Blues v Moana Pasifika
-
BLUES CARRY MOMENTUM INTO EDEN PARK DOUBLE-HEADER — Blues Rugby
The Blues have named a largely unchanged starting line-up for Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific clash with Moana Pasifika at Eden Park. The game is the first of a double-header, with kickoff at 4.35pm before the nib Blues host Matatū in the Super Rugby Aupiki final at 7.
1. Joshua Fusitu’a (28)
2. Ricky Riccitelli (42)
3. Angus Ta’avao (73)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c) (115)
5. Josh Beehre (18)
6. Anton Segner (29)
7. Dalton Papali’i (89)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (70)
9. Finlay Christie (61)
10. Beauden Barrett (35)
11. Caleb Clarke (70)
12. AJ Lam (49)
13. Rieko Ioane (119)
14. Mark Tele’a (74)
15. Corey Evans (20)Reserves: 16. Kurt Eklund (66), 17. Mason Tupaea (2), 18. PJ Sheck (3), 19. Cam Christie (4), 20. Adrian Choat (47), 21. Taufa Funaki (28), 22. Harry Plummer (81), 23.Stephen Perofeta (71)
Players not considered due to injury: Marcel Renata (calf), Zarn Sullivan (foot), Reon Paul (shoulder), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (neck, season), Sam Darry (shoulder, season).
-
Well who bloody knew Beauden Barrett had Samoan in him.
-
Surpised Moana are going with Garden-Bachop and Matavao as their 9-10 this week. I would have backed them to win this, but with those 2 there, it's cause for concern imo. Matavao is a good 20 minute player, but doesn't have a great kick or a great pass. I refer to him as the Samoan Fin Christie for a reason as he's virtually a clone of his (doesn't defend as well as Christie though). Garden Bachop, although he made a positive impact last week coming on, makes me nervous coming on and isn't in the same class as Pellegrini.
From what I've seen of both sides this year, apart from the Moana selections at 9-10, I think the Blues could be in for a long night if they don't muscle up and disrupt Moana's ball as you're asking for trouble if you're just gonna roll up the sleeves and tackle against this very hard running and direct Moana side, with big ball carriers like Ta'ufo'ou, Fa'ilagi, Savea, and even their midfield of Toala and Lalomilo. They have plenty of points in them.
Better looking Blues side this week, but I'm not seeing a lot of improvement in their play, and stylistically I feel Moana is one of the worst for them at this current stage.
A great clash this one. I could definitely be
wrong on this one, but I think Moana could get the job done here if their starting halves can hold their own. -
-
@Bovidae said in Blues v Moana Pasifika:
Jonathan Taumateine (ankle).
Taking it easy on the Blues with JGB starting.
Haha yeah, but I would have started Halo ahead of Matavao. Matavao offers more zip off the bench, but Halo does the core roles better.
-
@African-Monkey who are you cheering for?
-
@Duluth said in Blues v Moana Pasifika:
Players not considered due to injury: Marcel Renata (calf)
Renata is a big loss. I thought he was back to his form from last season in the previous game, so it's unfortunate for the Blues that he isn't able carry on that form this week. Ta'avao needs to show more than he has this season, if the Blues are going to take this.
-
@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Moana Pasifika:
@African-Monkey who are you cheering for?
Honestly, would be happy either way haha, I can't lose this week!
But something tells me that it would be a massive shot in the arm for Moana if they did get up at the same time, not that this season hasn't been already. Finals footy could become a reality.
-
@Mauss said in Blues v Moana Pasifika:
@Duluth said in Blues v Moana Pasifika:
Players not considered due to injury: Marcel Renata (calf)
Renata is a big loss. I thought he was back to his form from last season in the previous game, so it's unfortunate for the Blues that he isn't able carry on that form this week. Ta'avao needs to show more than he has this season, if the Blues are going to take this.
Renata, Fusitua and even Tupaea went well last week. Agree on Ta'avao, he's really starting to show his age now.
I'm becoming concerned about out front row options. Ta'avao is on the way out and Renata and Ofa aren't getting any younger either. Fusitua is starting to improve, but who else do we have coming through?
-
@African-Monkey Ben Ake and PJ Sheck are the young props in the squad.
IIRC, this is Ta'avao's last season. Lay is always injured.
There have been rumours about Tevita Mafileo. I wonder if they will poach Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou?
-
@African-Monkey said in Blues v Moana Pasifika:
Renata, Fusitua and even Tupaea went well last week. Agree on Ta'avao, he's really starting to show his age now.
I'm becoming concerned about out front row options. Ta'avao is on the way out and Renata and Ofa aren't getting any younger either. Fusitua is starting to improve, but who else do we have coming through?
I don’t think the Blues are alone in their lack of tighthead depth. Pretty much every NZ franchise struggles with producing SR-level tightheads. The Crusaders have Seb Calder and Sam Matenga behind Newell, neither of whom are at the level required. Highlanders have Wingham, who looks very raw. Chiefs have decent depth, with Dyer, O’Neill and Ahio. It’s really only the Hurricanes who have actual depth, with Lomax, Tosi and Mafileo.
As far as upcoming players are concerned, I guess Kurene Luamanuvae and Tamiano Ahloo at least have the right frames and athletic profiles to eventually get to that level? But both are still far from getting there. I personally don’t think Sheck will ever be a SR-level tighthead. His best chance would be to focus on loosehead.
If I’m at the Blues, I’d be looking at Tevita Mafileo and try to offer him a good deal.
-
-
@pakman said in Blues v Moana Pasifika:
His brother is handy at scrum time and is a try scoring machine from five out.
Sione? He's not exactly a spring chicken either, he's about the same age as Renata and Tu'ungafasi. But I agree with you that he could certainly do a job, one of the more underrated props around.
Or maybe you're referring to someone else?
-
@Tim said in Blues v Moana Pasifika:
@African-Monkey Ben Ake and PJ Sheck are the young props in the squad.
IIRC, this is Ta'avao's last season. Lay is always injured.
There have been rumours about Tevita Mafileo. I wonder if they will poach Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou?
That's the thing, I'm not convinced on Sheck whenever I've seen him play and always thought Sione Ahio would have been a better bet, and Ake is always injured too like Lay.
You're right, we might have to look at bringing some guys in from outside the region going forward.
-
@Mauss said in Blues v Moana Pasifika:
@pakman said in Blues v Moana Pasifika:
His brother is handy at scrum time and is a try scoring machine from five out.
Sione? He's not exactly a spring chicken either, he's about the same age as Renata and Tu'ungafasi. But I agree with you that he could certainly do a job, one of the more underrated props around.
Or maybe you're referring to someone else?
Sione. Can fill a hole, but at 31 in last few years.
-
-
Not a fan of them not selecting the Aussie kid at 10. He’s been a point of difference in both set play and broken play.
The locks and loosies have a good mix. Should be a good battle. Not sure who to tip really.
-
@Mauss said in Blues v Moana Pasifika:
@African-Monkey said in Blues v Moana Pasifika:
Renata, Fusitua and even Tupaea went well last week. Agree on Ta'avao, he's really starting to show his age now.
I'm becoming concerned about out front row options. Ta'avao is on the way out and Renata and Ofa aren't getting any younger either. Fusitua is starting to improve, but who else do we have coming through?
I don’t think the Blues are alone in their lack of tighthead depth. Pretty much every NZ franchise struggles with producing SR-level tightheads. The Crusaders have Seb Calder and Sam Matenga behind Newell, neither of whom are at the level required. Highlanders have Wingham, who looks very raw. Chiefs have decent depth, with Dyer, O’Neill and Ahio. It’s really only the Hurricanes who have actual depth, with Lomax, Tosi and Mafileo.
As far as upcoming players are concerned, I guess Kurene Luamanuvae and Tamiano Ahloo at least have the right frames and athletic profiles to eventually get to that level? But both are still far from getting there. I personally don’t think Sheck will ever be a SR-level tighthead. His best chance would be to focus on loosehead.
If I’m at the Blues, I’d be looking at Tevita Mafileo and try to offer him a good deal.
Lauaki is a big prospect IMO.
