Blues vs Waratahs
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15 Melani Nanai, 14 Caleb Clarke, 13 TJ Faiane, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Otere Black, 9 Jonathan Ruru; 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Blake Gibson (CC), 6 Tom Robinson, 5. Josh Goodhue, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (CC), 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 James Parsons, 1. Alex Hodgman
Reserves: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Marcel Renata, 18 Ofa Tuungafasi, 19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20 Dalton Papalii, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Michael Collins
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The Blues have named virtually an unchanged side to host the Waratahs in their third straight home game at Eden Park on Saturday. The pre-season star performer, Caleb Clarke, returns from injury to replace suspended Tanielu Tele’a on the wing, while Josh Goodhue has recovered from a shoulder injury to return at lock. Goodhue’s return is the only change to the pack that performed strongly against the Stormers, with the hard-working Gerard Cowley-Tuioti to add his impetus off the bench. The other change in the forward reserves sees Marcel Renata as front row replacement with Karl Tu’inukuafe spelled this week. Clarke is the only change from the starting line-up in the backs with changes in the reserves comprising Sam Nock at halfback and Michael Collins, who covers the midfield and outside backs, with Sonny Bill Williams sidelined with a knee injury. “There’s a settled look to this team but that is not to say there is not competition,” said head coach Leon MacDonald. “There’s competition for virtually every spot in the starting line-up which is what we want – and it is helping to produce competitive and high quality trainings. “If the starters do their job well, then they earn the right to stay there. We have already highlighted that while we want our starters to set the platform, equally one of our strengths is the energy we get off the bench to help us finish strongly. “We again showed improvement last week which we are pleased about, but it also showed up areas that we need to improve. Our aim is to continue to improve every game, and we have the confidence that if we can continue to improve, then we will reap the rewards. “We want to achieve this with a quality brand of rugby that is fantastic for fans to watch – and we are hoping they will flock in to support us this weekend.” -
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@NTA said in Blues vs Waratahs:
@Duluth Big Karl is a loss, no doubt, but I've been watching the Blues' scrum be capable for 50-60 minutes then turn up the heat on people, and it ain't pretty for opponents.
Player of the week last week for me. Simply outstanding in the scrum and around the field
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues vs Waratahs:
Collins in the 23 scares me. Especially with Tahs bringing Beale off the bench.
I think the plan will be to leave Michael Collins in the Command Module - he need never set foot on the moo... er ground.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues vs Waratahs:
Clarke under the high ball could be targeted.
He's had a couple of questionable games on defence too. On the plus side, we have two genuinely fast wingers now
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Really looking forward to this one.
We're starting to look more like a two-way team. I know our defense has been getting praise, but you can see our attack taking shape too. We're still prone to some errors, but we seem better equipped to deal with that at the moment. Hopefully we keep things rolling.
@Duluth said in Blues vs Waratahs:
@KiwiMurph said in Blues vs Waratahs:
Clarke under the high ball could be targeted.
He's had a couple of questionable games on defence too. On the plus side, we have two genuinely fast wingers now
He's probably come back at the right time too, because our outside backs are starting to be put into space a lot now.
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@Dice said in Blues vs Waratahs:
Really looking forward to this one.
We're starting to look more like a two-way team. I know our defense has been getting praise, but you can see our attack taking shape too. We're still to prone to some errors, but we seem better equipped to deal with that at the moment. Hopefully we keep things rolling.
It's our mental resilience that I've been most impressed with. I've watched the replay, and the Stormers got some serious balla gainst us, but we just refused to give in. Was really good to see - we're limited, but working really hard and not giving up. That's a massive win for me
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Well, 5 hours to go and it's been raining steadily all day. Weird as MetService predicted odd showers - but it's been fairly constant. Suspect it coudl be damp all night.
I guess that favours the Tahs? Not sure our set piece is good enough - will take a big effort to roll them here
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues vs Waratahs:
@nzzp radar looks like it could clear in the next hour. Fingers crossed.
You'd hope so ... but the rain radar seems to show more rain just appearing.
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