Blues v Drua
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Between the concussions (Hodgman, Christie) and some sore bodies (Goodhue), there'll be a bit of rotation next week for the Drua.
Possible team:
1 Lay
2 Riccitelli
3 Laulala
4 Tucker
5 Darry
6 Robinson
7 Choat
8 Plumtree9 Funaki
10 Perofeta
11 Telea
12 RTS
13 Heem/Tele'a/Tua
14 Lam
15 Sullivan16 Vikena
17 Tu'inukuafe
18 Renata
19 Suafoa
20 Ekuasi/Ioane/Papalii
21 Milo-Harris
22 McKenzie/Barrett
23 Evans/Tele'a/Heem/TuaMight be more rotation in the loose forwards. Telea might get a rest too.
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@tim Sotutu has had a big workload too hasnt he?
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@taniwharugby Yeah, would expect one of Plumtree, Ioane, or Ekuasi to replace him?
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@tim said in Blues v Drua:
12 RTS
13 Heem/Tele'a/TuaRTS is almost a certainty at 12
Probably Tele'a at 13? While Heem is probably more likely to start a big game if RI was out, Tele'a needs the game time
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@duluth said in Blues v Drua:
Heem
Interesting that he's signed for Auckland this year. He's 33, so I wonder if we can squeeze one more year out of him as a squad utility player?
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Looks like his pace is still good?
Until guys like Tele'a and/or Tua force their way past him I would still pick him
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Reckon Segner will get a run at 8 myself, and maybe Plumtree at 6?
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@Dan54 Good call, forgot about Segner.
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Blues C team would win by 20.
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@NTA said in Blues v Drua:
Blues C team would win by 20.
Remember we lost to the Sunwolves a few years ago.
Take nothing for granted
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@NTA NZ TAB has the Blues at 32 pt start.
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@Tim said in Blues v Drua:
@Dan54 Good call, forgot about Segner.
I was just thinking the same thing about the Sunwolves. Blues do have good depth, just can't take the Drua lightly
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@Tim they might start Karl before Lay. I thought I heard the commentators say he had issues with his leg and was limping.
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I'd be looking to start Barrett.
He hasn't played that much rugby this year and the Blues will need his experience with presumably a lot of younger players getting a run.
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From Blues Instagram -
Few injuries to report from the weekend 🏥Finlay Christie and Alex Hodgman both fall under HIA protocols and will be unavailable for selection, both available for Perth
Josh Goodhue has broken his thumb and will miss several weeks
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@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues v Drua:
From Blues Instagram -
Few injuries to report from the weekend 🏥Finlay Christie and Alex Hodgman both fall under HIA protocols and will be unavailable for selection, both available for Perth
Josh Goodhue has broken his thumb and will miss several weeks
Goodhue is a big blow, the NZ locking stocks sure are taking a beating this year. One way to blood new players I guess.
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Blues by
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@KiwiMurph Yeah keep Barrett out there, and RTS back at 12 with Rieko outside him as they need some time to work together.
I'm sure there will be a bit of rotation, but would like to see a few combos kept together.
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@African-Monkey said in Blues v Drua:
@KiwiMurph Yeah keep Barrett out there, and RTS back at 12 with Rieko outside him as they need some time to work together.
I'm sure there will be a bit of rotation, but would like to see a few combos kept together.
Barrett needs game time, not a rest. I hope he starts
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Drua
Meli Tuni, Mesulame Dolokoto, Manasa Saulo, Chris Minimbi, Viliame Rarasea, Meli Derenalagi (c), Rusiate Nasove, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Peni Matawalu, Simione Kuruvoli, Onisi Ratave, Caleb Muntz, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Kitione Taliga
Reserves: Zuriel Togiatama, Timoci Sauvoli, Jone Koroiduadua, Isoa Nasilasila, Joseva Tamani, Leone Nawai, Jona Mataiciwa, Frank Lomani
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@African-Monkey
Lay
Riccitelli
Laulala
Tucker
Darry
Robinson
Choat
Sotutu
9 Funaki
10 Barrett
11 Telea
12 RTS
13 Rieko
14 Lam
15 JRK -
@Nogusta 3 Naki lads in there, if they ever squeeze 4 in the start line up they'd be able to be called the Blues Bulls
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How far away is Akira Ioane?
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@TheMojoman said in Blues v Drua:
How far away is Akira Ioane?
3 weeks ago the Blues said he’d be back in 3 weeks
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@Nogusta I really like the idea of surrounding Funaki with Sotutu and Beauden and RTS between Beauden and Rieko.
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@Duluth Some strange selections in this Drua team. Four Halfbacks in the 23. 2 starting at 9 and 10 and 2 more on the bench. Seems very much a B team with some starters having been little used in the season so far. Have they had lots of injuries or are they are keeping their A team fresh for a crack at upsetting the Highlanders next week?
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@Daffy-Jaffy very much a b team this week but will be interesting to see how Taliga goes at 15s.
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1. Jordan Lay (4)
2. Ricky Riccitelli (6)
3. Nepo Laulala (18)
4. James Tucker (5)
5. Sam Darry (11)
6. Tom Robinson (39)
7. Adrian Choat (12)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (30)
9. Taufa Funaki (4)
10. Beauden Barrett © (11)
11. AJ Lam (14)
12. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (4)
13. Reiko Ioane (80)
14. Mark Telea (32)
15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (5)16. Soane Vikena (9)
17. Karl Tu’inukuafe (35)
18. Marcel Renata (25)
19. Luke Romano (7)
20. Anton Segner (3)
21. Lisati Milo Harris (0)
22. Tanielu Tele’a (18)
23. Jock McKenzie (1)BLUES REFOCUS FOR EXCITING CHALLENGE IN SUPER ROUND IN MELBOURNE — Blues Rugby
After a few days off following an arduous three-week schedule, the Blues are refocussing on the new challenge across the Tasman. The team is excited to be part of the unique Super Round with all teams playing in Melbourne, with the Blues to take on Fijian Drua on Saturday to kick-start the Austral
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@Duluth good team considering the situation. Shows the depth in the squad
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@nzzp great team I counted 12 none starters who would probably b in 23 and that not counting plummer depth amazing now and beauden captain nice
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Hopefully JRK has a big impact. I'd like to see him force his way into the top XV
Ideally my back three would be:
11 Clarke
14 JRK
15 SullivanA power wing, a second fullback. Also I think the Blues play better with Sullivans long boot at the back
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@Duluth yeah nice combo but still like mark talea there his workrate huge
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JRK hasn't lived up to the hype so far. Still very young though.
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@Bovidae said in Blues v Drua:
JRK hasn't lived up to the hype so far. Still very young though.
How could you make that determination from how little he's played?
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Sullivan still injured?
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@nzzp looked ok of bench last week
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@Bovidae said in Blues v Drua:
JRK hasn't lived up to the hype so far. Still very young though.
He looked pretty darn sharp in his last (only?) start at fullback vs Moana Pasifika in the midweek game.
