Hurricanes v Blues
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I can't even with these Canes selections
Flanders shows more value each time he plays than Princep ever has
Laumape was so much better outside Fletcher, who made some good breaks himself and kicked well - yet he's dropped?
Proctor still making the squad despite showing nothing, ever
Fortunately the Blues haven't picked Nock (think he's far better than their other halves).
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15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Harry Plummer, 11 Emoni Narawa, 10 Otere Black, 9 Finlay Christie; 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Aaron Carroll, 5 Josh Goodhue, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Alex Hodgman.
Reserves: 16 Tolai Luteru, 17 Marcel Renata, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20 Tony Lamborn, 21 Jonathan Ruru, 22 TJ Faiane, 23 Matt Duffie
Players not considered with injury: Jared Page (hamstring), Stephen Perofeta (fractured foot), Tom Robinson (knee), James Parsons (concussion), Hoskins Sotutu (knee), Jared Page (hamstring), Dan Carter (calf).
The Blues will take a largely unchanged line-up to Wellington to start the second half of Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa competition against the Hurricanes on Saturday. A trio Bay of Plenty players are the only changes this week with Kurt Eklund and Aaron Carroll replacing the injured pair of James Parsons and Blake Gibson in the pack, while Emoni Narawa, who celebrated his 21st birthday this week, comes in for an unavailable Caleb Clarke on the wing. The debut for 141-game Super Rugby veteran Dan Carter is on hold with the team taking the precaution to replace him on the bench after he was hampered with a minor calf twinge at training. His place in the reserves is taken by Matt Duffie while lock Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, back from injury, will celebrate his 50th game for the Blues. Coach Leon MacDonald believes the side has taken plenty of positives from last week’s loss to the Crusaders into their clash with the Hurricanes on Saturday night. “We did a lot of very good things at set phase and the collision area, and we produced some important front-foot ball. Hopefully the boys can take confidence from those positives into what will be another big battle this week,” said MacDonald. “The Hurricanes are playing well and are renowned for their physical rush defence which we will need to counter. “The nature of this competition means there will be injuries but that also represents opportunities for other players in the squad who have been working hard for their opportunity. Kurt and Aaron were both excellent when they came on last week, and Emoni has trained impressively in recent weeks to earn his chance. “We have resisted any significant change in the backs. We are really pleased with how Harry Plummer is performing, while we believe Otere at first five and Beauden at fullback is our best option at present as they combine well. -
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MacDonald has made several injury-enforced changes, with breakout star Hoskins Sotutu missing with a knee injury suffered against the Crusaders which the Blues are hopeful isn't serious, while James Parsons (concussion) and Blake Gibson are also ruled out, while a cautious approach is being taken with Karl Tu'inukuafe, who sits out on Saturday after his return last week.
Sounds like Karl T's calf still isn't 100%.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12348530
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@KiwiMurph Didn't someone post that Nock got hit with a cheap shot in a bar and lost some teeth?
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@KiwiMurph said in Hurricanes v Blues:
Not sure what is up with Nock.
@Nogusta said in Crusaders v Blues:
not a rest or form thing....probably has something to do with him being sucker punched whilst out with the lads last week n lost a couple a front teeth?
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@foobaNZ said in Hurricanes v Blues:
Is Aso injured? Surely he at least makes the bench over Proctor?
They mus thave had a different person writing the media release, last week, because they included an injury update. The first and only time they've done that. Now back to normal without any info.
Jason Holland used to be responsible for the Hurricanes U18 (maybe also U20?) and was renowned for odd selections. Usually, with a huge Wellington bias. I guess he only watched/watches Wellington 1st XV and club rugby. Anyway, I think that's how guys like Billy Proctor, Peter U-J (and in the past, TJ Va'a) got signed and why they get selected over players like Aso, Lowe and Toala.
I assume Lowe will be without a contract next year and that that's why he doesn't get any opportunity. He's been playing since club rugby started in Hawke's Bay. Going by what Danny Toala posted on his instagram, he has been injured and last Saturday was his first game for his club, but he should be good to go for the Canes. Vince Aso is quite injury prone, but not sure whether he's injured.
I'd have picked Flanders over both Prinsep and Fifita.
Man, the Canes are such a frustrating team to support.
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@Stargazer Well done Blues for your win on Saturday...not going to win anything with Princeep and JGB starting.
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@Stargazer said in Hurricanes v Blues:
Peter U-J
Looked like a handy player when I've seen him play.
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@Stargazer ain't that the truth, at least we've won one title!
I do rate PUJ - think he should be in the 23 each week. Way too good to be playing club footy for Wainui each week.
Toala should be in over B Proctor every day of the week
