Blues v Hurricanes
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1 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 2 James Parsons, 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu(c), 5 Josh Goodhue, 6 Dalton Papalii, 7 Blake Gibson(c), 8 Akira Ioane; 9 Sam Nock, 10 Harry Plummer, 11 Rieko Ioane, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 13 TJ Faiane, 14 Tanielu Tele’a, 15 Melani Nanai
Reserves: 16 Leni Apisai, 17 Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Scott Scrafton, 20 Jed Brown, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Otere Black, 23 Matt Duffie
Players not considered with injury: Sione Mafileo (ankle), Stephen Perofeta (pectoral), Jordan Trainor (thigh), Sonny Bill Williams (knee), Michael Collins (groin), Caleb Clarke (illness), Alex Hodgman (concussion), Tom Robinson (concussion)
https://blues.rugby/blues-look-for-eden-park-inspiration/
The Blues are looking forward to returning to their home at Eden Park to take on the Hurricanes in their Friday night Investec Super Rugby clash. Coach Leon MacDonald said he is challenging the side to put the last three weeks of indifferent performances behind them as they face the Hurricanes for the first time this season. “We are clearly disappointed with our overall performances in the last three games away. There have been lots of good aspects in each of those games but there have been one or two aspects in each of them that has let us down,” MacDonald said. “We are looking to put a complete performance together, one that we can be proud of and one that our fans deserve. “We continue to work hard and there are lots of good signs but one or two things let us down in these last two games in particular. This is an excellent opportunity for the team to right the ship.” Centurion James Parsons, who will play his 100thSuper Rugby match after his 100thgame for the Blues two weeks ago, returns to the starting line-up with All Blacks Karl Tu’inukuafe and Ofa Tuungafasi who will be looking for an improved scrum effort. Co-captain Patrick Tuipulotu also starts with Josh Goodhue, who impressed last week, while there’s a mobile look to the back row with Dalton Papalii starting with co-captain Blake Gibson and the resilient Akira Ioane. Both Tom Robinson and Alex Hodgman were not considered after not passing their post-game head injury assessments. All Black Rieko Ioane returns to the left wing, with Tanielu Tele’a back after suspension on the right wing in place of an illness-hit Caleb Clarke in the backs. Both the Blues and New Zealand Rugby will recognise the efforts of Parsons with presentations post-matchVery happy with that Blues starting XV
Hopefully the rain stays away and both teams can have a real crack - games between these two tend to be very open the past few years.
@Duluth said in Blues v Hurricanes:
Players not considered with injury: Sione Mafileo (ankle), Stephen Perofeta (pectoral), Jordan Trainor (thigh), Sonny Bill Williams (knee), Michael Collins (groin), Caleb Clarke (illness), Alex Hodgman (concussion), Tom Robinson (concussion)
I'm fairly certain Clarke had that illness for last week's game given the way he left the field coughing/spluttering etc. He had a fairly decent game considering.
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Happy with the Blues lineup..not happy about the official..!
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Very happy with that Blues starting XV
Hopefully the rain stays away and both teams can have a real crack - games between these two tend to be very open the past few years.
@Duluth said in Blues v Hurricanes:
Players not considered with injury: Sione Mafileo (ankle), Stephen Perofeta (pectoral), Jordan Trainor (thigh), Sonny Bill Williams (knee), Michael Collins (groin), Caleb Clarke (illness), Alex Hodgman (concussion), Tom Robinson (concussion)
I'm fairly certain Clarke had that illness for last week's game given the way he left the field coughing/spluttering etc. He had a fairly decent game considering.
@KiwiMurph if I was a Blues fan I'd rather it be pissing down with rain, thus taking out that deadly looking Canes backline and leaving their non-threatening forward-pack exposed.
If it's dry the Canes are more than likely going to make it 8 in a row against the Blues.
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@Nepia he has little to no impact running off the back of a scrum. The Hurricanes need to use Savea more in that aspect. The only reason he is there is because of his defence, a bit like Whitelock for the Highlanders.
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I really like the look of that Blues backline, Nock in to create some extra time and space for Ioane and Nani,Plummer will take it to the line where Black doesn't.Tele'a brings some fire power to the other wing solid midfield.Forwards may win this game who ever wins the Breakdown key that's Why the Blues have picked 2 mobile flankers.backlines look pretty Even.
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@KiwiMurph if I was a Blues fan I'd rather it be pissing down with rain, thus taking out that deadly looking Canes backline and leaving their non-threatening forward-pack exposed.
If it's dry the Canes are more than likely going to make it 8 in a row against the Blues.
@Canes4life Rain or shine the Canes will make it 8 in a row.
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I said the same thing before we played the Chiefs a couple of weeks back. We shit on the Blues in those key positions of 7, 9 and 10 so that alone should get us home.
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I said the same thing before we played the Chiefs a couple of weeks back. We shit on the Blues in those key positions of 7, 9 and 10 so that alone should get us home.
@Canes4life you forgot about the number 2 jersey as well, to along with 7,9 and 10 jersey..
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It’s Friday 7:35pm I have sent an e-mail to the Canes management that the game is now been moved to Saturday night ..might the Blues best chance..L
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@Chris I reckon if you switched 7 ,9 and 10 to the Blues..who wins..?
@Steven-Harris Blues would for Sure because The Blues forward pack I think has an edge. But you have to have decent possession for 9/10 to control a game Rebels sort of proved that last week
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@Chris it matters very little when the two players in control of the Blues (Nock and Plummer) face up against the best halves pair in the comp. You don't win the big games without an experienced halves pairing..
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@Canes4life I still think the Blues are a chance as they edge the Canes tight five which may negate 9 and 10 a little
@Chris it's not like the Blues are a dominant forward pack though so I doubt they will have much of an edge - just look at last week. Canes only need slight ascendency in their forwards and they will get the points like they have for the last five years against the Blues.
I think the biggest problem for the Blues is that mental toughness when the game is in the balance. They just don't seem to have the leadership to kick on in the big ones.
We will see though, this Blues side does seem slightly better than previous years so they could suprise.
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A few interesting duels :
Goosen vs Ioane
Laumape vs Nonu
Savea vs GibsonThe scrum battle will be interesting as well.
@cgrant that second matchup alone should draw a big crowd.
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@Chris it's not like the Blues are a dominant forward pack though so I doubt they will have much of an edge - just look at last week. Canes only need slight ascendency in their forwards and they will get the points like they have for the last five years against the Blues.
I think the biggest problem for the Blues is that mental toughness when the game is in the balance. They just don't seem to have the leadership to kick on in the big ones.
We will see though, this Blues side does seem slightly better than previous years so they could suprise.
@Canes4life I still think the Canes have looked vulnerable as The Crusaders have to be honest The Bulls worry me.
If you measure up the forward packs if The Blues don't come out ahead I am worried about our tight five for the WC there is 3 in the Blues who will be selected and if they get touched up by their Canes opponents we are Fucked for the WC.With Franks struggling aswell.
