Super Rugby pre-season matches
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<p>The Blues team that started and played most of the first half was:</p>
<p>1. Waa</p>
<p>2. Moulds</p>
<p>3. Mafeleo</p>
<p>4. Scrafton</p>
<p>5. Marinor</p>
<p>6. Ram</p>
<p>7. Mattich</p>
<p>8. Edwards</p>
<p>9. Guyton</p>
<p>10. McGahan</p>
<p>11. Li</p>
<p>12. Francis</p>
<p>13. Little</p>
<p>14. Visinia</p>
<p>15. Duffie</p>
<p> A few Subs were rolled on in the second 1/4 and Francis was taken off injured. Despite little possession or territory they competed well, bettered a more experienced scrum and looked the more dangerous side. They only conceded a try after a yellow card and several scrums rucks and penalties close to the line. Defense was excellent through the whole game.</p>
<p>Little was excellent and Edwards, Scrafton, Mattich and Ram were the best of the forwards. </p>
<p>The second half starting team plus last 1/4 subs was at a whole different level of class, power and experience.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. Prattley/wWaa</p>
<p>2. Parsons/Macdonald</p>
<p>3. Tungaafasi</p>
<p>4. Tuipulotu/Matenga</p>
<p>5. Bekhuis</p>
<p>6. Luatua/Tuipuotu</p>
<p>7. Ram/Mattich</p>
<p>8. Kaino/Luatua</p>
<p>9. Nock/Hall</p>
<p>10. Mcgahan/West</p>
<p>11. Li/Duffie</p>
<p>12. Moala</p>
<p>13. Ranger</p>
<p>14. Nanai</p>
<p>15 Trainer/Visinia</p>
<p>Moala and Ranger caused havoc. Nanai was a constant threat and sparked many of the best attacks.Tuipolotu and Matt Mattich were the best of the forwards.</p>
<p>Generally the set piece and defense were very good, only at the breakdown were we beaten at times. Rebels best were Jones the lock and their 8 and the deadlocked 6 who were outstanding in defense and turnovers.</p> -
<p>Assume that is Matt Matich?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Wonder if he is returning to Northland as I heard he is now the RDO for Northern Wairoa?</p> -
<p> Yes it was Matt Matich. He was very good, especially when he came back on in the last 1/4 and ran off those big line break runners.</p>
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<p>was he in the WTG or just one of the players they call in fromn outside for these games? He looked good in his time for Auckland last year.</p>
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<p>I think he was just covering due to Gibson and Pryer carrying niggles and did not play, and Lattimer having just arrived. </p>
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<p>Musta been a rough Christmas at the Pryors as Dan is carrying a niggle and not playing for Highlanders this weekend! haha</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="556394" data-time="1454567243">
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<p>Lucky cos Blues fans might start getting optimistic....</p>
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<p>I'm already talking up our title chances.........</p> -
<p class="" style="color:rgb(255,255,255);background-color:rgb(0,159,227);"><span>Rene Ranger took no time returning to his block-busting best to ignite the Blues nine try romp over the Melbourne Rebels.</span></p>
<p class="" style="color:rgb(255,255,255);background-color:rgb(0,159,227);"><span>It marked the opening pre-season match for the Blues in a free community game with thousands packed in to Pakuranga Rugby Club at Bell Park to witness the 59-7 win.</span></p>
<p class="" style="color:rgb(255,255,255);background-color:rgb(0,159,227);"><span>Ranger, who only came on in the third quarter, scored a try and set up two others with typically exciting midfield busts.</span></p>
<p class="" style="color:rgb(255,255,255);background-color:rgb(0,159,227);"><span>The Blues managed to give 33 players action in the four 20-minute quarters, with the only downside a potentially serious leg injury to Piers Francis.</span></p>
<p class="" style="color:rgb(255,255,255);background-color:rgb(0,159,227);"><span>Leading 14-7 after the first period and 21-7 at halftime, the Blues opened up their lead with some of the high profile players coming on later in the game against a seriously under-strength Rebels side beset with injuries.</span></p>
<p class="" style="color:rgb(255,255,255);background-color:rgb(0,159,227);"><span>Coach Tana Umaga said there were plenty of positives.</span></p>
<p class="" style="color:rgb(255,255,255);background-color:rgb(0,159,227);"><span>“We got out of it what we wanted but take the final result with a grain of salt because they were so under-strength.</span></p>
<p class="" style="color:rgb(255,255,255);background-color:rgb(0,159,227);"><span>“We got a lot of players game time, especially that first line-up with players who had very little experience at Super Rugby against the Rebels combination with quite a few experienced players.</span></p>
<p class="" style="color:rgb(255,255,255);background-color:rgb(0,159,227);"><span>“I thought they equipped themselves well. I wanted to test them and one of the big positives is the way our young guys stood up. It is just about growing from here.â€</span></p>
<p class="" style="color:rgb(255,255,255);background-color:rgb(0,159,227);"><span>He was pleased with Ranger and also Matt Duffie in his first game of rugby since school days.</span></p>
<p class="" style="color:rgb(255,255,255);background-color:rgb(0,159,227);"><span>“Rene is an exciting player. He has grown every week in his confidence after so long out of the game It is just the fitness levels he needs to get back to.</span></p>
<p class="" style="color:rgb(255,255,255);background-color:rgb(0,159,227);"><span>“I thought Matt did really well and he equipped himself really well.</span></p>
<p class="" style="color:rgb(255,255,255);background-color:rgb(0,159,227);"><span>“The way we performed and the score line were both good but there are still plenty of things to work on. I think the guys can take some real confidence from this as we move on.â€</span></p>
<p class="" style="color:rgb(255,255,255);background-color:rgb(0,159,227);"><span>Blues 59 (Namatahi Waa, Jack Ram, Melani Nanai, Nic Mayhew, Steven Luatua, Matt Vaega, Patrick Tuipulotu, Rene Ranger, George Moala tries; Matt McGahan 4 cons, Ihaia West 3 cons)</span></p>
<p class="" style="color:rgb(255,255,255);background-color:rgb(0,159,227);"><span>Melbourne Rebels 7 (Mitch Inman try, Jack Debreczeni con).</span></p> -
<p>Tahs v Brumbies will be streamed - starting 1850 hours Sydney time this Saturday.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://www.brumbies.com.au/brumbies-v-waratahs-2016-live-stream'>https://www.brumbies.com.au/brumbies-v-waratahs-2016-live-stream</a></p> -
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<p><span style="color:rgb(41,47,51);font-family:Arial, sans-serif;background-color:rgb(245,248,250);">Injury Report: Piers Francis' x-ray is clear, waiting 72 hrs for the full diagnosis. Charlie Faumuina & Blake Gibson to return to training.</span></p>
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<p>I'm assuming that means no break for Francis but a ligament injury?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="556398" data-time="1454567849">
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<p>3 Northland lads on the score sheet too ;)</p>
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<p>Wait a minute.... I'm pretty sure only TWO Northland guys scored! :biggrin:</p> -
<p>he is a Northland lad still, he just plays for (well signed with) some other clowns, just ask him :)</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="556408" data-time="1454572012">
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<p>Highlanders to play Racing Metro in Hong Kong</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Matt Faddes, Waisake Naholo, Jason Emery, Richard Buckman, Patrick Osborne, Lima Sopoaga, Josh Renton, Liam Squire, Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon, Joe Wheeler, Tom Franklin, Josh Hohneck, Ash Dixon, Daniel Lienert-Brown. Reserves: Greg Pleasants-Tate, Brendon Edmonds, Siosiua Halanukonuka, Jackson Hemopo, Sio Tomkinson, Liam Howley, Malakai Fekitoa, Tei Walden, Ryan Tongia, Marty Banks, Luke Whitelock, James Lentjes, Mark Reddish.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Game is going to be on Sky Sport2 at 10pm Saturday night</p>
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<p> </p>
<p><strong>Racing92 team to play the Highlanders:</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. Julien Brugnaut 2. Virgile Lacombe 3. Cedate Gomes Sa 4. Thibault Dubarry 5. Francois van der Merwe Â
6. Yannick Nyanga 7. Luc Barba 8. Antonie Claassen</p>
<p> </p>
<p>9. Xavier Chauveau 10. RÃmi Tales 11. Marc Andreu 12. Dan Carter 13. Etienne Dussartre 14. Louis Dupichot 15. Brice Dulin</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Reserves :</p>
<p>16. Dimitri Szarzewski 17. Davit Khinchagishvili 18. Juandrà Kruger 19. Chris Masoe 20. Mike Philips 21. Benjamin Dambielle 22. Joe Rokocoko 23. Ben Tameifuna 24. Luc Ducalcon 25. Manuel Carizza 26. Maxime Javaux 27. Juan Imhoff 28. Johannes Goosen</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="556596" data-time="1454664959">
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<p><strong>Racing92 team to play the Highlanders:</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. Julien Brugnaut 2. Virgile Lacombe 3. Cedate Gomes Sa 4. Thibault Dubarry 5. Francois van der Merwe  6. Yannick Nyanga 7. Luc Barba 8. Antonie Claassen</p>
<p> </p>
<p>9. Xavier Chauveau 10. RÃmi Tales 11. Marc Andreu 12. Dan Carter 13. Etienne Dussartre 14. Louis Dupichot 15. Brice Dulin</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Reserves :</p>
<p>16. Dimitri Szarzewski 17. Davit Khinchagishvili 18. Juandrà Kruger 19. Chris Masoe 20. Mike Philips 21. Benjamin Dambielle 22. Joe Rokocoko 23. Ben Tameifuna 24. Luc Ducalcon 25. Manuel Carizza 26. Maxime Javaux 27. Juan Imhoff 28. Johannes Goosen</p>
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<p>FYI - This is on Eurosport at 8pm for Dingoland based Ferners.</p> -
<p>The Reds v Crusaders preseason game will be livestreamed on the Reds' website: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.redsrugby.com.au/RedsPreSeasonLiveStream.aspx'>http://www.redsrugby.com.au/RedsPreSeasonLiveStream.aspx</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Kick-off: 10.30pm NZ time (7.30pm local time)</p> -
<p>The livestream of the Brumbies v Waratahs game has broken the Brumbies website after about 2 seconds. A new stream broke after 3 seconds.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Half-time: 12-7 to the Brumbies after tries by Josh Mann-Rae and Allan Alaalatoa for the ponies and David Horwitz for the Tahs.</p>
avao for the Waratahs.</p>