Blues 2019
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@number9 said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
STARTING XV:
1 Alex Hodgman
2 Leni Apisai
3 Sione Mafileo
4 Josh Goodhue
5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
6 Tom Robinson
7 Matt Matich
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Augustine Pulu
10 Stephen Perofeta
11 Tanielu Tele’a
12 TJ Faiane
13 Ma’a Nonu
14 Melani Nanai
15 Michael CollinsREPLACEMENTS:
Marcel Renata
Matt Moulds
Mike Tamoaieta
James Tucker
Evan Olmstead
Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa
Adrian Choat
Jack Grooby
Jonathan Ruru
Otere Black
Caleb Clarke
Levi Aumua
Harry Plummer
Tomas AoakeStong Team just don't like our 9,10 and 15 combinations. Would have preferred 9-Ruru, 10-Otere and 15-Perofeta as a a starting lineup.
It's a warm up game for the players FFS and all squad players that have put the effort in training deserve a chance to stake their claim. Any good coach would do that if they want competition for places. They have looked at Perofeta at 15, now he gets a shot at 10.
As for Ruru, I do have to chuckle as the same comment was being made last year of 'the coaches are idiots, Ruru should start' until he did take the field and stunk it up. I hope he is better this year. -
Found the match programme for this game.
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@taniwharugby said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
@mariner4life nah MN5 is on the Akira wagon now, he has forgotten all about Charlie!
Yes I've found a new avenue to redirect my scorn. Thanks Charlie, it was fun.
Of course Ioane could still become an AB but the selectors seem to favour Vaea Fifita as their lazy loose forward who is amazing with ball in hand.
Maybe Ioane needs to practice jumping over players at training ?
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@Dice said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
Interesting that Otere is coming off the bench again. I have no clue who'll be our starting 10 next week.
Maybe they are happy Black will be the starter and they wanted to give the backups a start each?
Hard to read much into the pre-season selections... but that won't stop me making a list of players who started both pre-season games:
Hodgman
Mafileo
Goodhue
Robinson
Matich
TJ Faiane
Nanai
Perfoeta (15 in the first match then 10) -
@Duluth yeah tough to know what they are thinking given it is just pre-season.
With my NOrthland hat on...
I am a big fan of Matich and stoked he is finally getting a shot, it is a bit surprising they seem to be giving him a decent go to own the 7 jersey in Gibsons absence (assume thats why he is getting a good run) but I reckon he will make a good fist of it as I have always thought he was a smidge small for 8 at this level anyway.
Robinson has alot of potential, with a huge engine and can play 6 and lock, so is likely a good bench option?
Goodhue, well we know he has pedigree, but everytime he starts to show he is up to this level of rugby, he gets injured, with an extended run of not being injured, I think he will press his case to prove he deserves to be a starter.
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@taniwharugby said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
I am a big fan of Matich and stoked he is finally getting a shot, it is a bit surprising they seem to be giving him a decent go to own the 7 jersey in Gibsons absence
Hopefully he goes well and gets ahead of Brown in the rankings
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
Robinson has alot of potential, with a huge engine and can play 6 and lock, so is likely a good bench option?
I agree, I think he'll be on the bench a lot this year.
Although against certain teams I would like us to have Tuipulotu, Scrafton and Goodhue in the 23, with Goodhue covering six. That would force Robinson out
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@taniwharugby Robinson is the ginger isn't he? Shouldn't be allowed in NZ Super Rugby. Were not fucking Scotland!
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@Crazy-Horse he is a modern Paul Tito....pretty sure Robinsons dad was an AB so he gets a bit more latitude
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@taniwharugby I liked what he did with Northland. Seemed abrasive and not scared of putting in the graft from what I saw of him.
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@number9 said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
Will today's game be broadcast on any online radio station, or streamed?
No livestream. I'm still trying to find radio coverage, but not holding my breadth. I think following the Hurricanes on twitter is your best bet.
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I found a radio stream: https://radio.org.nz/upoko-te-ika/
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@Stargazer first 3 rules of commentary;score ,time gone field position..I suppose I shouldn’t complain it’s better than nothing..I must admit they are very funny..
Sounds like Gareth Evans is playing well for the Canes and Tom Robinson is a very physical game for the Blues. -
@Steven-Harris Haha, yes, it's only a small local radio station, not Radio Sport! Usually, they only cover local club (or school) rugby and the occasional NPC preseason game. I only know this station, and Radio Eketahuna, who do radio commentary on rugby games in the Wellington/Wairarapa/Hawke's Bay regions.
