Blues v Sunwolves
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SBW and Blake Gibson co-captains.
Full team yet to be announced
'He's a cool head' - Sonny Bill Williams to captain the Blues for Sunwolves showdown
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Blues coach Leon MacDonald has named SBW captain, relieving returning flanker Blake Gibson of captaining duties for Saturday's match.
Blues coach Leon MacDonald has named All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams to co-captain his side in their Super Rugby match against the Sunwolves at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday night. Williams will be co-captaining the Blues with returning flanker Blake Gibson. -
@KiwiMurph I hope he sees more in SBW than I do. not convinced that he's captain material.
That said, I'm going and trying to drum up some support. Will be damn good to go to a proper rectangular stadium, and not be surrounded by Saffers supporting the away team.
THIS IS OUR WEEK. WE'LL BE UNSTOPPABLE.
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@nzzp said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@KiwiMurph I hope he sees more in SBW than I do. not convinced that he's captain material.
That said, I'm going and trying to drum up some support. Will be damn good to go to a proper rectangular stadium, and not be surrounded by Saffers supporting the away team.
THIS IS OUR WEEK. WE'LL BE UNSTOPPABLE.
I really want them to be blusers this weekend just so I can have a set of fans as disappointed in their team like the Chiefs fans are with theirs. A problem shared is a problem halved sort of thing.
You wont lose though and you will likely beat them by 37 points.
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Still no team list
MacDonald talking about the Tamoaieta and the game:
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@canefan said in Blues v Sunwolves:
So far 2019 is a case of different face same result. I wonder how things could have been different if the Blues had managed to edge the Crusaders in round 1. The longer they go without a win the more the doubts will creep in
I was thinking about that too. In my mind you should have won that game and it was likely the toughest game of the season for you.
I still think you will beat the rubbish teams this year at home, including us.
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@Duluth said in Blues v Sunwolves:
I think the Jaguares game was a write off.
The team hasn't used it it as an excuse, but the death of a player the day before a match must have an impact. I assumed they were going to get thrashed
we did more than enough to win that game, but coughed it up when it counted. Very frustrating to watch. The Jaguares gave us so much pill at critical times, but we fumbled like a teenager on a first date
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15 Melani Nanai, 14 Tanielu Tele’a, 13 TJ Faiane, 12 Sonny Bill Williams ©, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Harry Plummer, 9 Augustine Pulu; 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Tom Robinson, 5 Josh Goodhue, 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 James Parsons, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe
Reserves: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Marcel Renata, 18 Lua Li, 19 Scott Scrafton, 20 Dalton Papalii, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Otere Black, 23 Levi Aumua
Blues Rugby
The official home of the Blues rugby team. Buy tickets and merchandise, get the latest news, view results and go behind-the-scenes with our players.
The Blues welcome two long term injured players to add spark to the team to take on the Sunwolves at QBE Stadium in North Harbour on Saturday. Loose forward Blake Gibson will make his first appearance, starting on the openside flank after being sidelined with long term injury. His return allows All Black Dalton Papalii to come off the bench after playing high minutes in the opening three games. The 2m lock Scott Scrafton will come off the bench after nearly one year out of the sport after damaging both his ACL and LCL in the knee and ripping the tendon off the bone. There’s a homegrown look to the tight five with All Black Karl Tu’inukuafe, James Parsons and Sione Mafileo forming a potent front row and Gerard Cowley-Tuioti starting at lock – all from North Harbour and starting on their home turf. In-form Northland lock Josh Goodhue will partner Cowley-Tuioti in the middle row while Tom Robinson and Akira Ioane again start in the loose. Outstanding rookie Harry Plummer gets his first start at first-five, swapping spots with Otere Black, who comes off the bench, and Sonny Bill Williams starts and will captain the side. Northland’s Sam Nock has recovered from a calf injury and is included on the bench as is big Tasman midfielder Levi Aumua. The Blues will spell Ofa Tuungafasi and Patrick Tuipulotu with prescribed All Blacks rest, while Alex Hodgman has also been rested with a slight knee injury suffered in Argentina. “It’s been a tough couple of weeks of long travel, short turnarounds, hot conditions, and performances that were below our capabilities,” said coach Leon Macdonald. “It’s good to have some of our key injured players back to inject some freshness both in the starting team and off the bench and give us a chance to rest some who have had a big start to the season. “We also expect our North Harbour boys to really stand up on their home ground and set the platform upfront for our backs to prosper. Overall we are looking for a more physical job at the breakdown, and more accuracy and patience. “Clearly the Sunwolves are a vastly different team with a lot of New Zealand and Australian players with Super Rugby experience. They proved their capability last week with the win against the Chiefs and we are under no illusions of the challenge they will bring. “We are looking forward to it and hopefully produce a game of real quality. -
@Duluth @Stargazer Fark, I thought swapping 10s would be out with Tana (and Pat, and JK). Not a fan - you should know your best 10, and stick with them. So much of the game goes through them.
Feels like we're back to mix and match selections, and I don't know why.
that said, welcome back Scott and Blake!
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Is Ruru injured? Ideally you'd start him with Nock on the bench, cos Pulu was all kinds of average last time out.
Nock needs a big season now, really grew alot last year for Northland, needs to replicate that into super rugby.
Hasnt Robinson played same minutes as Dalton? I'd like him to cut his bloody hair, or do something else cos I noticed one ruck he got up from he spent the next 5 or so seconds tying it back instead of running up field.
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@taniwharugby Wait what? Pulu was fine in his last start. One of his better Blues games. Ruru was the one who butchered the scrum at the end.
As for Plummer at 10 - excellent. I'm pleased Plummer will get a crack at 10 from the start - so far he's had to come on late at 10 and then once late at 15. Now he gets his shot. @nzzp Depending on how Plummer goes who could very well be the Blues new starting 10. Otere has done some good things but hasn't played so well that his jersey should be unchallenged imo.
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@Tim said in Blues v Sunwolves:
Big game for Cowley-Tuioti. Hasn't impressed so far this season. We've lacked grunt off the bench from him.
Looking forward to seeing Renata off the bench. Be interesting to see what kind of shape Aumua is in.
i thought C-T put in a couple of pretty decent hits last week, one of which resulted in a turnover.
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@KiwiMurph I thought Pulu was all over the shop, yes Ruru wasnt great either, but thought he still looked better than Pulu.
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@mariner4life Fair play. I didn't see all the last game due to a shit stream.
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@taniwharugby Fair enough. I disagree.
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@KiwiMurph tis funny how we can be watching the same player and have different views of how they played
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@nzzp said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@Duluth said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@nzzp So Plummer should not start all season?
I don't think he shoudl start in Round 4, after a big travel game, in a team that's copped multiple changes, in a must win game, unless he's our new starting 10.
What happens if Black gets injured in a few weeks? You need game time in your backups, and games against teams like the Sunwolves is when you do it.
Black will get on the field, so it’s not like he’s getting rusty.
The big plus with Plummer is he’s a very vocal player, and really drives the team around. Should give us good direction and isn’t afraid to take the line on.
Also won’t have to dick around hiding Black on the wing in defence as well.
Downside is goal kicking form.
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@taniwharugby said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@KiwiMurph I thought Pulu was all over the shop, yes Ruru wasnt great either, but thought he still looked better than Pulu.
Main problem with pulu still is how slow he is to clear the ball. He’s like trying to race with the handbrake on.
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@Kirwan said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@nzzp said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@Duluth said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@nzzp So Plummer should not start all season?
I don't think he shoudl start in Round 4, after a big travel game, in a team that's copped multiple changes, in a must win game, unless he's our new starting 10.
What happens if Black gets injured in a few weeks? You need game time in your backups, and games against teams like the Sunwolves is when you do it.
Fark that, we need to start winning, and we need to start building that habit. Look, I'd be delighted if Plummer is the goods - but I don't think he should be starting this game unless he's our number one 10. And if Leon doesn't know who is best 10 is, then I'm worried.
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@nzzp said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@Kirwan said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@nzzp said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@Duluth said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@nzzp So Plummer should not start all season?
I don't think he shoudl start in Round 4, after a big travel game, in a team that's copped multiple changes, in a must win game, unless he's our new starting 10.
What happens if Black gets injured in a few weeks? You need game time in your backups, and games against teams like the Sunwolves is when you do it.
Fark that, we need to start winning, and we need to start building that habit. Look, I'd be delighted if Plummer is the goods - but I don't think he should be starting this game unless he's our number one 10. And if Leon doesn't know who is best 10 is, then I'm worried.
I’m sure he knows, and like with other positions that are using the full squad, you can’t play every game.
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@nzzp said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@Kirwan said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@nzzp said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@Duluth said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@nzzp So Plummer should not start all season?
I don't think he shoudl start in Round 4, after a big travel game, in a team that's copped multiple changes, in a must win game, unless he's our new starting 10.
What happens if Black gets injured in a few weeks? You need game time in your backups, and games against teams like the Sunwolves is when you do it.
Fark that, we need to start winning, and we need to start building that habit. Look, I'd be delighted if Plummer is the goods - but I don't think he should be starting this game unless he's our number one 10. And if Leon doesn't know who is best 10 is, then I'm worried.
Look at this way, we’ve rotated the props, locks, back row, halfback, centres, and back three so far, but swapping the ten is what’s going to do us in?
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@taniwharugby said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@KiwiMurph tis funny how we can be watching the same player and have different views of how they played
Haha agreed. It beats watching Collins and having the same view!
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@dK Comments (from Mils, Ali Williams, and Stevenson) were that (mostly on attack) they look like they're trying hard to replicate the drills from practice, rather than playing what's in front of them. Possibly this is due to a lack of self confidence and experienced leadership. The confidence issue is also exposed by hesitancy on counter-attack, when they're just not backing themselves. Might take some wins to crack this.
Ali Williams also commented that Karl T blew the last scrum by "smoking" his opposing prop, rather than concentrating on stability.
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@Kirwan said in Blues v Sunwolves:
Look at this way, we’ve rotated the props, locks, back row, halfback, centres, and back three so far, but swapping the ten is what’s going to do us in?
Fair point.
I just felt triggered seeing a new 10 ... brings back the bad old days
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on Plummer
There is also confidence that the 20-year-old Plummer can shake off his goalkicking misfires from week one, which cost the Blues a result against the Crusaders, and excel in his first start for the franchise. "We've got a lot of faith in Harry," added MacDonald. "He was right in contention for game one with his pre-season form, and we'd pencilled this opportunity in for him a while back, because of the travel and wanting a few fresh legs out there and a little bit more energy. We're looking forward to seeing how he goes, because he's a real talent." -
@Tim Yeah been disappointed with Cowley Tuioti so far. He needs a big one with Scrafton back, and yes, the first point you make from the podcast you watched is dead right imo. In a funny sort of way, we seemed to play with a bit too much structure out there. Great to have a plan in place, but there seemed to be no plan B out there when the Jaguares were containing us on defence.
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Sunwolves
1 Pauliasi MANU
2 Atsushi SAKATE
3 Hiroshi YAMASHITA
4 Tom Rowe
5 James MOORE
6 Hendrik TUI
7 Shuhei MATSUHASHI
8 Rahboni WARREN VOSAYACO
9 Jamie BOOTH
10 Rikiya MATSUDA
11 Jamie HENRY
12 Michael LITTLE (C)
13 Jason EMERY
14 Gerhard van den HEEVER
15 Semisi MASIREWAReserves
16 Nathan VELLA
17 Alex WOONTON
18 Asaeli Ai VALU
19 Uwe HELU
20 Dan PRYOR
21 Keisuke UCHIDA
22 Hayden PARKER
23 Phil BURLEIGH -
@nzzp said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@Kirwan said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@nzzp said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@Duluth said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@nzzp So Plummer should not start all season?
I don't think he shoudl start in Round 4, after a big travel game, in a team that's copped multiple changes, in a must win game, unless he's our new starting 10.
What happens if Black gets injured in a few weeks? You need game time in your backups, and games against teams like the Sunwolves is when you do it.
Fark that, we need to start winning, and we need to start building that habit. Look, I'd be delighted if Plummer is the goods - but I don't think he should be starting this game unless he's our number one 10. And if Leon doesn't know who is best 10 is, then I'm worried.
On the other hand - panicking against the Sunwolves and thinking you've got to roll out the A1 number one team to try to snatch a win isn't really sending the right signal.
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@Chris-B said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@nzzp said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@Kirwan said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@nzzp said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@Duluth said in Blues v Sunwolves:
@nzzp So Plummer should not start all season?
I don't think he shoudl start in Round 4, after a big travel game, in a team that's copped multiple changes, in a must win game, unless he's our new starting 10.
What happens if Black gets injured in a few weeks? You need game time in your backups, and games against teams like the Sunwolves is when you do it.
Fark that, we need to start winning, and we need to start building that habit. Look, I'd be delighted if Plummer is the goods - but I don't think he should be starting this game unless he's our number one 10. And if Leon doesn't know who is best 10 is, then I'm worried.
On the other hand - panicking against the Sunwolves and thinking you've got to roll out the A1 number one team to try to snatch a win isn't really sending the right signal.
yeah, those bastards would never tip over a kiwi side at home.
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@nzzp Was only the Chiefs.
Leon's still got to treat this game like a bit of a gimme. If he's giving his backs-to-the-wall team talk against the Sunwolves, the well is going to be dry against sterner opposition.
Blues to win at a canter!
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