Highlanders v Blues
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders v Blues:
Michael Manson dropping out of the 23 completely. So much for that promised bench spot eh
Gutted for the bench specialist. Looking forward to seeing two fullbacks
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@Landers92 maybe i missed something, i thought he did ok, quiet but not a bad game, i was never a winger though
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@Kiwiwomble yeah don’t think it’s a case of he did something wrong. Just a case of giving him a taste of his debut and showing him his work ons. In my opinion he could have been a lot busier but I won’t sit here and knock a guy too much on his debut. Looks an exciting prospect.
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@Landers92 fair enough, ive never been a fan of that approach with rugby players, i think they'll always take it as a knock back
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SOTUTU BACK TO BOLSTER BLUES — Blues Rugby
Sotutu back to bolster Blues ahead of battle in the south The Blues welcome back the 2024 Super Rugby Player of the Year, Hoskins Sotutu to their team for their first away game of the Super Rugby Pacific Championship against the Highlanders. Sotutu is back to full fitness after a leg niggle in pr
1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (150)
2. Ricky Riccitelli (39)
3. Marcel Renata (54)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (110) ©
5. Laghlan McWhannell (12)
6. Cameron Suafoa (25)
7. Dalton Papali’i (84)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (66)
9. Finlay Christie (55)
10. Harry Plummer (76)
11. Caleb Clarke (65)
12. AJ Lam (44)
13. Rieko Ioane (113)
14. Mark Tele’a (68)
15. Beauden Barrett (31)Reserves: 16. James Mullan (Debut), 17. Joshua Fusitu’a (22), 18. Angus Ta’avao (67), 19. Josh Beehre (12), 20. Adrian Choat (46), 21. Taufa Funaki (27), 22. Corey Evans (15), 23. Cole Forbes (18).
Players not considered: Kurt Eklund (groin), Sam Darry (shoulder, season), PJ Sheck (shoulder), Zarn Sullivan (foot), Stephen Perofeta (calf), Ben Ake (shoulder).
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@Grooter said in Highlanders v Blues:
@SouthernMann have a mate at otago uni who was watching training at Logan Park he presumes Lasaqa will be starting, Fakatava starting, Hurley at fullback, Gilbert on the right wing? then again he may have just caught them running drills on who JJ expects to be involved towards the final stretch
my leg wasn't being pulled, in saying that will have to take Clarke in my fantasy team as I sense he will be causing headaches against us
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6-2 split on the bench this week. Pretty clear what JJ thinks they are in store for.
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Blues Loose trio looks more balanced now. Beehre returning from injury makes the bench stronger
Interesting that Choat is preferred to Segner
Edit - perhaps the the team is incorrect? The text on the website makes it sound like Segner is on the bench not Choat?
Cameron Suafoa to return to his more accustomed role on the blindside flank, with Anton Segner, who impressed in the opening game, to add thrust off the bench.
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Happy to see Stodart on the bench providing lock cover, much needed as we saw last week. Big fan of that loose forward trio too so will be interesting to see how they go and a big chance for Lasaqa to make a name for himself early in the season.
In the backs Hurley comes on for Manson and Gilbert shifting to fullback, big game for Hurley similar to Lasaqa, a good chance to show he belongs.
Not a heaps of expectation for this game and not expecting a win but I do think this is a team that can stay in the fight, especially being the first game at home + the Zoo during O-week. Should be in for a good high scoring game under the roof.
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@Grooter said in Highlanders v Blues:
@Grooter said in Highlanders v Blues:
@SouthernMann have a mate at otago uni who was watching training at Logan Park he presumes Lasaqa will be starting, Fakatava starting, Hurley at fullback, Gilbert on the right wing? then again he may have just caught them running drills on who JJ expects to be involved towards the final stretch
my leg wasn't being pulled, in saying that will have to take Clarke in my fantasy team as I sense he will be causing headaches against us
good luck with that
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@Duluth said in Highlanders v Blues:
Blues Loose trio looks more balanced now. Beehre returning from injury makes the bench stronger
Interesting that Choat is preferred to Segner
Edit - perhaps the the team is incorrect? The text on the website makes it sound like Segner is on the bench not Choat?
Cameron Suafoa to return to his more accustomed role on the blindside flank, with Anton Segner, who impressed in the opening game, to add thrust off the bench.
Our pack already looks miles better with Sotutu there and Suafoa at 6.
Never seen Mullan play, I'd expect him to come on a lot earlier than Pole did last week though.
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Good to see the Highlanders will recognise CGB at the game on Saturday. Hard to believe it was only eight months ago that he passed away. I'd imagine it is still quite difficult for some of the players.
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@Landers92 said in Highlanders v Blues:
Happy to see Stodart on the bench providing lock cover, much needed as we saw last week. Big fan of that loose forward trio too so will be interesting to see how they go and a big chance for Lasaqa to make a name for himself early in the season.
In the backs Hurley comes on for Manson and Gilbert shifting to fullback, big game for Hurley similar to Lasaqa, a good chance to show he belongs.
Not a heaps of expectation for this game and not expecting a win but I do think this is a team that can stay in the fight, especially being the first game at home + the Zoo during O-week. Should be in for a good high scoring game under the roof.
Its only Gilberts goal kicking keeps him in there..... I would I have kept Manson on the bench for his pace alone ( I am a Stags biased)
Also not convinced on Fakatava ... always capable of that 1/20 absolute blinder of a game ...but he literally scores points for both teams usually.
Hard to see landers keeping up if the Blues put it together...
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@Mattasaurus said in Highlanders v Blues:
@Landers92 said in Highlanders v Blues:
Happy to see Stodart on the bench providing lock cover, much needed as we saw last week. Big fan of that loose forward trio too so will be interesting to see how they go and a big chance for Lasaqa to make a name for himself early in the season.
In the backs Hurley comes on for Manson and Gilbert shifting to fullback, big game for Hurley similar to Lasaqa, a good chance to show he belongs.
Not a heaps of expectation for this game and not expecting a win but I do think this is a team that can stay in the fight, especially being the first game at home + the Zoo during O-week. Should be in for a good high scoring game under the roof.
Its only Gilberts goal kicking keeps him in there..... I would I have kept Manson on the bench for his pace alone ( I am a Stags biased)
Also not convinced on Fakatava ... always capable of that 1/20 absolute blinder of a game ...but he literally scores points for both teams usually.
Hard to see landers keeping up if the Blues put it together...
I reckon Gilbert has been selected specially to keep Caleb Clarke quiet. Our biggest outside back option except for Jim Tavatavanawai. Best 1-1 option against one of the most destructive players in the comp.
I reckon this is Fakatava's last year. Should be flagged by the middle of the year, if he pulls on the Tongan kit.
With my eye patch on, I think we can push them. The round two game last year we held them close. It was a better Blues side too.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders v Blues:
With my eye patch on, I think we can push them.
I think that's a fair take. Under the roof with the emphasis on quick play with only 30 seconds scrums/lineouts etc then I think Highlanders are a real chance tonight. You should get plenty of ball to run back from shitty Beauden kicks
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@Mattasaurus said in Highlanders v Blues:
( I am a Stags biased)
Don't bring the crusaders into this.
