Blues v Brumbies
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TEAM NAMING FOR BRUMBIES — Blues Rugby
Blues expect strong challenge from Australian foe in Friday double header The Blues are not expecting any let-up in the physical challenge when they meet their first trans-Tasman foe of the Super Rugby Pacific season against former champions, the Brumbies at Eden Park on Friday night. It is a Blu
1. Joshua Fusitu’a (24), 2. Ricky Riccitelli (41), 3. Angus Ta’avao (69) 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (112) ©, 5. Josh Beehre (14), 6. Cam Christie (1), 7. Anton Segner (26), 8. Cameron Suafoa (27); 9. Finlay Christie (57), 10. Beauden Barrett (33), 11. Caleb Clarke (67), 12. AJ Lam (46), 13. Rieko Ioane (115), 14. Mark Tele’a (70), 15. Cole Forbes (19).
Reserves: 16. Nathaniel Pole (1), 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (152), 18. Marcel Renata (56), 19. Tristyn Cook (Debut), 20. Che Clark (1), 21. Sam Nock (74), 22. Harry Plummer (78), Corey Evans (16).
Players not considered: Kurt Eklund (groin), Laghlan McWhannell (face); PJ Sheck (shoulder), Zarn Sullivan (foot), Stephen Perofeta (calf), Ben Ake (shoulder), Hoskins Sotutu (suspended), Dalton Papali’i (head injury), Reon Paul (shoulder), Taufa Funaki (shoulder), Adrian Choat (knee), James Mullan (head injury), Sam Darry (shoulder, season)
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James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Lachlan Shaw, Tom Hooper, Rory Scott, Charlie Cale, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Billy Pollard, Blake Schoupp, Feao Fotuaika, Cadeyrn Neville, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Jack Debreczeni, Ollie Sapsford
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@KiwiMurph I think we win this by 10. Ikitau is the only Brumbies player that is notable.
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I assumed Nock was unfit but I see he's on the bench
I understand the idea that starting vs bench is different and you don't want to be too reactionary every week
However
It blows my mind that Finlay gets another start after last week
I can't wrap my head around rugby at times where certain players at both test and franchise level get start after start regardless of performance.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Brumbies:
I assumed Nock was unfit but I see he's on the bench
I understand the idea that starting vs bench is different and you don't want to be too reactionary every week
However
It blows my mind that Finlay gets another start after last week
I can't wrap my head around rugby at times where certain players at both test and franchise level get start after start regardless of performance.
Kiwi, that's just a case of coaches seeing different to us in what they want from players.
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@KiwiMurph yea it seems Finlay is a real handbrake for the Blues attack, sure he is fantastic on defence, but the Blues need momentum, when Nock is on, he can provide the quick ball, but those times are far and few between sadly.
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@Dan54 said in Blues v Brumbies:
@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Brumbies:
I assumed Nock was unfit but I see he's on the bench
I understand the idea that starting vs bench is different and you don't want to be too reactionary every week
However
It blows my mind that Finlay gets another start after last week
I can't wrap my head around rugby at times where certain players at both test and franchise level get start after start regardless of performance.
Kiwi, that's just a case of coaches seeing different to us in what they want from players.
I guess what is frustrating is we never really hear the details as to why. At best you will get some coach speak answer.
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Ofa and Marcel on the bench - probably looking to dominate scrums towards the end of the match against the Brumbies bench? I can't see how Slipper keeps getting a start. Even Allan is looking past it.
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@Tim said in Blues v Brumbies:
@KiwiMurph I think we win this by 10. Ikitau is the only Brumbies player that is notable.
oof big call
Wright is the best 15 on the park. Hooper is a big in for them to provide the grunt they are missed when he and Bobby V were out. Toole is easily the quickest player on the park. they are no mugs.
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@mariner4life agree.
I'm going along tonight - will be a huge tussle. Big test for a rookie forward pack for the Blues
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@nzzp said in Blues v Brumbies:
Big test for a rookie forward pack for the Blues
Still a strong starting pack, in particular the tight five. It will be very interesting to see when the subs are used
Christie, Pole & Clark with 1 SR game each. Cook on debut
Just looking at their NPC records:
Pole: 0 matches
Cook: 9 matches (8 starts)
Christie: 10 matches (8 starts, 6 starts at lock & 2 at blindside)
Clarke: 16 matches (8 starts) -
Tipping Brumbies hope I'm wrong... but BB at 10 doesn't fill me with hope
