SF - Blues v Brumbies

[Crazy Horse]

@Duluth said in SF - Blues v Brumbies:

Do we know what Suafoa’s injury was?

Given what the lad has been through, I really hope it was an injury.

[Bovidae]

IIRC the commentators said it was a calf injury.

[george33]

@Duluth calf I think I heard

[Tim]

Gutted Tuipulotu is out, but this is a huge opportunity for McWhannell.

[Kirwan]

Start Darry and McWhannell. Heem to start, Lam on the bench.

Bloody close to dropping Perofeta too.

[Windows97]

Are Heem and Lam normally 2nd 5 options (sorry not a great follower of Blues rugby).

If not it's been pretty impressive that they've got 2 "part timers" to slot into the position with minimal disruption to their backline.

Means the attack pattern is well understood and executed by the players, kudos to the coaching group.

[KiwiMurph]

@Windows97 Heem has played a lot of 12 over the last few years (though not a natural 12) however Lam has adapted very quickly only first slotting into 12 in recent weeks (whilst also chopping between centre and wing). Agreed on coaching.

[george33]

Lam will start in my opinion Heem on Bench if he proves his fitness

[Crazy Horse]

@Windows97 said in SF - Blues v Brumbies:

Are Heem and Lam normally 2nd 5 options (sorry not a great follower of Blues rugby).

If not it's been pretty impressive that they've got 2 "part timers" to slot into the position with minimal disruption to their backline.

Means the attack pattern is well understood and executed by the players, kudos to the coaching group.

Yeah it's a simple thing, basically hard and straight. There are not many complicated moves for the inside backs to get right or wrong. Good to see an NZ team play this way at long last.

[george33]

@Kirwan think we might see Beehre, Darry start with Mcwhannell on bench providing he is 100

[Kirwan]

I’m happy with any combination of those locks, all have played well this year.

[Duluth]

How the 'un-Australian' Brumbies are flying the flag in Super Rugby

Stephen Larkham's Brumbies play pragmatic stuff, but it has propelled them to another Super Rugby Pacific semi-final.

[KiwiMurph]

Valetini vs Akira at 6 is going to be an enormous battle.

Both were excellent on the weekend

[Tim]

NZ TAB odds:

Blues $1.20
Brumbies $4.00

Spread: 11.5

[Tim]

Blues team from the big win earlier in the year:

Ofa Tu’ungafasi

Ricky Riccitelli

Marcel Renata

Patrick Tuipulotu (c)

Laghlan McWhannell

Akira Ioane

Dalton Papali’i

Hoskins Sotutu

Taufa Funaki

Harry Plummer

Caleb Clarke

Bryce Heem

Rieko Ioane

Mark Tele’a

Cole Forbes

Reserves:

Kurt Eklund

Joshua Fusitu’a

Angus Ta’avao

Sam Darry

Adrian Choat

Sam Nock

Lucas Cashmore

AJ Lam

[NTA]

Blues by 20

[Duluth]

The opta match pack from the super.rugby site

Blues v Brumbies match pack

[antipodean]

From that data it looks like if the Blues can defend like they have all season and stop Wright making metres, they'll win.

[Duluth]

Evans in a dark blue training jersey today. This year that usually means the player is in the 23

So I presume Heem not fit and AJ remains at 12

[Duluth]

BLUES PRIMED FOR BRUMBIES CHALLENGE — Blues Rugby

 The Blues have made one enforced change to their side for Friday night’s DHL Super Rugby Pacific Semi Final showdown against the ACT Brumbies at Eden Park, 7:05pm. Lock Sam Darry returns to the starting side after sitting out last week under concussion protocols, replacing skipper Patrick

1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi
2 Ricky Riccitelli
3 Marcel Renata
4 Sam Darry
5 Josh Beehre
6 Akira Ioane
7 Dalton Papali’i (c)
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Finlay Christie
10 Harry Plummer
11 Caleb Clarke
12 AJ Lam
13 Rieko Ioane
14 Mark Tele’a
15 Stephen Perofeta

16 Kurt Eklund
17 Joshua Fusitu’a
18 Angus Ta’avao
19 James Thompson
20 Adrian Choat
21 Taufa Funaki
22 Corey Evans
23 Cole Forbes

Players not considered: Patrick Tuipulotu (knee), Bryce Heem (calf), Jordan Lay (ankle, season), Zarn Sullivan (knee)