Super Rugby pre-season matches
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://theblues.co.nz/blues-fit-and-ready-for-rebels/'>http://theblues.co.nz/blues-fit-and-ready-for-rebels/</a></p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">The Blues will utilise all of the fully fit squad in the opening pre-season match against the Melbourne Rebels on Thursday.<br><br>
The match is a free game for the public, to be held at Bell Park at Pakuranga with kick-off at 5.30pm.<br><br>
It is the first hit-out of the season for the Blues, and head coach Tana Umaga wants to give as many of his squad a run as possible.<br><br>
“There are a few niggles and so we won’t take any risks at this time of the year but all the rest will play,†Umaga said.<br><br>
That will include Rene Ranger, who has not played since last April in France, after suffering a neck injury.<br><br>
“He has been improving every week. We have had two full contact hitouts in the last two weeks and he has grown in confidence and is looking good.<br><br>
“We have competition or positions and the boys have responded to this challenge and everyone is keen to play.â€<br><br>
Umaga said the team is excited to get their season underway out in the Blues community at Pakuranga.<br><br>
The game will be played in 20 minute quarters, with the final stanza potentially extended.<br><br>
The Blues players to get game time, including All Black and Blues captain Jerome Kaino, on Thursday are:<br><br>
Sione Mafileo, Nic Mayhew, Sam Prattley, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Namatahi Waa, Quentin MacDonald, Matt Moulds, James Parsons, Josh Beckhuis, Patrick Tuipulotu, Hoani Matenga, Scott Scrafton, Gerard Tuioti-Mariner, Stephen Luatua, Jerome Kaino, Joe Edwards, Jack Ram.<br><br>
Backs: Billy Guyton, Bryn Hall, Sam Nock, Ihaia West, Piers Franics, Matt McGahan, Michael Little, George Moala, Melani Nanai, Rene Ranger, Jordan Trainor, Lolagi Visinia, Matt Vaega, Tevita Li, Matt Duffie.</blockquote> -
<div>Looks like Ram is the only openside available at the moment, so expect some odd backrow combinations during the game, as it's unlikely Ram plays the whole match.</div>
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<div>I'm hoping Trainor has a big showing in pre-season, because we're pretty starved of winger-friendly or complimentary players in our backs. Trainor doesn't have much experience, but he does have a fair bit of talent and smarts though.</div> -
<p>The Western Force have kicked off their 2016 Super Rugby pre-season with a 28-0 victory over a young Hurricanes side at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford.</p>
<p>The Force outscored last season's Super Rugby Grand finalists by four tries to none in the match.</p>
<p>The result is will be a big boost for the Force as they played for six minutes in the second half with 13 players as Steve Mafi was yellow carded in the 48th minute and four minutes later Kane Koteka was binned.</p>
<p>The Force started with a bang and showed great persistence in defence holding the 2015 Asteron Life Super Rugby grand finalists scoreless throughout the match.</p>
<p>It took the Western Australian side five minutes to get on the score board through big man Adam Coleman, after a series of fantastic offloads from Steve Mafi and Ian Prior.</p>
<p>Adam crashed over just left of the posts for the first try of the game. Peter Grant made easy work of the conversion and the Force took an early 7-0 lead.</p>
<p>The Hurricanes then put together a number of solid phases, that placed them on the five-metre line, but the Force defence was exceptional, with Dane Haylett-Petty putting a huge shot on rival fullback Jason Woodward, which caused a knock on.</p>
<p>With the match being played in 20-minute quarters, the Force went into the first quarter with a 7-0 lead. The Western Force defence was superb in the first quarter, with the Hurricanes unable to penetrate the line.</p>
<p>The start of the second quarter saw a trademark breakdown steal from Steve Mafi, which led to a swift chip and chase from outside centre Marcel Brache, putting the Force inside the 22.</p>
<p>Dane Haylett-Petty&'s defence was again exceptional in the 25th minute, timing his tackle to perfection and causing another knock on. As well as another cracking tackle right on the stroke of half time.</p>
<p>With neither team damaging the scoreboard in the second quarter, the Force went into the sheds with a 7-0 lead. Solid performances in defence from both teams was the key, with both struggling to finish off strong sets of phases.</p>
<p>The second half saw the Force make a host of changes to their starting team, with Semisi Masirewa, Heath Tessmann, Ross Haylett-Petty, and Kane Koteka all injected into the second half of the game.</p>
<p>After a relentless set of phase play from the Hurricanes in the first 10 minutes, the Force were under immense pressure, which led to Steve Mafi being sent to the bin after repeat offences. Not five minutes later young flanker Kane Koteka was also sent to the bin, and the Force were left with 13 men on the pitch.</p>
<p>The Force went on the attack despite the two-man deficit and pushed hard for their try line.</p>
<p>Steve Mafi stepped back on the field and had an immediate impact scoring off the back of a Force lineout on the stoke of three-quarter time. Jono Lance converted and the Force took a 14-point lead into the last quarter.</p>
<p>Four minutes into the last quarter and after an errand pass from the Hurricanes, Chris Alcock pounced on the loose ball and shot down the field. After an offload to first gamer Richard Hardwick, the Force flicked a pass wide to new recruit Semisi Masirewa, who then stepped three Hurricanes players and dotted down for a great team try.</p>
<p>Lance once again added the extras and the Force went 21-0 up with 15 minutes to play.</p>
<p>The men from the West struck again in the 75th minute, after a strong line break from Chris Alcock, who ran the ball inches away from the line. The ball was quickly pushed out to the left and after a superb offload from Jono Lance to Ammon Matuauto the Force went over for their fourth try. Lance had no trouble with the conversion, taking the score to 28-0.</p>
<p>That would be the final score line despite a last minute attack from the Hurricanes, but the Force managed to withstand the assault and come away with a strong first up victory.</p>
<p>The Western Force''s next and final pre-season match is next Saturday, 13 February against the Asia Pacific Dragons at McGillivray Oval. Kicking off at 5pm (AWST).</p>
<p><span style="font-weight:bold;">Final Score Western Force 28 Hurricanes 0 </span></p>
<p><strong>Teams </strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:bold;">Western Force (Team):</span></p>
<p>1. Pek Cowan (C), 2. Nathan Charles, 3. Guy Millar, 4. Steve Mafi, 5. Adam Coleman, 6. Brynard Stander, 7. Chris Alcock, 8. Angus Cottrell, 9. Ian Prior, 10. Peter Grant, 11. Albert Nikoro, 12. Kyle Godwin, 13. Marcel Brache, 14. Luke Morahan, 15. Dane Haylett-Petty</p>
<p>Reserves, 16. Heath Tessmann, 17. Chris Heiberg, 18. Jermaine Ainsley, 19. Rory Walton, 20. Ross Haylett-Petty, 21. Richard Hardwick, 22. Kane Koteka, 23. Ryan Louwrens, 24. Jono Lance, 25. Onehunga Havili, 26. Ammon Matuauto, 27. Semisi Masirewa, 28. Maalonga Konelio</p>
<p><span style="font-weight:bold;">Hurricanes (Squad):</span></p>
<p>Jason Woodward, Matt Proctor, Pita Ahki, Willis Halaholo, Wes Goosen, Otere Black, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Blade Thomson, Callum Gibbins, Brad Shields (c), Mark Abbott, Vaea Fifita, Jeff Toomaga-Allen,Motu Matu'u, Reg Goodes, Leni Apisai, Loni Uhila, Ben May, Hisa Sasagi, Chris Eves, Michael Fatialofa, James Blackwell, Tony Lamborn, Frae Wilson, Malo Tuitama, Peter Umaga-Jensen</p> -
<div>Crusaders team to play the Queensland Reds in their first preseason game on Saturday, 6 February, 10.30pm (Ballymore Stadium):</div>
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<div>1. Alex Hodgman; 2. Ged Robinson* 3. Mike Alaalatoa* 4. Luke Romano; 5. Scott Barrett; 6. Jimmy Tupou (c); 7. Tim Boys* 8. Jordan Taufua; </div>
<div>9. Leon Fukofuka** 10. Ben Volavola* 11. Sione Fifita** 12. David Havili; 13. Sean Wainui** 14. Jone Macilai; 15. Marty McKenzie*</div>
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<div>RESERVES</div>
<div>Codie Taylor</div>
<div>Ben Funnell</div>
<div>Joe Moody</div>
<div>Oliver Jager **</div>
<div>Samuel Whitelock</div>
<div>Mitchell Dunshea **</div>
<div>Reed Prinsep **</div>
<div>Mitchell Drummond</div>
<div>Richie Mo’unga *</div>
<div>Kieron Fonotia</div>
<div>Mitchell Hunt </div>
<div>Johnny McNicholl</div>
<div>Nemani Nadolo</div>
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<div> indicates no BNZ Crusaders caps</div>
<div> indicates no Super Rugby caps</div>
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<div><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://crusaders.co.nz/news/902-bnz-crusaders-team-named-for-pre-season-game-against-reds'>http://crusaders.co.nz/news/902-bnz-crusaders-team-named-for-pre-season-game-against-reds</a></div> -
<p>Looks like Boyd has given up on the Canes like he did with the Lions. He's had his one good season and has now shut up shop
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<p>In all seriousness, I'm surprised that that Canes team had no points in them. The line-up is pretty young but there's some good firepower in it.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Daffy Jaffy" data-cid="556246" data-time="1454496145">
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<p> ...holding the 2015 Asteron Life Super Rugby grand finalists scoreless....</p>
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<p>Marketing encourages some strange things. I've honestly never heard of Asteron Life.</p>
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<p>I wonder if I could get a sponsor?</p>
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<p>"Durex Condoms Chris B." has a certain "ring" to it.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="556371" data-time="1454556836">
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<p>Marketing encourages some strange things. I've honestly never heard of Asteron Life.</p>
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<p>I wonder if I could get a sponsor?</p>
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<p>"Durex Condoms Chris B." has a certain "ring" to it.</p>
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<p>Just cos they are sponsored by Asteron Life, doesn't mean they use the 'product/service' so your sponsor may not be of assistance to you! ;)</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="556368" data-time="1454555552"><p>
Looks like Boyd has given up on the Canes like he did with the Lions. He's had his one good season and has now shut up shop <br><br>
In all seriousness, I'm surprised that that Canes team had no points in them. The line-up is pretty young but there's some good firepower in it.</p></blockquote>
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Agreed. Sure they were missing a few All Blacks but it's hardly as if that Force side was stacked with talent either.<br><br>
Boyd..... -
<p>A result like that is staggering considering how crap the Force were last season. It is only pre-season and we don't really know how far along the "pre-season" path each team was but hell you'd expect professional rugby players being paid a minimum of $75000.00 to be able to conjure up at least one off the cuff try even if they had been concentrating 100% solely on defensive structures so far. Clearly the defensive side of things also has not had too much time allocated to it so what have they been doing?</p>
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<p>The Blues twitter feed has live scoring from the match.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://twitter.com/BluesRugbyTeam'>https://twitter.com/BluesRugbyTeam</a></p>
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<p>Blues up 7-0 after 10 mins.</p> -
<p>I saw on the news Piers Francis could be gone for the season?</p>
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<p>If there is one thing history shows it's that these pre-season matches have zero bearing on how the season will pan out. People thinking the Force could be onto something or the Canes have a long season ahead of them are likely to be a bit surprised.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="556393" data-time="1454566353">
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<p>If there is one thing history shows it's that these pre-season matches have zero bearing on how the season will pan out. </p>
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<p>Lucky cos Blues fans might start getting optimistic....</p> -
52-7 now wow good start for umaga's men<br><br><br>
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk -
<p>3 Northland lads on the score sheet too
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