Hurricanes v Blues
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@daffy-jaffy mate.....he came off 10mins into that 3rd 'half'.
Doubtful for this week.
Looked like a rib injury 🤦♂️ -
A settled Hurricanes side looks likely for the season opener, with frontliners Dane Coles and Reed Prinsep unlikely starters as they work their way back from injuries. Out wide, Barrett looks likely to be flanked by Wes Goosen and Julian Savea, the former crowd favourite who was re-signed by the Hurricanes on return from France and was heavily involved in Alexandra. Said Barrett of the man they call The Bus: “Jules is in unbelievable condition, trains well and has so much knowledge for myself and the other young boys in the team. He’s seriously impressive and I’m looking forward to seeing him play well on Saturday. He went well at the weekend and it’s good to have Bus back.” -
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@dice said in Hurricanes v Blues:
I'm interested to see if Mark Telea can hold onto that right wing spot. I thought AJ Lam and Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens had better NPC seasons than him.
His defence and ability under the high ball improved a lot with Ta$man though, and they might prefer experience first up. I remember Narawa having a shocker on defence in Wellington last year.
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@canes4life agree, He looks good but he seems abit erratic w ball in hand. the one time he got the ball and could of had a go or draw n pass to Laumape for a try smh. earlydays maybe? anyway id swap him for Rayasi, or maybe even AJ Lam or Ratumaitavuki-kneepkens any day lol
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The jury is out on AJ Lam for me - I'm happy to have him in the squad (for his own benefit I think he probably should have taken the Highlanders offer) but he faded badly at the back end of the Mitre 10 Cup season and the bigger the game was the less impact he had. His brother was similar in that aspect. I know there was an injury issue in the Mitre 10 Cup too but just a feeling that I can't throw.
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@duluth Having "frontliner" Reed Prinsep as an unlikely starter enormously increases the strength of the home side.
Current odds have both at $1.91 head to head but the Canes @ $2.00 giving the Blues 1.5 points start (with the Blues @ $1.82 taking a 1.5 point start).
Imagine what they would become if JGB was also to become included in the unlikely starter category! -
I don't think Coles will start. And Prinsep either. Both aren't fully fit and there are other VG starting options.
JGB is inconsistent. At his best he's had some VG games. At his worst he's awful. What they did last year (moving Penenara to 1st) was stupid (although I can see why they did this). The team needs another option in the reserves who can step up and play a different game to JGB. Love is one option. There are others. None are great (Love because hes had nil experience at 1st at NPC or super level). Barrett could move to first but I don't like doing this. But if this is the plan have Love in the reserves to cover FB. And also 1st. So they can move Barrett early if needed but also have another cover at 1st.
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@winger I never wish injury on anyone but I hope Prinsep doesn’t get an easy run back into the starting XV. Flanders is not only a better option but he is the future.
The Hurricanes have a lot of answering to do around the recruitment of their 10s. They’ve had a year and a half now to find suitable replacement options for Beauden and they’ve failed miserably. JGB did okay last year but if we are going to challenge for a final position we need someone better.
Love is not the man yet, he’s 19 and still has plenty of developing to do.
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@canes4life They have a lot of fun explaining to do in a lot of positions not just 10
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Yep it not looking hell of a good for us Cane's men, but c'est la vie it what it is! Really worried about 9, and I take it Jordie will cover 10 with Hickey gone?
Blues look pretty good, only place you would hope to trouble them is at 9 or 10, but Canes are so weak there anyway. Be interested in how Reiko goes, I see him making a play for 13 in ABs again this year, and a real good Super season may sneak him in. And his brother looks a little fitter and keener from what I saw in preseason, he was actually getting off ground after tackles so he could be in for a good one. -
@dan54 yeah best bet would be to utilise someone like Jordie as back up 10 but they will probably bring in someone like Leger if they are consistent with their poor decision making.
I’m looking forward to seeing how Peter Umaga-Jensen kicks on after a stellar season last year. He looks to be a more natural fit than Ioane at international level and I’m confident once he gets his chance he will take it with both hands. Best bet for Ioane is to stick to the wing IMO.
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@canes4life said in Hurricanes v Blues:
@dan54 yeah best bet would be to utilise someone like Jordie as back up 10 but they will probably bring in someone like Leger if they are consistent with their poor decision making.
I’m looking forward to seeing how Peter Umaga-Jensen kicks on after a stellar season last year. He looks to be a more natural fit than Ioane at international level and I’m confident once he gets his chance he will take it with both hands. Best bet for Ioane is to stick to the wing IMO.
With the recent changes to RWC squad size the desire for a 13/wing have gone down. Still a nice to have option but not as critical to squad makeup.
