Blues v Reds
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Blues: 15. Matt Duffie, 14. Melani Nanai, 13. Michael Collins, 12. Rieko Ioane, 11. Caleb Clarke, 10. Stephen Perofeta, 9. Augustine Pulu © or Sam Nock; 8. Akira Ioane, 7. Blake Gibson, 6. Jerome Kaino, 5. Matiaha Martin, 4. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 2. James Parsons, 1. Alex Hodgman
Reserves: 16. Matt Moulds/Leni Apisai, 17. Pauliasi Manu, 18. Sione Mafileo, 19. Jacob Pierce, 20. Murphy Taramai, 21. Jonathan Ruru, 22. Bryn Gatland, 23 TJ Faiane/Tumua Manu.
Not considered because of injury: Otere Black (knee – season), George Moala (chest – season), Matt Johnson (surgery – season), Tamati Tua (hand), Jimmy Tupou (knee – season), Josh Goodhue (concussion), Patrick Tuipulotu (shoulder – season), Glenn Preston (groin, season), Scott Scrafton (knee – season), Sonny Bill Williams (shoulder), Dalton Papalii (hamstring), Terrence Hepetema (back strain), Mike Tamoaieta (knee).
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Not unhappy with Collins in the midfield. The best game I've seen Collins play for the Blues was in the pre-season last year and it was at 12
I thought that was the point of his squad selection - a guy that could cover gaps in the midfield and at fullback
12/13 around the wrong way though
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Why the insistence of Rieko at 12, nullifying his pace on the outside. Surely the master of communication should play 12 to help run the backline anyway.
Pretty exciting backline though.
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So Orbyn Leger is dropped?
Good to see Gibson is actually going to play a game this season. Pretty useful loose forward trio on paper that should be well rested.
Hopefully Pierce gets a run.
I'd like to think Blues will pull out a big performance for Kaino's last home game but I'm not holding my breath. From memory Mealamu's last Blues home game was not a good performance by the Blues.
Weather looks like it should be alright.
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@stargazer cos Tana?
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jesus how do you tip this? The Reds are rubbish, and the game is in NZ. But, they are playing the Blues...
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@mariner4life said in Blues vs. Reds:
jesus how do you tip this? The Reds are rubbish, and the game is in NZ. But, they are playing the Blues...
Well the Blues have not won at Eden Park all year, so there's one factor to consider.
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@kirwan said in Blues vs. Reds:
@mariner4life said in Blues vs. Reds:
jesus how do you tip this? The Reds are rubbish, and the game is in NZ. But, they are playing the Blues...
Well the Blues have not won at Eden Park all year, so there's one factor to consider.
really? How does Tana have a job?? This is still professional rugby right?
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@mariner4life said in Blues vs. Reds:
@kirwan said in Blues vs. Reds:
@mariner4life said in Blues vs. Reds:
jesus how do you tip this? The Reds are rubbish, and the game is in NZ. But, they are playing the Blues...
Well the Blues have not won at Eden Park all year, so there's one factor to consider.
really? How does Tana have a job?? This is still professional rugby right?
How does he have a Job? He's doing so well, he got a one year extension, fool!
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@tim said in Blues vs. Reds:
Blues: 14. Melani Nanai, 13. Michael Collins, 12. Rieko Ioane
How is Collins going to keep up to have any hope of passing to Nanai?
Reds to win and the great Australian revival will roll on, despite the setback of dodgy refereeing against Ireland.
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@kirwan and if they do somehow find a way to lose, they will be the first NZ side to not win a game at home all season...
if you are the cynical betting type, TAB are offering $51 if neither team manages to reach 10 points in this game...
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@tim He's asked to cover all 3 backrow positions, but doesn't really fit any of the roles that are asked of those positions.
With this being a lost season, I'd rather someone like Havili get as much experience before next season. And if Taramai ends up not being with us next year, it'd make even more sense to give the game time to Havili.
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Queensland Reds: Jono Lance, Jordan Petaia, Samu Kerevi, Duncan Paia'aua, Eto Nabuli, Hamish Stewart, Moses Sorovi, Scott Higginbotham (c), George Smith, Lukhan Tui, Kane Douglas, Harry Hockings, Taniela Tupou, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, JP Smith.
Reserves: Alex Mafi, Harry Hoopert, Ruan Smith, Caleb Timu, Angus Scott-Young, Tate McDermott, Aidan Toua, Filipo Daugunu. -
Reiko has played every minute of the season so far including the three games for the ABs. The one positive of the Blues not qualifying is that Reiko can have a good three week break before the Bledisloe to recharge the batteries.
Great to see Gibson back.
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@akan004 said in Blues vs. Reds:
@kiwimurph Really? Ok, wasn't aware of that. Have tried to remove that Rebels game from my memory. Even so, the break will do him good. He's probably played the most minutes out of all the ABs this year.
Nope (not yet), according to the stats, Rieko has played 960 minutes. Scott Barretts is the AB with most minutes (972). The New Zealand player with most minutes is George Bridge (1040 minutes). Overall, the SR player who's played most is Elton Jantjies with 1120 minutes.
Edited to add that - barring injury - Rieko will temporarily overtake S Barrett this weekend because the Crusaders have the bye.
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Shame there's basically noone at the ground to see the great man off.
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@no-quarter said in Blues vs. Reds:
Shame there's basically noone at the ground to see the great man off.
Thank the CEO and Tana for that.