Super Rugby pre-season matches
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<p>Akira Ioane not playing the preseason game v Chiefs as he has a hamstring strain. Should be good for week 1 v Highlanders though.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<p><strong>Blues starting XV v Chiefs</strong></p>
<p style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Calibri, Candara, Segoe, 'Segoe UI', Optima, Arial, sans-serif;">15. Lolagi Visinia<br>
14. Melani Nanai<br>
13. Rene Ranger<br>
12. George Moala<br>
11. Tevita Li<br>
10. Ihaia West<br>
9. Bryn Hall<br>
8. Steven Luatua<br>
7. Blake Gibson<br>
6. Jerome Kaino (c)<br>
5. Josh Bekhuis<br>
4. Hoani Matenga<br>
3. Sione Mafileo<br>
2. Quentin MacDonald<br>- Ofa Tu'ungafasi</p>
<p style="font-size:16px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Calibri, Candara, Segoe, 'Segoe UI', Optima, Arial, sans-serif;">Reserves: James Parsons, Sam Prattley, Namatahi Waa, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Scrafton, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Patrick Tuipulotu, Kara Pryor, Joe Edwards, Billy Guyton, Matt McGahan, Male Sa'u, Rieko Ioane, Ben Lam, Matt Duffie.</p>
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<p>Meanwhile Cruden will play for Chiefs.</p>
- Ofa Tu'ungafasi</p>
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Highlanders to play the Waratahs is our final preseason game. Selections of note; Luke Whitelock ahead of Elliott Dixon, Rob Thompson looking the likely favourite to wear the 12 jersey now the baracutta is gone. Looking for a big season from Liam Squire. 1. Daniel Lienert-Brown<br>
2. Liam Coltman<br>
3. Josh Hohneck<br>
4. Tom Franklin<br>
5. Joe Wheeler<br>
6. Luke Whitelock<br>
7. James Lentjes<br>
8. Liam Squire<br>
9. Aaron Smith<br>
10. Lima Sopoaga<br>
11. Patrick Osborne<br>
12. Rob Thompson<br>
13. Malakai Fekitoa<br>
14. Waisake Naholo<br>
15. Ben Smith ( c )<br><br>
Reserves<br>
16. Ash Dixon<br>
17. Brendon Edmonds<br>
18. Ross Geldenhuys<br>
19. Mark Reddish<br>
20. Gareth Evans<br>
21. Fumiaki Tanaka<br>
22. Elliot Dixon<br>
23. Jason Emery<br>
24. Teihorangi Walden<br>
25. Matt Faddes<br>
26. Hayden Parker<br>
27. Dan Pryor -
<p><strong>Crusaders v Hurricanes</strong> - Blenheim - Friday, 19 Feb, 4.30pm</p>
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<p><strong><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Crusaders</span></strong><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">: David Havili, Johnny McNicholl, Kieron Fonotia, Sean Wainui, Nemani Nadolo, Richie Mo'unga, Mitchell Drummond, Jordan Taufua, Tim Boys, Jimmy Tupou, Sam Whitelock (c), Scott Barrett, Mike Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. </span></p>
<p><em><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Reserves</span></em><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">: Ben Funnell, Wyatt Crockett, Owen Franks, Oli Jager, Mitchell Dunshea, Andy Ellis, Ben Volavola, Jone Macilai, Pete Samu, Reed Prinsep.</span></p>
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<p><strong><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Hurricanes</span></strong><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">: Nehe Milner-Skudder, Cory Jane, Vince Aso, Ngani Laumape, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara (c), Victor Vito, Ardie Savea, Vaea Fifita, Mark Abbott, Blade Thomson, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Leni Apisai, Reggie Goodes. </span></p>
<p><em><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Reserves</span></em><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">: Ricky Riccitelli, Loni Uhila, Chris Eves, Michael Fatialofa, Callum Gibbins, Jamison Gibson-Park, Willis Halaholo, Pita Ahki, James Marshall, Jason Woodward.</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Radio commentary: <span>1161AM (bottom of NI, top of SI) or online <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://tunein.com/radio/Te-Upoko-O-Te-Ika-1161-s118791/'>http://tunein.com/radio/Te-Upoko-O-Te-Ika-1161-s118791/</a> (found on Clubrugby twitter)</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span>Haven't seen any info about livestream</span></span></span></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="559205" data-time="1455703348">
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<p>Any chance of a stream with that game SM?</p>
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<p>Nah don't think so. As usual the best option will probably be the Twitter feeds. </p> -
<p>The Gallagher Chiefs team to play the Blues is:</p>
<p>1 Pauliasi Manu<br>
2 Rhys Marshall<br>
3 Siate Tokolahi<br>
4 Michael Allardice<br>
5 Brodie Retallick<br>
6 Taleni Seu<br>
7 Sam Cane (co-captain)<br>
8 Tom Sanders<br>
9 Brad Weber<br>
10 Aaron Cruden (co-captain)<br>
11 Sam McNicol<br>
12 Charlie Ngatai<br>
13 Seta Tamanivalu<br>
14 Glen Fisiiahi<br>
15 Damian McKenzie</p>
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<p>RESERVES:<br>
16 Nathan Harris<br>
17 Mitchell Graham<br>
18 Hiroshi Yamashita<br>
19 Johan Bardoul<br>
20 Tevita Koloamatangi<br>
21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow<br>
22 Chase Tiatia<br>
23 Anton Lienert-Brown<br>
24 Latu Vaeno<br>
25 Lalakai Foketi<br>
26 James Tucker<br>
28 James Lowe<br>
29 Shaun Stevenson<br>
30 Atu Moli</p>
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<p>Not considered for selection: Mitchell Karpik, Maama Vaipulu, Nepo Laulala, Toni Pulu, Dominic Bird, Augustine Pulu, Andrew Horrell, Hika Elliot, Michael Leitch and Stephen Donald.</p>
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<p>I wouldn't read too much into these selections just yet. Good to see Cruden back.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="559306" data-time="1455758470">
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<p>Sanders is an 8/6 from Canterbury. Played ITM Cup last year. Had an impressive season with them. Was also part of NZ U20s in 2014.</p>
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<p>A few down here were very disappointed to lose him, reminds me of a young Kieran Read.</p>
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<p>...... but that's Toddy's recruitment for you.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="559305" data-time="1455758333">
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<p><strong>How has the league convert been going?</strong> Did Tom Sanders play last season? I don't recognise the name. Where is he from?</p>
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<p>Scored a cracking try against NSW.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="559307" data-time="1455758742">
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<p>A few down here were very disappointed to lose him, reminds me of a young Kieran Read.</p>
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<p>...... but that's Toddy's recruitment for you.</p>
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<p>Excellent!</p>
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<p>All that cost of getting him ready for us. Nice one Cantabs!!</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="559307" data-time="1455758742"><p>A few down here were very disappointed to lose him, reminds me of a young Kieran Read.<br><br>
...... but that's Toddy's recruitment for you.</p></blockquote>
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Sanders is an excellent prospect and was a real find in the ITM Cup last season. But to be fair to Toddy, even with McCaw retiring we still have quite a few good loose forwards that were already signed. We needed openside cover for Matt Todd and we got Boys, we really didn't need another 6/8. <br><br>
Good luck to Sanders in the Chiefs squad. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="559409" data-time="1455830684">
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<p>Sanders is an excellent prospect and was a real find in the ITM Cup last season. But to be fair to Toddy, even with McCaw retiring we still have quite a few good loose forwards that were already signed. We needed openside cover for Matt Todd and we got Boys, we really didn't need another 6/8.<br><br>
Good luck to Sanders in the Chiefs squad.</p>
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<p>Can understand the reasoning above, but personally I'd have selected him ahead of Pete Samu. Whom I think is a bit lightweight for a 6 at super level.</p>
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<p>Agree, good luck to Sanders. Watched a couple of lincoln university club games last year and he's the type of player I love. Big, Abrasive and fearless in contact.</p>
