Drua v Blues

[Tim]

2pm kick-off, and the weather forecast is for 31C and rain at that time. Obviously it's going to be very taxing, so fitness and field position will be key. Got to defend well too, the Drua at home can really score quickly.

Maybe a 6-2 split on the bench?

[Tim]

Injured:

Laulala
Perofeta
Hodgman (season)
Lam?

Returning:

Papalii
RTS

[Bones]

@Tim said in Drua vs. Blues:

Papalii

Blues by a thousand.

[Duluth]

@Tim said in Drua vs. Blues:

Maybe a 6-2 split on the bench?

I think it makes sense for this game. A halfback & Heem covers the backline. Sotutu would be fine as an emergency back if there’s injuries

[Duluth]

Important game for the Blues on the table. Two teams ahead of them will lose this weekend

[Tim]

@Duluth Yeah, could advance to 3rd on the table if things go their way.

[Tim]

@Duluth Yeah, that's a good call for the bench. Might see Robinson replace Tuipulotu, Suafoa replace Ioane, with Choat also on the bench.

[Tim]

Possible XXIII:

1 Jordan Lay
2 Ricky Riccitelli
3 Ofa Tuungafasi
4 Patrick Tuipulotu
5 Sam Darry
6 Akira Ioane
7 Dalton Papalii
8 Hoskins Sotutu

9 Finlay Christie
10 Beauden Barrett
11 Caleb Clarke
12 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
13 Rieko Ioane
14 Mark Telea
15 Zarn Sullivan

16 Soane Vikena
17 James Lay/Josh Fusitua
18 Marcel Renata
19 Cameron Suafoa
20 Adrian Choat
21 Sam Nock
22 Bryce Heem
23 Tom Robinson/Anton Segner

I'd like to see Taufa Funaki get a game this weekend, and not sure about putting RTS straight back in.

[SBW1]

These games are becoming real banana skins, very humid conditions and fanatical home crowds.

[Machpants]

I'm looking forward to those one, esp after crusaders fall

[Dan54]

@Machpants Me too Matchp, got the makings of a good one!

[taniwharugby]

@Tim I'd rather see Heem start at 12, or they need to keep going with Plummer or give Evans a run there or at least have one on the bench

Have to assume Robinsons lack of play is due to him leaving, so they need to be consistent with RTS too.

[Duluth]

@taniwharugby said in Drua vs. Blues:

Have to assume Robinsons lack of play is due to him leaving

Apart from one match early on he hasn’t added much. Other players have gone well at 6 & lock. In particular, I think he's getting squeezed out because Suafoa has out played him

My preference is for a Heem/Ioane midfield for the rest of the year. Heem would be good on a 6/2 bench though

Evans should get a run the following week v MP

[Machpants]

@Dan54 said in Drua v Blues:

@Machpants Me too Matchp, got the makings of a good one!

Mach! My undies don't match they've been supersonic

[Stargazer]

https://drua.rugby/content/culture-round-squad-named

Halfback Frank Lomani returns to the starting 15 after missing out the last two rounds, alongside Eroni Sau, Iosefo Masi, Kalaveti Ravouvou and Selestino Ravutaumada. Also returning to the run-on team are flankers Kitione Salawa and Vilive Miramira.

[Duluth]

https://www.blues.rugby/blues-rugby-news/team-naming-v-drua

1 Ofa Tuungafasi
2 Soane Vikena
3 Marcel Renata
4 Cameron Suafoa
5 Sam Darry
6 Adrian Choat
7 Dalton Papalii (c)
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Finlay Christie
10 Beauden Barrett
11 Caleb Clarke
12 Harry Plummer
13 Rieko Ioane
14 Mark Telea
15 Zarn Sullivan

Reserves:
16 Ricky Riccitelli
17 Jordan Lay
18 James Lay
19 James Tucker
20 Akira Ioane
21 Sam Nock
22 Bryce Heem
23 AJ Lam

Players not considered: Alex Hodgman (shoulder, season), Nepo Laulala (calf), Stephen Perofeta (shoulder), Patrick Tuipulotu (knee)

[Duluth]

Good to see Vikena get a run. With Eklunds drop in form, he has a good chance of getting himself into the top 23

Dual opensides makes sense

I would've been tempted to try Heem at 12

[KiwiMurph]

Surprisingly pleased that RTS doesn't feature

[antipodean]

@KiwiMurph said in Drua v Blues:

Surprisingly pleased that RTS doesn't feature

Plummer has been laying better than him. Undeserved status as an All Black.

[Duluth]

300th first class game for Barrett