For the Star Wars fanboys.
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James Slipper, Connal McInerney, Allan Alaalatoa (C), Nick Frost, Tom Hooper, Jahrome Brown, Rory Scott, Rob Valetini, Harrison Goddard, Noah Lolesio, Ollie Sapsford, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Reserves: Billy Pollard, Harry Vella, Sefo Kautai, Darcy Swain, Luke Reimer, Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Hudson Creighton
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Wonder if the Highlanders may opt for a 6-2 split to counteract the fact the game is going to be at midday?
Would be risky, but Gilbert could in theory cover positions 10-15, and the only risk being is if you get two injuries. A risk worth taking?
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The NZ team has been named. That's not the team I thought they'd select. Senio Sanele wasn't in the original squad.
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Speaking of rugby jerseys, Waikato has a new front of jersey sponsor. It was previously Gallagher. The photo must mean that Mitch Jacobson will be back, along with Ayden Johnstone as co-captains.
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https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350261382/freak-accident-rugby-field-took-cory-heathers-life
Horrible story
There is a donation page for the family here:
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This is the last Australian side we play in the regular season
Any players back this week? Perofeta and Sullivan were talked about maybe being ready around this game.
Is Akira back with the squad?
Player Mins Games Hoskins Sotutu 649 9 Mark Tele'a 630 8 Dalton Papali'i 597 8 Caleb Clarke 558 8 Harry Plummer 552 9 Laghlan McWhannell 539 9 Backs don't matter but it might be a good time to rest Sotutu and/or Papali'i. Segner is close to the same level.
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I'm starting this post early because we've finally been beaten. I don't think it's panic stations but the Hurricanes will be eager to hit straight back on Friday with a strong performance against the Tahs.
Assuming Moorby and Proctor come back into the fray I think we should be playing our best 23 possible. Anyone that needs a rest can wait until Moana Pasifika which is after the Blues game in a couple weeks.
The only ?? is O'Reilly, I assume he won't be available for the Tahs based on the fact he failed HIA protocols and didn't return to play, therefore he will have a week off.
I'm also going to go with a 6-2 split on the bench. The Tahs strength is their loose forward trio so I'd put plenty of resource into slowing them down there.
My 23 for the Tahs on Friday would be:
- X Numia
- R Tuputupu
- T Lomax
- C Delany
- I Walker-Leawere
- B Shields (C)
- P Lakai
- B Iose
- T Perenara
- B Cameron
- K Naholo
- J Barrett
- B Proctor
- J Moorby
- R Love
- H Press (started for the Hunters on Friday so I assume he's next man up). He had massive wraps on him in Wellington before he went down to Otago. He played for the Highlanders Under 20 side last year but now he's back in Wellington playing well for HOBM.
- T Mafileo
- P Tosi
- J Sangster
- D Flanders
- D Kirifi
- R Judd
- B Sullivan/Riley Higgins
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Chiefs v Force
Brumbies v Drua
Crusaders v Reds
Moana Pasifika v Highlanders
TRC U20 - NZ v SA
Waikato 2024
'Freak accident' in under 85kg rugby
Rebels v Blues
Hurricanes vs Waratahs
Hurricanes MOTM vs Brumbies