Blues v Moana Pasifika
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Should be a lot of players rested in this one, but with Akira Ioane getting some valuable game time. Wondering if Tuipulotu will be available, and whether Papalii will get game time?
Players who haven't featured much so far:
Fusitua
Renata
(Who are the injury cover props? Ahio at tighthead? Anyone at loosehead?)
Eklund
Plumtree
Rush
Funaki
McKenzie (injury cover for Perofeta?)
Evans
Tele'a
RTS
TangitauProbably will see rests for:
Tu'ungufasi
Riccitelli
Sotutu
Christie
Barrett
Clarke
Rieko Ioane
TeleaWho will play 10? Plummer, Sullivan, or McKenzie?
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@SBW1 Looking forward to the day where we get to see ZS, SS, Finau, Suafoa, Roigard, Ratima, Narawa, Lord, those two Bell boys - hell maybe even Bailyn all in All Black.... sigh ......(although we may not have to wait too long to see Narawa, SS or Roigard hopefully)
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@SBW1 said in Blues vs. Moana Pasifika:
@Tim Be good to see Sullivan showcase himself at 10 in this one, just to answer the question of whether he is a future 10.
I cant see the harm in playing him at 10, in fact there are a helluva lot of positives to this. Hopefully Macca will wake up to this lightbulb.
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Plummer would be the obvious choice at 10 IMO, maybe a cameo for the last 20 for Sullivan there.
Been reading with bemusement the past few weeks here for the drums beating for Sullivan at 10. He's barely played there and is hitting good form at 15, so better to keep him there.
With his size and long kicking game, and how he enters the line from fullback, he's like a combination of Dagg and Jordie.
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@Duluth said in Blues vs. Moana Pasifika:
Probably need to start Eklund. Vikena didn’t quite take his chances in Fiji. So we’re back to hoping Eklund finds form again
I would like to see Funaki get a start too. Nock has been erratic from the bench.
We need to play someone else at 13 as well, super reliant on RI staying fit in that position.
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@Kirwan said in Blues v Moana Pasifika:
@Duluth said in Blues v Moana Pasifika:
Maybe an Auckland 9-13?
Funaki, Plummer, Evans/RTS, Heem
They’ve played as a combination before
Maybe swap Heem and RTS. Might help RTS back in the ABs if he covers 12/13
TBH, I'd rather Heem in the AB's covering those positions.
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PAPALII REVEALS CLOSE-TO-HOME CONNECTION FOR MOANA CLASH — Blues Rugby
The Blues machine is starting to roll with three wins on the trot and the team aiming to solidify their spot in the top four when they face Moana Pasifika at Eden Park on Saturday May 6 at 7:05pm. Several players return to the starting lineup this weekend with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck partnering Bryce H
1 Ofa Tuungafasi
2 Kurt Eklund
3 Marcel Renata
4 James Tucker
5 Sam Darry
6 Akira Ioane
7 Dalton Papalii
8 Cam Suafoa
9 Taufa Funaki
10 Harry Plummer
11 Caleb Clarke
12 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
13 Bryce Heem
14 AJ Lam
15 Beauden BarrettReserves:
16 Soane Vikena
17 Joshua Fusitu’a
18 James Lay
19 Tom Robinson
20 Anton Segner
21 Finlay Christie
22 Rieko Ioane
23 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-KneepkensPlayers not considered: Alex Hodgman (shoulder, season), Nepo Laulala (calf), Stephen Perofeta (shoulder), Hoskins Sotutu (illness), Tanielu Telea (knee), Mark Telea (rest), Patrick Tuipulotu (knee)
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Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Chris Apoua, Michael Curry, Mike McKee, Miracle Faiilagi, Alamanda Motuga, Solomone Funaki (c), Ereatara Enari, Christian Lealiifano, Neria Foma'i, D’Angelo Leuila, Levi Aumua, Timoci Tavatavanawai, William Havili
Reserves: Luteru Tolai, Ezekiel Lindnemuth, Tau Koloamatangi, Alex McRobbie, Jonah Mau’u, Jonathan Taumateine, Lincoln McClutchie, Fine Inisi
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@Stargazer said in Blues v Moana Pasifika:
@Duluth I hoped that Zarn would start at 10 in this game, but he isn't even in the 23.
Why? Plummer is far more experienced at 10 and Sullivan has barely played there.
He's finally found form after a slow start at 15, it would be counter productive to move him in that scenerio also. Much better for the team to continue his progress there, especially as he's a genuine chance there at AB level.
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