Blues vs Hurricanes 02/2022

[Duluth]

@canes4life said in Blues vs Hurricanes 02/2022:

I think the Canes have a good opportunity to tip the Blues up in this one having gone through a topsy-turvy game last week

I agree, the Canes getting through a real match is a big advantage

[nzzp]

@duluth said in Blues vs Hurricanes 02/2022:

@canes4life said in Blues vs Hurricanes 02/2022:

I think the Canes have a good opportunity to tip the Blues up in this one having gone through a topsy-turvy game last week

I agree, the Canes getting through as real match is a big advantage

we are chronically underdone. Most of the squad last played competitive rugby in June last year. It's crazy - no NPC, curtailed warmup.

Canes by a thowwwwwsand @Canes4life , if you don't win by 50 it's a disappointment.

[KiwiMurph]

I have real reservations about the Blues locks.

Robinson isn't being played their yet (and is coming off of an ankle roll)
Romano looks every bit his age and at this stage feels bench option rather than starter
Darry has underwhelmed in NPC but will be relied upon to take a huge leap
Goodhue is solid but fell behind GCT/Patty last year
Tucker looks underwhelming

I'll be interested if Canes make changes given how well their bench went vs Crusaders last week,

[Canes4life]

@nzzp now that you've said it, the Canes will flop.

[Canes4life]

@kiwimurph I can't imagine Kirifi starting after he limped off, so I would say Brayden Iose comes in at 8 and Ardie moves to 7. I think we get stronger with that move.

Sullivan might come in for Proctor after he went down aswell. I'd also like to see Rayasi come in for J Savea, again that only strengthens us IMO.

I really liked Sangster in his Super debut so I hope he keeps his spot, otherwise I would leave the team unchanged. I also think Love should keep his 10 jersey, he would have learned plenty from that Crusaders game, may aswell give him another shot and another game to further his development.

[Tim]

@kiwimurph said in Blues vs Hurricanes 02/2022:

Darry has underwhelmed in NPC but will be relied upon to take a huge leap

Thought he looked improved and more powerful in the preseason games.

[Tim]

I'm thinking that they might start Darry and Goodhue, with Romano on the bench.

[Tim]

With Barrett likely out, Plummer will start at 10? With Perofeta on the bench? Who starts at 12 then? Tele'a, RTS, or Evans?

[KiwiMurph]

@tim said in Blues vs Hurricanes 02/2022:

With Barrett likely out, Plummer will start at 10? With Perofeta on the bench? Who starts at 12 then? Tele'a, RTS, or Evans?

I would imagine Plummer will start at 10 RTS at 12 and Perofeta will be given first crack at 15 given how they've line up in preseason with Sullivan on the bench. Taking into consideration Perofeta has played a lot more footy in the last 6 months than Sullivan,

[Tim]

Piecing things together:

1 Hodgman
2 Eklund
3 Laulala
4 Darry
5 Goodhue
6 Ioane
7 Papalii
8 Sotutu

9 Christie
10 Plummer
11 Clarke
12 RTS
13 Ioane
14 Telea
15 Perofeta

16 Riccitelli/Vikena
17 Lay/Tu'ungufasi
18 Tu'ungufasi/Renata
19 Romano
20 Plumtree/Choat (fit?)/Ekuasi/Robinson (fit?)/Suafoa
21 Nock
22 ?
23 ?

[JK]

@kiwimurph said in Blues vs Hurricanes 02/2022:

I would imagine Plummer will start at 10 RTS at 12 and Perofeta will be given first crack at 15

Yuck (apart from the RTS bit). Had enough of that crap over the past couple of years.

[KiwiMurph]

@jk said in Blues vs Hurricanes 02/2022:

@kiwimurph said in Blues vs Hurricanes 02/2022:

I would imagine Plummer will start at 10 RTS at 12 and Perofeta will be given first crack at 15

Yuck (apart from the RTS bit). Had enough of that crap over the past couple of years.

I understand the frustration. However, With Beaudie due to return round 3 and Zarn Sullivan very highly thought of the pressure will be on Plummer and Perofeta to perform.

[JK]

@kiwimurph said in Blues vs Hurricanes 02/2022:

@jk said in Blues vs Hurricanes 02/2022:

@kiwimurph said in Blues vs Hurricanes 02/2022:

I would imagine Plummer will start at 10 RTS at 12 and Perofeta will be given first crack at 15

Yuck (apart from the RTS bit). Had enough of that crap over the past couple of years.

I understand the frustration. However, With Beaudie due to return round 3 and Zarn Sullivan very highly thought of the pressure will be on Plummer and Perofeta to perform.

Plummer is actually ok under pressure. Seen him kick some great conversions and penalties from out wide. From in front though is another story.....

Round 3 aint far away!

[Nogusta]

@tim
9 Christie
10 Plummer
11 Clarke
12 RTS
13 Rieko
14 Telea
15 Sullivan

21 Nock
22 Perofeta
23 Tele'a

[Tim]

@nogusta Cheers!

[Nogusta]

@tim said in Blues vs Hurricanes 02/2022:

Four questions about the Blues' selection:

Who will play lock?
Goodhue/Darry

Who will play 10?
Plummer

Who will play 12?
RTS

What will the bench make up be?
Not sure about front row but the rest:
19 Romano/Suafoa
20 Plumtree
21 Nock
22 Perofeta
23 Tele'a

[nzzp]

@nogusta said in Blues vs Hurricanes 02/2022:

@tim said in Blues vs Hurricanes 02/2022:

Four questions about the Blues' selection:

Who will play lock?
Goodhue/Darry

Big opportunity for Darry to show he can impose himself physically. Haven't seen it yet - hopefully a big step up.

I am really struggling to get my head into rugby wtih this weather and the cricket. Just feels way too early. Still, go the mighty Blues

[Tim]

Is Plumtree the new Angus MacDonald?

[cgrant]

@tim
I still don't understand his signing by the Blues. They have a lot of first class loose forwards, which is not the case in the Canes squad. He does look promising.

[mikey07]

This is an interesting game especially in tipping sense.
On one hand the Canes have had a game but the Blues have the firepower especially out wide and of course with the Canes being the Canes don’t do well when the odds seem in their favour.