Brumbies v Blues
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@nzzp said in Brumbies v Blues:
Stink.
Crap. The team has been playing so well we can cover with Heem but it would be nice to continue to build the RTS/Reiko combo and to have the additional strike power outwide.
Discipline and accuracy will be absolutely key. If Blues are undisciplined, Brumbies will punish them - kick to corner and rolling maul from lineout or milk more penalties.
Blues have been able to get away with being a little sloppy because Rebels/Reds have not been good enough to capitalise/punish them but the Brumbies are the real deal.
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@TheMojoman pretty sure the Blues didn't concede a single penalty in the second half of last match?
Blues have been great. Bigger, stronger, faster and more disciplined than anyone else. If the Brumbies are still missing key players it should be blues by 15+
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Noiones
Big Red is the anti-frizzle
Akira’s absence this week will likely mean versatile Blues forward Tom Robinson will slot back into No 6 to face the Brumbies. If so, the hard-nosed Northlander told Stuff he will be ready after deputising in the second row for the last two matches.
“I like it in there,” said Robinson of his shift to second-row duties. “You’re in the thick of it. In our system the 6 is often on the edge on attack and defence, so sometimes you’re not involved in a whole lot of the action. It’s something I really enjoy, getting stuck in, doing the dirty work.
“But wherever I need to be for the team, I’ll happily play.”
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@TheMojoman the good thing being Heem is a pretty like-for-like replacement.
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@Bones said in Brumbies v Blues:
@TheMojoman the good thing being Heem is a pretty like-for-like replacement.
I wouldn't call Heem pretty, but each to their own. I am not one to judge.
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@Crazy-Horse said in Brumbies v Blues:
@Bones said in Brumbies v Blues:
@TheMojoman the good thing being Heem is a pretty like-for-like replacement.
I wouldn't call Heem pretty, but each to their own. I am not one to judge.
How the other half live eh
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Brumbies
Scott Sio, Folau Fainga’a, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Caderyn Neville, Tom Hooper, Luke Reimer, Pete Samu, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Andy Muirhead, Irae Simone, Len Ikitau, Tom Wright, Tom Banks
Reserves: Billy Pollard, James Slipper, Sefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Rory Scott, Ryan Lonergan, Hudson Creighton, Ollie Sapsford
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With Akira out this week they are likely to move Robinson to 6 and bring Romano in to start. I kinda wish they would Trust Plumtree to start at 6 in this game. He has been excellent when given chances but must be getting frustrated by now at not making the 23 even when All Blacks are rested or injured. I would like to have seen him, Suafoa, Evans, JRK etc gat a few more chances. One of my favourite things about how the team has been going this year is how the squaddies/rookies have performed when called upon to play. E.g. Jordan Lay has been good enough to now keep Big Karl on the bench and may even join his injured brother James in next years squad unless they choose to promote young Fisitua. Most of the concern on here around this years squad naming was about the weakness at lock, but they have all played so well that lock has been a strength (a few lineout wobbles aside). Goodhue was our number one lock, playing well early on but it will be difficult to find space for him when he returns from injury. Even young Darry who I wasn't sure about by NPC form has gone well, working hard and throwing himself about with impact. I see they are returning to Auckland post this game rather than go straight to Sydney. I guess the ideal plan is win this game , secure top spot then send a B team over to play the Tahs while most of the 1st xv stay home to prep for the Landers!
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Brumbies v Blues:
I see they are returning to Auckland post this game rather than go straight to Sydney. I guess the ideal plan is win this game , secure top spot then send a B team over to play the Tahs while most of the 1st xv stay home to prep for the Landers!
Can't find it now but MacDonald made comments about wanting to keep the full squad together. Staying in Aussie would've meant working with a smaller group next week
If they win this week, I still think the team against the Tahs will be strong. Maybe one or two players with heavy workloads rested. Momentum and combinations are too important
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@Duluth said in Brumbies v Blues:
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Brumbies v Blues:
I see they are returning to Auckland post this game rather than go straight to Sydney. I guess the ideal plan is win this game , secure top spot then send a B team over to play the Tahs while most of the 1st xv stay home to prep for the Landers!
Can't find it now but MacDonald made comments about wanting to keep the full squad together. Staying in Aussie would've meant working with a smaller group next week
If they win this week, I still think the team against the Tahs will be strong. Maybe one or two players with heavy workloads rested. Momentum and combinations are too important
Yeah, he said that a small group 'on tour' would disrupt the training week processes that had been working well for them where they can have opposed runs using the full squad.
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Rugby AU has this team on their site, but have been known to make mistakes?
BLUES (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, James Tucker, Sam Darry, Tom Robinson, Dalton Papalii (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Bryce Heem, Mark Telea, Stephen Perofeta
RESERVES: Ricky Riccitelli, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Anton Segner, Sam Nock, Tanielu Tele'a, Zarn Sullivan