SRA Round 9: Crusaders v Blues
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Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Leicester Fainga’anuku, David Havili, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Mitchell Drummond, Cullen Grace, Sione Havili Talitui, Ethan Blackadder, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, George Bower
Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Tamaiti Williams, Oliver Jager, Mitchell Dunshea, Tom Sanders, Bryn Hall, Dallas McLeod, Manasa Mataele
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15 Stephen Perofeta, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Rieko Ioane (c), 12 Tanielu Tele’a, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Harry Plummer, 9 Jonathan Ruru; 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papalii (c), 6 Blake Gibson, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe.
Reserves: 16 Soane Vikena, 17 Marcel Renata, 18 Ofa Tuungafasi, 19 Taine Plumtree, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Otere Black, 23 AJ Lam
Players not considered with injury: Patrick Tuipulotu (neck), Josh Goodhue (concussion), Jacob Pierce (leg), Tom Robinson (concussion), James Lay (foot). Season-ending: Jone Macalai, Dillon Hunt.
After two narrow losses in the last three games, the Blues are turning inwards for their focus for the Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa match against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Sunday. Blues coach Leon MacDonald believes his side has created sufficient opportunities to prosper but lacked accuracy in implementation and our discipline. “Our focus is on us. It is about us being more accurate so we can take advantage of the chances we are creating. We show it on the training field, and we need to take that focus and that confidence into the game. “We have to front-up at set-piece, be physical but disciplined at the collisions, stay in the contest and trust our skills. At times we make the game look sublime and other times we switch off. “I know and believe that this group can produce a performance that they and our fans can be proud of.” All Blacks Karl Tu’inukuafe and Nepo Laulala start in the front row with Kurt Eklund returning from suspension at hooker with plenty to prove. The experienced Gerard Cowley-Tuioti and Christchurch product Sam Darry are paired again in the middle row with skipper Patrick Tuiopultu will nursing an injury, while skilful Blake Gibson joins All Blacks Dalton Papalii and Hoskins Sotutu in an exciting loose forward trio. The backline is largely unchanged with Harry Plummer starting at first-five and a fully-fit Tanielu Tele’a to add power and thrust to the midfield. With stand-in skipper Tom Robinson unavailable with injury, the captaincy will be shared by Papalii and Rieko Ioane at 23 years and 24 respectively. -
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@bovidae said in SRA Round 9: Crusaders v Blues:
@duluth said in SRA Round 9: Crusaders v Blues:
No TJ is a big surprise. Not listed as injured either
Most expected Faiane to be the captain.
Far out....what a game to get your first start in....(Talea) and Plummer first start at 10
Brand new 10/12 combo against a probable AB combo?
Either a masterstroke or straw clutching
They should've done a better job of rotating/giving guys like Telea/Lam/Narawa/Choat minutes under their belt -
@nogusta said in SRA Round 9: Crusaders v Blues:
@bovidae said in SRA Round 9: Crusaders v Blues:
@duluth said in SRA Round 9: Crusaders v Blues:
No TJ is a big surprise. Not listed as injured either
Most expected Faiane to be the captain.
Far out....what a game to get your first start in....(Talea) and Plummer first start at 10
Brand new 10/12 combo against a probable AB combo?
Either a masterstroke or straw clutching
They should've done a better job of rotating/giving guys like Telea/Lam/Narawa/Choat minutes under their beltAgree, an odd game to make this switch. Will either be a masterstroke, or a a horrible reminder of the awful Tana selection era.
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@kirwan at least Ruru gets another shot, start of some consistency there...
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@taniwharugby said in SRA Round 9: Crusaders v Blues:
@kirwan at least Ruru gets another shot, start of some consistency there...
He's been clearly the best of the 9s, so deserves selection.
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@kirwan said in SRA Round 9: Crusaders v Blues:
@taniwharugby said in SRA Round 9: Crusaders v Blues:
@kirwan at least Ruru gets another shot, start of some consistency there...
He's been clearly the best of the 9s, so deserves selection.
Disagree.
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@kiwimurph said in SRA Round 9: Crusaders v Blues:
@kirwan said in SRA Round 9: Crusaders v Blues:
@taniwharugby said in SRA Round 9: Crusaders v Blues:
@kirwan at least Ruru gets another shot, start of some consistency there...
He's been clearly the best of the 9s, so deserves selection.
Disagree.
Didn't say he was going to be an All Black, but looking at the games this season Ruru is playing better than Finlay. Nock is a distant third at this point.
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@kirwan I understand. My opinion is that it's a self-fulfilling prophecy thing because Ruru gets most of the game time.
Just as an example let's talk about Nock.
Nock started game 1 and got pulled right at halftime. Then played game 2 from the bench.
His only other appearance was the Canes first half (game 5) in which he started and then got benched around halftime.
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@kiwimurph said in SRA Round 9: Crusaders v Blues:
@kirwan I understand. My opinion is that it's a self-fulfilling prophecy thing because Ruru gets most of the game time.
Just as an example let's talk about Nock.
Nock started game 1 and got pulled right at halftime. Then played game 2 from the bench.
His only other appearance was the Canes first half (game 5) in which he started and then got benched around halftime.
Yes, because Nock was not playing well. Some of his kicks where going straight up!
Perhaps he's not training well either? Who knows. Difference is when Ruru has come on from the bench he's made a real difference.
I'd actually prefer they kept doing that and start with Christie
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@kirwan Yeah I think it's more coaches preference rather than overall form. They are two completely different halfbacks. For example - Ruru will always struggle with his clearance - both in terms of speed and accuracy - he always has and will. Clearly that doesn't bother Leon enough so Ruru remains starting. It will be interesting to see if Ruru and Plummer combine better but to me a huge part (but only part) of the Blues attack struggles is they don't have a 9 who clears well enough.
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