Moana Pasifika v Blues
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@machpants said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
@nepia said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
@tim said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
Didn't realise that we were playing MP again on Sunday. Definitely a full b-team then.
I assume this post was pre the Wellington v Auckland
Moana Pacificmatch?Fixed it for you
I don't think Moana Pacific is dominated by the Auckland province to the detriment of its playing roster.
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@tim said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
Who are looking at for the 2nd XV against MP? I'm guessing that there will be some clues in the preseason squads.
1 Fusitua/Lay/McElroy
2 Riccitelli
3 Lay/Ahio
4 Darry
5 Suafoa
6 Plumtree
7 Choat/Segner
8 Ekuasi9 Nock
10 Perofeta
11 Lam
12 Evans
13 Tua
14 Tele'a
15 Kneepkens16 Vikena
17 McElroy/Fusitua
18 Renata/Ahio
19 ?
20 Segner/Choat
21 Milo-Harris/Funaki
22 Sullivan/Jock McKenzie (with cricket?)
23 TeleaDo you want to go that 2nd string?
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@tim said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
Who are looking at for the 2nd XV against MP? I'm guessing that there will be some clues in the preseason squads.
1 Fusitua/Lay/McElroy?
Jeez, competition for medal play in the Blues squad looks like it has just got a lot more one sided. Even a burgler 36 handicapper would still struggle in the stableford format as well.
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@booboo said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
Do you want to go that 2nd string?
Blues don't really have a choice. It'll probably be something like that
3 days between games. It's only marginally better for Pasifika so they won't have many backing up either
Chiefs did fine with a 2nd xv, Hurricanes should've had a big lead by half time in their game. So the 2nd xv shouldn't be a big deal in a midweek fixture where MP will also be compromised. The important thing is not to play as dumb as the Canes did
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@duluth said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
@booboo said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
Do you want to go that 2nd string?
Blues don't really have a choice. It'll probably be something like that
3 days between games. It's only marginally better for Pasifika so they won't have many backing up either
Chiefs did fine with a 2nd xv, Hurricanes should've had a big lead by half time in their game. So the 2nd xv shouldn't be a big deal in a midweek fixture where MP will also be compromised. The important thing is not to play as dumb as the Canes did
Like take the easy three points? And the blues seem to have better depth.
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This is the sort of game the Blues should be playing Romano in.
With second stringers in due to the short turnaround Blues will be short on experience and what's left of Romano's physical game should suit playing MP.
Moana Pasifika should be aiming to rattle the Blues early and try and get the inexperienced players to doubt themselves.
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@kiwimurph said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
This is the sort of game the Blues should be playing Romano in.
With second stringers in due to the short turnaround Blues will be short on experience and what's left of Romano's physical game should suit playing MP.
Moana Pasifika should be aiming to rattle the Blues early and try and get the inexperienced players to doubt themselves.
With Plummer out and BB a bit banged up, might an opportunity to play Sullivan at ten just to see how he goes. I can't see Perofeta playing three games in a week, or have forgotten a ten pre-coffee this morning?
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@kiwimurph said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
@kirwan said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
I can't see Perofeta playing three games in a week, or have forgotten a ten pre-coffee this morning?
Well coming off the bench Perofeta didn't even play a full half vs Highlanders on the weekend.
I guess it comes down to BB being available for the game in the weekend.
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@kirwan said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
I guess it comes down to BB being available for the game in the weekend.
Not necessarily. Perofeta playing with a mostly B team on Tues then Zarn at 10 with a mostly A team on the weekend would be ok (JRK at fullback)
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@duluth said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
@kirwan said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
I guess it comes down to BB being available for the game in the weekend.
Not necessarily. Perofeta playing with a mostly B team on Tues then Zarn at 10 with a mostly A team on the weekend would be ok (JRK at fullback)
Would be better for Zarn to be that way around, better support.
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@pakman said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
@tim said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
Karl Tu'inukuafe is supposed to return in April, so may be a bench option soon.
I missed what was keeping him out?
minor back surgery.
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BLUES EXCITED TO UNLEASH YOUNG TALENT IN FIRST MOANA PASIFIKA CLASH ā Blues Rugby
The depth of the Blues personnel, further affected by recent illness, will be tested when they meet Moana Pasifika in the first of two clashes, at Mt Smart Stadium on Tuesday. With both teams facing three games in eight days as they look to make-up lost games earlier in the DHL Super Rugby Pacific
The Blues team to play Moana Pasifika on Tuesday at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland is (Blues caps in brackets):
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Alex Hodgman (45)
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Ricky Riccitelli (3)
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Nepo Laulala (16)
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Luke Romano (3) Ā©
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Sam Darry (9)
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Taine Plumtree (2)
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Adrian Choat (8)
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Anton Segner (1)
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Taufa Funaki (2)
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Stephen Perofeta (35)
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AJ Lam (10)
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Tanielu Teleāa (15)
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Tamati Tua (1)
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Mark Telea (29)
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Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepens (2)
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Soane Vikena (7)
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Josh Fusitua (0)
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Karl Tuāinukuafe (33)
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Cameron Suafoa (0)
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Vaiolini Ekuasi (0)
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Finlay Christie (21)
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Corey Evans (1)
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Jock McKenzie (0)
Not considered: Akira Ioane, Harry Plummer, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Beauden Barrett, Josh Goodhue.
The depth of the Blues personnel, further affected by recent illness, will be tested when they meet Moana Pasifika in the first of two clashes, at Mt Smart Stadium on Tuesday.
With both teams facing three games in eight days as they look to make-up lost games earlier in the DHL Super Rugby Pacific competition, the Blues have dug deep into their emerging tyros.
āIt is both a challenge and an exciting opportunity,ā said Blues head coach, Leon MacDonald. āThe situation is simple. You canāt play your most experienced players three times in eight days. It may not by ideal but we just get on with it.
āThe exciting thing for me is that we get the opportunity to give valuable game time for some players who have not seen many minutes, and more than that, we have the chance to provide opportunity for some of our really bright young players who have come through the Blues development system.
āBoth teams have a number of players who have emerged through the Blues Under-18 and Under-20 programmes. We are taking the positive here and really looking forward to it.ā
The Blues starting line-up in the win over the Highlanders on Saturday had 531 caps for the club while the team to start on Tuesday night has 154, with 12 players with three Blues caps or less including four who will be on debut.
There is an experienced look to the front five with All Blacks Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala and Luke Romano included, with the veteran lock from Canterbury to wear the captainās armband.
In the backs the in-form Stephen Perofeta will anchor the backline but around him is a group of young prospects.
There is excitement in the loose forward trio that comprises Taine Plumtree, Adrian Choat and Anton Segner, while the backline will see Tanielu Telāea and Tamati Tua in the midfield with some exciting flyers on the outsides in star winger Mark Telea, AJ Lam and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepens.
The reserves have some experience in All Blacks Finlay Christie and Karl Tuāinukuafe, making his first appearance for the season. It also a quartet of first-five/fullback Jock McKenzie, midfielder Corey Evans, loose forward Ekuasi Vaiolini and prop Josh Fusitua who were all part of the Blues Under-20s.
The remainder of the squad will have their sights set on preparation for Saturdayās second game against their cross-city rivals, with full crowds to be welcomed back to Eden Park. Tickets are now on sale for as little as $20 for an adult General Admission ticket which includes up to four children free.
Trains and event-buses are incorporated in the price of a pre-purchased ticket.
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