Blues v Force

Dice

I doubt the Blues will need a BP as they have a big PD advantage.

I'm not too comfortable with the PD advantage we have. I can see the Crusaders and Highlanders closing the gap quite easily. And it's not a guarantee that we will add many more points to the PD with the Force having 3 close losses in their last 4 games.

We do have the benefit of playing last of the contenders, so we'll know what we need to do to get a final/home final.

Kiwiwomble

@bovidae said in Blues v Force:

I doubt the Blues will need a BP as they have a big PD advantage.

That would be a bold approach, to make the final on PD is one thing but to bank on it is another, they'll surely want to go for it

Duluth

@kiwiwomble said in Blues v Force:

@bovidae said in Blues v Force:

I doubt the Blues will need a BP as they have a big PD advantage.

That would be a bold approach, to make the final on PD is one thing but to bank on it is another, they'll surely want to go for it

This conversation is a bit meaningless. The Blues aren't banking on anything, they play after the Highlanders and Crusaders.
They'll know what they need before kickoff.

If the Crusaders win by more than 39 (or the Highlanders by more than 27) then the Blues will need to improve their points diff or win with a bonus point to get a home final.
39 is still a lot. So far the best Crusaders margin has been 35

Bovidae

I'm sure the Blues want a BP win as that guarantees a home final, but unlike the Highlanders and Crusaders it isn't necessary.

@Duluth explained the calculations I had typed. The Highlanders beating the Brumbies in Canberra by 29 pts is a big ask. That is assuming that the Blues won by only 1 pt but the Highlanders would need to have a PD of 1 pt better to overtake the Blues. The same for the Crusaders.

Tie breaking rules
 
In the event of two or more teams being equal on competition points for any position on the Competition table, either during or at the end of the season, such position will be decided upon using the following steps until the tie is broken:
 
a) Most wins from all matches;
b) Highest aggregate points difference from all matches;
c) Most tries from all matches;
d) Highest aggregate difference of total tries for versus tries scored against from all matches;
e) Coin toss

Tim

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300327696/super-rugby-offa-tuungafasi-out-for-blues-as-they-prepare-for-semi-against-force

Expect the Blues accordingly to send out something resembling their best available for this pivotal contest. Nepo Laulala should slot in at starting tighthead, and possibly Hoskins Sotutu could return at No 8. The backline has been pretty settled through this campaign.

Dice

@duluth said in Blues v Force:

Is there any definition of what the rest protocol is? Completely out of the 23? Just in TT?

It'll definitely include R Ioane who has started every match. What's the centre pairing? TJ/Heem? Plummer/TJ? I assume Tele'a is still injured?

If Rieko has to be rested, I'd be OK with TJ/Heem. We did get Plummer/TJ at the end of the Tahs game though.

KiwiMurph

@tim "Offa" nice work Stuff.

African Monkey

@kiwimurph Didn't know it was so tough to spell.....

Nogusta

@duluth might see Ray Niuia get a run in this one

Duluth

@nogusta said in Blues v Force:

might see Ray Niuia get a run in this one

Interesting.

His two year deal is just about up. So he'd basically be playing for a new contract.

Looks like he only made it on the field once as a sub last year

African Monkey

@nogusta Hmmm would rather look to the future and play Tolai and Vikena who has impressed me but never mind.

Nogusta

@duluth yea can't remember the game but he'd just gotten on the field then busted his ACL. It was actually Ofa who came in from the side of a ruck and cleaned out the opposition player as well as Niuias knee!

Nogusta

@african-monkey parting gift from the coaches? the dude has only had about 5 minutes playing time in 2 years!

Duluth

1 Alex Hodgman, 2 Kurt Eklund, 3 Nepo Laulala, 4 Gerard Cowley Tuioti, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 6 Tom Robinson, 7 Dalton Papalii, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 9 Finlay Christie, 10 Otere Black, 11 Mark Telea, 12 TJ Faiane, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Bryce Heem, 15 Zarn Sullivan

Reserves: 16 Ray Niuia, 17 Karl Tu'inukuafe, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Josh Goodhue, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Jonathan Ruru, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 AJ Lam

mariner4life

@duluth said in Blues v Force:

1 Alex Hodgman, 2 Kurt Eklund, 3 Nepo Laulala, 4 Gerard Cowley Tuioti, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 6 Tom Robinson, 7 Dalton Papalii, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 9 Finlay Christie, 10 Otere Black, 11 Mark Telea, 12 TJ Faiane, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Bryce Heem, 15 Zarn Sullivan

Reserves: 16 Ray Niuia, 17 Karl Tu'inukuafe, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Josh Goodhue, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Jonathan Ruru, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 AJ Lam

that team really should be better than it is.

Is Leon MacDonald just another bog-average coach?

KiwiMurph

@mariner4life Leon is certainly a step up on Tana and Kirwan as a head coach but yeah I think he's not at the level of Razor and say Tony Brown.

Pleased to see Goodhue back as I thought his injury might be worse. Was probably in his best form for Blues prior to the injury.

Tim

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300329713/super-rugby-hoskins-sotutu-returns-to-start-as-edgy-blues-put-the-blinkers-on

In terms of the selection at No 8, where the Blues have two highly capable alternatives, Coventry said it had been no reflection on anything Ioane did in Brisbane that he was returned to bench duty this week.

“Aki was really good last week, and that’s not a reflection on his form. It’s to do with how we are going to finish the game and what Aki brings off the bench. He covers three positions, has done a really good job and is a real team bloke and gets on and does whatever he’s asked. Last week he got the start. This week he’ll do it off the bench.”

mariner4life

@tim said in Blues v Force:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300329713/super-rugby-hoskins-sotutu-returns-to-start-as-edgy-blues-put-the-blinkers-on

In terms of the selection at No 8, where the Blues have two highly capable alternatives, Coventry said it had been no reflection on anything Ioane did in Brisbane that he was returned to bench duty this week.

“Aki was really good last week, and that’s not a reflection on his form. It’s to do with how we are going to finish the game and what Aki brings off the bench. He covers three positions, has done a really good job and is a real team bloke and gets on and does whatever he’s asked. Last week he got the start. This week he’ll do it off the bench.”

sounds like that well documented "shit attitude" coming through again aye...

sparky

The Blues won't mess this one up surely? They couldn't? Could they, could they or could they?

Duluth

Players not considered with injury: Tanielu Tele’a (calf), Ofa Tuungafasi (knee). (Season-ending): Jone Macilai, Dillon Hunt, James Lay, Emoni Narawa.

The Silver Fern

Blues v Force