SF - Blues v Brumbies
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Are Heem and Lam normally 2nd 5 options (sorry not a great follower of Blues rugby).
If not it's been pretty impressive that they've got 2 "part timers" to slot into the position with minimal disruption to their backline.
Means the attack pattern is well understood and executed by the players, kudos to the coaching group.
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@Windows97 Heem has played a lot of 12 over the last few years (though not a natural 12) however Lam has adapted very quickly only first slotting into 12 in recent weeks (whilst also chopping between centre and wing). Agreed on coaching.
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@Windows97 said in SF - Blues v Brumbies:
Are Heem and Lam normally 2nd 5 options (sorry not a great follower of Blues rugby).
If not it's been pretty impressive that they've got 2 "part timers" to slot into the position with minimal disruption to their backline.
Means the attack pattern is well understood and executed by the players, kudos to the coaching group.
Yeah it's a simple thing, basically hard and straight. There are not many complicated moves for the inside backs to get right or wrong. Good to see an NZ team play this way at long last.
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How the 'un-Australian' Brumbies are flying the flag in Super Rugby
Stephen Larkham's Brumbies play pragmatic stuff, but it has propelled them to another Super Rugby Pacific semi-final.
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Blues team from the big win earlier in the year:
Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Ricky Riccitelli
Marcel Renata
Patrick Tuipulotu (c)
Laghlan McWhannell
Akira Ioane
Dalton Papali’i
Hoskins Sotutu
Taufa Funaki
Harry Plummer
Caleb Clarke
Bryce Heem
Rieko Ioane
Mark Tele’a
Cole Forbes
Reserves:
Kurt Eklund
Joshua Fusitu’a
Angus Ta’avao
Sam Darry
Adrian Choat
Sam Nock
Lucas Cashmore
AJ Lam
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The opta match pack from the super.rugby site
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From that data it looks like if the Blues can defend like they have all season and stop Wright making metres, they'll win.
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BLUES PRIMED FOR BRUMBIES CHALLENGE — Blues Rugby
The Blues have made one enforced change to their side for Friday night’s DHL Super Rugby Pacific Semi Final showdown against the ACT Brumbies at Eden Park, 7:05pm. Lock Sam Darry returns to the starting side after sitting out last week under concussion protocols, replacing skipper Patrick
1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi
2 Ricky Riccitelli
3 Marcel Renata
4 Sam Darry
5 Josh Beehre
6 Akira Ioane
7 Dalton Papali’i (c)
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Finlay Christie
10 Harry Plummer
11 Caleb Clarke
12 AJ Lam
13 Rieko Ioane
14 Mark Tele’a
15 Stephen Perofeta16 Kurt Eklund
17 Joshua Fusitu’a
18 Angus Ta’avao
19 James Thompson
20 Adrian Choat
21 Taufa Funaki
22 Corey Evans
23 Cole ForbesPlayers not considered: Patrick Tuipulotu (knee), Bryce Heem (calf), Jordan Lay (ankle, season), Zarn Sullivan (knee)
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James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
RESERVES: Liam Bowron, Rhys van Nek, Sosefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Jahrome Brown, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Ollie Sapsford
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Happy with that team, best two halfbacks and if you have those two, that's the right way around so Funaki can provide impact from the bench. Christie organised the forwards in tight well last week, so expect the first 55mins to be a grind too.
Good to see Lam get consecutive starts in the same position, he usually has to move all over the place so should help his attack (his defence was huge last week).
Expecting to really take on the Brumbies up front and blunt their strengths.
Super Rugby Pacific Team List: Semi-Final v Blues
