Brumbies vs Blues
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@taniwharugby Apisai having a blinder.....bahahahahhahahaha
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1 Alex Hodgman, 2 Leni Apisai, 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 4 Gerard Cowley Tuioti, 5 Josh Goodhue, 6 Tom Robinson, 7 Blake Gibson (c), 8 Akira Ioane; 9 Sam Nock, 10 Otere Black, 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 13 TJ Faiane, 14 Matt Duffie, 15 Melani Nanai.
Reserves: 16 James Parsons, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Dalton Papalii, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Levi Aumua
https://blues.rugby/blues-go-back-to-the-future-for-brumbies/
The Blues are going back to the future as they begin a challenging second half of the Investec Super Rugby season. Their success earlier in the season was built on a solid starting platform with potent power off the bench to finish strongly, and plan to return to that strategy when they cross the Ta$man to take on the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday. The energisers off the bench include new Blues centurion James Parsons, All Blacks Patrick Tuipulotu, Karl Tu’inukuafe and Dalton Papalii along with Marcel Renata, former captain Augustine Pulu, Harry Plummer and Levi Aumua. It means Alex Hodgman and All Black Ofa Tuungafasi combine for just the second time this season in the front row with a fit-again Leni Apisai rewarded with his first start after a notable impact off the bench against the Highlanders. Co-captain Blake Gibson makes a welcome return to lead the side after being out for two games with a significant laceration to his knee, while Akira Ioane will start his 28th straight game at No 8. All Black Rieko Ioane is spelled for his planned break which will see Caleb Clarke switch to the left wing while All Black Matt Duffie, who has recovered fully from his serious hamstring injury suffered in the Mitre-10 Cup, to make his first start of the season. The other change sees Sam Nock have his first start at halfback. “We have a number of players back from injury and others who have been performing well on the training field or with their minutes as replacements who have earned their chance. In this regard we are confident that this starting side will do the job we want,” said head coach Leon MacDonald. “At the same time we did well earlier in the season with some real ammunition off the bench to add significant energy in the final quarter of the game and we feel we have that capability with this team. “Also some of these players have carried some big loads and this is their opportunity to provide a different role for us. “This Super Rugby competition is incredible tight, perhaps the closest in memory. There’s 10 teams within six points from third to 12thso these final seven games starting with the Brumbies are going to be a huge test and we are excited about the challenge in what is a superb competition.” -
Might as well have a look at Apisai.. I don't think he's good enough to earn another contract, but it's worth giving him a start to make sure.
Nock in a similar situation IMOI'll be happy if either one proves me wrong
Good to see Renata involved. He's a better long term option than Mafileo
Without Tuipulotu starting, Goodhue needs to be more abrasive. I think Goodhue is a better player than GCT.. this is a good chance to move up the pecking order
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Those Hookers really do weaken the look of that side.
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That bench actually has some impact. Good.
Cool to see Faiane get the VC.
Hopefully Akira is good to go
No 8 Akira Ioane will be fitness tested at the Captain's Run to test an injured hand before he is cleared to make his 28th straight start for the franchise. -
Shame we aren’t seeing much of Scrafton this year. The current locks have been solid but he needs game time and looked ready for more a month ago.
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@KiwiMurph He's always good to go. Akira doesn't take rests.
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@Nogusta said in Brumbies vs Blues:
@KiwiMurph yea that back 3 looks about right with Aumua taking the 3rd reserve back spot. Gibson back and starts, Papalii to the bench. Parsons gets a rest
so Apisai gets a start, Ruru gets a rest so Nock to start with Pulu on the bench.Nailed it
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@African-Monkey said in Brumbies vs Blues:
@KiwiMurph He's always good to go. Akira doesn't take rests.
Except on defence and when it’s time to hit a ruck
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@SammyC said in Brumbies vs Blues:
@African-Monkey said in Brumbies vs Blues:
@KiwiMurph He's always good to go. Akira doesn't take rests.
Except on defence and when it’s time to hit a ruck
What's Vaea Fifita got to do with this thread?
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@SammyC said in Brumbies vs Blues:
@African-Monkey said in Brumbies vs Blues:
@KiwiMurph He's always good to go. Akira doesn't take rests.
Except on defence and when it’s time to hit a ruck
rancid bait matey
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A few key players missing from Brumbies
Brumbies Team
- James Slipper
- Folau Fainga’a
- Allan Alaalatoa
- Rory Arnold
- Sam Carter
- Tom Cusack
- Jahrome Brown
- Pete Samu
- Joe Powell
- Christian Lealiifano (c)
- Toni Pulu
- Irae Simone
- Len Ikitau
- Henry Speight
- Tom Banks
REPLACEMENTS
16. Connal McInerney
17. Scott Sio
18. Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin
19. Darcy Swain
20. Murray Douglas
21. Ryan Lonergan
22. Tom Wright
23. Andy Muirhead -
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@KiwiMurph said in Brumbies vs Blues:
I'm glad it is Duffie being given a shot and not Collins.
Fuck yes.
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My concern is the number of injuries and how many games he's missed. Is it just a bit of bad luck, or is he falling apart?
If his body is up to it I would give him another contract. Even if he isn't in the best 23.
He's good injury cover and a professional off the field. Good cover outside the starting xv is what the Blues needI would like to see him play a few more games at fullback for NH to prove he can cover that position though
