Hurricanes v B&I Lions
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Only one non-test match to be played, so I've tried to figure out what squad the coaches might go for, taking into account all players that aren't available:
1 Loni Uhila
2 Ricky Riccitelli
3 Jeff To'omaga-Allen
4 Sam Lousi
5 Mark Abbott
6 Reed Prinsep
7 Callum Gibbins
8 Brad Shields
9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
10 Otere Black
11 Ben Lam
12 Vince Aso
13 Wes Goosen
14/15 Cory Jane & Nehe Milner-SkudderBench:
16 Leni Apisai
17 Chris Eves
18 Ben May
19 James Blackwell
20 Hugh Renton
21 Kylem O'Donnell
22 Tiaan Falcon
23 Jonah LoweInjured (as far as we know): Goodes, Fatialofa, Cridge, Akhi, Proctor (TJ Va'a?, Peter Umaga-Jensen)
Unavailable (unless released): Coles, Fifita, Beauden and Jordie Barrett, Perenara, Laumape, Julian and Ardie SaveaWith Laumape and Jordie with the ABs and Akhi injured, it's unclear who'll play at 12. I've gone for Aso, because he has played in that position for Auckland.
If Aso plays at 12, Goosen will probably play at 13.
If Ben Lam can play on the left wing (I can only remember him playing at 14), then I think he'll play in the 11 jersey. If not, it is likely to be Jonah Lowe on the left wing.
Not sure whether NMS is preferred at wing or fullback. That will decide where Jane plays.
There's not much depth at lock; there's only Blade Thompson left, able to play both at lock and loose forward, but I've gone for the players that have been picked more often this season. That's why I've picked Blackwell for the lock bench spot.
Little depth at 10, too, so it seems Falcon could go straight from the NZU20s to the Canes' bench, unless they go for another development player (assuming TJ Va'a is still out).Thoughts?
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Is there no chance that Laumape, JB and Fifita will be released? Would make a massive difference having them.
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@Rancid-Schnitzel I hope so, but I haven't read/heard anything about players being released, so I've listed a team without them. Hansen & co. might not want to risk them getting injured at this stage, but considering they released TKB and Rieko Ioane for the Mฤori ABs game, there's a chance it will happen. Fingers crossed! ...
.... although as a Magpies fan I'd like to see Jonah Lowe get another shot, too. He hardly got the ball in the Prov Baabaas game and it would be a great occasion for his Hurricanes debut.
With these players, this would probably change:
4
Sam LousiMark Abbott
5Mark AbbottVaea Fifita
19James BlackwellSam Lousi11
Ben LamWes Goosen
12Vince AsoNgani Laumape
13Wes GoosenVince Aso
14 Nehe Milner-Skudder
15Cory JaneJordie Barrett
23Jonah LoweCory Jane or Ben Lam -
I'd start Jane and make him captain.
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@ACT-Crusader How many others are playing the Lions for the 2nd time (if Jane was picked)?
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@Toddy said in Hurricanes v B&I Lions:
@ACT-Crusader How many others are playing the Lions for the 2nd time (if Jane was picked)?
I think the only other person that played during the 2005 tour was Kaino.
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Barring disaster, those in the squad have to be released now surely. Maybe even J Savea as well!
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@Rancid-Schnitzel said in Hurricanes v B&I Lions:
Barring disaster, those in the squad have to be released now surely. Maybe even J Savea as well!
Given a good result on Saturday, it would be hilarious if they were all released. TJP included.
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@Rembrandt said in Hurricanes v B&I Lions:
Tuesday game? Not a lot of Training time, would be fantastic to get another midweek win (especially for my TAB account)
Been together all year. They should know the calls.
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hahaha oh that's gold. I hope they don't get a fake guy in teaching them
preview of lineouts during hurricanes game:
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@mariner4life assume you didn't read it, it says they use hand signals already....
"I'm not sure how much of a place there is for that in the game. But if it is a game tactic it won't matter for us because we do our lineouts with hand signals anyway, so the verbal cues don't mean anything."
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@taniwharugby haha read the article? are you nuts?
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@mariner4life headlines give enough of a gist aye
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I had a yarn with Eves at the gym last night. He wasn't 100% sure who would be available for the Canes out of the guys in the AB squad. No doubt they get told to keep mum but...
He said the Lions were super physical around ruck and maul time - more so than they usually get in super rugby. Also said they'd trained in awesome weather all week and it was a pity the weather was shite on the night. Biggest problem was not being able to hold possession, esp from kicks.
He agreed that the selections could have changed to accommodate the weather - when it might have made more sense to have Otere start, McKenzie at fullback and Lowe on the wing. But no hints about any AB mandate for McKenzie at 1st five though.
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@Paekakboyz I read an article on the stuff website yesterday, in which they said Boyd will hear on Sunday whether any players will be released by the ABs or not.
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@Paekakboyz said in Hurricanes v B&I Lions:
I had a yarn with Eves at the gym last night. He wasn't 100% sure who would be available for the Canes out of the guys in the AB squad. No doubt they get told to keep mum but...
He said the Lions were super physical around ruck and maul time - more so than they usually get in super rugby. Also said they'd trained in awesome weather all week and it was a pity the weather was shite on the night. Biggest problem was not being able to hold possession, esp from kicks.
He agreed that the selections could have changed to accommodate the weather - when it might have made more sense to have Otere start, McKenzie at fullback and Lowe on the wing. But no hints about any AB mandate for McKenzie at 1st five though.
Because I reckon it's a beat up. Forum and media talk saying DMac has to "add to his bow" to be a bench option, to follow the path that Beauden set, was not coming from the AB camp that I can recall.
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@ACT-Crusader yeah I figured it was more likely that Cooper is seeing how DMac goes at 10. Not that the Chiefs will be expecting to run into the Lions next season... well not these Lions at least!
Hansen may pick and chose when he shares info but I think he's pretty transparent, and approaches requests to super coaches in the right way. ie a request, not an order.
