Blues v Highlanders
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@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?
- de Groot
- Bell
- Ainsley
- Dunshea
- Holland
- Haig
- Withy
- Harmon
- Fakatava
- Millar
- CGB
- Gilbert
- Te Hiwi
- Tavatavanawai
- Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
- Taylor
- Johnstone
- Ma'u
- Tucker
- Broughton
- Arscott
- Faleafaga
- 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.
@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
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Harmon is unlikely
https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/harmon-still-doubtful-starter-blues-clash@Duluth said in Blues v Highlanders:
Harmon is unlikely
https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/harmon-still-doubtful-starter-blues-clashHim 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.
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Highlanders unchanged.
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https://www.blues.rugby/blues-rugby-news/team-naming-highlanders
1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi
2 Kurt Eklund
3 Marcel Renata – 50th Blues appearance
4 Laghlan McWhannell
5 Sam Darry
6 Adrian Choat
7 Dalton Papali’i (c)
8 Akira Ioane
9 Sam Nock
10 Harry Plummer
11 Caleb Clarke
12 Corey Evans
13 Bryce Heem
14 AJ Lam
15 Cole Forbes16 Soane Vikena
17 Mason Tupaea*
18 Angus Ta’avao
19 Josh Beehre
20 Cameron Suafoa
21 Taufa Funaki
22 Stephen Perofeta
23 Kade Banks*Players not considered: Lucas Cashmore (hamstring), Finlay Christie (groin), Joshua Fusitu’a, (concussion protocol), Rieko Ioane (concussion protocol), Jordan Lay (ankle, season), Hoskins Sotutu (managing workload), Zarn Sullivan (knee), Mark Tele’a (managing workload), Patrick Tuipulotu (managing workload).
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https://www.blues.rugby/blues-rugby-news/team-naming-highlanders
1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi
2 Kurt Eklund
3 Marcel Renata – 50th Blues appearance
4 Laghlan McWhannell
5 Sam Darry
6 Adrian Choat
7 Dalton Papali’i (c)
8 Akira Ioane
9 Sam Nock
10 Harry Plummer
11 Caleb Clarke
12 Corey Evans
13 Bryce Heem
14 AJ Lam
15 Cole Forbes16 Soane Vikena
17 Mason Tupaea*
18 Angus Ta’avao
19 Josh Beehre
20 Cameron Suafoa
21 Taufa Funaki
22 Stephen Perofeta
23 Kade Banks*Players not considered: Lucas Cashmore (hamstring), Finlay Christie (groin), Joshua Fusitu’a, (concussion protocol), Rieko Ioane (concussion protocol), Jordan Lay (ankle, season), Hoskins Sotutu (managing workload), Zarn Sullivan (knee), Mark Tele’a (managing workload), Patrick Tuipulotu (managing workload).
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https://thehighlanders.co.nz/news/highlanders-name-team-for-gordon-hunter-memorial-trophy-clash/
Injured/unavailable: Jonah Lowe (knee), Hugh Renton (ankle), Rhys Patchell (pec), Jona Nareki (hamstring), Matt Whaanga (shoulder), Ricky Jackson (hamstring), Billy Harmon (hand), Connor Garden-Bachop (HIA), Josh Timu (ankle)
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Thought we would have seem Segner get a run.
@Bovidae thoughts on Mason Tupaea?
@African-Monkey He has been through the NZ age-group teams (NZ Schools, U20s) and was in the Waikato squad last year without getting too many opportunities. He is a decent size and mobile. Still only 21. He played for the Chiefs Dev team this year too. It's obviously Tupaea's biggest game to date.
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@Bovidae said in Blues v Highlanders:
Is Ben Ake injured?
This from Blues Insta -
"Introducing Mason Tupaea
He’s been brought in as injury replacement for Jordan Lay and Ben Ake and finds himself in line to debut this weekend against the Highlanders"
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@Machpants said in Blues v Highlanders:
I can't see anything but an easy blues win here
why? just because they have 6 current AB's plus a handfull more who might be in with the shout this year...because they're top of the table and we've managed one win over NZ position in 4 years....so narrow minded....
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@Machpants said in Blues v Highlanders:
I can't see anything but an easy blues win here
why? just because they have 6 current AB's plus a handfull more who might be in with the shout this year...because they're top of the table and we've managed one win over NZ position in 4 years....so narrow minded....
@Kiwiwomble said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Machpants said in Blues v Highlanders:
I can't see anything but an easy blues win here
why? just because they have 6 current AB's plus a handfull more who might be in with the shout this year...because they're top of the table and we've managed one win over NZ position in 4 years....so narrow minded....
I'm so narrow minded my notepad is an inch wide
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@Machpants said in Blues v Highlanders:
I can't see anything but an easy blues win here
We'll see. People said the same thing about the Crusaders last week... never underestimate confidence, momentum and belief.
Blues resting a shit ton of players will only increase the belief I think.
Blues probably still get it done, but I'd expect it to be close.
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@Machpants said in Blues v Highlanders:
I can't see anything but an easy blues win here
We'll see. People said the same thing about the Crusaders last week... never underestimate confidence, momentum and belief.
Blues resting a shit ton of players will only increase the belief I think.
Blues probably still get it done, but I'd expect it to be close.
@frugby did they? i think the closest i saw was things like "crusaders will finally wake up"
