SRA Round 9: Crusaders v Blues
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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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@bones I think we are waiting on official 100% confirmation but by all accounts it's a fresh start.
Pretty tough on the likes of the Tahs if it's a carry over points situation- "you have zero chance of even mathematically making the final but here play 5 kiwi teams back to back".
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@jk said in SRA Round 9: Crusaders v Blues:
@nogusta said in SRA Round 9: Crusaders v Blues:
@duluth said in SRA Round 9: Crusaders v Blues:
@pakman said in SRA Round 9: Crusaders v Blues:
Blues team I'd like to see:
Big Karl/Apisai/Nepo/Dalton P (c)/GCT/Darry/Akira/Hoskins
I think Eklund is back?
The good oil is that Vikena will be the bench hooker!!
Yep. Tolai playing for northcote this week. Think Shaun Stevenson too
Heard a late call up to the Chiefs bench for tonight so may not see SS turn out for Cotes tomorrow after all.
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@bovidae said in SRA Round 9: Crusaders v Blues:
Would you Blues fans have preferred Akira to start ahead of the soon-to-be injured Gibson?
I can only assume Papalii will be playing more as a 6 despite the number on his jersey.
Chch has really missed not having an out and out openside flanker. I like Blues starting eight for breakdown attack.
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@kirwan said in SRA Round 9: Crusaders v Blues:
@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.
Plummer will attack the line harder than Black, and that ought to help backline. But given that’s a big change, surprised this is game Talea gets to start at 12. Is TJF not FULLY fit?
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@duluth said in SRA Round 9: Crusaders v Blues:
@pakman said in SRA Round 9: Crusaders v Blues:
Blues team I'd like to see:
Big Karl/Apisai/Nepo/Dalton P (c)/GCT/Darry/Akira/Hoskins
I think Eklund is back?
I would like to see the NH locks. GCT is in the form of his life and Pierce is the only other power lock in the squad. He should play when Tuiputlotu is injured.
But if we haven't seen Pierce yet I suspect he's unlikely to get picked.Backrow - Sotutu has been just below 2020 standards all year and is drifting backwards. Not a huge issue, he wouldn't be the first player to struggle in his 2nd year as a regular starter. Ioane at 8 and Choat and Papali'i on the flanks. Papali'i is comfortable at 6 and it probably helps his AB aspirations. I'm a fan of Choat, he's still a little limited this early in his career but he will tackle a lot and accurately
Wasn’t aware of Eklund’s return and start makes sense. Likewise Brake.
Hoskins needs to pull his finger out, but Akira seems to have also gone off boil, so for me marginal. But swap at 50 if needs be.
Living in UK don’t know much about Plumtree. What’s the Fern view?
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@pakman said in SRA Round 9: Crusaders v Blues:
Living in UK don’t know much about Plumtree. What’s the Fern view?
He’s looked good in the games I’ve seen. He’s a tall loosie, not really a lock. Hopefully the starters can play most of the match
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I have to keep telling myself that there is an upside to whatever the result is this arvo.
I can't bring myself to cheer for a Saders win even if that locks in a Chiefs final and I think I would rather not have a 'semi-final' next week although a chance at a home final would be great.
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This could get ugly ,but to pick up some easy money was too tempting ..covered both options 12 under & 13 over ..can’t believe the Blues are $3 ,should $8 plus ..TAB have got no balls ..
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2 errors by the Blues and not even a minute gone
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@steven-harris said in SRA Round 9: Crusaders v Blues:
2 errors by the Blues and not even a minute gone
Been the whole story all season.