Blues v Force

[Duluth]

Any updates on the injuries? I presume they'll all be out given a quick turnaround. So no Perofeta, Heem & Tuipulotu

That should mean Suafoa comes into the 23 as a lock & Cashmore into the 23 as a 10

So what to do at 10/12/13?

Plummer/Evans/Ioane - Given Evans another chance the more familiar 12 jersey, Cashmore comes off the bench

Cashmore/Plummer/Ioane - That centre pairing has played together plenty off times and we can have a good look at Cashmore

Cashmore/Gordon/Grindlay - Give the Dev team combo a run together with the rest of the side near full strength? I like this but doubt it will happen

[nzzp]

@Duluth said in Blues v Force:

So no Perofeta, Heem & Tuipulotu

I think this is correct because it's a 7 day stand down, and a 6 day turnaround. I think

[Duluth]

@nzzp

Pretty sure there is no stand down. The players with head knocks (Heem & Tuipulotu) could play if they pass the protocols. Similar to Zarn earlier in the season

I'm guessing it's not worth the risk even if they are ok. The bye is next week, give them two weeks off

[nzzp]

@Duluth cheers. I heard something on the radio about them failing an assessment and a 7 day return to play. Wasn't paying close attention - so possibly spreading misinformation

This is the Fern way

[george33]

Early turn around but Pat told me he and Bryce were good , but depending on the medical staff , I'd rather give them the week off , Perofeta unsure think he could be in doubt

[Machpants]

@nzzp said in Blues v Force:

@Duluth cheers. I heard something on the radio about them failing an assessment and a 7 day return to play. Wasn't paying close attention - so possibly spreading misinformation

This is the Fern way

You're right, sorta

If the player fails their HIA1, their replacement becomes permanent and they take no further part in the game.

In the three hours after the match, every player entered into the protocol undergoes an HIA2 assessment to assess progress and identify an early diagnosis of concussion.

HIA3 is conducted after two nights of rest to further determine progress or identify a late diagnosis of concussion.

Under changes made by World Rugby last summer, there is now a 12-day stand down period for a player who has a history of concussion or was removed from a match after showing clear symptoms.

Any player eligible to return in a week – someone who has failed an HIA but subsequently has normal test results and no history of concussion – can only do so with the approval of an independent concussion consultant.

[nzzp]

@Machpants coming up with factual information rather than misinformation? That's also the Fern way

Telling them apart ... now there's the key

[Machpants]

@nzzp My info is from a newspaper article last year, so who knows how accurate it is!

[Duluth]

CASHMORE LEGACY CONTINUES AT BLUES — Blues Rugby

The Blues are gearing up for Friday night under the lights against the Western Force at Eden Park in Round Seven of DHL Super Rugby Pacific action. Dalton Papali'i will lead the side this week in the absence of Patrick Tuipulotu, forming a formidable loose trio with Akira Ioane and Hoskins Sotutu.

1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi
2 Ricky Riccitelli
3 Angus Ta’avao
4 Josh Beehre
5 Laghlan McWhannell
6 Akira Ioane
7 Dalton Papali’i
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Taufa Funaki
10 Harry Plummer
11 Caleb Clarke
12 Corey Evans
13 Rieko Ioane
14 AJ Lam
15 Cole Forbes

16 Soane Vikena
17 Joshua Fusitu’a
18 Marcel Renata
19 Anton Segner
20 Adrian Choat
21 Sam Nock
22 Lucas Cashmore
23 Caleb Tangitau

Players not considered: Sam Darry (knee), Stephen Perofeta (shoulder), Mark Tele’a (ribs), Finlay Christie (groin), Patrick Tuipulotu (concussion protocol), Bryce Heem (concussion protocol), Zarn Sullivan (knee), Rob Rush (calf), Cam Suafoa (sickness), Kade Banks (concussion protocol)

[Duluth]

No lock reserve. Ioane finished there late in an earlier game, I presume he'll be the one that shifts if there's an injury

Good to see Funaki get a start and Cashmore & Tangitau get a run from the bench. I would've like to have seen one of the young midfielders in the 23

A big game for Evans. He's more familiar with 12 but he can't have another high error rate game

[Duluth]

Ben Somerford  /  Apr 2, 2024

Force name debutant as duo return for Blues test in Auckland

Ryan Coxon, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Sam Carter, Thomas Franklin, Tim Anstee, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep, Nic White (c), Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Bayley Kuenzle, Max Burey

Reserves: Ben Funnell, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Will Harris, Ollie Callan, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Henry O’Donnell

[Kirwan]

bad timing for suafoa to be sick, I was looking forward to see how he responded to pressure to start

[Tim]

No confidence in James Thompson from the coaches?

[Duluth]

@Kirwan said in Blues v Force:

bad timing for suafoa to be sick, I was looking forward to see how he responded to pressure to start

..and Rush too. Looking at the rest of the matches it's hard to see him getting a run until maybe the Rebels game now. He was injured in the preseason too so he's having bad luck with the timing of his knocks

[Tim]

Cotter has labelled Perofeta the most worrying of his injured clan but also confirmed the shoulder injury is less serious than first thought.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350233645/super-rugby-pacific-teams-named-round-seven

[Canes4life]

Blues should win comfortably but hopefully they fluff the bonus point so the Canes stay top of the log.

[Kirwan]

No TJ! Blues fans rejoice.

[Kirwan]

Nice League jersey for the Force

[Kirwan]

Lots of kicking

[Machpants]

@Kirwan said in Blues v Force:

Lots of kicking

Yup