Fijian Drua vs Hurricanes

[Canes4life]

Big game coming up for the Hurricanes over in Suva. Last year they fell to the Drua in Fiji but this time they'll be playing in cooler conditions with kick-off scheduled for the evening on Friday night.

The coaches need to decide if this is another chance to rotate their squad, or if they continue with the status quo to keep that momentum going. I personally don't think the Canes should make too many changes (if any) as I think banking points in the next two weeks is a must. If we do that then we could potentially look at resting a few guys i.e. Lomax when the Waratah's come to town in three weeks time.

https://www.msn.com/en-nz/sports/other/get-ready-for-a-war-hurricanes-not-underestimating-fijian-drua-for-suva-clash/ar-BB1lCW05

[Machpants]

Yes Drua and Brumbies away are not games to be resting or chopping & changing the team IMO

[foobaNZ]

Really tough two weeks coming up.

I think for the most part it's top 15, but you could start Kirifi and Flanders. Give Iose and Lakai a week on the pine.

Would be nice to see Viljeon on the bench too, as well as Higgins.

[Winger]

@Canes4life

AS Ive said on the other thread I would rest a number of top (and older) players this week

Maybe a team like

Love
Moorby Sinkinson
PUJ (or Sullivan)
Higgins
Morgan
Judd
Lakai Kirifi Flanders
Delany Sangster
PRS or Mafileo
Tosi
O'Reilly

Lomax or maybe Lauaki
Devery if available
PRS or Mafileo
Next best lock but not IWL (rested)
Iose or Shields
Viljeon
Godfrey or Barrett
PUJ or Sullivan

[Canes4life]

@Winger fair call, I disagree though, I reckon we play our best team available for the Drua and Brums and then see how we get through that.

Remember we lost both of these games last year so need to bring our A game. Last thing we would want to do is rest guys and then botch these games when the Canes have worked so hard to get to where they are.

[foobaNZ]

As good as our depth in most positions Judd and Morgan doesn't inspire much confidence in me against the Drua away.

At least play TJ as his minutes have been limited behind Roigard most of the season anyway.

Drua and Brumbies both warrant playing close to our top 15 IMO.

[Dan54]

I pretty comfortable if the coaches make a few changes. I personally believe Canes have got Drua in best time. Theier last game they had 2 players red carded, and I have a feeling they may just try and make sure they play pretty controlled rugby. That doesn't suit their play.

[Winger]

@foobaNZ said in Fijian Drua vs Hurricanes:

As good as our depth in most positions Judd and Morgan doesn't inspire much confidence in me against the Drua away.

At least play TJ as his minutes have been limited behind Roigard most of the season anyway.

Drua and Brumbies both warrant playing close to our top 15 IMO.

I was anti Morgan. But he was VG in his one and only start so far. But he needs a tougher challenge to see how he goes. In case Cameron is not available at some point

Judd has looked good so far. But he also needs more game time against tougher opposition. And Penenara is not the youngest anymore and needs to be looked after. And there's always Viljoen (who looks a future star) in the reserves

[foobaNZ]

TJ and Morgan I'm okay with. Not the biggest Morgan fan, but we can't play Cameron every game, and I don't think they'll give Godfrey a go over Morgan even if I think that would be a better idea moving forward.

[Canes4life]

@foobaNZ yeah they won't play Godfrey before Morgan this year. Mind you from the few pictures I saw of the Dev game on Saturday, Godfrey was doing all the goal kicking so maybe they are slowly blooding him for a bigger role next season. I wouldn't mind if Godfrey got another crack at 15 soon just to get him on the field, he's a class player and needs a few mins here and there at the top level to develop.

[Duluth]

https://www.hurricanes.co.nz/news/article/hurricanes-named-for-drua-clash

1 Tevita Mafileo
2 James O’Reilly
3 Pasilio Tosi
4 Ben Grant*
5 Isaia Walker-Leawere
6 Brad Shields (Captain)
7 Du’Plessis Kirifi
8 Devan Flanders
9 TJ Perenara
10 Aidan Morgan
11 Salesi Rayasi
12 Jordie Barrett
13 Billy Proctor
14 Kini Naholo
15 Josh Moorby

16 Asafo Aumua
17 Xavier Numia
18 Siale Lauaki*
19 Caleb Delany
20 Peter Lakai
21 Richard Judd
22 Ruben Love
23 Bailyn Sullivan

[Duluth]

https://drua.rugby/content/fijian-drua-mens-squad-named-for-hurricanes-match-nasilasila-returns

Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere (c), Mesake Doge, Isoa Nasilasila, Leone Rotuisolia, Vilive Miramira, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Simione Kuruvoli, Isikeli Rabitu, Epeli Momo, Kemu Valetini, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese

Reserves: Zuriel Togiatama, Livai Natave, Samu Tawake, Mesake Vocevoce, Meli Derenalagi, Peni Matawalu, Michael Naitokani, Junior Ratuva

[Canes4life]

@Duluth interesting no Godfrey or Higgins named at all. Plenty of changes, hope it doesn’t bite us.

[Machpants]

@Canes4life said in Fijian Drua vs Hurricanes:

@Duluth interesting no Godfrey or Higgins named at all. Plenty of changes, hope it doesn’t bite us.

Yup not what we thought, fingers crossed

[foobaNZ]

Love to get some minutes at 10? Seems likely.

[Winger]

Ben GRANT (Benjamin William GRANT) is a 25-year-old Australian rugby player standing at 2.05 m tall (6 ft 9 in) and weighing in at 118 kg (18 st 8.15 lb; 260.15 lb) , who currently plays for Hurricanes in New Zealand as lock.

[Bones]

@Winger thanks, was going to ask. Never heard of the fella, big lump. Could he become eligible for ABs?

[Duluth]

Grant played 8 games for Harbour last year. The pack went ok but I can’t remember anything about him other than he was a beanpole.

[Bones]

@Duluth appears he's not so beanpole anymore!

[ruggabee]

@Bones said in Fijian Drua vs Hurricanes:

@Duluth appears he's not so beanpole anymore!

definitely beanpole 2.05cm usually a lock that tall weigh well over 120kg