SF - Blues v Brumbies

[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)

[Duluth]

Thompson on the bench is a surprise

[Duluth]

Brumbies.rugby  /  Jun 11

Super Rugby Pacific Team List: Semi-Final v Blues

James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Darcy Swain, Tom Hooper, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Charlie Cale, Ryan Lonergan, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright

RESERVES: Liam Bowron, Rhys van Nek, Sosefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Jahrome Brown, Luke Reimer, Harrison Goddard, Ollie Sapsford

[Bovidae]

Referee: James Doleman

[Kirwan]

Happy with that team, best two halfbacks and if you have those two, that's the right way around so Funaki can provide impact from the bench. Christie organised the forwards in tight well last week, so expect the first 55mins to be a grind too.

Good to see Lam get consecutive starts in the same position, he usually has to move all over the place so should help his attack (his defence was huge last week).

Expecting to really take on the Brumbies up front and blunt their strengths.

[Duluth]

From stuff

Blues loose forward Akira Ioane is a major doubt because of a calf injury and did not train in their most intense session of the week on Wednesday.

The 21-test All Black has tentatively been named to start, but Blues coach Vern Cotter said he needed to prove his fitness at Thursday’s captain’s run.

He limped off the field in the 67th minute of last Saturday’s big quarterfinal win (36-5) over the Fijian Drua at Eden Park.

“He’s a big part of the team. He gets an opportunity tomorrow to get through our captain’s run at full pace,” Cotter said.

“It’s touch and go.”

If he's out, I guess Choat starts and Segner on the bench. The other option is they use Thompson as loose forward cover and bring in McWhannell

[nzzp]

@Kirwan Christie is much maligned, but played pretty well last week.