Blues v Highlanders
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Same starting XV
Marchant gets a run from the bench ahead of Duffie. This is Marchant's last game
15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 TJ Faiane, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Otere Black, 9 Sam Nock, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Josh Goodhue, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 2 James Parsons, 1 Alex Hodgman.
Reserves: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Marcel Renata, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20 Tony Lamborn, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Joe Marchant
Players not considered with injury: Karl Tu’inukuafe (leg strain), Jack Heighton (quad), Jared Page (pec), Stephen Perofeta (fractured foot), Blake Gibson (hamstring), Tom Robinson (knee). Season ending: Ray Niuia, James Tucker, Tanielu Tele’a.
https://blues.rugby/unchanged-starting-line-up-for-landers/
On the back of two straight wins, coach Leon MacDonald has resisted any change to his starting line-up for the third round of the Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa against the Highlanders. The Blues will host the southerners at Eden Park on Saturday, with a 7.05pm kick-off. MacDonald said a number of the squad have pressed hard for inclusion but the current group continued to prove themselves on the paddock. The only change comes in the reserves where England international Joe Marchant is included in what will be his final match for the Blues before returning to his Harlequins club in London. “The whole squad are training hard, and our current starters are getting tested at every training session, which is what we want,” said MacDonald. “This group of 23 continue to do the business. They are developing well to the style of game we want to play and adapting positively to the new rule emphasis, which will lead to a more exciting and fluid game. “It is the last game before our first bye which will give us the opportunity to reset for the next block of games. “It is also Joe’s final hit-out with the team. He has been a popular and outstanding member of the team and we will miss him. He has contributed well on and off the field and we are confident he will return as a more complete footballer for the experience when he returns to Harlequins.” MacDonald said that several players should return to play through club rugby in the coming two weeks and be available for selection for the Crusaders match after the bye. The Blues prevailed over the Highlanders 33-26 at Eden Park last year while the tight battle between the two sides is evidenced with nine of last 17 clashes decided by seven points or less. Fans are reminded that travel by AT trains and buses is included in your ticket, but that you need to plan with plenty of time as the Western Line trains (including Britomart to Eden Park) and some parts of the Eastern Line are not running. While buses will replace trains, these services will be limited. For more information on getting to the game: -
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@Frank said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Duluth
Wonder when and if DC gets a run.He was three weeks away from even being considered for selection when they announced his signing. And then was looked as midfield and maybe fullback cover (basically the role that Plummer is doing I guess).
Be nice to have him off the bench in one game at Eden Park.
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@Kirwan said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Frank said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Duluth
Wonder when and if DC gets a run.He was three weeks away from even being considered for selection when they announced his signing. And then was looked as midfield and maybe fullback cover (basically the role that Plummer is doing I guess).
Be nice to have him off the bench in one game at Eden Park.
Be nicer f he came off the bench when you're 3 points up away at Canterbury!
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@Hooroo said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Kirwan said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Frank said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Duluth
Wonder when and if DC gets a run.He was three weeks away from even being considered for selection when they announced his signing. And then was looked as midfield and maybe fullback cover (basically the role that Plummer is doing I guess).
Be nice to have him off the bench in one game at Eden Park.
Be nicer f he came off the bench when you're 3 points up away at Canterbury!
Or comes on and wins the game with a last minute drop goal?
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@Kirwan said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Hooroo said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Kirwan said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Frank said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Duluth
Wonder when and if DC gets a run.He was three weeks away from even being considered for selection when they announced his signing. And then was looked as midfield and maybe fullback cover (basically the role that Plummer is doing I guess).
Be nice to have him off the bench in one game at Eden Park.
Be nicer f he came off the bench when you're 3 points up away at Canterbury!
Or comes on and wins the game with a last minute drop goal?
and then does a Mhertz salute running off the field!!
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@Hooroo said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Kirwan said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Hooroo said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Kirwan said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Frank said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Duluth
Wonder when and if DC gets a run.He was three weeks away from even being considered for selection when they announced his signing. And then was looked as midfield and maybe fullback cover (basically the role that Plummer is doing I guess).
Be nice to have him off the bench in one game at Eden Park.
Be nicer f he came off the bench when you're 3 points up away at Canterbury!
Or comes on and wins the game with a last minute drop goal?
and then does a Mhertz salute running off the field!!
Any excuse
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@Kiwiwomble yeah. Yet tomkinson is a great winger, Walden is ten times the 12 he is, Hunt is a passable fullback and shit ten, Gatland is a decent ten.
Selection is an absolute farce but has to be expected in teams infected with Hammett.
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@Bones im not sure i'd even say sio is he was a great winger but walden is better in the midfield definitely
Koroi is actually a really good 10, very attacking/creative....yeah...nervous
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really happy with our forward pack, think we can at least go toe to toe if not win...only issue will be the new rules and if they will hinder us and then we'll either
- try and go wide and get a bit caught out
- try a kicking game and that blues back three will punish us
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@Duluth said in Blues v Highlanders:
The Highlanders have won 5 of the last 6 matches between the sides. Including 2 of the last 3 at Eden Park
Clearly they should be favourites. I think the underdogs have a reasonable chance though
....have you seen how the blues are playing compared to how we've been playing?...thats a much better gauge for who is the fav
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@Kiwiwomble said in Blues v Highlanders:
@Duluth said in Blues v Highlanders:
The Highlanders have won 5 of the last 6 matches between the sides. Including 2 of the last 3 at Eden Park
Clearly they should be favourites. I think the underdogs have a reasonable chance though
....have you seen how the blues are playing compared to how we've been playing?...thats a much better gauge for who is the fav
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@Stargazer said in Blues v Highlanders:
Haha, nice try, but the Highlanders are clearly not the favourites this year.
Rubbish. You're using feelings. I'm using logic. The undefeated Highlanders are favourites
