Blues 2019
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STARTING XV:
1 Alex Hodgman
2 Leni Apisai
3 Sione Mafileo
4 Josh Goodhue
5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
6 Tom Robinson
7 Matt Matich
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Augustine Pulu
10 Stephen Perofeta
11 Tanielu Tele’a
12 TJ Faiane
13 Ma’a Nonu
14 Melani Nanai
15 Michael CollinsREPLACEMENTS:
Marcel Renata
Matt Moulds
Mike Tamoaieta
James Tucker
Evan Olmstead
Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa
Adrian Choat
Jack Grooby
Jonathan Ruru
Otere Black
Caleb Clarke
Levi Aumua
Harry Plummer
Tomas Aoake -
13 Ma’a Nonu
Interesting
SBW is vice captain and TJ had a great NPC. Maybe this is where Nonu will be used?
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@Duluth said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
13 Ma’a Nonu
Interesting
SBW is vice captain and TJ had a great NPC. Maybe this is where Nonu will be used?
I think so. There's not a lot of other options. It has been made clear Rieko will be a wing first, Aumua and Tele'a have very little Super Rugby experience.
Speaking of Tele'a interesting to see him on the wing.
Matich seems to be leading the race to be the cover whilst Gibson is out.
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
STARTING XV:
1 Alex Hodgman
2 Leni Apisai
3 Sione Mafileo
4 Josh Goodhue
5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
6 Tom Robinson
7 Matt Matich
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Augustine Pulu
10 Stephen Perofeta
11 Tanielu Tele’a
12 TJ Faiane
13 Ma’a Nonu
14 Melani Nanai
15 Michael CollinsREPLACEMENTS:
Marcel Renata
Matt Moulds
Mike Tamoaieta
James Tucker
Evan Olmstead
Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa
Adrian Choat
Jack Grooby
Jonathan Ruru
Otere Black
Caleb Clarke
Levi Aumua
Harry Plummer
Tomas AoakeStong Team just don't like our 9,10 and 15 combinations. Would have preferred 9-Ruru, 10-Otere and 15-Perofeta as a a starting lineup.
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@Duluth Yeah, this is the most interesting aspect of the selection. Looks like they'll start the Crusaders game with Faiane and Nonu, with SBW on the bench?
If Perofeta is at 15, will they have three backs on the bench, or use an extra forward?
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Interesting that Nock, Scrafton, and Pierce aren't getting game time, despite training with the team. Wonder if they're still finishing injury rehab?
That would explain the presence of Grooby, Tucker, and Riedlinger-Kapa. Although one of those two locks could be cover for Tuipulotu.
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@Tim Also Duffie, Trainor, Brown and Tupou have seen no game time pre season. I suspect they are all in rehab from injuries of some sort. Also Lindenmuth was injured in the first practice hit out with the Chiefs. It looks like Goodhue may have the inside running to pair with Tuipulotu first up as he's been picked to start both preseason games. It might be an inspired choice. While my jury is still out on him he was sensational the day he played against his brother for Northland in 2017. I think he scored 3 tries as did his brother.
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@Daffy-Jaffy Tupou has been confirmed as unavailable due to still recovering from his ACL injury. Brown has been reported as injured too (twisted ankle?). Be interested to know the status of the others.
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@number9 said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
STARTING XV:
1 Alex Hodgman
2 Leni Apisai
3 Sione Mafileo
4 Josh Goodhue
5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
6 Tom Robinson
7 Matt Matich
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Augustine Pulu
10 Stephen Perofeta
11 Tanielu Tele’a
12 TJ Faiane
13 Ma’a Nonu
14 Melani Nanai
15 Michael CollinsREPLACEMENTS:
Marcel Renata
Matt Moulds
Mike Tamoaieta
James Tucker
Evan Olmstead
Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa
Adrian Choat
Jack Grooby
Jonathan Ruru
Otere Black
Caleb Clarke
Levi Aumua
Harry Plummer
Tomas AoakeStong Team just don't like our 9,10 and 15 combinations. Would have preferred 9-Ruru, 10-Otere and 15-Perofeta as a a starting lineup.
It's a warm up game for the players FFS and all squad players that have put the effort in training deserve a chance to stake their claim. Any good coach would do that if they want competition for places. They have looked at Perofeta at 15, now he gets a shot at 10.
As for Ruru, I do have to chuckle as the same comment was being made last year of 'the coaches are idiots, Ruru should start' until he did take the field and stunk it up. I hope he is better this year. -
Found the match programme for this game.
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@taniwharugby said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
@mariner4life nah MN5 is on the Akira wagon now, he has forgotten all about Charlie!
Yes I've found a new avenue to redirect my scorn. Thanks Charlie, it was fun.
Of course Ioane could still become an AB but the selectors seem to favour Vaea Fifita as their lazy loose forward who is amazing with ball in hand.
Maybe Ioane needs to practice jumping over players at training ?
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@Dice said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
Interesting that Otere is coming off the bench again. I have no clue who'll be our starting 10 next week.
Maybe they are happy Black will be the starter and they wanted to give the backups a start each?
Hard to read much into the pre-season selections... but that won't stop me making a list of players who started both pre-season games:
Hodgman
Mafileo
Goodhue
Robinson
Matich
TJ Faiane
Nanai
Perfoeta (15 in the first match then 10) -
@Duluth yeah tough to know what they are thinking given it is just pre-season.
With my NOrthland hat on...
I am a big fan of Matich and stoked he is finally getting a shot, it is a bit surprising they seem to be giving him a decent go to own the 7 jersey in Gibsons absence (assume thats why he is getting a good run) but I reckon he will make a good fist of it as I have always thought he was a smidge small for 8 at this level anyway.
Robinson has alot of potential, with a huge engine and can play 6 and lock, so is likely a good bench option?
Goodhue, well we know he has pedigree, but everytime he starts to show he is up to this level of rugby, he gets injured, with an extended run of not being injured, I think he will press his case to prove he deserves to be a starter.
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@taniwharugby said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
I am a big fan of Matich and stoked he is finally getting a shot, it is a bit surprising they seem to be giving him a decent go to own the 7 jersey in Gibsons absence
Hopefully he goes well and gets ahead of Brown in the rankings
@taniwharugby said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
Robinson has alot of potential, with a huge engine and can play 6 and lock, so is likely a good bench option?
I agree, I think he'll be on the bench a lot this year.
Although against certain teams I would like us to have Tuipulotu, Scrafton and Goodhue in the 23, with Goodhue covering six. That would force Robinson out
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@taniwharugby Robinson is the ginger isn't he? Shouldn't be allowed in NZ Super Rugby. Were not fucking Scotland!
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@Crazy-Horse he is a modern Paul Tito....pretty sure Robinsons dad was an AB so he gets a bit more latitude
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@taniwharugby I liked what he did with Northland. Seemed abrasive and not scared of putting in the graft from what I saw of him.
