Blues vs Waratahs
-
Rieko Ioane free to face Waratahs, as All Blacks' rest delayed
:quality(70)/cloudfront-ap-southeast-2.images.arcpublishing.com/tvnz/YLSTU2BIRVIBTDMUIWMWLHKAEA.png)
Despite Steve Hansen's wishes, Ioane will play his seventh straight game this weekend.
Blues winger Rieko Ioane appears to have found a loophole in the All Blacks’ 2019 Super Rugby rest policy, training today to face the Waratahs at Eden Park on Saturday. With All Blacks players under orders not to play more than six straight matches leading into this year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan, Ioane appeared to have reached his consecutive match limit after last weekend’s victory over the Stormers. However, 1 NEWS understands that with the Blues’ bye round falling between March 9-22, the six game limit has been reset, allowing for Ioane to face the Waratahs this weekend. As a result, Ioane was pictured in full training for the Blues today, put through his paces in preparation to face the New South Wales franchise. -
@KiwiMurph Nonsense wording in that article. The bye week reset isn't a loophole. That was known from the start.
-
Not to mention it reads Rieko found the alleged loophole.
Our media is awesome 🤘
-
I'm guessing they will let SBW recover from the knock. So probably Plummer covering 10/12 and Nonu starts and covers 13?
-
That article had some good comments from Duffie about the coaching improvement:
Our structure that we practised the whole pre-season has become embedded in who we are. There is no individual bull**** and falling out of shape when we're fatigued. We've got to the point now where we can really fall back on it, and it makes things a lot easier when the pressure comes on. "That's the key: our shape is really good. We've had a lot of continuity in our team each week, and guys are getting rewarded for training really well." -
This will be interesting. Let's look at the Tahs recently:
Round 1 - shit v Canes
Round 2 - shit v Moondogs
Round 3 - bye
Round 4 - passable v shit Reds
Round 5 - shit v shit Brumbies
Round 6 - awesome v shit Crusaders
Round 7 - shit v MoondogsI'm going to say our best performances are behind us, and we're about to get towelled up at Eden Park (again).
-
Blues have a surprisingly good record against the Tahs in recent seasons.
Date Winner Score Location Sat, 05 May 2018 Blues 24-21 Sydney Sat, 06 May 2017 Blues 40-33 Sydney Fri, 15 Jul 2016 Blues 34-28 Auckland Sat, 28 Mar 2015 Waratahs 11-23 Sydney Fri, 25 Apr 2014 Blues 21-13 Auckland Sun, 24 Mar 2013 Waratahs 27-30 Sydney Fri, 24 Jun 2011 Blues 26-13 Auckland Sat, 16 Apr 2011 Blues 31-17 Auckland -
This is a cool promo.
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 and Vodafone Warriors are offering a cross-code experience for this weekend’s double header against Aussie opposition. Members and fans of both the Vodafone Warriors and Blues can attend each other’s match this weekend with their single ticket -
@KiwiMurph I hope this promotion doesn’t re-infect the Blues with the Auckland teams disease they’ve fought off this year.
-
@Nepia said in Blues vs Waratahs:
@KiwiMurph I hope this promotion doesn’t re-infect the Blues with the Auckland teams disease they’ve fought off this year.
They'll be up against a Tahs team looking to bounce back from the biggest upset in Super Rugby history.
-
@antipodean said in Blues vs Waratahs:
@Nepia said in Blues vs Waratahs:
@KiwiMurph I hope this promotion doesn’t re-infect the Blues with the Auckland teams disease they’ve fought off this year.
They'll be up against a Tahs team looking to bounce back from the biggest upset in Super Rugby history.
them beating the Crusaders?
-
@Rocky-Rockbottom said in Blues vs Waratahs:
@Nepia said in Blues vs Waratahs:
I hope this promotion doesn’t re-infect the Blues with the Auckland teams disease they’ve fought off this year.
JESUS, ARE YOU EVER HAPPY ABOUT ANYTHING??
Long answer: Hey, I’m trying to sympathise with you Blues fans and hope that the Warriors disease doesn’t infect them. Cleary the Warriors parents were anti-vaxx so shit-itis keeps rearing it’s head in auckland because they ruined the herd immunity.
Short answer: No.
-
@Duluth said in Blues vs Waratahs:
That article had some good comments from Duffie about the coaching improvement:
Our structure that we practised the whole pre-season has become embedded in who we are. There is no individual bull**** and falling out of shape when we're fatigued. We've got to the point now where we can really fall back on it, and it makes things a lot easier when the pressure comes on. "That's the key: **our shape is really good.** We've had a lot of continuity in our team each week, and guys are getting rewarded for training really well."80% Nonu. Sure he doesn't have the gas he once did but he still can get in the right place, boss a backline and provide a safety valve for two struggling 10s.
-
@NTA said in Blues vs Waratahs:
This will be interesting. Let's look at the Tahs recently:
Round 1 - shit v Canes
Round 2 - shit v Moondogs
Round 3 - bye
Round 4 - passable v shit Reds
Round 5 - shit v shit Brumbies
Round 6 - awesome v shit Crusaders
Round 7 - shit v MoondogsI'm going to say our best performances are behind us, and we're about to get towelled up at Eden Park (again).
The Warratahs were comically bad against the Crusaders. A couple of times hot on attack they made such a meal of it I was actually laughing out loud.
The Crusaders were worse, of course, but nothing about that game suggested to that the Warratahs were any good, Folau in the air aside.
I'm relying on them being below the Chiefs at season's end.
-
@Chester-Draws said in Blues vs Waratahs:
@NTA said in Blues vs Waratahs:
This will be interesting. Let's look at the Tahs recently:
Round 1 - shit v Canes
Round 2 - shit v Moondogs
Round 3 - bye
Round 4 - passable v shit Reds
Round 5 - shit v shit Brumbies
Round 6 - awesome v shit Crusaders
Round 7 - shit v MoondogsI'm going to say our best performances are behind us, and we're about to get towelled up at Eden Park (again).
The Warratahs were comically bad against the Crusaders. A couple of times hot on attack they made such a meal of it I was actually laughing out loud.
The Crusaders were worse, of course, but nothing about that game suggested to that the Warratahs were any good, Folau in the air aside.
I'm relying on them being below the Chiefs at season's end.
Completely missing the defensive effort that kept a mostly champion team to 1 try during play and another when the game was won. Sure.
-
@NTA said in Blues vs Waratahs:
@Chester-Draws said in Blues vs Waratahs:
@NTA said in Blues vs Waratahs:
This will be interesting. Let's look at the Tahs recently:
Round 1 - shit v Canes
Round 2 - shit v Moondogs
Round 3 - bye
Round 4 - passable v shit Reds
Round 5 - shit v shit Brumbies
Round 6 - awesome v shit Crusaders
Round 7 - shit v MoondogsI'm going to say our best performances are behind us, and we're about to get towelled up at Eden Park (again).
The Warratahs were comically bad against the Crusaders. A couple of times hot on attack they made such a meal of it I was actually laughing out loud.
The Crusaders were worse, of course, but nothing about that game suggested to that the Warratahs were any good, Folau in the air aside.
I'm relying on them being below the Chiefs at season's end.
Completely missing the defensive effort that kept a mostly champion team to 1 try during play (off a forward pass) and another when the game was won. Sure.
Fixed
-
@NTA you keep telling yourself that. If it makes you happy.
For me, a team that is trash week after week aren't suddenly world-beaters overnight. Especially if they revert to trash the very next week.
-
@Chester-Draws said in Blues vs Waratahs:
@NTA you keep telling yourself that. If it makes you happy.
For me, a team that is trash week after week aren't suddenly world-beaters overnight. Especially if they revert to trash the very next week.
This. It was obvious the Crusaders werent there from the unforced errors. Both teams reverted to normal form the following week.
-
Blues v Waratahs @ Eden Park, Auckland
Referee Federico Anselmi
AR1 Nick Briant
AR2 Glen Jackson
TMO Glenn Newman -
@KiwiMurph Twattue (on Radio) has poo-pood this concept, claiming the Warriors are devaluing thier product putting it alongside Super rugby, which is an inferior product.
-
@taniwharugby said in Blues vs Waratahs:
@KiwiMurph Twattue (on Radio) has poo-pood this concept, claiming the Warriors are devaluing thier product putting it alongside Super rugby, which is an inferior product.
This makes me like the concept even more!
-
@taniwharugby said in Blues vs Waratahs:
@KiwiMurph Twattue (on Radio) has poo-pood this concept, claiming the Warriors are devaluing thier product putting it alongside Super rugby, which is an inferior product.
He is so transparent
-
@taniwharugby said in Blues vs Waratahs:
@KiwiMurph Twattue (on Radio) has poo-pood this concept, claiming the Warriors are devaluing thier product putting it alongside Super rugby, which is an inferior product.
Genuinely not sure if he's a troll or just deluded. I think it's a great concept - there are a number of casual fans who would go occassionally if free, but not go out of their way to attend.
I like it, well done both codes. SPorts fans are sports fans.
-
@NTA said in Blues vs Waratahs:
Completely missing the defensive effort that kept a mostly champion team to 1 try during play and another when the game was won. Sure.
Nicholas, I can't believe you're arguing a golden rule of the Fern: if a Kiwi side wins it's always due to their obvious superiority, but if an Aussie side beats a Kiwi side it's because the Kiwi side didn't show up.
And if an Aussie side plays shit and loses to a Kiwi side, it's because they were 'forced into mistakes'. But if a Kiwi side plays shit, they 'played down to the opposition' or 'rested a number of key players' or 'didn't get the 50/50 calls'.
-
@barbarian said in Blues vs Waratahs:
@NTA said in Blues vs Waratahs:
Completely missing the defensive effort that kept a mostly champion team to 1 try during play and another when the game was won. Sure.
Nicholas, I can't believe you're arguing a golden rule of the Fern: if a Kiwi side wins it's always due to their obvious superiority, but if an Aussie side beats a Kiwi side it's because the Kiwi side didn't show up.
And if an Aussie side plays shit and loses to a Kiwi side, it's because they were 'forced into mistakes'. But if a Kiwi side plays shit, they 'played down to the opposition' or 'rested a number of key players' or 'didn't get the 50/50 calls'.
Nice snark, but that fact there was a terrorist attack on that team's city that killed 50 people had a clear and obvious effect on the team. This is an unusual circumstance.
Sure the Tahs can only play whats in front of them, but there have been a few posters talking up this performance and the Tahs history before and after this game lends more weight to my argument than yours. Same with the Crusaders.
-
@barbarian said in Blues vs Waratahs:
@NTA said in Blues vs Waratahs:
Completely missing the defensive effort that kept a mostly champion team to 1 try during play and another when the game was won. Sure.
Nicholas, I can't believe you're arguing a golden rule of the Fern: if a Kiwi side wins it's always due to their obvious superiority, but if an Aussie side beats a Kiwi side it's because the Kiwi side didn't show up.
And if an Aussie side plays shit and loses to a Kiwi side, it's because they were 'forced into mistakes'. But if a Kiwi side plays shit, they 'played down to the opposition' or 'rested a number of key players' or 'didn't get the 50/50 calls'.
Some truth in that, but to be fair when there's a streak of 40-ish games without a win, there's some truth in the Kiwi Arrogance (TM) too
-
No Hooper
Israel Folau, Cam Clark, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Karmichael Hunt, Alex Newsome, Bernard Foley (capt), Nick Phipps, Michael Wells, Will Miller, Jack Dempsey, Rob Simmons, Ned Hanigan, Sekope Kepu, Damien Fitzpatrick, Harry Johnson-Holmes
Reserves: Andrew Tuala, Rory O'Connor, Chris Talakai, Tom Staniforth, Lachlan Swinton, Jake Gordon, Kurtley Beale, Lalakai Foketi
-
15 Melani Nanai, 14 Caleb Clarke, 13 TJ Faiane, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Otere Black, 9 Jonathan Ruru; 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Blake Gibson (CC), 6 Tom Robinson, 5. Josh Goodhue, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (CC), 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 James Parsons, 1. Alex Hodgman
Reserves: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Marcel Renata, 18 Ofa Tuungafasi, 19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20 Dalton Papalii, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Michael Collins
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 have named virtually an unchanged side to host the Waratahs in their third straight home game at Eden Park on Saturday. The pre-season star performer, Caleb Clarke, returns from injury to replace suspended Tanielu Tele’a on the wing, while Josh Goodhue has recovered from a shoulder injury to return at lock. Goodhue’s return is the only change to the pack that performed strongly against the Stormers, with the hard-working Gerard Cowley-Tuioti to add his impetus off the bench. The other change in the forward reserves sees Marcel Renata as front row replacement with Karl Tu’inukuafe spelled this week. Clarke is the only change from the starting line-up in the backs with changes in the reserves comprising Sam Nock at halfback and Michael Collins, who covers the midfield and outside backs, with Sonny Bill Williams sidelined with a knee injury. “There’s a settled look to this team but that is not to say there is not competition,” said head coach Leon MacDonald. “There’s competition for virtually every spot in the starting line-up which is what we want – and it is helping to produce competitive and high quality trainings. “If the starters do their job well, then they earn the right to stay there. We have already highlighted that while we want our starters to set the platform, equally one of our strengths is the energy we get off the bench to help us finish strongly. “We again showed improvement last week which we are pleased about, but it also showed up areas that we need to improve. Our aim is to continue to improve every game, and we have the confidence that if we can continue to improve, then we will reap the rewards. “We want to achieve this with a quality brand of rugby that is fantastic for fans to watch – and we are hoping they will flock in to support us this weekend.” -
-
-
@NTA said in Blues vs Waratahs:
@Duluth Big Karl is a loss, no doubt, but I've been watching the Blues' scrum be capable for 50-60 minutes then turn up the heat on people, and it ain't pretty for opponents.
Player of the week last week for me. Simply outstanding in the scrum and around the field
-
-
@KiwiMurph said in Blues vs Waratahs:
Collins in the 23 scares me. Especially with Tahs bringing Beale off the bench.
I think the plan will be to leave Michael Collins in the Command Module - he need never set foot on the moo... er ground.
-
@KiwiMurph said in Blues vs Waratahs:
Clarke under the high ball could be targeted.
He's had a couple of questionable games on defence too. On the plus side, we have two genuinely fast wingers now
