Highlanders v Hurricanes - round 5
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My assumption will be the 23 would look something like this
- Ethan De Groot
- Soanne Vikenna
- Saula Ma'au
- Fabian Holland
- Mitchell Dunshea
- Lui Neeta
- Sean Withy
- Hugh Renton
- Nathan Hastie
- Taine Robinson
- Jona Narkei
- Timcoi T
- Tanelea Telea
- Caleb Tangitau
- Sam Gilbert
- Henry Bell
- Josh Barlett
- Sefo Kauitau
- TK Howden
- Venevui Lasaqua
- James Arscott
- AJ Falefaga
- Thomas Umunga Jensen
A few thoughts. On The highlanders 'pick your team' Hurley isn't available for selection while TUJ, Nareki and Howden are. So I think that's a good clue he's not seen as a likely for this game.
JJ has seemed hesitant to use Gilbert as 10 cover unless absolutely necessary so I suspect Falefaga makes the bench. We're pretty light on backs at the moment. So he's kinda last man standing aside from Mason and Te Hiwi (I'm assuming Whaanga is still out?)
If I was JJ i'd pick Lennox over Arscott. But Falefaga and Lennox as a halves combo at the end of the game seems too inexperienced. So I'm assuming unless Gilbert is 10 cover Lennox isn't picked.
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@SouthernMann said in Highlanders v Hurricanes - round 5:
Not sure what Robinson's goal kicking is like. But, other options may need to be considered if we chuck Gilbert on the bench as a utility replacement. Hurley is also a goal kicking option.
I was thinking about this, I think Hurley has kicked for Otago right? I'd bank that if Hurley is fit, he'd probably be the 10 cover in the 23 before Gilbert?
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Really hoping Hurley is out this weekend as he was electric against the Blues.
The more I think about it, this could be the most important game for the Canes this season. Win under the roof and then beat the Waratah's after the bye at home and we'd likely be right back in the hunt with a raft of players returning.
I expect the Canes to be really desperate in this one so I'm hoping for a much improved performance. Hopefully the Landers are a little clunky coming off the bye, I feel the bye came at the wrong time for them as they were building some nice momentum. In saying that they will be nice and re-freshed so will come at the Canes fairly heavily.
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@antipodean Agreed. If Hurley is fit and Adam Lennox available for selection I'd slot them both into that bench. But a pretty green side to close out the game.
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A few names spotted in yellow bibs at training today which signals they are in the 23 including the likes of Gallagher and Lomax and Aumua. Interesting to see Brett Cameron training, early return maybe? He was meant to be gone for the season.
Likely side from the images below, by far our strongest 23 of the year.
- Numia
- Aumua (CC)
- Lomax
- Delany
- Gallagher
- Shields (CC)
- Kirifi (CC)
- Lakai
- Roigard
- Godfrey
- Naholo
- Umaga-Jensen
- Sullivan
- Finenganofo
- Love
- Devery
- Mafileo
- Tosi
- Walker-Leawere
- Iose
- Enari
- Punivai
- Banks
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The starting side is pretty close to our top side. With potentially a couple of guys, with the likes of Haig, Hurley/JRK and a question mark at hooker.
It is our bench where we are short. Big challenge in the last 30.
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@SouthernMann Solid side. I didn’t think bench was too bad, obviously DLB over Bartlett when available but other than that a strong forwards bench. Vikena and Lasaqa should add some impact when they come on which could be vital, especially after seeing Aumua and Lomax named on the Canes bench.
Backs - would be happy to see Umaga Jenson over Te Hiwi but I guess we have to wait another week for that. Happy to see Faleafaga named, hope the game goes ok and he manages to get a run.
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Xavier Numia, Jacob Devery, Tevita Mafileo, Caleb Delany, Zach Gallagher, Brad Shields (co-c), Du'Plessis Kirifi (co-c) Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Harry Godfrey, Kini Naholo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Ngatungane Punivai, Ruben Love
Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tyrel Lomax, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Jordi Viljoen, Riley Hohepa, Fatafehi Fineanganofo
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The good thing for Faleafaga is that he won't be outplayed by Hohepa when he comes on. I want to see him go well as well. He has all the skills.
I'm excited to see Nareki and Tangitau in the same back three together.
With the bench, I've just got a bit of a hope about an injury free squad with a bench featuring Howden, Lasaqa, Fakatava, Millar and Hurley. A real impactful bench
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And Hurricanes look very strong. Will be a tough game
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That Canes bench scares me... Landers bench is very green, I thought they would have gone for a 6-2 split, but Naeta is seemingly out in the cold.
Jamie showed against the Blues he can be ruthless, so would not be surprised to see those back reserves get very limited minutes, how he injects Stodart and Lasaqa will be key to maintain dominance in the tight five. I think in this team, Howden has to go the 80, or else we could be bullied for size.
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The big dogs are back.
