Blues v Crusaders
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@duluth said in Blues v Crusaders:
@african-monkey said in Blues v Crusaders:
Mark Telea will be hoping he's unavailable Bridge was all over him in the air last time we played
Yeah, Telea had a shocker last year
I think Narawa might start. He had a very strong second half against the Highlanders and has played plenty at fullback.
The negatives would his lack of experience and sometimes his defence looks off.I think it's worth the risk of picking Narawa
Can someone tell me why Leon is refraining from selecting AJ Lam, Zarn Sullivan or Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens on the bench over Narawa? Pretty sure Narawa played in both of the Blues losses in SRA 2020, he was poor against the Hurricanes in Wellington, making defensive errors and knock-ons, I was really not impressed. Surely the others are better options at this stage?
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@kiwi_expat well
Zarn is a 10/15. Blues currently have 3 x 10s in the playing 23.
Kneepkens I imagine you will see very soon. A debut against the Crusaders is a tough ask so probably won't see him this weekend.
Lam I would sense is behind Kneepkens as an option.
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@kiwimurph Bryce Heem might just leapfrog all of em. Experienced player in a big game. He was in the warmups last Sunday which tends to mean those guys are the next cab off the rank. Mind you Kneepkens was in the warmups as well. TJ Faiane looks to be fit again so he may come into the matchday squad.
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The big, bad Blues still need speed where it matters, and they’re breathing a sigh of relief that Blake Gibson has recovered from a rib injury in time to face the Crusaders at Eden Park on Sunday. With All Black Dalton Papalii out this week after taking a knock to his noggin’ against the Highlanders last Sunday, and new signing Dillon Hunt potentially out for the season with ongoing concussion issues, the Blues have been forced to dig deep in their openside flanker stock. They have added well-performed Auckland No 7 Adrian Choat to their squad as a replacement (for Hunt), but forwards coach Tom Coventry confirmed to Stuff that Gibson had made a full recovery from his rib problems and would be available to face the Crusaders on Sunday, if required. The Blues will name their squad on Friday, but will almost certainly start with Gibson at No 7, alongside the line-busting duo of Akira Ioane and Hoskins Sotutu, with Tom Robinson likely to provide loose forward cover off the bench. They will have their fourth All Black prop, Alex Hodgman, available for selection this week after he came through Tuesday’s training well -
@kiwimurph with Break Gibson starting looks like Akira will get some more time at 7 when the inevitable happens.
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@kiwimurph said in Blues v Crusaders:
@nepia nice nickname
I’m surprised it’s taken me this many years to think of it.
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@nepia said in Blues v Crusaders:
@kiwimurph said in Blues v Crusaders:
@nepia nice nickname
I’m surprised it’s taken me this many years to think of it.
He certainly has been unlucky. Mike Brewer levels of durability.
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Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Cullen Grace, Sione Havili Talitui, Ethan Blackadder, Samuel Whitelock, Scott Barrett (c), Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody.
Reserves: Brodie McAlister, George Bower, Oliver Jager, Mitchell Dunshea, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Mitchell Drummond, Fergus Burke, Dallas McLeod. -
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@gt12 said in Blues v Crusaders:
That's a shame for Christie, but that Crusaders team looks very good. This should be a cracking game.
Crusaders tight 5 and Richie Mo'unga give them the edge as usual. Should be a cracking game, but crusaders by 5. Bless clear underdogs
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@nzzp said in Blues v Crusaders:
@gt12 said in Blues v Crusaders:
That's a shame for Christie, but that Crusaders team looks very good. This should be a cracking game.
Crusaders tight 5 and Richie Mo'unga give them the edge as usual. Should be a cracking game, but crusaders by 5. Bless clear underdogs
Yeah, 4 ABs in the front five with one squaddie coming off the bench does give them an advantage. However, the prop rotation and loosies for the Blues are also very good, so it should be a real ding dong battle.
I'm also starting to really like the way that Otere Black is playing, he's probably No. 2 right now behind Richie.
Crusaders by less than 7 seems about right but I will be cheering along my new second team. I'm hoping that Paps is healthy, but even without him the Blues may have the edge in the loosies.
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@gt12 said in Blues v Crusaders:
@nzzp said in Blues v Crusaders:
@gt12 said in Blues v Crusaders:
I'm hoping that Paps is healthy, but even without him the Blues
mayhave the edge in the loosies.FIFY
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