Blues v Highlanders
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So any changes for the Blues?
At some stage the Blues need to give some serious time to a backup midfielder (probably Plummer with Marchant about to leave?) Also it's worth having a look at Christie at some stage.
Personally I hope the midfield starts the same and they just give Plummer a longer stint from the bench
I think they might start Christie though. In both matches Christie has subbed on about the same time Black goes off. So they've alway ended with Christie/Barrett at 9 & 10. I think they might start with that combo and finish with Nock/Black
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@Tim said in Blues v Highlanders:
They have a bye in week 4, so not much pressure for rotation in this game.
and they don't have much choice in the forwards. The loosies should stay the same because of injuries. It'd be too risky to rest Tuipulotu. Eklund can't be trusted to throw straight. Maybe a change at prop?
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@Duluth I'm not so sure. It's an 8 game comp, with two byes. For us, it's a block of 3, then a block of 4 games, then the last game against the Crusaders.
Rotation not nearly so critical I don't think. More importnat to play your frontline XV, and keep winning. Sub early if needed.
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@nzzp said in Blues v Highlanders:
Rotation not nearly so critical I don't think
Not really about rotation, it's about preparing for the inevitable injuries.
Backup halfback is untried, midfield depth is very thin and Duffie has not played much at fullback. It's pragmatic to start building the depth in weak area's
Also, maybe a Christie/Barrett/TJ/Ioane backline is the best option
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It’s a fine balance I guess. It’s a short comp so ideally you should be able to play your best lineup as much as possible. But some players ‘need their chance to show out’, others need to be tested should injury strike.
I’d be playing the same lineup and I reckon Rangi will do his best to not disrupt.
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Blues will need to rotate somewhat - 3rd straight derby and Highlanders off the bye.
However I would not be throwing Christie into starting just yet. He went very well off the bench so i'd be looking at giving him more bench minutes this week but starting is a different prospect entirely.
I'd be tempted to look at Tolai as bench hooker.
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@Duluth said in Blues v Highlanders:
Not really about rotation, it's about preparing for the inevitable injuries.
I suppose they do it off the bench. Give everybody some game time .
There is a bit of versatility in the backline as well. Plummer can play first or second, Rieko, centre or wing. BB, etc, etc. Loosies, we have lost a bit with two out.
A balancing act, but winning is winning. I don't want to see that change.
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@Duluth said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Snowy said in Blues v Highlanders:
Oh, and Honey will be well pissed if we dis the 'Landers and play a B team.
B team?? I suggested two changes.
IMO Barrett to 10 would strengthen the team
TBH, I'm not sure it would. Black at 10 and Barrett at 15 with both having input in leading the team around the park seems to work pretty well.
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@KiwiMurph I wouldn't mind seeing Tolai get a shot off the bench. Bench hooker and the bench utility(23) would be the obvious spots we can rotate.
Maybe get a specialist loosehead back on the bench? Hodgman had to play 70 minutes last week, probably because they didn't trust Renata to play big minutes at loosehead, although in saying that, Renata's one scrum of the night went pretty well.
Pierce and GCT are probably interchangeable. Maybe give Pierce a chance to see if he can win the bench lock spot off GCT.
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@Nepia said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Duluth said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Snowy said in Blues v Highlanders:
Oh, and Honey will be well pissed if we dis the 'Landers and play a B team.
B team?? I suggested two changes.
IMO Barrett to 10 would strengthen the team
TBH, I'm not sure it would. Black at 10 and Barrett at 15 with both having input in leading the team around the park seems to work pretty well.
Blues structure improved in the last 20 wth Beaudy at ten, IMO. Not saying Beaudy 10 and ??? 15 would be an improvement, but Beaudy is a big step up over Black - no matter how well he's playing
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@Duluth said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Snowy said in Blues v Highlanders:
Oh, and Honey will be well pissed if we dis the 'Landers and play a B team.
B team?? I suggested two changes.
Didn't mean you.
Just that wholesale changes probably not a great idea and that if we make them Honey might get upset.
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@Machpants said in Blues v Highlanders:
Blues structure improved in the last 20 wth Beaudy at ten, IMO. Not saying Beaudy 10 and ??? 15 would be an improvement, but Beaudy is a big step up over Black - no matter how well he's playing
The conundrum there is definitely who we play at 15 isn't as good as Beaudy either.
Perofeta was going O.K but injured. Duffie isn't a threat from the back really, so I understand why Leon is doing it. I've forgotten somebody else at 15...I think.
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@Snowy said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Duluth said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Snowy said in Blues v Highlanders:
Oh, and Honey will be well pissed if we dis the 'Landers and play a B team.
B team?? I suggested two changes.
Didn't mean you.
Just that wholesale changes probably not a great idea and that if we make them Honey might get upset.
It does raise the issue of depth though. This may not be as long a comp as the usual, but some teams have to deal with some tough runs in the draw.
Saders get 4/4 pattern
Blues get a 3/4/1
Chiefs get 4/4
Canes 2/4/2
Highlanders 1/4/3Highlanders get Blues and Crusaders in consecutive weeks twice.
Somewhere along the line, even discounting injuries, teams are going to have to give some players a rest
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