Hurricanes vs Blues
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Who will play 15 for the Canes?
With Love, Harkin, Tjay all out Do we have to shift Godfrey there, I hope not.
Then with Cameron, Cashmore, Harkin out we would have to start Hohepa?
Is Banks an option to start 15? I can't say I am very familiar with him but I don't see any other options and we really need Godrey at 10. -
@Mr-Fish said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@frugby said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
This should be fun. In the three seasons of Super Rugby Pacific, no side has made the top six after losing their first three. The caveat for the Blues, is they will have played the side likely to top the ladder, and two away derbies, but a loss to the Hurricanes puts them in an awful lot of strife.
If you assume that 8 wins might be needed to make the top six (seems the likely number in a competitive comp), that would leave them needing to win 8 of their last 11, which for a quality side is very doable - but in their next six after the Canes, they have four derbies, including trips to Christchurch and Hamilton... in fact in the next three, they have the Chiefs and the Crusaders.
The Blues last four games are as easy as any ones, but it is legitimately possible it is game over before it reaches that point.
For the Canes, a loss here is not quite as seminal, but depending on the manner of it, all signs could be pointing to them missing the top six. Their back half of the comp is fairly tough on paper, with three trips to Australia and two derbies.
Feels like this game will set the tone for both sides seasons. Should be a good watch.
In the Blues' favour is the fact that the Highlanders and Force have both taken games from sides that are more fancied to make the play-offs. Still very early days and there's enough class in the team that they could easily pick off the Chiefs, Crusaders etc if things go a bit differently.
For sure. This is all about margin for error. The Crusaders last year had too much to do.
Because the competition is more competitive and it is only a top six, I suspect that margin of error is smaller.
You would expect them to beat the Brumbies at home next week regardless, but a win in Hamilton looks tough.
If they are 1-4, that might leave them needing to win 7 of the next 9, which will not be easy at all in this comp.
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@george33 said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@Darren sounds like Banks will play 15.
Banks is a similar type of player to Hurley, hope he can have the same impact at 15.
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TEAM NAMING FOR ROUND THREE — Blues Rugby
Blues name strong combination to take on Hurricanes in Wellington Blues coach Vern Cotter has named a strong combination to take on the Hurricanes in Wellington in the third game of Super Rugby Pacific 2025. The 2024 Super Rugby Pacific Champions are chasing their first win of the season after go
1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (151), 2. Ricky Riccitelli (40), 3. Marcel Renata (55), 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (111) ©, 5. Josh Beere (12), 6. Cameron Suafoa (26), 7. Dalton Papali’i (85), 8. Hoskins Sotutu (67); 9. Finlay Christie (56), 10. Harry Plummer (77), 11. Caleb Clarke (66), 12. AJ Lam (45), 13. Rieko Ioane (114), 14. Mark Tele’a (69), 15. Beauden Barrett (32).
Reserves: 16. James Mullan (1), 17. Joshua Fusitu’a (22), 18. Angus Ta’avao (67), 19. Cam Christie (Debut), 20. Anton Segner (25), 21. Sam Nock (73), 22. Corey Evans (16), 23. Cole Forbes (18)
Players not considered: Kurt Eklund (groin), Sam Darry (shoulder, season), Laghlan McWhannell (cheek); PJ Sheck (shoulder), Zarn Sullivan (foot), Stephen Perofeta (calf), Ben Ake (shoulder), Reon Paul (shoulder), Taufa Funaki (shoulder), Adrian Choat (knee).
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If the Canes centres can sort their shit out that backline is going to be fun to watch.
Unfortunately no Aumua but good to see Tosi and Lakai starting, along with IWL coming back into the side.
Hopefully Banks has a coming of age game at fullback, also good to see they are persisting with Godfrey at 10.
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Good to see Lakai back starting. Iose has struggled to get going as well as he did last year.
Massive game for Kade Banks, up against his old side in that 15 jersey.
Fineanganofo has been going well i reckon. Midfield fills me with anxiety, hopefully one of them can actually take charge and play with a bit more shape.
Up against a rattled blues side, hopefully this isnt the game they start really firing. -
@DurryMexted said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
Good to see Lakai back starting. Iose has struggled to get going as well as he did last year.
Massive game for Kade Banks, up against his old side in that 15 jersey.
Fineanganofo has been going well i reckon. Midfield fills me with anxiety, hopefully one of them can actually take charge and play with a bit more shape.
Up against a rattled blues side, hopefully this isnt the game they start really firing.Wins at home are vital and we won this game last year so everything to play for on Saturday. Should be a doozy.
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On the injury front it’s good to see Higgins is expected back for round 7, along with Love and Cashmore. Aumua now has a TBC on his calf injury so that’s unclear, same with Proctor and Gallagher. Lomax expected back for round 5.
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Gallagher has been spending a fair bit of time on the injury list over the last few seasons. Hopefully he doesn't turn out to be a dud signing.
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@Crazy-Horse said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
Gallagher has been spending a fair bit of time on the injury list over the last few seasons. Hopefully he doesn't turn out to be a dud signing.
I think he has the same injury as Proctor. Not a serious achillies injury but I guess they are taking it week by week so return to play unknown.
I agree though, he always seems injured so hopefully once he comes back he can remain on the park.
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I am seriously buggered if I know which way to go for picks this week!! Heart obviously says Canes, but head is saying, perhaps Blues will click into gear at some stage. Could they play that dumb again? I see Jipper on Aotearoa even pointed out same as me, last week they had no forwards on field, yet they threw to where Holland was jumping. And the Clan had their few lifters there!!!
