Highlanders v Blues
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Despite Beauden Barrett taking a limited part in training today as he recovers from the knock to the ribs he sustained against the Chiefs, he is expected to retain his place at first five-eighth, with Otere Black likely to come off the bench and Matt Duffie at fullback. The Blues are expected to, therefore, name a largely unchanged side for the Highlanders, with No 8 Hoskins Sotutu also absent from their field session as he continues to recover from his knee injury that kept him sidelined for the past two matches. Hooker James Parsons also remains unavailable with ongoing concussion symptoms. -
For anyone who'd like to read the whole article that quote comes from:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12352008
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wow...coaches might have seen the same thing we did towards the end of the chiefs game
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@Kiwiwomble surely Reiko one on one is a nightmare match up for Collins? Especially given his acceleration of the first two steps?
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@mariner4life cant argue with that other than very few people in the comp are a match for him...thats why hes an AB
our whole backline is pretty vanilla...small/thin fast guys (nareki, koroi, hunt) or slightly more built but slower guys (Thompson, collins and even theyre not really big guys)....sio is the closest we probably have to a bit of both in the current group being selected...its a long way from when we had Fekitoa, naholo and osborune
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@Bones said in Highlanders v Blues:
@Smudge said in Highlanders v Blues:
@Bones said in Highlanders v Blues:
@African-Monkey great stadium, almost as good as the caketin. Watch out for @Smudge lurking in the loos.
He's safe. I'll be on the couch at home in Wadestown...
You're on six figures aren't you.
There’s granny flats in every suburb, even the posh ones.
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@Bovidae said in Highlanders v Blues:
Thompson is on the outer too. I rate Tomkinson below both he and Walden.
I think Thompson has played every minute so far this season.
Whilst Ioane should have too much class, I thought Collins looked the goods when moved to centre last week. He looked far more assured and comfortable. Have Josh at 1st 5 might open it up a bit more for him too.
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15 Matt Duffie, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 TJ Faiane, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Finlay Christie; 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Dalton Papalii, 5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe.Reserves: 16 Luteru Tolai, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18. Sione Mafileo, 19 Josh Goodhue, 20 Tony Lamborn, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Otere Black, 23 Harry Plummer
Players not considered with injury: Jared Page (hamstring), Stephen Perofeta (fractured foot), Tom Robinson (knee), James Parsons (concussion), Hoskins Sotutu (knee), Jared Page (hamstring), Dan Carter (calf). Season ending: Ray Niuia, James Tucker, Tanielu Tele’a
https://blues.rugby/sights-set-on-gordon-hunter-memorial-trophy/
The Blues have named an unchanged squad to head south in search of the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy in their Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa clash against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Sunday afternoon. The only change is a swap in the front row where All Black Karl Tu’inukuafe, fully recovered from a niggling hamstring, has his first start in this competition while hard-working Alex Hodgman will come off the bench after six straight starts. While the Blues share top-of-the-table status on four wins with the Crusaders and Hurricanes, the firm focus is on bringing the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy back to Auckland. The trophy was established in memory of the late Gordon Hunter, coach of both the Highlanders and the Blues, who he guided in 2000 and 2001. It has been won on eight occasions by the Blues and 10 times by the Highlanders who have had possession for the past eight years. The challenger can only win the trophy at the home of the holder. “Gordon was a special man who held a special place for both the Blues and the Highlanders, something we are well aware of,” said Blues coach Leon MacDonald. “We would like nothing more than to take the trophy back to Auckland with us. “We know that we will need to be at our best to achieve that. Every time we play the Highlanders it is a close affair, as are all the games in this competition. “We have worked hard again this week and focussed on being more accurate and disciplined at the breakdown but at the same time we want to continue to be physical in the collisions. “We have to get the job done upfront and give our backs the time and space to show their skills, be both patient as well as capitalise on our chances.” The Blues are looking forward to playing under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium with the surface suiting their open running style. MacDonald said that Tu’inukuafe had earned a start with an eye-catching effort off the bench last week and offers a chance for Hodgman to freshen up after some big minutes in this campaign. The backline is unchanged with Beauden Barrett again at first-five, the exciting three-quarters in Rieko Ioane, Caleb Clarke and Mark Telea have 15 tries between them, and dual international Matt Duffie again at fullback, one of eight Blues starters with more than 50 Super caps to their credit. MacDonald is looking for a positive and powerful input from the bench later in the game. -
@Tim Nock musta really pissed off Leon with whatever he did.
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@taniwharugby said in Highlanders v Blues:
@Tim Nock musta really pissed off Leon with whatever he did.
My wristband says WWLD. He's our new saviour.
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@nzzp said in Highlanders v Blues:
@taniwharugby said in Highlanders v Blues:
@Tim Nock musta really pissed off Leon with whatever he did.
My wristband says WWLD. He's our new saviour.
I just read your comment and not rest of thread and smiled at "What Would Lucifer Do"
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@Hooroo said in Highlanders v Blues:
@nzzp said in Highlanders v Blues:
@taniwharugby said in Highlanders v Blues:
@Tim Nock musta really pissed off Leon with whatever he did.
My wristband says WWLD. He's our new saviour.
I just read your comment and not rest of thread and smiled at "What Would Lucifer Do"
?
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