Waratahs vs Blues

Duluth

https://blues.rugby/largely-unchanged-team-named-for-waratahs-in-newcastle/

The Blues have named a largely unchanged team to head across the  Ta$man to take on the Waratahs in Newcastle on Saturday in round two of Investec Super Rugby.

Injuries have necessitated some tweaks with the team from the opening game against the Chiefs, with the strong running winger Jordan Hyland in for the injured Rieko Ioane; loose forward Blake Gibson starting for Tony Lamborn; All Black Karl Tu’inukuafe will start at loosehead for Alex Hodgman while Josh Goodhue earns his blazer game starting at lock alongside captain Patrick Tuipulotu.

The rest of the pack is the same that impressed against the Chiefs while there is a strong look to the bench with centurion James Parsons returning from off-season injury, All Black prop Ofa Tuungafasi along with the aggressive and versatile pair of Tom Robinson and Akira Ioane to add impact. The back reserves remain unchanged with Sam Nock, Harry Plummer and Emoni Narawa.

“Injuries are part and parcel of this competition and this sport but gives us the opportunity early in the season to give opportunities to others who have been working very hard on the training field,” said head coach Leon Macdonald.

“We did a lot of things well last week, particularly in the first half, but also some periods in the second half. We will look to consolidate those areas of strength and work on solutions for some of the areas of growth from the game.

“The pack will be the cornerstone and we will look to provide the platform for our backs to show their skills against what will be a very good Waratahs team.

“We are looking forward to playing in a different venue and atmosphere at Newcastle and excited put on an improved overall performance.”

Players not considered because of injury include: Otere Black (rib), Finlay Christie (neck), Gerard Cowley-Tuioti (shoulder), Jared Page (hamstring), Tanielu Tele’a (shoulder), James Tucker (knee), Tony Lamborn (infection), Alex Hodgman (calf), Ray Niuia (knee). Rieko Ioane (hand).

Daffy Jaffy

@Nepia A brief interview with your " English journeyman" (who is 23 years old and played a test for England just before the world cup).

Kirwan

Not sure who I’m most disappointed to see, Ruru, Perofeta or Hyland. Special mention for Goodhue, although I think Robinson was injured late in the game last week.

Machpants

@Kirwan said in Waratahs vs Blues:

Not sure who I’m most disappointed to see, Ruru, Perofeta or Hyland. Special mention for Goodhue, although I think Robinson was injured late in the game last week.

Parsons?

Kirwan

@Machpants said in Waratahs vs Blues:

@Kirwan said in Waratahs vs Blues:

Not sure who I’m most disappointed to see, Ruru, Perofeta or Hyland. Special mention for Goodhue, although I think Robinson was injured late in the game last week.

Parsons?

He's better than everyone I listed above, a journeyman sure, but still ahead of that mob.

Kirwan

@Nepia said in Waratahs vs Blues:

@voodoo said in Waratahs vs Blues:

@Stargazer Radio Sport? Left and right lock, scrumhalf, flyhalf and inside centre? What happened here??!!!

First the Blues get an English journeyman and now they're using NH naming conventions. Grrr.

Marchant looks pretty skilful to me, not sure that’s all that fair.

antipodean

@Kirwan said in Waratahs vs Blues:

@Nepia said in Waratahs vs Blues:

@voodoo said in Waratahs vs Blues:

@Stargazer Radio Sport? Left and right lock, scrumhalf, flyhalf and inside centre? What happened here??!!!

First the Blues get an English journeyman and now they're using NH naming conventions. Grrr.

Marchant looks pretty skilful to me, not sure that’s all that fair.

He had a pretty good game. You could see why he rates his defence - he was vocal and very good at directing those around him. His opposite had a good game too.

Nepia

@Kirwan said in Waratahs vs Blues:

@Nepia said in Waratahs vs Blues:

@voodoo said in Waratahs vs Blues:

@Stargazer Radio Sport? Left and right lock, scrumhalf, flyhalf and inside centre? What happened here??!!!

First the Blues get an English journeyman and now they're using NH naming conventions. Grrr.

Marchant looks pretty skilful to me, not sure that’s all that fair.

I'm just broad stroking him, non Kiwi in a Super team who I've barely heard of.

Machpants

@Nepia said in Waratahs vs Blues:

@Kirwan said in Waratahs vs Blues:

@Nepia said in Waratahs vs Blues:

@voodoo said in Waratahs vs Blues:

@Stargazer Radio Sport? Left and right lock, scrumhalf, flyhalf and inside centre? What happened here??!!!

First the Blues get an English journeyman and now they're using NH naming conventions. Grrr.

Marchant looks pretty skilful to me, not sure that’s all that fair.

I'm just broad stroking him, non Kiwi in a Super team who I've barely heard of.

Blues were really good once upon a time, but they have fallen far, so it's not hugely surprising you've barely heard of them

Dice

Looks like it'll be a wet game and we have Ruru, Perofeta and Duffie in the main kicking positions.

KiwiMurph

@Dice said in Waratahs vs Blues:

Looks like it'll be a wet game and we have Ruru, Perofeta and Duffie in the main kicking positions.

Wet weather that was forecast all week.

nzzp

Here.

We.

Go.

I'm excited. Contemplating breaking out a nice shiraz that won't be affected by salty tears of impotent rage

Duluth

The wet weather should the Tahs. Their defence in the wider channels was abysmal last week.

Bones

Helluva start there for Ruru.

nzzp

Kicking for territory is so underrated

KiwiMurph

Blues look really really shit.

Duluth

Wow. The opposition with a 5m maul and they didn’t score

nzzp

@KiwiMurph said in Waratahs vs Blues:

Blues look really really shit.

WE DEFENDED A MAUL.

Great day out, worth the price of admission

Bones

@KiwiMurph nice maul defence though.

Other defence has been a little highlandery.

What on earth has happened to Duffie?

Nepia

Wait, Perofeta got another start???

The Silver Fern

Waratahs vs Blues