Blues v Chiefs
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The Blues team is:
1 Alex Hodgman, 2 James Parsons, 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (co-capt), 5 Scott Scrafton, 6 Dalton Papalii, 7 Blake Gibson (co-capt), 8 Akira Ioane, 9 Jonathan Ruru, 10 Harry Plummer, 11 Rieko Ioane, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 13 TJ Faiane (VC), 14 Caleb Clarke, 15 Melani Nanai.
Reserves: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Lua Li, 18 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20 Tom Robinson, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Otere Black, 23 Matt Duffie.
Players not considered with injury: Sione Mafileo (ankle) Stephen Perofeta (pectoral), Jordan Trainor (thigh), Sonny Bill Williams (knee) Michael Collins (groin), Sam Nock (finger), Tanielu Tele’a (foot), Josh Goodhue (concussion), Jimmy Tupou (knee), Jed Brown (hamstring).
https://blues.rugby/blues-look-to-even-ledger-in-epic-derby/
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Surprised Plummer is ok to play
The first time this year the best locking combo starts
Jed Brown is as durable as Gibson
So whats the midfield cover? Plummer moves out one? Or Clarke/Ioane to 13?
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From a player welfare perspective, I'm also surprised to see Plummer in the squad. Obviously, we have to trust them doing all the proper medical evaluations, but after last week, I really expected him to get a rest (despite the lack of an obvious third 10 at the moment).
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Goodhue is a bit of a worry, isnt that his 3rd stand down following a head knock?
Blues still smashing Akira though.
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@taniwharugby Not surprised about Akira starting because it's a NZ derby, but you have to wonder how many more minutes they're going to squeeze out of him before he finally gets a rest. It's getting a bit ridiculous.
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@Stargazer also still no sign of number 8 Sotutu whereas other youngsters Plummer, Tele'a and Clarke have had plenty of game time.
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@taniwharugby said in Blues v Chiefs:
Still smashing Akira though.
Gibson/Papali'i/Robinson would work well.. they don't need to play him every match
Do you think Robinson could cover lock at SR level? Surely he could do the job GCT does? That would free up spot for someone like Sotutu
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@Duluth he is abrasive enough, is 1.98 I think, so tall enough to cover lock.
The Blues should have managed Akira better to be able to have him raring to go for this match rather than burning him out which it seems they are intent on doing...
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Solomon Alaimalo, Sean Wainui, Tumua Manu, Anton Lienert-Brown, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Marty McKenzie, Brad Weber (c), Tyler Ardron, Mitchell Karpik, Pita Gus Sowakula, Mitchell Brown, Jesse Parete, Angus Ta'avao, Nathan Harris, Atu Moli
Reserves: Liam Polwart, Aidan Ross, Nepo Laulala, Mitchell Jacobson, Sam Cane, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Shaun Stevenson, Alex Nankivell
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Sam Cane named on the bench, this is huge. Also Aidan Ross is back. Let's goooooo.
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Only 23 Chiefs named? When are the other 3 named?
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COME ON THE CHIEFS!!
You can lose every other game of the season but please win this!
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Anyone else finding it scary that a guy - who broke his neck while playing - is going back to playing SR again? Obviously, it has to happen at some point, but man, that was a horrible injury to come back from and it could have ended so much worse. I'll be glad to see him walking off the field in one piece after the final whistle. And I'll probably be like that for the next 4-5 games.
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I wouldn't worry about the minutes Akira is playing, he gets plenty of rest while he is taking his time getting up off the ground.
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Chiefs FB page said that Luke Jacobson sustained a head knock at training this week.
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@Stargazer said in Blues v Chiefs:
Anyone else finding it scary that a guy - who broke his neck while playing - is going back to playing SR again? Obviously, it has to happen at some point, but man, that was a horrible injury to come back from and it could have ended so much worse. I'll be glad to see him walking off the field in one piece after the final whistle. And I'll probably be like that for the next 4-5 games.
Skalk Burger had the same injury and returned to test rugby
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I hope the Eden Park gives Sam Cane an standing ovation when he returns on Saturday. A hard bastard and a great guy.
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@SammyC said in Blues v Chiefs:
@Stargazer said in Blues v Chiefs:
Anyone else finding it scary that a guy - who broke his neck while playing - is going back to playing SR again? Obviously, it has to happen at some point, but man, that was a horrible injury to come back from and it could have ended so much worse. I'll be glad to see him walking off the field in one piece after the final whistle. And I'll probably be like that for the next 4-5 games.
Skalk Burger had the same injury and returned to test rugby
As did Liam Squire.
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Brown - Parete vs Tuipolutu - Scrafton. The Blues have a serious edge on their opponents as far as locks are concerned.
Karpik - Sowakula vs Papali'i - Gibson : same thing for the backrow.
I wonder why Nankivell is not in the starting XV. He's been impressive since the SA tour.
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@cgrant said in Blues v Chiefs:
Brown - Parete vs Tuipolutu - Scrafton. The Blues have a serious edge on their opponents as far as locks are concerned.
Karpik - Sowakula vs Papali'i - Gibson : same thing for the backrow.
I wonder why Nankivell is not in the starting XV. He's been impressive since the SA tour.Cooper seems to be trying to outdo Plumtree in the stupid lock selections.
Nankivell has looked good, even though he's like a prop in the backs. Manu has underwhelmed, but my expectations of him are low anyway.
@Yeetyaah said in Blues v Chiefs:
Chiefs FB page said that Luke Jacobson sustained a head knock at training this week.
Bummer, I saw Jacobson on the bench but didn't realise it wasn't the good one!
