Blues v Hurricanes
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1 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 2 James Parsons, 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu(c), 5 Josh Goodhue, 6 Dalton Papalii, 7 Blake Gibson(c), 8 Akira Ioane; 9 Sam Nock, 10 Harry Plummer, 11 Rieko Ioane, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 13 TJ Faiane, 14 Tanielu Tele’a, 15 Melani Nanai
Reserves: 16 Leni Apisai, 17 Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Scott Scrafton, 20 Jed Brown, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Otere Black, 23 Matt Duffie
Players not considered with injury: Sione Mafileo (ankle), Stephen Perofeta (pectoral), Jordan Trainor (thigh), Sonny Bill Williams (knee), Michael Collins (groin), Caleb Clarke (illness), Alex Hodgman (concussion), Tom Robinson (concussion)
https://blues.rugby/blues-look-for-eden-park-inspiration/
The Blues are looking forward to returning to their home at Eden Park to take on the Hurricanes in their Friday night Investec Super Rugby clash. Coach Leon MacDonald said he is challenging the side to put the last three weeks of indifferent performances behind them as they face the Hurricanes for the first time this season. “We are clearly disappointed with our overall performances in the last three games away. There have been lots of good aspects in each of those games but there have been one or two aspects in each of them that has let us down,” MacDonald said. “We are looking to put a complete performance together, one that we can be proud of and one that our fans deserve. “We continue to work hard and there are lots of good signs but one or two things let us down in these last two games in particular. This is an excellent opportunity for the team to right the ship.” Centurion James Parsons, who will play his 100thSuper Rugby match after his 100thgame for the Blues two weeks ago, returns to the starting line-up with All Blacks Karl Tu’inukuafe and Ofa Tuungafasi who will be looking for an improved scrum effort. Co-captain Patrick Tuipulotu also starts with Josh Goodhue, who impressed last week, while there’s a mobile look to the back row with Dalton Papalii starting with co-captain Blake Gibson and the resilient Akira Ioane. Both Tom Robinson and Alex Hodgman were not considered after not passing their post-game head injury assessments. All Black Rieko Ioane returns to the left wing, with Tanielu Tele’a back after suspension on the right wing in place of an illness-hit Caleb Clarke in the backs. Both the Blues and New Zealand Rugby will recognise the efforts of Parsons with presentations post-match -
so Ruru not on the injured list, so is he not considered an impact player ahead of Pulu (assuming Nock is being rewarded for a good performance)
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Jordie Barrett, Wes Goosen, Matt Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Ben Lam, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara (c), Reed Prinsep, Ardie Savea, Vaea Fifita, Isaia Walker-Leawere, James Blackwell, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Asafo Aumua, Toby Smith
Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Fraser Armstrong, Ross Geldenhuys, Kane Le'aupepe, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Finlay Christie, James Marshall, Chase Tiatia
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Very happy with that Blues starting XV
Hopefully the rain stays away and both teams can have a real crack - games between these two tend to be very open the past few years.
@Duluth said in Blues v Hurricanes:
Players not considered with injury: Sione Mafileo (ankle), Stephen Perofeta (pectoral), Jordan Trainor (thigh), Sonny Bill Williams (knee), Michael Collins (groin), Caleb Clarke (illness), Alex Hodgman (concussion), Tom Robinson (concussion)
I'm fairly certain Clarke had that illness for last week's game given the way he left the field coughing/spluttering etc. He had a fairly decent game considering.
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Happy with the Blues lineup..not happy about the official..!
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@KiwiMurph if I was a Blues fan I'd rather it be pissing down with rain, thus taking out that deadly looking Canes backline and leaving their non-threatening forward-pack exposed.
If it's dry the Canes are more than likely going to make it 8 in a row against the Blues.
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I really like the look of that Blues backline, Nock in to create some extra time and space for Ioane and Nani,Plummer will take it to the line where Black doesn't.Tele'a brings some fire power to the other wing solid midfield.Forwards may win this game who ever wins the Breakdown key that's Why the Blues have picked 2 mobile flankers.backlines look pretty Even.
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@Canes4life Rain or shine the Canes will make it 8 in a row.
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I said the same thing before we played the Chiefs a couple of weeks back. We shit on the Blues in those key positions of 7, 9 and 10 so that alone should get us home.
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@Canes4life you forgot about the number 2 jersey as well, to along with 7,9 and 10 jersey..
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It’s Friday 7:35pm I have sent an e-mail to the Canes management that the game is now been moved to Saturday night ..might the Blues best chance..L
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