Blues v Highlanders
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More players are bracketed (Moulds/Apisai):
The team is: 1. Pauliasi Manu, 2. James Parsons ©, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi/Mike Tamoaieta, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Jimmy Tupou, 6. Dalton Papalii, 7. Kara Pryor, 8. Akira Ioane; 9. Jonathan Ruru, 10. Bryn Gatland, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. TJ Faiane, 13. Orbyn Leger, 14. Jordan Hyland,15. Stephen Perofeta. Reserves: 16. Matt Moulds/Leni Apisai, 17. Ross Wright, 18. Mike Tamoaieta/Sione Mafileo, 19. Ben Neenee, 20. Murphy Taramai, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Tumua Manu, 23. Matt Duffie. Players not considered because of injury: Otere Black (knee – season), Blake Gibson (shoulder), Glenn Preston (groin, season), Sonny Bill Williams (wrist), Augustine Pulu (foot), Alex Hodgman (wrist), Scott Scrafton (leg – season), Daniel Kirkpatrick (ribs), Melani Nanai (ankle), Jordan Trainor (hand), Matt Johnson (surgery – season), Jerome Kaino (hamstring), George Moala (chest – season), Josh Goodhue (shoulder), Tamati Tua (hand), Gerard Cowley-Tuioti (knee), Caleb Clarke (appendicitis), Michael Collins (hand). -
@stargazer Moulds/Apisai is in the image on the first post.
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Rieko back to 11 is the biggest positive there.
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Giving Perofeta more time and space is probably a good idea.
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@antipodean with Gatland-Faiane-Leger creating that time and space...
They need to play Rieko back into form too!
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On paper this backline looks harder to defend. Two playmakers - midfielders in midfield - multiple kicking options.
Having said that - this Blues team has really struggled to generate front foot ball in normal phase play as their attack is so telegraphed so their best bet is probably from either turnover ball or from kick return (this is where Perofeta & Rieko in the back 3 could be a big advantage over Collins & a way out of form Duffie).
I expect a very small crowd for this game - Friday night and Warriors playing at basically the same time.
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@kiwimurph said in Blues v Highlanders:
I expect a very small crowd for this game - Friday night and Warriors playing at basically the same time.
During the last home game the north lounge was quite empty outside but packed inside.. where they had the warriors on tv.
The NZRFU should be getting very concerned about the Blues -
@kiwimurph said in Blues v Highlanders:
On paper this backline looks harder to defend. Two playmakers - midfielders in midfield - multiple kicking options.
Having said that - this Blues team has really struggled to generate front foot ball in normal phase play as their attack is so telegraphed so their best bet is probably from either turnover ball or from kick return (this is where Perofeta & Rieko in the back 3 could be a big advantage over Collins & a way out of form Duffie).Agreed. They're too easy to defend against in normal play. Even if they had a Ma'a to present multiple threats at second-five they'd still struggle because it's too easy to read what's going to happen from each subsequent ruck.
But hoping to score from turnover or counter attack is a high risk, low reward strategy.
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@duluth said in Blues v Highlanders:
@kiwimurph said in Blues v Highlanders:
I expect a very small crowd for this game - Friday night and Warriors playing at basically the same time.
During the last home game the north lounge was quite empty outside but packed inside.. where they had the warriors on tv.
The NZRFU should be getting very concerned about the BluesTo be fair, I watched the warriors instead of the Chiefs the other week. I find Super Rugby can get a bit tedious apart form the big match ups and the warriors wagon looked so damn comfy
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Highlanders: Ben Smith (co-captain), Waisake Naholo, Rob Thompson, Tei Walden, Tevita Li, Lima Sopoaga, Kayne Hammington, Luke Whitelock, Dillon Hunt, Shannon Frizell, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dixon (co-captain), Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Reserves: Liam Coltman, Aki Seiuli, Tyrel Lomax, Alex Ainley, Elliot Dixon, Aaron Smith, Fletcher Smith, Matt Faddes -
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I'll be there.. I'm a ground member so I've already paid to be there. I tend to ignore the incompetence of Umaga's team and concentrate on a couple of players (this week it'll be guys like Akira, Papali'i, Manu)
I may not renew if certain people don't get sacked. The problem is I'll still want to go to the ABs, NPC & cricket
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@duluth said in Blues v Highlanders:
I'll be there.. I'm a ground member so I've already paid to be there. I tend to ignore the incompetence of Umaga's team and concentrate on a couple of players (this week it'll be guys like Akira, Papali'i, Manu)
I may not renew if certain people don't get sacked. The problem is I'll still want to go to the ABs, NPC & cricket
Oh Wicked, I didn't know you could be a ground member for everything. That's pretty cool.
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@duluth said in Blues v Highlanders:
I'll be there.. I'm a ground member so I've already paid to be there. I tend to ignore the incompetence of Umaga's team and concentrate on a couple of players (this week it'll be guys like Akira, Papali'i, Manu)
I may not renew if certain people don't get sacked. The problem is I'll still want to go to the ABs, NPC & cricket
I'll be there. Considering taking my boy, although I do wonder if CYFS thinks it could be a form of child abuse
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@kiwimurph said in Blues v Highlanders:
I think it's worth noting the Highlanders have lost their only 2 away games this season (both nz derbies).
I don't think the Blues will have the nous or class to win but they are not without hope in this game.
People said that when the Chiefs rolled into town on crutches, pushing a dilapidated team bus that broke down climbing the Bombay Hills.
And that's when the Blues appeared to have some confidence and form.
