Blues v Highlanders

[frugby]

Potential banana skin for the Blues or wishful thinking from an upbeat Highlanders fan?

Considering what they have after this, they might well try and squeeze a few more rest weeks in (if they have to) which could aid the Highlanders...

Early feelings would be Blues by 11.

[Kirwan]

This year has shown that anything is possible, but 2024 Blues forward strength is perfect for a team like the Highlanders. There's also genuine competition within the squad for starting spots in many positions.

Cotter seems very good and getting focus from the team as well, we never look panicked.

[nzzp]

@Kirwan said in Blues v Highlanders:

Cotter seems very good and getting focus from the team as well, we never look panicked.

You can see how they want to play,a nd it is damn hard to stop. Frustratingly, we have had this capability for a long time - just needed clarity and buy-in from the group to keep doing boring (but effective) work up front.

[Kiwiwomble]

@frugby said in Blues v Highlanders:

Potential banana skin for the Blues or wishful thinking from an upbeat Highlanders fan?

Considering what they have after this, they might well try and squeeze a few more rest weeks in (if they have to) which could aid the Highlanders...

Early feelings would be Blues by 11.

if we can keep it respectable playing a good style, dont try and play above our skill level, keep the scoreboard ticking over, make our tackles....i'd take that

[Duluth]

Cotter mentioned they still have some AB rest to get through in the next three weeks

Here's the top 5 Blues players by minutes played:

AB rest won't apply to Plummer. The next AB on the list is RI on 512 minutes

[Duluth]

@nzzp said in Blues v Highlanders:

Frustratingly, we have had this capability for a long time

I can remember being pissed JK's side didn't play direct and narrow. Mealamu, Faumuina, Luatua, Kaino etc

[Machpants]

Gotta be Hoskins as that is a hard position for high minutes, not that it appears to be doing his form any harm!

[nzzp]

@Duluth said in Blues v Highlanders:

@nzzp said in Blues v Highlanders:

Frustratingly, we have had this capability for a long time

I can remember being pissed JK's side didn't play direct and narrow. Mealamu, Faumuina, Luatua, Kaino etc

Back in 2011 we had a semi against the Reds. Every time we played narrow and direct we ate up metres and stressed the hell out of them. So naturally we tried to spin teh ball early in the phase.

Honestly.

[KiwiMurph]

@nzzp said in Blues v Highlanders:

So naturally we tried to spin teh ball early in the phase

Game plan to spin the ball wide and then pick Lachie Munro on the wing and leave Rene Ranger on the bench. Genius stuff.

[KiwiMurph]

Sotutu might not be part of AB rest requirements given he wasn't in ABs or AB XV at the end of last season.

[Tim]

Any idea when Rush is back?

Possible 23:

1 Fusitua
2 Eklund
3 Reneta
4 Darry
5 McWhannell
6 Ioane
7 Choat
8 Segner

9 Nock
10 Plummer
11 Clarke
12 Heem
13 Ioane
14 Tangitau
15 Perofeta

16 Riccitelli
17 ?
18 Sheck
19 Beehre
20 Suafoa/Thompson
21 Christie
22 Lam
23 Forbes

[george33]

@Tim Pat, Dalton, Hoskins will play

[Duluth]

@Tim said in Blues v Highlanders:

Any idea when Rush is back?

TR said he played club rugby while the team was in Aus

He wasn't on the injured list for the last match

[frugby]

Be intriguing to see how the Highlanders go about managing minutes... they'll want to keep guys fresh for the playoffs (should get there from here) so they'll either rest this week or v the Canes (or a mixture of both)... Even though I think the Blues are the best team in the competition, this feels like a (slightly) more winnable game given our momentum?

1. de Groot
2. Bell
3. Ainsley
4. Dunshea
5. Holland
6. Haig
7. Withy
8. Harmon
9. Fakatava
10. Millar
11. CGB
12. Gilbert
13. Te Hiwi
14. Tavatavanawai
15. Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
16. Taylor
17. Johnstone
18. Ma'u
19. Tucker
20. Broughton
21. Arscott
22. Faleafaga
23. Nareki

• This assumes Nareki and CGB are fit, and Tele'a is out

[Landers92]

@frugby said in Blues v Highlanders:

Be intriguing to see how the Highlanders go about managing minutes... they'll want to keep guys fresh for the playoffs (should get there from here) so they'll either rest this week or v the Canes (or a mixture of both)... Even though I think the Blues are the best team in the competition, this feels like a (slightly) more winnable game given our momentum?

1. de Groot
2. Bell
3. Ainsley
4. Dunshea
5. Holland
6. Haig
7. Withy
8. Harmon
9. Fakatava
10. Millar
11. CGB
12. Gilbert
13. Te Hiwi
14. Tavatavanawai
15. Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
16. Taylor
17. Johnstone
18. Ma'u
19. Tucker
20. Broughton
21. Arscott
22. Faleafaga
23. Nareki

• This assumes Nareki and CGB are fit, and Tele'a is out

I like it. I wouldn’t be surprised if Dermody rewards the starting forward pack from last weekend brings Harmon back in off the bench. Broughton was outstanding last week so that’s encouraging either way. The fan inside me though wants Harmon starting too.

Unsure how NZR are ruling the HIA’s but is it 1 or 2 weeks? If it’s 2 CGB is out.

With Nareki he was considering 3-4 weeks away with the hamstring and it’s only coming up 3 weeks(hammys are nothing to play with) so I think you could see Bogado/CGB(if fit) in the 23 jersey. If CBG or Nareki are no good then you have to think Hurley will get the 23 jersey.

[Daffy Jaffy]

Schools curtain raiser -

[Duluth]

Harmon is unlikely
https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/harmon-still-doubtful-starter-blues-clash

[Machpants]

@Landers92 said in Blues v Highlanders:

Unsure how NZR are ruling the HIA’s but is it 1 or 2 weeks? If it’s 2 CGB is out.

If the concussion is confirmed by the stage 2 or 3 tests, then it's 12 days

[Duluth]

On the Blues HIA, I hope we give RI another week off. Lam played well last week at 13 so there's no need to rush him back

There's a possibility one of the wings might need to take AB rest. So maybe we see Banks or Tangitau on the wing?

[Landers92]

@Duluth said in Blues v Highlanders:

Harmon is unlikely
https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/harmon-still-doubtful-starter-blues-clash

Him and also Tele’a in doubt. He would be a big loss. If out I guess you did what they did last week and have Gilbert at 12 and push Te Hiwi out one to 13.