Super Rugby News
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@Stargazer Re: McNicol
Young tighthead prop Sefo Kautai and fullback Marty McKenzie are among those not playing due to "niggly injuries", Barnes said, and outside back Sam McNicol is sadly still going through protocols to recover from his latest concussion problem.
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@bovidae said in Super Rugby News:
Blues: Jordan Trainor, Jordan Hyland, Tamati Tua, TJ Faiane, Tumua Manu, Bryn Gatland, Sam Nock; Akira Ioane, Murphy Taramai, Glenn Preston, Jacob Pierce, Josh Goodhue, Mike Tamoaieta, Ross Wright, Alex Hodgman (c). Replacements: Jonathon Ruru, George Moala, Melani Nanai, Stephen Perofeta, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Orbyn Leger, Augustine Pulu, Harry Plummer, Tanielu Telea, Pauliasi Manu, Kurt Ekland, Marcel Renata, Jimmy Tupou, Waimana Reidling, Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papalii, Antonia Kiri Kiri, Jordan Olsen, Jack Straker, Gerard Cowley Tuioiti, Sione Havili.
OK, points of contention:
None of the three hookers are involved. Mistake on the team sheet, injury crisis, or something weird?
Ross Wright at hooker is an interesting one.
Akira Ioane has been training with the team from the start, so probably is fit and raring to go.
Jack Straker is a canterbury prop (tight-head) who has been in the Ta$man squad too. Maybe he is heading north for the NPC.
I'm guessing that Tumua Manu is the replacement for Matt Johnson in the midfield.
Interesting to see Hodgman named as captain. The more leadership coming through the better.
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@tim yeah Wright at hooker is interesting (he did get on the field in a pre-season game a few years back at hooker for the Blues)...up until last year, many Northland fans saw hooker as his best position, then he had a breakout year at prop.
Expecting big things from Tua this year, could be the making of him!
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@tim no idea, I think he carried it most of the M10 Cup last year, so highly likely he had it sorted after that?
Just realized Jordan Olsen is on the bench too, another Northland hooker...so Wright, Olsen & Moulds...
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@taniwharugby I really hope Tamati Tua can force his way into gametime this year not be stuck in a development role - especially with Matt Johnson now out of the picture this season. He looks to be a genuine centre of real ability - a rare commodity at the Blues.
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@kiwimurph yep, and I was pleased to see that he seemed to have put on some size AND pace last year too, which I guess is easier for someone so young.
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I just recall when Dave Rennie took the team out to the region, in a well-promoted campaign, inviting people to come along and interact, and get behind them. It is quite noticeable how much the new regime appears to want to stay 'under the radar'. It is frustrating for fans.
The Highlanders publicity machine is so good at generating enthusiasm and Hurricanes are not bad either. It is the contrasts that I notice.
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@arhs said in Super Rugby News:
I just recall when Dave Rennie took the team out to the region, in a well-promoted campaign, inviting people to come along and interact, and get behind them. It is quite noticeable how much the new regime appears to want to stay 'under the radar'. It is frustrating for fans.
The Highlanders publicity machine is so good at generating enthusiasm and Hurricanes are not bad either. It is the contrasts that I notice.
It was the biggest change I noticed between Razor and Blackadder also. He's made a real effort to get the team out in the community and engaging with the fans.
Deans and Wayne Smith were the same.
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Westie Pies pre season vs Hurricanes
Thursday, 15 February 2018
Kick off 4pm
Hosted by North Harbour & Mahurangi Rugby Club
Venue: Warkworth A&P Showgrounds
Entry by gold coin donation
The Blues will play the Hurricanes at Mahurangi Rugby Club on Thursday 15 February, with both teams embarking on their Super Rugby season the following week… read more.
Blues Rugby
The official home of the Blues rugby team. Buy tickets and merchandise, get the latest news, view results and go behind-the-scenes with our players.
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@tim said in Super Rugby News:
Any Cantabs got an opinion on Canterbury and Sydenham prop Jack Straker?
Sounds like he plays both sides.
@tim said in Super Rugby News:
Any Cantabs got an opinion on Canterbury and Sydenham prop Jack Straker?
Sounds like he plays both sides.
He’s a good player. Nice pickup by the blues.
Watched most of his club games last year, was pretty certain he’d graduate to the crusaders squad eventually.
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We can now see who has been nabbed for NZ teams and O/S super franchises (Treeby, Mayhew, Foketi, Parker, Millar, Leitch).
There are a few useful names unaccounted for. Does anyone know which of these below are contracted offshore, injured, or on sevens contracts? Or, who is pursuing educational or family priorities?
S Prattley, B Guyton, M Vaega, D O'Donnell, B Mitchell, H Renton, J Parete, K Mewett, M Jacobsen, S Reece, J Skeen, L Vaeno, J Te Rure, Z Guildford, M Emerson, J Nareki, N Waa, C Gawler, M Tuitama.
O'Donnell, Reece, Guildford and Vaeno all played at Provincial sevens, so presumably are still around.
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If you look at the Chiefs website they were over in the BOP recently for a training and fan meet and I assume will be on their way to KC. Maybe they haven't been as active as with Rennie but they have been around the region. I personally don't do facebook or follow on twitter but for those active on social media they have promoted those trips.
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Update on Canes' injuries:
Boyd's named 32 players to meet the Crusaders in Greymouth. That doesn't include No 8 Blade Thomson (shoulder) or lock Michael Fatialofa (knee) who were due to be back by now.
Their absence is offset by centre Matt Proctor's return from a shoulder injury.
As for the team's injured All Blacks, Jordie Barrett (shoulder) has been geared towards playing the March 10 home clash the Crusaders, with Milner-Skudder (shoulder) hopefully back in the latter half of the season. Milner-Skudder has been working hard in the gym and, along with a badly limping Coles, came in from leave to mingle with fans during the team's recent open training session in Levin.
Coles had surgery on his ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament in December and the best-case scenario is that he might return for the last two weeks of round-robin, in July.
