Stormers vs Blues
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@Tim said in Stormers vs Blues:
@KiwiMurph Would love for Nock and Eklund to have big games!
It has to be the last chance saloon for Nock, with the minimal game time he gets year after year. Christie will be ready when they get back and this is basically a shootout for Rurus spot.
Dalton at seven is good too. Backline is starting to look really good.
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@KiwiMurph Agree re: Eckland. The pressure on his throw from a tall lineout and also how he and Mafileo handle a Bok front row will be key, especially Kitshoff who can dominate. I think they should have started Ofa at TH and asked him to go 60 or 70 mins, but I see he is covering loosehead. I would have him on after 30 at TH and shift him to LH for the last 15mins.
It will be fun watching the Big Red Dog marking up against PSdT, the best in the business. You know he will be fired up for the challenge, might be a pointer to any future international potential he may have. Rieko at centre opposite an experienced midfield, including Jamie Roberts, will be interesting. I hope he gets his defensive reads right. I would like to see Rieko and Marchant swap around at times to try and confuse the defence. Jaco Peyper, an edge at set piece and Herschel Jantjies might be the differences (maybe that's why Nock is starting, hoping his extra speed might help contain Jantjies).
The forecast for Capetown is 29 and sunny - Fun in the Sun. -
Two starting changes - Malherbe and Moerat benched. Six forwards on the bench.
Stormers: 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Jaco Coetzee, 5 John Schickerling, 4 Chris van Zyl, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Siyabonga Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff (captain).
Replacements: 16 Chad Solomon, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Frans Malherbe, 19 Salmaan Moerat, 20 Cobus Wiese, 21 Ernst van Rhyn, 22 Godlen Masimla, 23 Jean-Luc du Plessis. -
@Daffy-Jaffy sorry my mistake for the wrong team.
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@Kirwan said in Stormers vs Blues:
@Tim said in Stormers vs Blues:
@KiwiMurph Would love for Nock and Eklund to have big games!
.... Backline is starting to look really good.
I'm not seeing the same thing as you:
15 Stephen Perofeta
14 Joe Marchant
13 Rieko Ioane
12 TJ Faiane
11 Mark Telea
10 Otere Black
9 Sam NockTo me that looks pretty average. Happy to be wrong though.
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@Daffy-Jaffy 29 is very high for Cape Toen with a 15h00 kick off. Also have our usual veld fires around Paarl.
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@Darren said in Stormers vs Blues:
@Kirwan said in Stormers vs Blues:
@Tim said in Stormers vs Blues:
@KiwiMurph Would love for Nock and Eklund to have big games!
.... Backline is starting to look really good.
I'm not seeing the same thing as you:
15 Stephen Perofeta
14 Joe Marchant
13 Rieko Ioane
12 TJ Faiane
11 Mark Telea
10 Otere Black
9 Sam NockTo me that looks pretty average. Happy to be wrong though.
Black looked nice and composed at 10 in terrible conditions, goal kicked well. Nock gets the backline more time with a better pass. Perofeta is in the right position finally, Telea has been in great form and Rieko was outstanding in his first game.
TJ has been defending extremely well this year, and issue last year when played at 13 and Marchant has certainly improved defence when he played at 13. A risk swapping them around, but I like this backline.
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@Kirwan said in Stormers vs Blues:
TJ has been defending extremely well this year, and issue last year when played at 13 and Marchant has certainly improved defence when he played at 13. A risk swapping them around, but I like this backline.
that Marchant Ioane swap is weird. Must have some reason, but Rieko seems a better winger, and Marchant a better centre. I dunno, hope this isn't back to the days of Tana's lottery...
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@nzzp said in Stormers vs Blues:
@Kirwan said in Stormers vs Blues:
TJ has been defending extremely well this year, and issue last year when played at 13 and Marchant has certainly improved defence when he played at 13. A risk swapping them around, but I like this backline.
that Marchant Ioane swap is weird. Must have some reason, but Rieko seems a better winger, and Marchant a better centre. I dunno, hope this isn't back to the days of Tana's lottery...
I think it’s the same with Nock, we have nothing to lose with this game so giving Nock his last try to impress, and letting Rieko have his shot at centre.
If it doesn’t go well then the coach can say he tried and put him back on the wing.
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@Kirwan said in Stormers vs Blues:
@nzzp said in Stormers vs Blues:
@Kirwan said in Stormers vs Blues:
TJ has been defending extremely well this year, and issue last year when played at 13 and Marchant has certainly improved defence when he played at 13. A risk swapping them around, but I like this backline.
that Marchant Ioane swap is weird. Must have some reason, but Rieko seems a better winger, and Marchant a better centre. I dunno, hope this isn't back to the days of Tana's lottery...
I think it’s the same with Nock, we have nothing to lose with this game so giving Nock his last try to impress, and letting Rieko have his shot at centre.
If it doesn’t go well then the coach can say he tried and put him back on the wing.
Yeah.
I'm moderately excited about Nock though. A good game here, and it's on. Ruru has been pretty frustrating, and I'm keen to see how Christie goes.
Hopefully Kurt's improved. Any update on the Parsons injury? I haven't seen anything, but getting trampled by a couple of monsters didn't look good
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I really like the look of that backline, has a nice balance to it compared to Blues backlines previously. Possibly would have left Marchant at centre, moved Telea to 14 and included Ioane in his favoured 11 jersey but I can also see what Leon is trying to do.
Exciting times for Blues fans with Beauden not too far away either.
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@Hooroo said in Stormers vs Blues:
Is this Reiko's first time at 13 or has he finished some of the games there, this year?
He's played one game on the wing this year before getting injured
He's finished a few games for the AB's at 13. Defence is the biggest question, he can be a bit slow moving laterally
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The less Sam Nock plays the better his reputation becomes.
This is his fifth season of pro rugby and we are still waiting for his break through.
I'm sceptical that he'll suddenly be good this far into his career. Yes, he has a fast pass when he pulls the trigger. It's not always the most accurate though. My main concern is with the brain farts we've seen over the years.
There's even been plenty of times in the last few years Northland TSFers were calling for him to be dropped from his NPC sideI hope I'm wrong. It'd be great for the Blues if I am wrong.
I like the selection though. It's a roll of the dice in a game the Blues are very unlikely to win. A shot for nothing.
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@Duluth yep, he shows glimpses of his massive talent, but only rare glimpses.
Not to mention his game is pretty predictable given he passes or kicks, almost never uses his pace to keep the defence guessing.
That game and a half where he looked to have finally made the next step, his passing was slick, and was noticable how slow and loopy passes form Pulu were when he was subbed on after Nock hurt himself.
Such a frustrating player, has to be a confidence thing, but by the same token, if he hasnt the self belief by now, chances are he will never get it.
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There's a massive amount of pressure on him in this game
a selection MacDonald said was about giving his young No 9 a crack and easing the load on the heavily used RuruRuru is rested and I believe Christie is back next round. Nock's whole season depends on this match
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@nzzp said in Stormers vs Blues:
@Kirwan said in Stormers vs Blues:
TJ has been defending extremely well this year, and issue last year when played at 13 and Marchant has certainly improved defence when he played at 13. A risk swapping them around, but I like this backline.
that Marchant Ioane swap is weird. Must have some reason, but Rieko seems a better winger, and Marchant a better centre. I dunno, hope this isn't back to the days of Tana's lottery...
Rieko wants to play 13 - it's his preferred spot. Leon has confirmed he is going to get plenty of chances to play 13.
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@KiwiMurph said in Stormers vs Blues:
@nzzp said in Stormers vs Blues:
@Kirwan said in Stormers vs Blues:
TJ has been defending extremely well this year, and issue last year when played at 13 and Marchant has certainly improved defence when he played at 13. A risk swapping them around, but I like this backline.
that Marchant Ioane swap is weird. Must have some reason, but Rieko seems a better winger, and Marchant a better centre. I dunno, hope this isn't back to the days of Tana's lottery...
Rieko wants to play 13 - it's his preferred spot. Leon has confirmed he is going to get plenty of chances to play 13.
Well perhaps just this one
Up to him to demand selection there.
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@Duluth well I was surprised the Blues had re-signed him when they did last time...its sink or swim time, but by the same token, not seen anything of Christie to say he is the answer to the Blues woes.
Ruru looks to be where McDonald has put all his money.
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@taniwharugby said in Stormers vs Blues:
Ruru looks to be where McDonald has put all his money.
MacDonald definitely prefers Ruru to Nock at this stage. Where he rates Christie we don't know.. he hasn't been fit for selection
