby
Jonathan Ruru
Otere Black
Caleb Clarke
Levi Aumua
Harry Plummer
Tomas Aoake

Duluth

13 Ma’a Nonu

Interesting

SBW is vice captain and TJ had a great NPC. Maybe this is where Nonu will be used?

KiwiMurph

@Duluth said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):

13 Ma’a Nonu

Interesting

SBW is vice captain and TJ had a great NPC. Maybe this is where Nonu will be used?

I think so. There's not a lot of other options. It has been made clear Rieko will be a wing first, Aumua and Tele'a have very little Super Rugby experience.

Speaking of Tele'a interesting to see him on the wing.

Matich seems to be leading the race to be the cover whilst Gibson is out.

number9

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):

STARTING XV:
1 Alex Hodgman
2 Leni Apisai
3 Sione Mafileo
4 Josh Goodhue
5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
6 Tom Robinson
7 Matt Matich
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Augustine Pulu
10 Stephen Perofeta
11 Tanielu Tele’a
12 TJ Faiane
13 Ma’a Nonu
14 Melani Nanai
15 Michael Collins

REPLACEMENTS:
Marcel Renata
Matt Moulds
Mike Tamoaieta
James Tucker
Evan Olmstead
Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa
Adrian Choat
Jack Grooby
Jonathan Ruru
Otere Black
Caleb Clarke
Levi Aumua
Harry Plummer
Tomas Aoake

Stong Team just don't like our 9,10 and 15 combinations. Would have preferred 9-Ruru, 10-Otere and 15-Perofeta as a a starting lineup.

Tim

On Instagram it looked like Tamoaieta was packing down at loosehead, so I guess that he and Renata are both covering both sides of the scrum.

Tim

@Duluth Yeah, this is the most interesting aspect of the selection. Looks like they'll start the Crusaders game with Faiane and Nonu, with SBW on the bench?

If Perofeta is at 15, will they have three backs on the bench, or use an extra forward?

Tim

Interesting that Nock, Scrafton, and Pierce aren't getting game time, despite training with the team. Wonder if they're still finishing injury rehab?

That would explain the presence of Grooby, Tucker, and Riedlinger-Kapa. Although one of those two locks could be cover for Tuipulotu.

Daffy Jaffy

@Tim Also Duffie, Trainor, Brown and Tupou have seen no game time pre season. I suspect they are all in rehab from injuries of some sort. Also Lindenmuth was injured in the first practice hit out with the Chiefs. It looks like Goodhue may have the inside running to pair with Tuipulotu first up as he's been picked to start both preseason games. It might be an inspired choice. While my jury is still out on him he was sensational the day he played against his brother for Northland in 2017. I think he scored 3 tries as did his brother.

Tim

@Daffy-Jaffy Tupou has been confirmed as unavailable due to still recovering from his ACL injury. Brown has been reported as injured too (twisted ankle?). Be interested to know the status of the others.

Crucial

@number9 said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):

STARTING XV:
1 Alex Hodgman
2 Leni Apisai
3 Sione Mafileo
4 Josh Goodhue
5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
6 Tom Robinson
7 Matt Matich
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Augustine Pulu
10 Stephen Perofeta
11 Tanielu Tele’a
12 TJ Faiane
13 Ma’a Nonu
14 Melani Nanai
15 Michael Collins

REPLACEMENTS:
Marcel Renata
Matt Moulds
Mike Tamoaieta
James Tucker
Evan Olmstead
Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa
Adrian Choat
Jack Grooby
Jonathan Ruru
Otere Black
Caleb Clarke
Levi Aumua
Harry Plummer
Tomas Aoake

Stong Team just don't like our 9,10 and 15 combinations. Would have preferred 9-Ruru, 10-Otere and 15-Perofeta as a a starting lineup.

It's a warm up game for the players FFS and all squad players that have put the effort in training deserve a chance to stake their claim. Any good coach would do that if they want competition for places. They have looked at Perofeta at 15, now he gets a shot at 10.
As for Ruru, I do have to chuckle as the same comment was being made last year of 'the coaches are idiots, Ruru should start' until he did take the field and stunk it up. I hope he is better this year.

Dice

Found the match programme for this game.

https://www.tuihq.co.nz/rugby/programme-2019.pdf

Dice

Interesting that Otere is coming off the bench again. I have no clue who'll be our starting 10 next week.

MN5

@taniwharugby said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):

@mariner4life nah MN5 is on the Akira wagon now, he has forgotten all about Charlie!

Yes I've found a new avenue to redirect my scorn. Thanks Charlie, it was fun.

Of course Ioane could still become an AB but the selectors seem to favour Vaea Fifita as their lazy loose forward who is amazing with ball in hand.

Maybe Ioane needs to practice jumping over players at training ?

The Silver Fern

Blues 2019