Blues v Bulls
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https://blues.rugby/blues-focussed-on-powerful-friday-performance/
The resilient 23-year-old No 8 Akira Ioane will make his 32nd straight start, virtually all with 80-minute performances, with All Black Dalton Papalii not recovered 100 percent from a head knock. “Akira has worked hard on improving his game this year and he has been such a work-horse for us, especially early on when we had injuries with the loose forwards,” said MacDonald. “We have to remember he is still a very young man and we had initially looked to lighten his load and bring him off the bench this week. “But while Dalton is very close to full fitness, we did not want to take any risks and will keep him back until next week. We know Akira will put in another big effort for us.” The Blues team is: 1 Alex Hodgman, 2 James Parsons, 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 5 Scott Scrafton, 6 Tom Robinson, 7 Blake Gibson ©, 8 Akira Ioane; 9 Jonathan Ruru, 10 Harry Plummer, 11 Rieko Ioane, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 13 TJ Faiane, 14 Caleb Clarke, 15 Melani Nanai. Reserves: 16 Leni Apisai, 17 Lua Li, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20 Hoskins Sotutu, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Otere Black, 23 Tanielu Tele’a. Players not considered with injury: Sione Mafileo (ankle), Stephen Perofeta (pectoral), Jordan Trainor (thigh), Sonny Bill Williams (knee), Michael Collins (groin), Karl Tu’inukuafe (illness), Sam Nock (hand), Matt Moulds (hand), Jed Brown (hamstring), Jimmy Tupou (calf), Dalton Papalii (concussion). -
@KiwiMurph cheers.
More importantly, the TAB has Bulls as $3.60 outsiders. Worth some loss insurance perhaps?
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I think they need to win and can't rest anyone. Simple as that
If the Blues win against the Bulls and Reds there's a possibility they could sneak in with an upset against the Canes in the last round
(last year the Sharks squeaked in with 7 wins and 36 points. Not sure what will be needed this year.. but the Blues currently have 5 wins and 26 points)
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@Duluth The Blues will be hoping the Canes win their next two games and seal 4th place, because as a result, they will likely rest all their star players, with the exception of maybe Evans and Coles for that last round-robin game - an ideal chance for the Blues to get one back over the Canes.
If the Canes have their full team, they will beat the Blues at home comfortably.
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I understand, but I also wonder why there hasn’t been any thought at all about managing his workload - it’s probably a limitation of the squad and current injuries, but Akira already looks flat, I don’t see how ringing him out even more is even really helping the Blues chances. For example, Hoskins looks good enough to perhaps give Akira a bench spot, which could help keep him fresher and ready to close out games?
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Yeah it’s probably a lack of trust in the squad depth.
I would have liked it if Sotutu played more this year, but it seems they don’t trust him with a start yet.
If he had time off the bench in the earlier would they trust him now? I think they made a mistake not having a look. -
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@Duluth said in Blues v Bulls:
I want to see Tele'a get some good minutes from the bench. Then start him in the midfield vs the Reds
Rieko is due another rest week, right? If he takes it next week, it probably means Telea starts on the wing against the Reds. Then SBW probably comes back and takes that 23 jersey.
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Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 1:Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 2:Dan Waenga
TMO : Ben Skeen -
@Duluth I rate Sotutu. He's very good in the tight. I would have started him this week to give Akira a rest.
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@African-Monkey said in Blues v Bulls:
@Duluth I rate Sotutu. He's very good in the tight. I would have started him this week to give Akira a rest.
It worked well for Auckland to use them like that.
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Warrick Gelant, Cornal Hendricks, Johnny Kotze, Burger Odendaal (c), Rosko Specman, Manie Libbok, Ivan van Zyl, Paul Schoeman, Hanro Liebenberg, Marco van Staden, RG Snyman, Jason Jenkins, Trevor Nyakane, Schalk Brits, Lizo Gqoboka
Reserves: Jaco Visagie, Simphiwe Matanzima, Wiehahn Herbst, Jannes Kirsten, Ruan Steenkamp, Andre Warner, JT Jackson, Divan Rossouw
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@Dice said in Blues v Bulls:
Non-stop rain today. Looking at metservice, we might get lucky and avoid anything too bad for the game. Hopefully that's the case, because we're not built for wet weather rugby.
it's been tipping it donw on the isthmus today. That said, I'm optimistic of nothing more than than the odd showers tonight. The really heavy rain should have headed east.
sarc: Some days, I wonder if our Blues are built for any rugby style at all
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@nzzp said in Blues v Bulls:
@JK said in Blues v Bulls:
Cant see either team scoring a lot of points in these conditions. Even in dry weather these two teams would struggle
Double hat trick to Parsons, Plummer kicks 5 penalties and it's a crushing forty point win?
Would happily lose a few bucks for a result like that!
Plumbers goal kicking is mud tho
Its all up to Parsons and his double hatty!
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@Kirwan said in Blues v Bulls:
The rain has been insane this morning. Is giving me fond memories of the NPC final, so there is that.
cleared up nicely, blue skies and a good afternoon. Will be crisp with the odd shower I expect, but still a pleasant night out at the Garden of Eden.
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Full time in the curtain raiser.
Blues A 52, Honda Heat 29. Only caught the last 15 mins. Reserve halfback Rilloy Sueuse looked very sharp, Hamdan Tuipulotu 19yo brother of Pat scored a powerful try from 22 metres out. The centre for the Blues made some good solid stops on D. -
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@African-Monkey Suesue played very well on Monday night as well by all accounts
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Pouring with rain. Take quick tap and fumble.
Did someone forget to mention "play percentages in this weather"?
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@antipodean yep and Mils goes 'smart play Faiane'. Wtf
