Hurricanes v Blues

delicatessen

@dan54 everyone has their forms of motivation, he must have had a whole lot of internal motivation to get to the stage he's gotten to.

Let's watch this season before we count him out as an international. He's far more than a 'sometimes' good super player, he can dominate and change games.

I don't think you're giving credit where it's due tbh.

Dan54

@delicatessen Yep you could be right mate, as I said like the young fella, thought he had lots potential, and agree I was probably being harsh on sometimes good Super player, he probably almost always good at super level, I just not sure he has gone as well as I hoped at international level. Maybe just a little small to play his style at test level? Anyway I hope he rips it apart this year and proves me wrong.

KiwiMurph

Sam Nock starting at 9.

James Lay starting at loosehead.

Duluth

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Duluth

6/2 split

Canes4life

Canes4life

@canes4life interesting to see PUJ on the bench and wtf is Prinsep doing as reserve lock. I’d assume Fifita would move to lock....

Higgins

@canes4life said in Hurricanes v Blues:

@canes4life interesting to see PUJ on the bench and wtf is Prinsep doing as reserve lock. I’d assume Fifita would move to lock....

Have you no confidence in Ardie being able to use his height in the locking position?

Canes4life

@higgins haha good point, makes sense being the tallest man in the squad.

Bovidae

I'm not sure anyone would have predicted those starting XVs.

Stargazer

@canes4life Awesome to see Flanders at 8, his preferred position!

Only one Magpie in the 23 ... well below the Highlanders.

Canes4life

@stargazer stoked to see Flanders at 8

JK

Hmmm two debut props for the blues? Nice bench front row....I'd prefer them over the starters

And is Christie injured?

Stargazer

@duluth Strong Blues squad, including the bench forwards. Clear favourites for this game.

mariner4life

That starting Blues loose forward trio is really quite intimidating.

And then teh ginger maniac off the bench with Ofa. Some guys in yellow are getting whacked.

KiwiMurph

I wonder if its a tactic with the new rules for Canes to go with a lighter more mobile pack?

Tim

However, MacDonald will be able to call on the services of Karl Tu’inukuafe and Ofa Tuumgafasi during the game, giving him a luxury in propping depth that other Super Rugby coaches could only dream of and that’s not even mentioning All Black Alex Hodgman, who is recovering from an ankle injury and should be back by round.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/124358998/leon-macdonald-uses-blues-front-row-depth-with-surprise-selection-against-hurricanes