Chiefs vs Blues
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15 Melani Nanai, 14 Caleb Clarke, 13 TJ Faiane, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Otere Black, 9 Jonathan Ruru; 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Tom Robinson, 5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 2 James Parsons, 1. Karl Tu’inukuafe
Reserves: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Sione Mafileo i, 19 Josh Goodhue, 20 Jed Brown, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Matt DuffieNot considered because of injury: Jimmy Tupou (knee), Jacob Pierce (ankle), Blake Gibson (knee), Sonny Bill Williams (knee), Stephen Perofeta (shoulder/pectoral), Jordan Trainor (thigh), Tanielu Tele’a (suspended)
https://theblues.co.nz/all-blacks-return-to-take-on-chiefs/
All Black props Karl Tu’inukuafe and Ofa Tuungafasi return to the starting line-up for Saturday’s clash against Investec Super Rugby neighbours, the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday. It will be just their second start together this season, after the pair has performed strongly off the bench. This allows Alex Hodgman and Sione Mafileo, who have started in five and six games respectively this season, to have different roles and bring impact off the bench. The other changes in the pack will see North Harbour’s hard-working Gerard Cowley-Tuioti return to the starting line-up for the fifth time this season, and All Black Dalton Papalii start after four games off the bench, replacing co-captain Blake Gibson, who suffered a laceration of his knee last weekend. The remainder of the team is the same as that which prevailed over the Waratahs at Eden Park last week. “We are fortunate to have a group of strong and in-form props,” said coach Leon MacDonald. “Alex and Sione had the advantage of a full pre-season to earn the start and have not put a foot wrong. “But Karl and Ofa have been working exceptionally hard and given us real energy off the bench. They now have their chance to start and we will look to get that same level of input from our energisers when they come on. “We are continuing to improve which is encouraging but we are under no illusions. We have not beaten the Chiefs in the last 14 games between us, so we come in as underdogs and will need to make a considerable step up.” North Harbour captain James Parsons will join a formidable front row in his 99th game for the Blues and his 97th in Super Rugby and impressive 23-year-old No 8 Akira Ioane starts for the 26th straight occasion. The backline is unchanged with Rieko Ioane hoping to build on his 16 clean breaks this season, the most in the competition, and his seven tries, which is equal second most in Super Rugby. Not considered for selection is All Black Sonny Bill Williams, who will undergo minor arthroscopy surgery on his injured knee on Friday and is expected to return to play in around six weeks. The injury to Gibson means that Ta$man loose forward Jed Brown may make his debut for the Blues after earning five caps for the Crusaders, while All Black matt Duffie is set to make a return off the bench after recovering from serious hamstring surgery during the Mitre-10 Cup. -
Our front row is going to get destroyed!
Step up backs! This is the game you lot need to win for us
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@Hooroo said in Chiefs vs Blues:
Our front row is going to get destroyed!
Isn't your front-row one of the best this season?
@Tim said in Chiefs vs Blues:
@Hooroo said in Chiefs vs Blues:
Our front row is going to get destroyed!
Isn't your front-row one of the best this season?
I just know Ofa and Karl are going to be awesome. Karl seems to destroy all front rows
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Chiefs: Damian McKenzie, Sean Wainui, Tumua Manu, Anton Lienert-Brown, Solomon Alaimalo, Marty McKenzie, Brad Weber, Taleni Seu, Lachlan Boshier, Luke Jacobson, Tyler Ardron, Brodie Retallick (c), Nepo Laulala, Nathan Harris, Angus Ta'avao.
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ryan Coxon, Sefo Kautai, Jesse Parete, Pita Gus Sowakula, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Alex Nankivell, Ataata Moeakiola.
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@Machpants Three since the bye. If he plays until the next one it will be five.
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@Toddy said in Chiefs vs Blues:
No real impact from the Blues bench this week. Will be interesting to see how they close out the game.
What are you smoking? Hodgman and Mafileo have put on strong performances over the lat few weeks. Goodhue is a good lineout jumper, Nock had a great cameo last week and Duffie is an A.B. No "real impact" I have no idea what you been watching.
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Looking at those team lists - the TAB is still giving away far too much money to Blues backers.
@Donsteppa Yeah - on paper one of those teams looks stronger than the other and it's not the favourites.
I think I'll leave this game well alone.
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@Toddy said in Chiefs vs Blues:
No real impact from the Blues bench this week. Will be interesting to see how they close out the game.
What are you smoking? Hodgman and Mafileo have put on strong performances over the lat few weeks. Goodhue is a good lineout jumper, Nock had a great cameo last week and Duffie is an A.B. No "real impact" I have no idea what you been watching.
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@number9 said in Chiefs vs Blues:
No "real impact" I have no idea what you been watching.
Compared to Karl, Ofa, Patrick T and SBW off the bench, it's not the same impact.
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@Machpants said in Chiefs vs Blues:
@nzzp what SBW?
That was our early season impact bench from memory - made a big difference coming on
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@Machpants said in Chiefs vs Blues:
@nzzp what SBW?
That was our early season impact bench from memory - made a big difference coming on
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Here's why the Blues are underdogs
This must be the worst head to head in the competition. 14 Games without a win. Umaga and Kirwan's sides never won against the Chiefs
Date Result Score Location Sat, 07 Apr 2018 L 19-21 Hamilton Fri, 02 Mar 2018 L 21-27 Auckland Fri, 26 May 2017 D 16-16 Auckland Fri, 03 Mar 2017 L 26-41 Waikato Fri, 08 Apr 2016 L 23-29 Hamilton Sat, 04 Apr 2015 L 16-23 Hamilton Sat, 14 Feb 2015 L 18-23 Albany Fri, 11 Jul 2014 L 8-11 Auckland Fri, 09 May 2014 L 20-32 New Plymouth Sat, 13 Jul 2013 L 16-26 Auckland Sat, 30 Mar 2013 L 16-23 Mount Maunganui Sat, 02 Jun 2012 L 34-41 Auckland Fri, 02 Mar 2012 L 14-29 Hamilton Sat, 04 Jun 2011 L 11-16 Auckland Sat, 26 Mar 2011 W 16-13 Hamilton
