Hurricanes v Blues

African Monkey

@KiwiMurph He was virtually a left footed Simon Hickey. Tidy enough who did the basics ok but waaaaaay too slow to cut it at the top level.

Duluth

15 Stephen Perofeta, 14 Joe Marchant, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 TJ Faiane, 11 Mark Telea, 10 Otere Black, 9 Sam Nock; 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Tom Robinson, 5 Jacob Pierce, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe.

Reserves: 16 James Parsons, 17 Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20 Tony Lamborn, 21 Jonathan Ruru, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Matt Duffie

https://blues.rugby/developing-depth-after-trek-back-from-south-africa/

The Blues will call on their depth after a short week and long trek from South Africa to take on the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday in Investec Super Rugby.

Coach Leon MacDonald said that a key finding from last year was that a number of the squad dropped their intensity after playing too many minutes week-in, week-out.

Accordingly, loose forward Hoskins Sotutu, 21, have been spelled this week with Blake Gibson given his third start and Akira Ioane his first start of the season.

“At the beginning of the season I said that we would select on form, and that we over-played some players last year and their form dropped off as a result,” said MacDonald.

“Hoskins was selected at No 8 on form and has played exceptionally well for us. Equally Akira has been training hard. He is in terrific shape and raring to go now that he has his chance.”

Meanwhile Dalton Papalii will miss the game as he sits out his first mandatory All Black break.

“We are blessed right now in terms of loose forwards with Blake Gibson able to start at seven and with Tony Lamborn to provide the thrust off the bench.”

All Black Ofa Tu’ungafasi swaps with Sione Mafileo in the starting line-up, while James Parsons, who returns from injury, and Ezekiel Lindenmuth, come into the reserves. There is excitement within the squad with North Harbour’s Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, a key forward in the 2019 campaign, returning off the bench after successful rehabilitation from a pec muscle rupture in the Mitre-10 Cup.

The backline remains unchanged after a sparkling display against the Stormers where Otere Black was impressive in guiding play from first-five.

“We enjoyed an excellent two weeks in South Africa but with some unexpected disruption travelling home has meant we will only get a couple of on-field training sessions this week, “said MacDonald.

“That’s not ideal but we will do our best to test our ability to be a more consistently competitive combination.”

The Blues return home to host the Lions at Eden Park next Saturday, with the game brought forward to 4.25pm to assist the Sunwolves who have been forced to move their home games to Australia.

The Blues A team play their Hurricanes counterparts in Wellington on Saturday at 1pm at Evans Bay.

Hooroo

@Duluth Finally Akira starts!

With a bit Fatch fitness and BB coming back in a few weeks, thigs are looking up even more for your lot

Number 10

HURRICANES TEAM NAMED FOR BLUES CLASH AT SKY STADIUM
Thu 5th Mar

Vince Aso will play his 50th game for the Hurricanes they get ready to face the Blues at Sky Stadium on Saturday.

The Wellington-based Super Rugby team has made just two changes to its starting line-up, following a massive 62 – 15 win against the Sunwolves in Napier.

Jordie Barrett coming back into the fold as fullback will be the only change made to the backline.

Up front, Isaia Walker-Leawere gets the nod at lock ahead of James Blackwell who will start the game on the bench.

Head coach, Jason Holland, says management is spoilt for choice when it comes to selection.

“We have a competitive squad, with a lot of depth. When we sit down early in the week to discuss the line-up, we’re always faced with a challenge around who we pick and it’s natural that one or two will be disappointed.”

TJ Perenara will once again take the role of captain, with Dane Coles named in the side but on the bench.

Kobus Van Wyk has his second chance to shine at right wing, after a triumphant debut which saw him score three tries last weekend.

His strength and speed are things Holland hopes to utilise this weekend.

“If we can get our attacking game operating like it was last week, it should be quite an exciting game to watch. We cannot underestimate the Blues. They have some big boys up front and their defensive capability is solid. “

The first NZ derby clash this week, coincides with the theme of Mana Moana – a celebration of Pacific and Maori culture alongside players past and present.

Du’Plessis Kirifi, says it makes being selected to start as flanker even more special.

“We’ve had some tough games but there’s nothing like playing another NZ team. They’re big, they’re physical and there’s a lot on the line each time we step on the field. It’s an added bonus knowing we’ll be celebrating our Pacific and Maori culture this week as well. I Can’t wait to run out under those lights in the yellow jersey.”

The fans will also be treated to cultural performances, lei giveaways, moko painting and other Maori and Pacific celebrations.

The Hurricanes team to take on the Blues at Sky Stadium is:

15 Jordie Barrett

14 Kobus Van Wyk

13 Vince Aso

12 Ngani Laumape

11 Ben Lam

10 Fletcher Smith

9 TJ Perenara [C]

8 Gareth Evans

7 Du’Plessis Kirifi

6 Vaea Fifita

5 Scott Scrafton

4 Isaia Walker-Leawere

3 Tyrel Lomax

2 Asafo Aumua

1 Xavier Numia

Reserves

16 Dane Coles

17 Pouri Rakete-Stones

18 Alex Fidow

19 James Blackwell

20 Devan Flanders

21 Jamie Booth

22 Billy Proctor

23 Wes Goosen

Hooroo

Looking at both those line-ups, this should be a cracking match

Canes4life

I think 100% of Canes fans will be glad to see Blackwell getting the pine job for this week, defs need a bigger team vs the Blues.

Two cracking teams, looks like Jordie is covering flyhalf which could work wonders for us moving forward, means we can leave Marshall out. Probably would have had Tiatia ahead of Proctor.

I wonder if it's the first time ever in Super Rugby that all players in the back three are over 1.90 metres.

Kirwan

@Hooroo said in Hurricanes v Blues:

Looking at both those line-ups, this should be a cracking match

Should be a good game, am worried about the last 20mins with all that travel and the delay in getting home. Really happy with the side picked though.

Bovidae

Akira needs to make this opportunity count.

Kirwan

@Bovidae said in Hurricanes v Blues:

Akira needs to make this opportunity count.

Not really. He needs to play well for the team, but in terms of minutes, he's going to get more opportunities. We can't play Sotutu and Robinson in every game.

I'd like to see a back row of Dalton at 7, Akira at 8 and Sotutu at 6, with Robinson playing lock again. Akira's particularly good at cleaning up messy scrums (not that we have had many this year).

Frank

I wonder why Akira doesn't look in shape this year.

It should have been bloody obvious to him that with Read retiring that the number 8 sport was wide open. It should have really motivated him.

KiwiMurph

@Frank From Leon

Equally Akira has been training hard. He is in terrific shape and raring to go now that he has his chance.

Kirwan

@KiwiMurph said in Hurricanes v Blues:

@Frank From Leon

Equally Akira has been training hard. He is in terrific shape and raring to go now that he has his chance.

People see what they want to see. Just looking at the Blues instragram you can see he looks fit.

African Monkey

It's great that Akira finally isn't being forced to play every minute of every game. I expect him to be very effective because of it.

Frank

@KiwiMurph said in Hurricanes v Blues:

@Frank From Leon

Equally Akira has been training hard. He is in terrific shape and raring to go now that he has his chance.

@Kirwan said in Hurricanes v Blues:

@KiwiMurph said in Hurricanes v Blues:
@Frank From Leon
Equally Akira has been training hard. He is in terrific shape and raring to go now that he has his chance.
People see what they want to see. Just looking at the Blues instragram you can see he looks fit.

@African-Monkey said in Hurricanes v Blues:

It's great that Akira finally isn't being forced to play every minute of every game. I expect him to be very effective because of it.

Well. Three posts on the Fern is good enough for me.
Akira for MOTM then.

Kirwan

@Frank said in Hurricanes v Blues:

@KiwiMurph said in Hurricanes v Blues:
@Frank From Leon
Equally Akira has been training hard. He is in terrific shape and raring to go now that he has his chance.
@Kirwan said in Hurricanes v Blues:
@KiwiMurph said in Hurricanes v Blues:
@Frank From Leon
Equally Akira has been training hard. He is in terrific shape and raring to go now that he has his chance.
People see what they want to see. Just looking at the Blues instragram you can see he looks fit.
@African-Monkey said in Hurricanes v Blues:

It's great that Akira finally isn't being forced to play every minute of every game. I expect him to be very effective because of it.

Well. Three posts on the Fern is good enough for me.
Akira for MOTM then.

You could try listening to the coaches opinion or looking at recent photos.

Or just keep repeating an inaccurate opinion.

African Monkey

@Frank huh? All I said was that I expect Akira to be more effective this year with more rest periods for him as opposed to last year where he faded at the back end and the coaches were reluctant to give Sotutu gametime.

cgrant

@Kirwan said in Hurricanes v Blues:

@Bovidae said in Hurricanes v Blues:

Akira needs to make this opportunity count.

Not really. He needs to play well for the team, but in terms of minutes, he's going to get more opportunities. We can't play Sotutu and Robinson in every game.

I'd like to see a back row of Dalton at 7, Akira at 8 and Sotutu at 6, with Robinson playing lock again. Akira's particularly good at cleaning up messy scrums (not that we have had many this year).

Robinson is a better 6 than 5, IMO.

nzzp

@cgrant said in Hurricanes v Blues:

@Kirwan said in Hurricanes v Blues:

@Bovidae said in Hurricanes v Blues:

Akira needs to make this opportunity count.

Not really. He needs to play well for the team, but in terms of minutes, he's going to get more opportunities. We can't play Sotutu and Robinson in every game.

I'd like to see a back row of Dalton at 7, Akira at 8 and Sotutu at 6, with Robinson playing lock again. Akira's particularly good at cleaning up messy scrums (not that we have had many this year).

Robinson is a better 6 than 5, IMO.

That's the Fern's view I think. And it's right.

pakman

What's the Fern take on Canes LH, Numia?
Loosies look balanced, but last week set the bar very high.
Like the look of our bench more.

Nogusta

@African-Monkey speaking of Simon Hickey....

The Silver Fern

Hurricanes v Blues