Blues v Highlanders
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@mr-fish pretty harsh to drop a guy only playing 4 and a bit minutes. Same thing last year. Tele'a played 5 minutes in the opener against the Canes then wasn't sighted for pretty much the rest of the season. Admittedly a bad defensive read on Saturday but zero comms between Ioane Perofeta and Plummer at the back with that try. A lot of other 1 off errors/discrepancies in the game that led to other tries. Still I'd be very surprised if he gets the nod at 12. McDonald has shown the last cpl of years with his selections that he doesn't trust Telea in the midfield.
@nogusta said in Blues v Highlanders:
@mr-fish pretty harsh to drop a guy only playing 4 and a bit minutes. Same thing last year. Tele'a played 5 minutes in the opener against the Canes then wasn't sighted for pretty much the rest of the season. Admittedly a bad defensive read on Saturday but zero comms between Ioane Perofeta and Plummer at the back with that try. A lot of other 1 off errors/discrepancies in the game that led to other tries. Still I'd be very surprised if he gets the nod at 12. McDonald has shown the last cpl of years with his selections that he doesn't trust Telea in the midfield.
He's pretty physical and that will be pretty helpful against an opponent pushing 110kgs.
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Tele'a was rightly dropped after a dire performance off the bench against the Canes. Maybe MacDonald will ignore that, given he'd be going into midfield instead of on the wing, but I wouldn't be surprised if other guys are given a chance first.
@mr-fish said in Blues v Highlanders:
Tele'a was rightly dropped after a dire performance off the bench against the Canes. Maybe MacDonald will ignore that, given he'd be going into midfield instead of on the wing, but I wouldn't be surprised if other guys are given a chance first.
Wild guess but I suspect the coaching group will be looking for someone who can combat TUJ first and foremost. Your backline can still function with a skip pass.
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@kiwiwomble is Paea injured?
@kiwimurph i have no idea, hope not, i think he's been solid and i think some stability in the midfield would be a nice change
edit: Injured: Andrew Makalio, Josh Timu
doesn't look like it, just needs a rest i guess
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@kiwiwomble is Paea injured?
Not listed as injured:
Injured: Andrew Makalio, Josh Timu
https://thehighlanders.co.nz/news/highlanders-named-for-gordon-hunter-memorial-match/
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@higgins said in Blues v Highlanders:
@taniwharugby said in Blues v Highlanders:
@nzzp all but empty stadium at EP, NHS or OP, same same
Coronavirus crowd restrictions or not it won't make any difference to the total attendance at NHS anyway.
who are the backs?
I can only see the forwards
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@higgins said in Blues v Highlanders:
@taniwharugby said in Blues v Highlanders:
@nzzp all but empty stadium at EP, NHS or OP, same same
Coronavirus crowd restrictions or not it won't make any difference to the total attendance at NHS anyway.
who are the backs?
I can only see the forwards
@nzzp said in Blues v Highlanders:
@higgins said in Blues v Highlanders:
@taniwharugby said in Blues v Highlanders:
@nzzp all but empty stadium at EP, NHS or OP, same same
Coronavirus crowd restrictions or not it won't make any difference to the total attendance at NHS anyway.
who are the backs?
I can only see the forwards
Boomer.
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@nzzp said in Blues v Highlanders:
@higgins said in Blues v Highlanders:
@taniwharugby said in Blues v Highlanders:
@nzzp all but empty stadium at EP, NHS or OP, same same
Coronavirus crowd restrictions or not it won't make any difference to the total attendance at NHS anyway.
who are the backs?
I can only see the forwards
Boomer.
@gt12 said in Blues v Highlanders:
@nzzp said in Blues v Highlanders:
@higgins said in Blues v Highlanders:
@taniwharugby said in Blues v Highlanders:
@nzzp all but empty stadium at EP, NHS or OP, same same
Coronavirus crowd restrictions or not it won't make any difference to the total attendance at NHS anyway.
who are the backs?
I can only see the forwards
Boomer.
ah NOW there's a second image. I even went to blooyd insta ya kids get off my lawn
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Goodhue rested, or did he pick up an injury??
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Don't mind Heem in the midfield. Hes a steady influence and won't let us down there. Never been convinced on Tele'a in the midfield myself. Reminds me of when Moana used to play there for us.
No Josh Goodhue. Is he injured or having a rest after 2 games?
Glad to see Vienna ahead of Riccitelli as well. Riccitelli gives me the shits when he decided to run on his own, away from his support. He'll give away a lot of penalties with the way he carries the ball.
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Interesting team, nice to see Vikena back.
And, we might see Sullivan at 10 to finish, assuming they don't want BB to play 80.
Edit: Nock is lucky, he's been pants.
@gt12 said in Blues v Highlanders:
Interesting team, nice to see Vikena back.
And, we might see Sullivan at 10 to finish, assuming they don't want BB to play 80.
Edit: Nock is lucky, he's been pants.
Perofeta more likely to go to ten?
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@gt12 said in Blues v Highlanders:
@nzzp said in Blues v Highlanders:
@higgins said in Blues v Highlanders:
@taniwharugby said in Blues v Highlanders:
@nzzp all but empty stadium at EP, NHS or OP, same same
Coronavirus crowd restrictions or not it won't make any difference to the total attendance at NHS anyway.
who are the backs?
I can only see the forwards
Boomer.
ah NOW there's a second image. I even went to blooyd insta ya kids get off my lawn
@nzzp said in Blues v Highlanders:
@gt12 said in Blues v Highlanders:
@nzzp said in Blues v Highlanders:
@higgins said in Blues v Highlanders:
@taniwharugby said in Blues v Highlanders:
@nzzp all but empty stadium at EP, NHS or OP, same same
Coronavirus crowd restrictions or not it won't make any difference to the total attendance at NHS anyway.
who are the backs?
I can only see the forwards
Boomer.
ah NOW there's a second image. I even went to blooyd insta ya kids get off my lawn
One of the days I'm looking forward to / dreading the most is the day my son solves a tech problem for me.
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@gt12 said in Blues v Highlanders:
Interesting team, nice to see Vikena back.
And, we might see Sullivan at 10 to finish, assuming they don't want BB to play 80.
Edit: Nock is lucky, he's been pants.
Perofeta more likely to go to ten?
@kirwan said in Blues v Highlanders:
@gt12 said in Blues v Highlanders:
Interesting team, nice to see Vikena back.
And, we might see Sullivan at 10 to finish, assuming they don't want BB to play 80.
Edit: Nock is lucky, he's been pants.
Perofeta more likely to go to ten?
Oops, good point (I'll admit I want to see him there).
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@gt12 said in Blues v Highlanders:
Interesting team, nice to see Vikena back.
And, we might see Sullivan at 10 to finish, assuming they don't want BB to play 80.
Edit: Nock is lucky, he's been pants.
Perofeta more likely to go to ten?
@kirwan said in Blues v Highlanders:
@gt12 said in Blues v Highlanders:
Interesting team, nice to see Vikena back.
And, we might see Sullivan at 10 to finish, assuming they don't want BB to play 80.
Edit: Nock is lucky, he's been pants.
Perofeta more likely to go to ten?
I think so. When both Perofeta and Sullivan were on the field together in the pre-season, Perofeta was at 10.
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@nzzp said in Blues v Highlanders:
@gt12 said in Blues v Highlanders:
@nzzp said in Blues v Highlanders:
@higgins said in Blues v Highlanders:
@taniwharugby said in Blues v Highlanders:
@nzzp all but empty stadium at EP, NHS or OP, same same
Coronavirus crowd restrictions or not it won't make any difference to the total attendance at NHS anyway.
who are the backs?
I can only see the forwards
Boomer.
ah NOW there's a second image. I even went to blooyd insta ya kids get off my lawn
One of the days I'm looking forward to / dreading the most is the day my son solves a tech problem for me.
@gt12 said in Blues v Highlanders:
@nzzp said in Blues v Highlanders:
@gt12 said in Blues v Highlanders:
@nzzp said in Blues v Highlanders:
@higgins said in Blues v Highlanders:
@taniwharugby said in Blues v Highlanders:
@nzzp all but empty stadium at EP, NHS or OP, same same
Coronavirus crowd restrictions or not it won't make any difference to the total attendance at NHS anyway.
who are the backs?
I can only see the forwards
Boomer.
ah NOW there's a second image. I even went to blooyd insta ya kids get off my lawn
One of the days I'm looking forward to / dreading the most is the day my son solves a tech problem for me.
for me incoming in 3, 2, 1 ...
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https://www.blues.rugby/blues-rugby-news/blues-welcome-back-barrett
All Black centurion Beauden Barrett has his first start of the season for the Blues when they host the Highlanders at North Harbour Stadium on Friday night in DHL Super Rugby Pacific.
After coming off the bench in the 24-22 win over the Chiefs last weekend, Barrett gets to start at No 10 with another highly experienced campaigner in Bryce Heem outside him. The duo come in for the injured inside back pairing of Harry Plummer and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, with both sidelined for several weeks with shoulder injuries.
Coach Leon MacDonald said he is looking for a much-improved performance from his side.
“We played quite well against the Hurricanes and lost but we played indifferently last week and got the win. It shows that you can’t control the outcome, but you can control performance,” he said.
“We are looking for quantum improvement across the board – better quality possession, better handling, more consistent defensive effort and better decision-making. Most of all, we are looking for a more aggressive, physical and quality performance.”
While losing Plummer and Tuivasa-Sheck, MacDonald is pleased to have Barrett and Heem available.
“Despite being out of the game for a while, Beauden slotted back in as we know he can.
“Bryce has had a niggling injury that delayed his start. He was one of our key players last year, and while he played on the wing, he has plenty of experience in the midfield both for me at Ta$man and in Europe. His experience and physicality are key factors.”
MacDonald has spelled the hard-working Josh Goodhue and Tom Robinson who have played two full games.
“Josh has been beaten up in two outstanding efforts and Tom is batting an ankle injury that has hampered him.
“Sam Darry and Taine Plumtree are two young guys who both had outstanding NPC campaigns, and are itching for their opportunity.
“It means that James Tucker, another player who was terrific in the NPC, has the potential for his first cap for the Blues after an injury in pre-season meant he never got to play for us a few years back.”
The game will again be played without crowds, but with a smattering of stakeholders, with kick-off at 7.05pm on Friday.
The team is :
1. Alex Hodgman (44)
2. Kurt Eklund (26)
3. Nepo Laulala (15)
4. Luke Romano (2)
5. Sam Darry (7)
6. Taine Plumtree (1)
7. Dalton Papalii
(46)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (26)
9. Finlay Christie (20)
10. Beauden Barrett (8)
11. Caleb Clarke (29)
12. Bryce Heem (9)
13. Rieko Ioane (76)
14. Mark Telea (27)
15. Stephen Perofeta (33)Reserves :
16. Soane Vikena (6)
17. Ofa Tuungafasi (109)
18. Marcel Renata (21)
19. James Tucker (0)
20. Adrian Choat (6)
21. Sam Nock (43)
22. Tanielu Tele’a (14)
23. Zarn Sullivan (8)Not considered with injury: Akira Ioane, Harry Plummer, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Tom Robinson.
