Blues v Highlanders

[Machpants]

@Landers92 said in Blues v Highlanders:

Unsure how NZR are ruling the HIA’s but is it 1 or 2 weeks? If it’s 2 CGB is out.

If the concussion is confirmed by the stage 2 or 3 tests, then it's 12 days

[Duluth]

On the Blues HIA, I hope we give RI another week off. Lam played well last week at 13 so there's no need to rush him back

There's a possibility one of the wings might need to take AB rest. So maybe we see Banks or Tangitau on the wing?

[Landers92]

@Duluth said in Blues v Highlanders:

Harmon is unlikely

May 14

Harmon still doubtful starter for Blues clash

Highlanders captain Billy Harmon remains a doubtful starter for the game against the Blues at Eden Park on Saturday night.

Him and also Tele’a in doubt. He would be a big loss. If out I guess you did what they did last week and have Gilbert at 12 and push Te Hiwi out one to 13.

[SouthernMann]

Highlanders unchanged.

[Duluth]

RENATA REACHES 50 MILESTONE — Blues Rugby

Renata reaches 50 as Blues eye Gordy Hunter defence The Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy is up for grabs this weekend as the Blues host the Highlanders at 7:05pm on Saturday night at Eden Park in Auckland. The DHL Super Rugby Pacific match headlines an exciting afternoon of rugby with 1A 1st XV heav

1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi
2 Kurt Eklund
3 Marcel Renata – 50th Blues appearance
4 Laghlan McWhannell
5 Sam Darry
6 Adrian Choat
7 Dalton Papali’i (c)
8 Akira Ioane
9 Sam Nock
10 Harry Plummer
11 Caleb Clarke
12 Corey Evans
13 Bryce Heem
14 AJ Lam
15 Cole Forbes

16 Soane Vikena
17 Mason Tupaea*
18 Angus Ta’avao
19 Josh Beehre
20 Cameron Suafoa
21 Taufa Funaki
22 Stephen Perofeta
23 Kade Banks*

Players not considered: Lucas Cashmore (hamstring), Finlay Christie (groin), Joshua Fusitu’a, (concussion protocol), Rieko Ioane (concussion protocol), Jordan Lay (ankle, season), Hoskins Sotutu (managing workload), Zarn Sullivan (knee), Mark Tele’a (managing workload), Patrick Tuipulotu (managing workload).

[Kiwiwomble]

[Tim]

@Duluth Congrats to Mahurangi's Kade Banks, I think he's their first Super Rugby player?

[Bovidae]

Is Ben Ake injured? Looking forward to seeing Mason debut.

[African Monkey]

Thought we would have seem Segner get a run.

@Bovidae thoughts on Mason Tupaea?

[Duluth]

Highlanders name team for Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy clash | Highlanders Rugby Club Limited Partnership

This weekend’s clash against the Blues in Auckland will not only be round 13 of the DHL Super Rugby Pacific competition but also present an opportunity for the Highlanders to play for the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy.

Injured/unavailable: Jonah Lowe (knee), Hugh Renton (ankle), Rhys Patchell (pec), Jona Nareki (hamstring), Matt Whaanga (shoulder), Ricky Jackson (hamstring), Billy Harmon (hand), Connor Garden-Bachop (HIA), Josh Timu (ankle)

[Bovidae]

@African-Monkey He has been through the NZ age-group teams (NZ Schools, U20s) and was in the Waikato squad last year without getting too many opportunities. He is a decent size and mobile. Still only 21. He played for the Chiefs Dev team this year too. It's obviously Tupaea's biggest game to date.

[Machpants]

I can't see anything but an easy blues win here

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Bovidae said in Blues v Highlanders:

Is Ben Ake injured?

This from Blues Insta -

"Introducing Mason Tupaea 👋🏽

He’s been brought in as injury replacement for Jordan Lay and Ben Ake and finds himself in line to debut this weekend against the Highlanders"

[Machpants]

Unfortunate timing for the pic

[Kiwiwomble]

@Machpants said in Blues v Highlanders:

I can't see anything but an easy blues win here

why? just because they have 6 current AB's plus a handfull more who might be in with the shout this year...because they're top of the table and we've managed one win over NZ position in 4 years....so narrow minded....

[Machpants]

@Kiwiwomble said in Blues v Highlanders:

@Machpants said in Blues v Highlanders:

I can't see anything but an easy blues win here

why? just because they have 6 current AB's plus a handfull more who might be in with the shout this year...because they're top of the table and we've managed one win over NZ position in 4 years....so narrow minded....

I'm so narrow minded my notepad is an inch wide

[Duluth]

Hopefully Suafoa subs on for one of the flankers. Suafoa and Ioane in the same trio could work given the Blues gameplan

[frugby]

@Machpants said in Blues v Highlanders:

I can't see anything but an easy blues win here

We'll see. People said the same thing about the Crusaders last week... never underestimate confidence, momentum and belief.

Blues resting a shit ton of players will only increase the belief I think.

Blues probably still get it done, but I'd expect it to be close.

[Kiwiwomble]

@frugby did they? i think the closest i saw was things like "crusaders will finally wake up"

[KiwiMurph]

@Machpants said in Blues v Highlanders:

I can't see anything but an easy blues win here

Not so sure

New 8-9-10 combo for Blues

Breaking up Blues midfield combo

Sotutu, Telea etc not playing.

Think this one could get tight