Blues v Drua
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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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JRK looks a real prospect. I really hope the Blues don't let him go and he hits straps elsewhere. He hasn't played enough to breakout but I think if they continue to nurture him we've got a potential superstar.
Team vs Drua will still be too strong, expect a 15-20pt win.
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@Dan54 said in Blues v Drua:
Ok folks I asked this elsewhere. What do you think the chances are that we will see the Blues 10-12-13 axis in some tests this year?
- RTS is no where near a test option, not for big tests if any. So he may sneak in versus Italy sort of thing. If he was here last year he may have got a run. But then you won't see Beaudy and/or Ioane in 10 and 13. I can't believe people are suggesting a guy for the and on the back of one and a half games of super. SBW had two years in France in Porto rugby before he came to NZ, and eventually ABs
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@Dan54 said in Blues v Drua:
Ok folks I asked this elsewhere. What do you think the chances are that we will see the Blues 10-12-13 axis in some tests this year?
It's possible. NZR has invested on bringing him over so they'll give him every chance
I think he'll be involved with the AB's this year if he remains fit. Potentially as apprentice training with the squad. Then maybe get a Test later in the year
Maybe things go faster than that? The Blues have 7-9 games left. If the partnership with Ioane goes well, particularly in playoff games, then he could make the full squad straight away
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@Machpants said in Blues v Drua:
@Dan54 said in Blues v Drua:
Ok folks I asked this elsewhere. What do you think the chances are that we will see the Blues 10-12-13 axis in some tests this year?
- RTS is no where near a test option, not for big tests if any. So he may sneak in versus Italy sort of thing. If he was here last year he may have got a run. But then you won't see Beaudy and/or Ioane in 10 and 13. I can't believe people are suggesting a guy for the and on the back of one and a half games of super. SBW had two years in France in Porto rugby before he came to NZ, and eventually ABs
There's a lot of tests this year so it's possible.
Of course RTS needs to stay on the park to have any chance.
My main worry would be his defence - from what i've seen so far he has a bad habit of constantly going high when he tackles (perhaps picked up from his league days?) which size wise he struggles to pull off at Super level let alone test level.
I'll be an interested spectator in person this weekend to see how that axis goes.
