Brumbies v Blues
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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
Super Rugby Pacific Teams: All the team news for Round 14
Check out all the details for the Super Rugby Pacific teams for round 14 as they drop
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https://i.imgur.com/n3UgW2y.jpg
Segner starting, with no Tom Robinson. Late injury enforced change?
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Players not considered: Harry Plummer, Josh Goodhue, Rieko Ioane, Akira Ioane, Tom Robinson.
BLUES EXCITED FOR MAJOR CHALLENGE AGAINST BRUMBIES IN CANBERRA — Blues Rugby
The Blues face one of their toughest tests when they travel to Canberra to take on the Brumbies in the penultimate regular-season clash in the DHL Super Rugby Pacific competition on Saturday. Coach Leon MacDonald has named a predictably strong line-up led by an experienced pack to take on Australi
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Horrible luck for Robinson. He's struggled to get more than a couple of games in a row with all these injuries
I would've preferred Plumtree at 6. He played well in the first month of the competition and we've barely seen him since. I suspect he moving so there's no point investing time in him.
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@Duluth said in Brumbies v Blues:
Horrible luck for Robinson. He's struggled to get more than a couple of games in a row with all these injuries
I would've preferred Plumtree at 6. He played well in the first month of the competition and we've barely seen him since. I suspect he moving so there's no point investing time in him.
It has to be something like that, as Plumtree was great when he played. Segner is like Blackadder for us, very busy and makes a lot of tackles but they are not dominant tackles like you get from Robinson and Akira.
Will need Sotutu to step up that part of his game to cover.
As for Robinson, he has terrible luck. Again he's injured when its coming up to AB selection.
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@Duluth said in Brumbies v Blues:
Horrible luck for Robinson. He's struggled to get more than a couple of games in a row with all these injuries
it has to be the way he is built vs the way he plays. He goes so very very hard, which is why everyone loves him, but he's not fucking built for it at all.
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And firebrand utility forward Tom Robinson was a late defection when a head knock at Tuesday training ruled him out of an anticipated shift back to No 6.
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@mariner4life might need to add a few kgs to his frame, listed as 110kg, but doesn't look like he carries much fat, so could add some without slowing him down.
He is in the norm maxwell mold...rip shit and bust, total disregard for his body.
That said, I think he has been playing a shade down on previously in terms of physicality, aggression and pace, maybe has one of those little niggles you can play through with minimal impact, or has been told to be slightly less physical to lessen the toll on his body (which I doubt has happened)
Edit @tim damn, bloody head knocks!
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@Machpants said in Brumbies v Blues:
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.”
Don't think Shannon's ever said he didn't want to play at lock.
Pretty sure that was Vaea Fifita.
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@Chris-B said in Brumbies v Blues:
@Machpants said in Brumbies v Blues:
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.”
Don't think Shannon's ever said he didn't want to play at lock.
Pretty sure that was Vaea Fifita.
LOL you're right, I stand corrected - I conflate the two
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@Machpants said in Brumbies v Blues:
@Chris-B said in Brumbies v Blues:
@Machpants said in Brumbies v Blues:
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.”
Don't think Shannon's ever said he didn't want to play at lock.
Pretty sure that was Vaea Fifita.
LOL you're right, I stand corrected - I conflate the two
shit players given goes in teh Black 6 jersey?
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This looks like a tricky assignment for the Blues without the Ioanes and Big Red.
Brumbies were off their game last week and still finished strong late and that was without Lolesio.
I don't think Blues record in Canberra is crash hot.
It might come down to discipline - Blues give away penalties allowing lineout drives etc it could be a long night.
