Blues v Highlanders
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Players not considered with injury: Soane Vikena (Pec), Ray Niuia (knee), TJ Faiane (foot), Dillon Hunt (concussion), Josh Goodhue (wrist), Alex Hodgman (ankle), Blake Gibson (ribs), Jone Macalai (season-ending).
https://blues.rugby/fans-back-at-the-fortress-of-eden-park/
Darry, who moved north from the Canterbury development system at the end of 2020 to try his luck in the professional ranks with the Blues, will partner skipper Patrick Tuipulotu in the second row, with Gerard Cowley Tuioto slotting back on to the bench and Josh Goodhue resting a minor hand injury this week.
Blues forwards coach Tom Coventry said the 2.03 metre, 110kg youngster had shown enough in the buildup games to demonstrate his readiness for his first tile at the top professional level.
“Sam has had a marvellous pre-season, and he's earned the right on merit to have a crack,” said Coventry. “He’s a really conscientious young man, does his homework well, and is working hard on and off the field. So it's just the process now of getting him on the grass so we can develop him even further.”
@tim said in Blues v Highlanders:
Darry, who moved north from the Canterbury development system at the end of 2020 to try his luck in the professional ranks with the Blues, will partner skipper Patrick Tuipulotu in the second row, with Gerard Cowley Tuioto slotting back on to the bench and Josh Goodhue resting a minor hand injury this week.
Blues forwards coach Tom Coventry said the 2.03 metre, 110kg youngster had shown enough in the buildup games to demonstrate his readiness for his first tile at the top professional level.
“Sam has had a marvellous pre-season, and he's earned the right on merit to have a crack,” said Coventry. “He’s a really conscientious young man, does his homework well, and is working hard on and off the field. So it's just the process now of getting him on the grass so we can develop him even further.”
Excuse me Mr. Coventry, that is what the development squad is for.
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bit of a change around, i thought MMT had been firing quite well
Collins might have been my preferred 13 once paea got injured but im nervous for his first start of the year against a good blues team
and i'll say it every week..sio? another card last week and still starts, whats TUJ got to do to get a run?
and no Alaimalo, will have t have a look around to see if he has an injury
is it me or does Hugh Renton look like hes in his earl 40's, 24?!
@kiwiwomble said in Blues v Highlanders:
bit of a change around, i thought MMT had been firing quite well
is it me or does Hugh Renton look like hes in his earl 40's, 24?!
Damn, Hawkes Bay really is a number 8 factory these days. Imagine how cluttered the Magpies would be if Renton was still around.
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Blues forwards should be too strong up front. Heart says the Clan of course but head says a clear victory for the Blues. If it goes all helter skelter though....who knows... I will be wearing my Speights T-shirt but I will be drinking something better.
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Blues $1.37
Highlanders $2.90@tim said in Blues v Highlanders:
Blues $1.37
Highlanders $2.90Spot on
Forwards to dominate all day. Blue by a thowwwwsand
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@gunner said in Blues v Highlanders:
@tim said in Blues v Highlanders:
The fuck are they doing starting Ruru?
Dont worry that ain't Ruru at 9, one half of Milli Vanilli is making a comeback. (I nearly said Terence Trent D'arby but that would reveal my maturity)..
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Blues forwards should be too strong up front. Heart says the Clan of course but head says a clear victory for the Blues. If it goes all helter skelter though....who knows... I will be wearing my Speights T-shirt but I will be drinking something better.
@old-samurai-jack said in Blues v Highlanders:
I will be wearing my Speights T-shirt but I will be drinking something better.
Rugby tragic, beer connoisseur. Good combo.
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Blues forwards should be too strong up front. Heart says the Clan of course but head says a clear victory for the Blues. If it goes all helter skelter though....who knows... I will be wearing my Speights T-shirt but I will be drinking something better.
@old-samurai-jack said in Blues v Highlanders:
Blues forwards should be too strong up front. Heart says the Clan of course but head says a clear victory for the Blues. If it goes all helter skelter though....who knows... I will be wearing my Speights T-shirt but I will be drinking something better.
I'll be having at least one Speights :man_shrugging_light_skin_tone:
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@kiwimurph said in Blues v Highlanders:
@kiwiwomble that Bravehearts midfield looks good.
agreed, i would like to see these two
actually 12-15 is pretty good
@kiwiwomble said in Blues v Highlanders:
@kiwimurph said in Blues v Highlanders:
@kiwiwomble that Bravehearts midfield looks good.
agreed, i would like to see these two
actually 12-15 is pretty good
#11 is quite decent. He was a stud for Southland.
Makene was quite good for Hawke's Bay too.
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@kiwiwomble said in Blues v Highlanders:
@kiwimurph said in Blues v Highlanders:
@kiwiwomble that Bravehearts midfield looks good.
agreed, i would like to see these two
actually 12-15 is pretty good
#11 is quite decent. He was a stud for Southland.
Makene was quite good for Hawke's Bay too.
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@dice i admit i had to look up Moorby
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@kiwiwomble It seems the Highlanders don't know what to do at fullback this season, so maybe he gets a shot there at some point.
@dice I’m just glad we haven’t resorted to Collins yet!
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Good to see he looks more solid than he did in the NPC.
Coventry seems to rate him highly and he's being correct about most things. Hopefully he goes well
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The other tweak involves Jonathan Ruru's promotion to replace Sam Nock at halfback. With Finlay Christie, the Blues best halfback, nearing a return from a calf injury, both nines are on notice.
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The other tweak involves Jonathan Ruru's promotion to replace Sam Nock at halfback. With Finlay Christie, the Blues best halfback, nearing a return from a calf injury, both nines are on notice.
@tim woulda thought all 9s are on notice, aside from Leon seemingly favouring Christie, I dont think any of them have claimed the 9 jersey yet.
