Fijian Drua vs Hurricanes

[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

[Bones]

@ruggabee 2kg lighter than Whitelock and 2cm taller then. I really, really think that's a marginal difference.

[Duluth]

@Bones

Still a bit of a beanpole

He had a couple of seasons at the Reds too

[Winger]

@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.

Godfrey isn't it seems seen as the backup FB to Love. Moorby seems to be.

Higgins seems to be on the outer a bit now. Also surprised to not see PRS in the 23. Iose might not be available this week

Rayasi gets another start, He looks ordinary now

Im keen to see how Lauaki goes. And Grant

[Canes4life]

@Winger not too sure if it means they (Godfrey and Higgins) are on the outer as such. Higgins was very good when Barrett was on suspension so they will have a plan for both players I'm sure. Both players may have picked up niggles last week, we don't fully know so I guess no point speculating. They've both proven they can play well at this level, I'm sure we will see them again, potentially against the Tahs when they return to Welly. By then the likes of Barrett, Moorby etc will probably be rested.

Will be interesting to see how Grant goes, he looks to be a big lad so if they can get him involved in a few games this year, it will give us even more depth next year (pending who we sign). Lauaki is another player that looks to have a big future, he's pretty much the player we thought Alex Fidow might be. Instead Lauaki can actually scrum but has that devastating ball running ability aswell.

Good to see Sullivan back in the frame, hopefully he can have an injury free run for a while.