Blues v Brumbies
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15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 TJ Faiane, 11 AJ Lam, 10 Otere Black, 9 Finlay Christie; 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Tom Robinson (C), 5 Josh Goodhue, 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe.
Reserves: 16 Soane Vikena, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Jonathan Ruru, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Mark Telea.Players not considered with injury: Sam Nock (hip), Ofa Tuungafasi (knee), Sam Darry (head). Season-ending: Jone Macilai, Dillon Hunt, James Lay, Emoni Narawa
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@duluth said in Blues v Brumbies:
@kiwimurph said in Blues v Brumbies:
Nock was excellent off the bench so they go with Ruru......
Nock injured
Ah! Should have read the article
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Was Telea injured last week? Even if he was, seems rough to drop jacob ratumaitavuki-kneepkens
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@taniwharugby said in Blues v Brumbies:
Was Telea injured last week? Even if he was, seems rough to drop jacob ratumaitavuki-kneepkens
No, he wasn't.
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@taniwharugby I'd suggest it was pre planned. Give JRK a taste vs Tahs then bring back experience for Brumbies.
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@kiwimurph said in Blues v Brumbies:
@taniwharugby I'd suggest it was pre planned. Give JRK a taste vs Tahs then bring back experience for Brumbies.
critical game. 5 points at home is so important to set up for the finals.
Blues can have a single game without a bonus point, adn probably get there on PD. But if you don't get the BP in two games, you're done.
Seriously, it's a stupid comp. You could have 1-2 teams that are unbeaten, and get BP in 3 games, and still miss out. It's nuts.
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@kiwimurph fair enough, although isnt that why Heem is there?
Not sure Telea has done much this year to warrant selection based on that alone, I dont agree with some of Leons selections anyway so, what do I know.
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Captain Allan Alaalatoa will become just the 14th player to represent the Plus500 Brumbies in 100 Super Rugby matches when he leads the side out on Eden Park on Saturday night.
Since making his debut for the club back in 2014, the 27-year-old has been a mainstay at tighthead prop, going on to achieve higher honours, representing the Wallabies on 43 times.
His milestone comes in the same fixture as vice-captain Tom Cusack who plays his 50th Brumbies game, named to start at openside flanker.
Starting alongside Alaalatoa in the front row will be Connal McInerney who returns to the run-on hooker role for the first time since March 6, with Scott Sio named at loosehead prop.
The young lock combination of Darcy Swain and Nick Frost have been named for the third consecutive week with Rob Valetini and Henry Stowers swapping positions in the backrow.
Wallabies number nine Nic White returns from a hip flexor complaint to partner Noah Lolesio in the halves with the settled centre duo of Irae Simone and Len Ikitau in the midfield.
An unchanged back three sees Solomone Kata get the opportunity to start in the city he was educated in with the elusive Tom Wright on the opposite wing and the in-form Tom Banks at fullback.
Wallabies rake Folau Fainga'a returns to the game day squad as replacement hooker, with Harry Lloyd and the recalled Sefo Kautai the reserve props.
Bathurst-born Tom Hooper will get more minutes off the bench and is alongside fellow forward cover Luke Reimer, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Thursday.
ACT junior Ryan Lonergan is the reserve scrumhalf with playmaker Bayley Kuenzle and the versatile Mack Hansen finalising the match day 23.
Plus500 Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said: "It's a massive achievement for Allan to have reached 100 Super Rugby matches for the Brumbies."
"He's someone who embodies what it means to be a Brumby and is an exceptional leader of this group, who I have no doubt will be extra motivated to make sure he gets the result he deserves on Saturday night.
"It's also a great milestone for Tom Cusack making his 50th Brumbies appearance, another one of our leaders, who grew up supporting the club and gives his all for the jersey every time he pulls it on.
"The group has had a really strong week of prep here in Auckland and we want make sure we finish this three week tour off in a positive fashion."
PLUS500 BRUMBIES SUPER RUGBY TRANS-TASMAN ROUND THREE TEAM
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Scott Sio
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Connal McInerney
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Allan Alaalatoa (c)
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Darcy Swain
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Nick Frost
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Rob Valetini
7.Tom Cusack
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Henry Stowers
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Nic White
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Noah Lolesio
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Tom Wright
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Irae Simone
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Len Ikitau
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Solomone Kata
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Tom Banks
REPLACEMENTS
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Folau Fainga'a
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Harry Lloyd
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Sefo Kautai
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Tom Hooper
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Luke Reimer
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Ryan Lonergan
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Bayley Kuenzle
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Mack Hansen
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Brumbies 5 coukda been pinged for joining that maul from the side...
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@gt12 said in Blues v Brumbies:
@tim said in Blues v Brumbies:
Come on Eklund, you've got four targets.
Found one of them!
The goal line?
