SF Blues v Brumbies
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Regular skipper Dalton Papalii misses a second straight match after his appendix removal, while All Blacks wing Caleb Clarke remains out of the mix while he works back from a hamstring strain. Both are considered chances to play next week should the Blues win through to their first full Super Rugby final since 2003.
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Loosies Akira Ioane and Hoskins Sotutu were superb in the quarterfinal win, and will again be joined by Adrian Choat, the only Blues player to be named in every game this season which is a testament to his resilience.
16 matches. This will be his 6th start, 10 games as a sub
I'm sure that's a lot more game time than he was expecting
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@Tim said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
Regular skipper Dalton Papalii misses a second straight match after his appendix removal, while All Blacks wing Caleb Clarke remains out of the mix while he works back from a hamstring strain. Both are considered chances to play next week should the Blues win through to their first full Super Rugby final since 2003.
Look at these Blues already thinking about next week 😎
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This is going to be an intriguing game. The Brumbies are no slugs and I am looking at this Blues team and thinking the Brumbies have the edge in experience. Barrett is going to be pivotal!
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@KiwiMurph said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
Robinson should be ok at lock with Goodhue beside him and Laulala at 3.
Tua makes me nervous but he is a big body which could be useful in the conditions if he gets on the field.
Should definitely provide some punch
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@KiwiMurph said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
@MN5 if only former Tah loosie Jack Dempsey was on the Brumbies bench.
Loads of ferners wouldn’t get that
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@MN5 said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
@KiwiMurph said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
@MN5 if only former Tah loosie Jack Dempsey was on the Brumbies bench.
Loads of ferners wouldn’t get that
everyone gets that you bellend
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@mariner4life said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
@MN5 said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
@KiwiMurph said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
@MN5 if only former Tah loosie Jack Dempsey was on the Brumbies bench.
Loads of ferners wouldn’t get that
everyone gets that you bellend
It’s always nice to be appreciated on here.
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@Old-Samurai-Jack said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
This is going to be an intriguing game. The Brumbies are no slugs and I am looking at this Blues team and thinking the Brumbies have the edge in experience. Barrett is going to be pivotal!
Blues by 20-30
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@ACT-Crusader said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
@Old-Samurai-Jack said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
This is going to be an intriguing game. The Brumbies are no slugs and I am looking at this Blues team and thinking the Brumbies have the edge in experience. Barrett is going to be pivotal!
Blues by 20-30
nah, not with the injuries we've got. We aren't the Crusaders you know
More than 7 would be nice, to provide less nerves going into the final 10 or so. Scrum worries me with TR at lock. Felt very underpowered last week; I hope I'm wrong. It's been a weapon for a few years, not sure why we fell apart.
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@nzzp come on man, this is the Blues. Rangi has your boys humming.
On the scrum last week, I thought the Blues tighthead allowed his opposite to get in under him, which created issues for both him and the hooker.
Brumbies scrum is okayish, it’s their lineout and
illegallying on the wrong side that is pretty effective -
Three starting changes: Blues on high alert for Brumbies ambush
The Blues are expecting a similar challenge from their most torrid test of the season.
This week the Blues had players speak at team meetings about their love of the game, and how much the prospect of Saturday's semifinal means to the team and their families.
Last year's skipper Patrick Tuipulotu, along with fellow lock Gerard Cowley-Tuioti and long-serving midfielder TJ Faiane, have rejoined the team from Japan to further boost spirits.
"They're all pretty proud of what the club has achieved so far and they're really supportive," Blues forwards coach Tom Coventry said. "We're trying to draw on the strength they bring."
Should the Blues progress to the final, Papalii and Caleb Clarke, the latter out with a hamstring issue, are a chance to return.
"Dalton had his appendix out. It'd be touch and go to get him ready next week. There's always a bit of hope. Finlay [Christie] had his appendix out and said he did it in 10 days so Dalton is under a bit of pressure but we'll just take it day by day - I know he's a little bit sore still."
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@mariner4life said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
@MN5 said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
@KiwiMurph said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
@MN5 if only former Tah loosie Jack Dempsey was on the Brumbies bench.
Loads of ferners wouldn’t get that
everyone gets that you bellend
be nice, he's introduced sport into a music and movie lover's forum.
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@ACT-Crusader said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
@nzzp come on man, this is the Blues. Rangi has your boys humming.
Crusaders trying to claim underdog status feels a bit weird. Please stop.
From where we've been, this could be us this season:
