Hurricanes vs Blues
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Big game at the Cake Tin this Saturday with both teams looking for a statement win.
I'll let someone else talk about the Blues but from a Canes perspective, according to Stephen Donald the Canes will welcome back a couple of their stars in Asafo Aumua and Billy Proctor.
Aumua will be a key addition to the side off the back of a very strong EOYT with the ABs. On Proctor, well we all know how important he is to the Canes backline in regard to organisation both offensively and defensively so he will fit right back in.
The Canes should also get big IWL back. When he went off against the Crusaders the game seemed to turn somewhat as our lineout didn't function as highly and we weren't as effective in the carry with him missing. Hopefully the addition of these three players, along with the form of Roigard and Godfrey in the halves will ensure a good performance.
I'm picking this as the likely team, assuming Lakai and Tosi finally start as well. Not sure whether Kirifi or Iose will drop to the bench. I'd like Lakai to come into 7 where he was last year.
- Numia
- Aumua
- Tosi
- Delany/Plummer ( Delany went off injured against the Drua so not sure of availability)
- Walker-Leawere
- Shields
- Lakai/Kirifi
- Lakai/Iose
- Roigard
- Godfrey
- Naholo
- Umaga-Jensen
- Proctor
- Fenanganofo
- Banks - I'm picking Banks to get a run at 15 after Harkin failed to fire against the Drua. The Canes may also opt to start Hohepa at 10 and shift Godfrey to 15 which would be a shame as Godfrey is starting to look very good outside Roigard.
- Devery
- Rakete-Stones
- Mafileo
- Plummer/Tucker
- Kirifi
- Enari
- Harkin/Hohepa
- Sullivan
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@george33 said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
Don't no if correct but Jamie Wall said proctor is out for the season, just saying but he can be a drama queen.
There goes our season if true. Far out.
This could be what Club Rugby were referring to last week when they said 'watch out for big news about Billy Proctor over the next few days'.
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@Canes4life as I said not sure, don't hold me to this please., but Jamie does have some good contacts .
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@george33 said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@Canes4life as I said not sure, don't hold me to this please., but Jamie does have some good contacts .
Obviously fingers crossed it isn't true. Hopefully Donald has a better source (likely spoke to someone from the Canes when he was in Napier on Saturday).
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@Canes4life definitely, hopefully he's good to go., Beaver another fantasy man tho.
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Really is must win for the Blues imo. It's not an easy comp this year and you don't want to be chasing this early.
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@george33 said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@Canes4life definitely, hopefully he's good to go., Beaver another fantasy man tho.
We've also had no more news on Higgins. I guess when it rains it pours after also losing Barrett to a sabbatical.
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This was the injury list when the team was named last week.
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@Canes4life , I hope like you Laidlaw leaves Godfrey at 10. He is certainly making me eat my words, I thought he was still a year or 2 away from running the ship, but after first couple of weeks , and his growth there I would love to see him stay there.
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@KiwiMurph said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
Canes should be hot favourites
Lol after the being the dumber side of dumb and dumber versus drua, and only win due to superior fitness? This game will be close and could go either way
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@Machpants said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@KiwiMurph said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
Canes should be hot favourites
Lol after the being the dumber side of dumb and dumber versus drua, and only win due to superior fitness? This game will be close and could go either way
Probably more of a lack of firepower more than anything. The Canes were messy but they should be a lot better as the tournament progresses. Mind you, if we keep getting serious injuries to key players it might go the other way.
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@george33 said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
Don't no if correct but Jamie Wall said proctor is out for the season, just saying but he can be a drama queen.
There goes our season if true. Far out.
This could be what Club Rugby were referring to last week when they said 'watch out for big news about Billy Proctor over the next few days'.
Ross Bond and Matt Buck also said mentioned something about Billy Proctor having some sort of Achillies "strain" during their radio commentary.
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@Machpants said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@KiwiMurph said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
Canes should be hot favourites
Lol after the being the dumber side of dumb and dumber versus drua, and only win due to superior fitness? This game will be close and could go either way
It's more a sense of watching the two sides
Blues have really struggled in both second halves of their first 2 games
I think they have 1 rolling maul try 7 points across both second halves combined.
The Blues basic attacking game plan just doesn't seem to jive with the way Super Rugby this year
Not to mention the Blues are equally as dumb (against 13 men deciding against packing down a scrum but opting for the lineout).
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@Higgins said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@george33 said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
Don't no if correct but Jamie Wall said proctor is out for the season, just saying but he can be a drama queen.
There goes our season if true. Far out.
This could be what Club Rugby were referring to last week when they said 'watch out for big news about Billy Proctor over the next few days'.
Ross Bond and Matt Buck also said mentioned something about Billy Proctor having some sort of Achillies "strain" during their radio commentary.
Sounds niggly. Hope we get some good news though, the Canes need it.
From that list above, we are essentially missing 9 potential starters and 4 of them could be gone for the season if Higgins and Proctor are ruled out. NOT GOOD AT ALL.
2026 is our year.
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Tjay Clarke had shoulder surgery and Higgins had surgery on his hand. Both unlikely to feature again this campaign.
Proctor still unknown but looks to be walking freely.
The video below shows Higgins in a cast and Clarke in a sling. Looks like Matt Whaanga has joined the squad along with the young winger from Ta$man (can’t remember his name but he went to Scots College here in Welly).
