Hurricanes vs Blues
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Starting this post early with the big talking point around Jordie Barrett's potential ban. He's likely to be out for around four weeks so who replaces him?
My preference is for Riley Higgins to come in, he's had a few impressive campaigns for Wellington over the last couple of seasons and is primed for an opportunity. Other options are obviously starting Peter Umaga-Jensen, not my preferred option as he hasn't played any rugby this year yet after the death of his mother.
Billy Proctor can also play 12 but kind of seems pointless shifting him when we've got two 12's available.
Other news on the Canes front is that TJ Perenara will come back into the 23, awesome to see him back after what he's been through. He's apparently in the best shape he's ever been in and looks very fit. Hope he's been working on that pass of his.
Brad Shields is also a ?? for this game. Would love to have his physicality against a big Blues side but we will have to wait and see on what that team looks like on Wednesday.
Not sure where Bailyn Sullivan is at, there has been no mention of his injury and expected return.
More on Jordie here - https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350200225/hurricanes-star-jordie-barrett-faces-ban-after-high-shot
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No update on Darry yet?
I guess Rieko & Christie will come back into the starting xv. Segner at least back into the 23, maybe one of last weeks starting starting loosies goes to the bench?
Plummer over Heem on form? Then a battle between Heem and Lam for the bench spot?
Funaki might push Nock out of the 23?
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There are 3 options to replace JB as you noted. I would start Riley regardless. But if Sullivan was fit and available I think the coaches would start him at centre with Proctor at 2nd
But, if it was up to me, I would start Riley regardless. Definitely not PUJ at 2nd. I think he's more suited to centre so maybe there with Proctor moved in one. But with his lack of game time not this week.
I know TJ will come into the 23 but I thought at the end Jordi's outstanding passing was one key in the Canes getting this final try. He's a special talent that I wouldn't mind if they kept in the 23.
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Yep, I'm a bit lost on this too. Think Higgins at 12, but wouldn't be screaming of Sullivan ok, and Proctor went to 12. We are in a reasonable place with options. Think Kirifi and Flanders still out, so loosies name themselves. TJ back on bench, but we ok position again if Vijoen can't make 23 (he only injury cover still?) Have to say athough Blues will probably be favourites (rightly) I am quite hopeful that we may sneak an upset.
Did I mention again how much I love having it back on?? -
@Dan54 yeah the Blues will be favourites and rightfully so but the Canes can definitely win this, even without Jordie. We've got the x-factor and the game plan this year to knock over anyone. As mentioned yesterday though it's more our discipline that needs to be reigned in, our maul defense is another obvious work on.
Key positives so far for me though has been our set piece, our scrum has been dominant, our lineouts have functioned in the 90s and our general D/attack seems to be humming. Any Canes team that gets parity up front is always going to be dangerous but it will be bloody interesting to see how we go about mitigating some of those big Blues forwards and trying to stop them rampaging us like they did against the Highlanders.
Going back to the game at Eden Park last year, we probably also need about five guys on Mark Telea at all times.
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Based on the Blues social and feedback from a few articles it looks like the Blues team for this week will look something similar to the below. I guess we'll find out at 4pm.
- Ofa Tu'ungafasi
- Ricky Riccitelli
- Angus Ta'avao
- Laghlan McWhannell
- Josh Beehre
- Anton Segner
- Dalton Papali'i (c)
- Akira Ioane
- Finlay Christie
- Stephen Perofeta
- Caleb Clarke
- Harry Plummer
- Reiko Ioane
- Mark Telea
- Zarn Sullivan
- Kurt Eklund
- Joshua Fusitu'a
- Marcel Renata
- Cameron Suafoa
- Hoskins Sotutu
- Taifa Funaki
- Bryce Heem
- AJ Lam
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Blues will be a true test esp at set piece and Defence. Higgins should start! .. hopefully, is Hoskins injured? they would want to start him, hes on fire!
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@BerhamporeNinja it was mentioned in an article that Segner is going to start at blindside this week and Akira at 8. Hoskins for impact off the bench.
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Barrett banned for three weeks, a week shorter than I expected.
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@Canes4life yeah not happy about the ban i think its BS but also happy with 3 weeks
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
Barrett banned for three weeks, a week shorter than I expected.
tackle school perhaps?
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@nzzp said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
Barrett banned for three weeks, a week shorter than I expected.
tackle school perhaps?
Nope that will make it 2
He might get a lighter punishment if he attends World Rugby’s tackle school, the coaching intervention programme where players can get their suspensions reduced.
