QF: Blues v Tahs

[Duluth]

BARRETT BACK FOR QUARTERFINAL — Blues Rugby

Blues first-five Beauden Barrett is back at pivot for the Blues all-important Friday night Quarter Final against the Waratahs at Eden Park at 7:35pm. Barrett returns after nursing a cut to his heel suffered against the Reds in Brisbane and slots back in at 10, joined by another returnee - in-form m

1 Ofa Tuungafasi
2 Ricky Riccitelli
3 Nepo Laulala
4 Tom Robinson
5 James Tucker
6 Akira Ioane
7 Dalton Papalii (c)
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Finlay Christie
10 Beauden Barrett
11 AJ Lam
12 Bryce Heem
13 Rieko Ioane
14 Mark Telea
15 Zarn Sullivan

Reserves:
16 Kurt Eklund – potential 50th cap
17 Jordan Lay
18 Marcel Renata
19 Cameron Suafoa
20 Anton Segner
21 Sam Nock
22 Harry Plummer
23 Stephen Perofeta

Players not considered: Adrian Choat (shoulder), Caleb Clarke (leg), Sam Darry (arm, season), Alex Hodgman (shoulder, season), Tanielu Telea (knee), Patrick Tuipulotu (arm, season)

[Kirwan]

Bench is looking strong. Really settled squad and selections.

[Duluth]

@Nogusta said in QF: Blues v Tahs:

Heem at 12, Clarke/Lam bracketed, Suafoa and Segner on bench, Zarn 15, Perofeta bench.
Robinson/Tucker locks.

The best rumour poster

[Kirwan]

@Duluth Yep, I hope @Nogusta has spotters for any Blues snipers they send his way.

[Kirwan]

For our visual learners.

[KiwiMurph]

Interesting bench but I guess Rieko and Heem can cover wing, Heem and Lam can cover 13 etc.

[Duluth]

Papali'i/Sotutu/Ioane

I think its the first time since round one they have all started

[nzzp]

@Duluth said in QF: Blues v Tahs:

4 Tom Robinson
5 James Tucker

This is where we won't progress- can see our lineout struggling if we get to semi/Final. Again

Otherwise, good team

[Duluth]

Waratahs Media  /  Jun 6, 2023

Team News – Waratahs team announced for Quarter Final clash against Blues

Te Tera Faulkner, Dave Porecki, Archer Holz, Jed Holloway, Ned Hanigan, Lachie Swinton, Michael Hooper (c), Langi Gleeson, Harrison Goddard, Ben Donaldson, Dylan Pietsch, Lalakai Foketi, Joey Walton, Izaia Perese, Mark Nawaqanitawase

Reserves: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Nephi Leatigaga, Taleni Seu, Charlie Gamble, Teddy Wilson, Tane Edmed, Harry Wilson

Players unavailable for selection:
Angus Bell – Toe (Season)
Harry Johnson-Holmes – Ankle (Season)
Jake Gordon- Concussion
Max Jorgensen- Knee
Will Harrison - ACL (Season)
Zac Von Appen – TBC

[Kirwan]

@nzzp if we get past this game, then Suafoa will replace Robinson, which will strengthen the lineout. The biggest difference this year has been at hooker for that area of the game.

[Bovidae]

Robinson will be the tallest starting "lock" in this game.

[Kirwan]

@Bovidae and if his "form" continues, the most error prone. Super disappointed in his play this year.

[Duluth]

@Bovidae said in QF: Blues v Tahs:

Robinson will be the tallest starting "lock" in this game.

The locks are tall enough and there's plenty of targets in the loosies. If the Blues have a lineout meltdown (again) it'll be because of a hooker (again)

[Bovidae]

It wasn't a criticism of Robinson or the Blues, just an observation that three of the four locks (including Holloway and Hanigan) are really 6s playing lock.

[Machpants]

@Kirwan said in QF: Blues v Tahs:

For our visual learners.

Perofeta busy boy

[nzzp]

@Machpants said in QF: Blues v Tahs:

@Kirwan said in QF: Blues v Tahs:

For our visual learners.

Perofeta busy boy

the second email started 'jokes' and then said Beaudy. Classic.

[Kirwan]

Might as well post the right one

[TheMojoman]

Patty is going to be huge loss. Not terminal vs Tahs, we should put them away comfortably but likely semi in Christchurch..yikes.

No Clarke either which is a concern.

[Machpants]

This post is deleted!

[NTA]

Given how easily the Tahs were getting picked off by Moana at lineout time, I don't think your locks are going to be a problem.