Blues 2021
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Who do you guys think MacDonald will select for the first game? I wonder if a few ABs will start from the bench? I'm assuming that Niuia, Vikena, Hunt, Faiane, and Narawa will be unavailable. Probably Gibson too.
Big calls at 12 and lock. I'll guess this XXIII:
1 Hodgman
2 Eklund
3 Laulala
4 Tuipulotu
5 Goodhue
6 Ioane
7 Papalii
8 Sotutu
9 Christie
10 Black
11 Clarke
12 Plummer
13 Ioane
14 Telea
15 Perofeta16 Tolai
17 Karl T
18 Ofa T
19 Cowley-Tuioti
20 Choat
21 Nock
22 Tele'a
23 Sullivan/LamNot sure all the ABs will be selected in round one, especially the loose forwards and maybe one of the props. Would like to see Ofa T start, as the Blues are his team. Akira Ioane or Sotutu to be subbed and the other two loose forwards to stay on the field. Hunt could've been handy as a turnover option in the early rounds. I'd prefer to have Nock and Pierce starting. Hope Plummer has improved his defence at 12!
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If the Blues don't play a preseason game will Ofa's ban then include the first SRA game? The 3-week suspension included the last 2 AB games and any rugby up until and including February 20. So he wouldn't have been able to play against the Crusaders this Sat.
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@Bovidae Good question. The judicial decison worded the suspension as follows:
The player is therefore suspended for 3 weeks, up to and including Saturday 20 February 2021. This sanction includes the Player's next three scheduled matches as presented.”
What prevails, the period of the ban (up to and including 20 February) or the number of matches (3)? You could argue that he was available for the preseason game against the Crusaders, which was a scheduled game, which has been cancelled/postponed due to circumstances beyond his control, and that therefore that game should count as his third match anyway.
I think the period of the ban will prevail, just using common sense in this time of pandemic, and that he'll be allowed to play the Blues' first SRA game.
