Bulls v Hurricanes
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HURRICANES SQUAD NAMED TO FACE THE BULLS
22.02.2018Three new caps have been included in the starting XV for the Hurricanes as they prepare to kick off their Investec Super Rugby season against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday morning (NZ time). Ihaia West has been given the starting spot at first five-eighth after his impressive pre-season form while former Wallabies prop Toby Smith will start at loosehead. The other new cap in the starting XV is Hawke's Bay No 8 Gareth Evans. He will start alongside experienced loose forwards Ardie Savea and Brad Shields who will also captain the side. Three more players will have the opportunity to make their Hurricanes debut off the bench, with head coach Chris Boyd naming prop Alex Fidow, lock Murray Douglas and halfback Jamie Booth among the reserves. There is no shortage of experience and class on the bench, with World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett joining the likes of Blade Thomson and Ben Lam. Thomson has made a more than solid comeback to play after having his past two seasons seriously impacted by shoulder injuries. Despite having a limited amount of time on the field during the Hurricanes successful pre-season campaign, a number of players showed their readiness for action in last week's win over the Blues. That has given Boyd and the rest of the coaching staff confidence to start the likes of vice-captain TJ Perenara, Vaea Fifita and Ngani Laumape. The Hurricanes will be looking to make it four wins in a row against the Bulls and continue their good form in South Africa in recent seasons that has seen them win four of their five regular season matches in the Republic. It could also be a memorable game for Barrett if he makes it on to the field as he is set to become just the fourth player in Investec Super Rugby history to score 1000 points. -
How did i pick a team that has Ben May starting at tighthead to win the NZ conference?
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Not impressed by either props, but they don't have good propping stocks anyway. Fidow is promising but it's his first year, so lots to learn.
I'm quite excited to see Evans in the starting line-up and in the 8 jersey. Also glad they went with West at 10 instead of JGB.
Still wondering whether it will make difference to play Jules at 14 instead of 11. Is it because Goosen is preferred at 11 and not 14?
Proctor at 15 was predictable; not his preferred spot, but he's the best they currently have to play at fullback as he has played there before.
Now about that 23 jersey ... secretly hoping for Lam to catch a stomach bug. I want Lowe in that jersey, dammit. (I'm afraid it won't be the last time you'll see me make a comment like that)
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I'm unsure what the coaches see in west. For me he is no more than an impact players. And if the starter was injured early preferable when back move Jodie to 1st. But the team has another option (JGB) who is surely a better starting option and was in great form in last years NPC. After being a bit rubbish the year before. But I will watch West closely but don't expect much. I just hope he's not only at best average as he mostly was for the Blues.
Another selection i will watch closely is Aso at center. My view he's a wing (and a good one) not a center. I would either prefer Goosen at center as he played in last years NPC. And improved out of sight as the year progressed. Or Proctor and maybe Goosen at FB
Smith needs to step up at LH as there is no one else who is up to the required std (May at LH replaced by Eves was not bad last year though). And hopefully Fidow steps up too. Otherwise prop could be a major weakness this year. We relied mostly on JTA often lasting almost the whole game last year. May seems better at LH than TH.
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@stargazer said in Bulls v Hurricanes:
Now about that 23 jersey ... secretly hoping for Lam to catch a stomach bug. I want Lowe in that jersey, dammit. (I'm afraid it won't be the last time you'll see me make a comment like that)
I'm not that impressed with Lam. He was better for wellington at FB last year but he seems a bit limited. Maybe NPC is his level. But I haven't a clue what Lowe's like
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@stargazer said in Bulls v Hurricanes:
Still wondering whether it will make difference to play Jules at 14 instead of 11. Is it because Goosen is preferred at 11 and not 14?
Jules wanted to give 14 a go as he feels its his natural side. Although he was poor playing this side in last years NPC. But fair enough give him a go and see how he performs. but sadly he may be finished now as a top level player.
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Bulls: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Burger Odendaal (captain ), 11 Johnny Kotze, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Hanro Liebenberg, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 Lodewyk de Jager, 4 Rudolf Snyman, 3 Frans van Wyk, Jaco Visagie, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Nic de Jager, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Marnitz Boshoff, Divan Rossouw.Mmmmm.....if Bulls keep this tight, they might push the Canes to the end. Still reckon the Canes to win it, but only at the end.
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What the...didn't Boyd get his selections arse-about-tit last year too... Or was that Robertson? Proctor to centre, Aso to 14, Savea to 11 and Goosen to 15 (or even JGB).
At least then you have 3 players in their best positions and someone more familiar with the position at the back.
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@g-man said in Bulls v Hurricanes:
Wow Bulls looking the better of the two teams so far. Playing with far more viggar and getting stuck into the Canes faces. But also some awesome interpassing between the Bulls forwards. The Mitchelle factor already paying dividend.
HT Bulls 16 - 12 Canes
Bulls are looking good. And they need to get Barrett on ASAP in the 2nd half as West is a bit limited. its bringing back horrible memories for me of Gopperth
as our first (and before that Howell although at least his defense was good). Back in the bad old days when the Canes had mediocre first 5's and becasue of thsi ad nil chance of ever winning super rugby. Fortunately we have both Barrett's now and maybe JGB (if he can play at his last years NPC level). -
@stargazer said in Bulls v Hurricanes:
@g-man I disagree entirely. It was a clear knock-on. Correct decision.
How much you wanna bet? Clear Canes hand slapping the ball out.
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@stargazer said in Bulls v Hurricanes:
Bullshit.
a VERY CLEAR NO REASON TO DISALLOW IT TRY AND HAS BEEN DISALLOWED. Why can't they find some decent refs who understand the rugby rules
