Blues v Hurricanes
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Blues team:
1 Pauliasi Manu, 2 James Parsons (C), 3 Charlie Faumuina, 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 5 Scott Scrafton, 6 Jerome Kaino, 7 Blake Gibson, 8 Steven Luatua; 9 Augustine Pulu, 10 Piers Francis, 11 Melani Nanai, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14 Matt Duffie, 15 Michael Collins.
Replacements: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Bryn Gatland, 23 George Moala.
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The KFC curtain raiser brings a repeat of last year’s schools rugby final with reigning champions Mt Albert Grammar hosting Hastings Boys High School.As (I assume) this curtain-raiser won't be televised, would you guys who are going to this game please give us some updates?
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I was part of the Highlanders v Blues thread hijack so I think a sensible rule for this thread is nobody talks about logos or sponsors..
Looking forward to this match, some serious talent in both teams backlines so really hoping conditions allow an open game of running rugby... something similar to the match in 97 won by the Blues 45-42, which lives long in my memory as one of the all time great games despite being on the wrong side of the ledger.
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Moala to the bench and Prattley dropped - I like both of those moves given their performances recently. This might actually free up Rieko to see some ball in space - Blues backline should be much more balanced now in theory. Moala's lack of distribution has been a real issue - and last week he threw a number of poor offloads after entering contact. Prattley just straight up shouldn't be playing at this level. He was a bit better last season but has gone backwards again this year - Hopefully next time Blues play Hodgman should be fit.
Should be an entertaining game and a good contest for 60 odd minutes but I can't see the Blues hanging with the Canes in the second half - unless of course the Canes play a second half like last week! Blues have nothing to lose so I expect them to throw everything at it but the class of the Canes 8-9-10 to win the day i'd say.
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@No-Quarter said in Blues v Hurricanes:
I was part of the Highlanders v Blues thread hijack so I think a sensible rule for this thread is nobody talks about logos or sponsors..
There are more sponsors logos than players, those graphics stargazer insists on posting really are a fucking eyesore. I object, and have put strapping (sorry, pink) tape on my screen
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
Should be an entertaining game and a good contest for 60 odd minutes but I can't see the Blues hanging with the Canes in the second half
The bench structure has looked wrong for a while and it has been burning us. It seems there are three options for covering the locks and loosies:
A specialist lock and a looise that covers all 3 positions (Taramai)
If you have Tupou on the bench, there should be a specialist openside too.
If you want Ioane on the bench then you need Luatua (or Kaino) to cover lock and a specialist opensideTupou and Ioane doesn't work. We play Gibson into the ground and then finish up games with GCT, Tupou, Ioane, Luatua & Kaino on the field. They are too similar
I would have preferred Moala on the wing and Duffie at fullback. Although I know that wasn't likely given Umaga's lack of experimentation at the back (Collins is averaging 79mins a match).
Hopefully we see a Nanai/Moala/Duffie back three in the last 20mins when we are inevitably behind and need a miracle -
@Duluth Yeah- they'd be much better with Akira and say Kara Pryor on the bench. Then shift one of Luatua/Kaino to lock once Akira comes on.
I actually think the back 3 is fine for now - Collins has definitely improved since the early rounds. His lack of pace might get exposed this week vs the Canes though.
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Hurricanes: Jordie Barrett, Wes Goosen, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara (captain), Ardie Savea, Callum Gibbins, Brad Shields, Michael Fatialofa, Mark Abbott, Jeff To'omaga-Allen, Ricky Riccitelli, Ben May.
Reserves: Leni Apisai, Chris Eves, Mike Kainga, Vaea Fifita, Reed Prinsep, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Otere Black, Cory Jane. -
damn that is a good team, even sans Coles!
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Proctor out unfortunately.
Blues will ream someone if and when they eventually click, but I think the Canes will be too strong. Would be nice to see an 80 minute effort from them this season.
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@Tim I'm not sure it specifically mentioned that he was injured, just that he was replaced by Tupou. Though Tana did mention in the leadup to the Highlanders match that Tuipulotu was fairly banged up. Haven't seen anything since either. It's a bit weird to be honest.
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No doubt another close loss coming up for us against a fellow NZ side. Hurricanes by 4.
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@African-Monkey said in Blues v Hurricanes:
No doubt another close loss coming up for us against a fellow NZ side. Hurricanes by 4.
Yep. I predicted pre-season that the Blues would probably play quite well but under pressure from the NZ sides wouldn't have the confidence to get the wins.
Shame is their development is hampered by trying too hard to win yet in essence they could be the 5th best team in Super Rugby and still lose 6 matches against other NZ sides AND miss the playoffs.In most of their games this season they are copping a lot of flak yet are not really playing much worse than their opponents. What they are doing though is crumbling under late pressure or making errors at the wrong times that are costing them.
Look at last week. Should have won that and probably would yet the probable try created by SBW was shelled by a poor decision.
I would say that if this team could ever get a roll of wins on and their confidence levels up these errors in the wrong place and moment would reduce enough to see them through.
It's bloody hard to lift out of a losing habit. -
@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Hurricanes:
No Proctor or Coles - it could be worse for the Blues. Aso vs Rieko at 13 should be fun to watch - two Ponsonby teammates.
They're more than just Ponsonby teammates, they're actually cousins. I'm surprised the media hasn't run a story on that match-up for that reason. It should be a good match-up.
@African-Monkey said in Blues v Hurricanes:
No doubt another close loss coming up for us against a fellow NZ side. Hurricanes by 4.
You're alive! I know it's tough being a Blues' fan down there, but hang in there.
