Blues v Tahs

mariner4life

Waratahs need to win, and get a bonus point, to give themselves a shot at finals, given the Brumbies have the Force at home, and the Force are shit, returning from South Africa, and are falling apart off the field.
 
And the game is Friday night, so they know they have to put the pressure on the Brumbies for Saturday night. But that pushing for a bonus point might be their undoing. 
 
 
So they'll either be hyper-focused, and that big pack will turn up like against the Chiefs and roll forward, or they'll choke under the pressure, turn the ball over, and be chasing Blues backs all over the field. I can't see it being close either way.

nzzp

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="596177" data-time="1468372457">
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So they'll either be hyper-focused, and that big pack will turn up like against the Chiefs and roll forward, or they'll choke under the pressure, turn the ball over, and be chasing Blues backs all over the field. I can't see it being close either way. 
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I like OPtion B.
 
Unfortunately will miss the game as away up north, but will be another great night out at Eden Park I"m sure. As a Blues fan, next season looks very exciting right now

KiwiMurph

I'd like to think the Blues match up well with the Tahs and the Tahs would find it hard to bully the Blues forward pack the way they would others.
 
Sau needs a big game to contain Folau which could be key.

nzzp

<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11673483'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11673483</a>
 
Blues faced the opponents with the most average wins.
 
Well, it's an interesting metric. Makes sense on some levels, but our success this season ain't based on who we play. Super success sure does - look at the Reds in 2011, for instance - but I think we didn't win more games this year because of mental issues at the back end. A bit of confidence, and who knows.

Canes4life

I'm not sure who i'd rather see miss out on the playoffs out of the Brumbies and Waratahs. I hope they both get a hiding this week and it comes down to points differential. The Brumbies should sneak in as they are playing the Force who are alot weaker than the Blues.

taniwharugby

wow, Moulds on the bench!

Tim

And Scott Scrafton. :)

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="596194" data-time="1468376110">
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I'm not sure who i'd rather see miss out on the playoffs out of the Brumbies and Waratahs. I hope they both get a hiding this week and it comes down to points differential. The Brumbies should sneak in as they are playing the Force who are alot weaker than the Blues.
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The Brumbies have won 1 more game so the only way the Tahs make it is if they get a BP win over the Blues and the Brumbies only win versus the Force (possible but unlikely) or the Force upsets the Brumbies (more unlikely) and the Tahs beat the Blues. So basically, the Tahs need 1 more competition pt than the Brumbies get.
 
I think this game will be more physical than NSW-Canes, given the desperation of the Tahs.

antipodean

We have the game to do it, just not the consistency.
 
The Brumbies might fall over the line because it looks like their wheels have fallen off, but they've got the better run home. They're also without Tomane who broke his leg playing for Uni Norths.

Stargazer

Waratahs
 
1. Paddy Ryan (76 caps) 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (140 caps) 3. Tom Robertson (12 caps) 4. Dean Mumm (100 caps) 5. Will Skelton (52 caps) 6. Jack Dempsey (13 caps) 7. Michael Hooper (c) (95 caps) 8. Dave Dennis (vc) (106 caps))
9. Nick Phipps (96 caps) 10. Bernard Foley (76 caps) 11. Matt Carraro (54 caps) 12. Rob Horne 101 caps) 13. Israel Folau (59 caps) 14. Reece Robinson (12 caps) 15. Andrew Kellaway (10 caps)
 
Reserves: 16. Hugh Roach (20 caps) 17. Jeremy Tilse (59 caps) 18. Angus Taâ€™avao (62 caps) 19. Sam Lousi (17 caps) 20. Wycliff Palu (133 caps) 21. Matt Lucas (26 caps) 22. David Horwitz (12 caps) 23. Jim Stewart (uncapped â€“ potential NSW and Super Rugby debut)

Tim

Lambs to the slaughter.

Tordah

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="596211" data-time="1468380293">
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Waratahs
 
7. Michael Hoopah (c) (95 caps)
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Squinty Hoopah is going to have 100 caps when he's just 25 years young. Is this the fastest in Super Rugby history?

broughie

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tordah" data-cid="596235" data-time="1468384925">
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Squinty Hoopah is going to have 100 caps when he's just 25 years young. Is this the fastest in Super Rugby history?
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It looks more like a strabismus, could be wrong, but impressive stat otherwise.
 
The big question is if the Blues pack can front the Tahs. I think they have the pack to do this. Be good to see Charlie play and Moala to keep Folau honest physically.

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="596201" data-time="1468378230">
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And Scott Scrafton. :)
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Yup good to see Umaga give him and Cowley-Tuioti a run before the end of season.

taniwharugby

thought he mighta given Nock a run too, especially with Hall on his way out the door.

Bones

Li finally gets a chance!

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="596308" data-time="1468394368">
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Li finally gets a chance!
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Yup fully deserves it. We get to see him crash the ball up aimlessly one last time.

NTA

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="596175" data-time="1468372137">
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Blues by 50.
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At least.
 
Tahs are effectively playing for their season, but it doesn't fucking matter because 24 hours after the hooter here, the Ponies will belt the Farce in Canboring on a cold, fucking miserable night.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="596322" data-time="1468397851">
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At least.
 
Tahs are effectively playing for their season, but it doesn't fucking matter because 24 hours after the hooter here, the Ponies will belt the Farce in Canboring on a cold, fucking miserable night.
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Yeah - will be tough for the Tahs to believe they're going to make it. I'm somewhat amazed they're in this position, because they're a far more dangerous team than the Brumbies.

hurricane

I've got the Blues to win this in my multi. But I think it will be a nail biter. I just reckon home team gets the rub of the green usually in a number of facets of the game. One of them being that the road team will kick more pill away, which means less opportunities for Israel magic to be worked. That said you can pencil him in for a try right now. Outstanding player.

The Silver Fern

Blues v Tahs