Blues v Waratahs

Duluth

Sotutu and Laulala get a rest, but not Rieko Ioane. Tuipulotu and Papalii return via the bench. Robinson maintains captaincy. I assume Choat is injured, and Gibson starts. Kneepkins makes his debut from the bench.

Choat not listed as injured. I would prefer him to get another chance ahead of Gibson

Otherwise I'm happy with the selections. Finally some rotation in the loosies.

The backs are in a different situation. They need to build combinations after spluttering through SRA. Looking forward to seeing JRK off the bench

Perofeta seems out of favour now. I believe he's off contract after this season? I wonder if he's already committed to another side?

Machpants

The tahs are in for a spanking if that team performs as it should

taniwharugby

3 games in a row same starter at 9, is that a Blues record under Leon?

Quality side, and then you get to the bench as well!!!

Duluth

@taniwharugby said in Blues v Waratahs:

3 games in a row same starter at 9, is that a Blues record under Leon?

I mentioned it earlier in the season but this is my theory:
Christie was always Leon's favourite. Nock & Ruru were competing for the bench spot while he was injured. Christie came back and was a bit off the pace

Now that Christie is match fit/a bit sharper the changes at halfback have stopped

taniwharugby

@duluth sounds legit...consistency (be it Christie, Nock or Ruru) in selection is always better than what was happening, and thats the drum I have been beating!

Bones

Hopefully Christie repays that faith and shows something better than what he has so far. He's a handbrake.

Duluth

1 Angus Bell, 2 David Porecki, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 4 Hugh Sinclair, 5 Max Douglas, 6 Lachlan Swinton, 7 Charlie Gamble, 8 Will Harris, 9 Jake Gordon (C), 10 Ben Donaldson, 11 James Turner, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 13 Izaia Perese, 14 Alex Newsome, 15 Jack Maddocks

Reserves: 16 Joe Cotton, 17 Te Tera Faulkner, 18 Darcy Breen, 19 Jack Whetton, 20 Jack Dempsey, 21 Carlo Tizzano, 22 Jack Grant, 23 Will Harrison

In: Jack Dempsey, James Turner, Jack Whetton

Out: Tepai Moeroa, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jeremy Williams

Kirwan

We are starting to see some good depth in the Blues. Been wanting them to rotate a little more in the loose forwards. I expect it will be Robinson's turn when Patrick is back in the starting lineup.

Great to see Dalton back too.

Duluth

A 6/2 split for the Tahs

Surprised Tizzano is still on the bench

NTA

@duluth said in Blues v Waratahs:

A 6/2 split for the Tahs

Surprised Tizzano is still on the bench

Gamble played Ok against the Canes - IMHO better than expected from what I'd seen previously.

Maybe they're bottling Tizzano up to give him 30 flat out at the end? Will be too late by then of course.

antipodean

@machpants said in Blues v Waratahs:

The tahs are in for a spanking if that team performs as it should

If the Blues can defend competently it should be a guaranteed five points.

Snowy

@antipodean said in Blues v Waratahs:

it should be a guaranteed five points.

This isn't death and taxes, this is the Blues.

Derpus

A guaranteed 5 points for the Blues. Probably the nadir for my career as a tah fan.

NTA

@derpus said in Blues v Waratahs:

A guaranteed 5 points for the Blues. Probably the nadir for my career as a tah fan.

We'll always have 96-19. Ah, 2002... before I was married or had kids or any of that shit, and just stressed about rugby.

Snowy

@nta said in Blues v Waratahs:

We'll always have 96-19. Ah, 2002... before I was married or had kids or any of that shit, and just stressed about rugby.

The good old days ay?

Just kidding, it must be shit as a 'tahs fan at the moment. As a Blues supporter I have some sympathy but we did get the odd win.

Derpus

@nta that was at least a bit of an outlier, rather than the norm.

Plus losses to the Crusaders don't count.

Snowy

@derpus said in Blues v Waratahs:

Plus losses to the Crusaders don't count.

It does seem a bit unfair when most of their team have at least six fingers on each hand (if only Brad Shields was born in Chch) but we all have to deal with it.

KiwiMurph

I'd rather be a Tahs fan right now than a Rebels fan.

Tahs have a lot of young talent.

Rebels have ?

Nepia

@kiwimurph said in Blues v Waratahs:

I'd rather be a Tahs fan right now than a Rebels fan.

Tahs have a lot of young talent.

Rebels have ?

A decent ground?

gt12

@kiwimurph said in Blues v Waratahs:

I'd rather be a Tahs fan right now than a Rebels fan.

Tahs have a lot of young talent.

Rebels have ?

Better coffee.

The Silver Fern

Blues v Waratahs