Blues v Reds
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Barrett should be back. Are Romano and/or Hodgman expected to be fit?
Backline mostly the same apart from Barrett coming back? I guess Perofeta will start at fullback ahead of Zarn?
The ranking of the locks will be interesting
Vikena had a mixed game. I still hope he makes the bench ahead of RR
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I'd like to see them try Beaudy at 15 and Perofeta at 10 but it won't happen.
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@Duluth I'd leave Zarn at the back with Perofeta replacing Lam on the bench. Leon n co will definitely try n put out the top 23 every week and I too would like to see Vikena as the backup hooker. Apparently RTS and Bryce Heem have been pretty banged up for a few weeks now and only just making it onto the field. Heem only managed 1 training session prior to last Fridays game. So maaaybe a change there.
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If Heem is out then Tanielu Tele'a would come onto the bench to cover midfield?
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I wonder if Evans might get another shot if RTS/Heem are banged up.
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@Duluth Heem looked fine on Friday and showed his value off the bench covering fullback and then moving up to centre. Hopefully he's fit this week
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I remember when many Ferners said Heem's recruitment was an absolute nonsense. Times have changed.
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@cgrant said in Blues v Reds:
I remember when many Ferners said Heem's recruitment was an absolute nonsense. Times have changed.
Blues fans? I’m pretty sure it was mostly positive
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Yeah it was mostly positive in the Blues thread. See the responses to the announcement here: link
Maybe non Blues fans were talking shit?
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@cgrant He's gone much better than I thought he would. While he's not a natural midfielder he's been an excellent utility.
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@cgrant I think those who did not rate his signing remembered the mostly Sevens player that left in 2015 and did not follow his 96 games in Europe since then. For both Worcester and Toulon he proved to be solid, reliable quality at Wing, Centre and Fullback. The question now is whether he will stay on another year or will they promote a new young prospect next season. He will turn 34 before next season starts.
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@Duluth
The negatives comments came just after a team announcement in which his name appeared for the first time in SRA. It was on the wing and his performance was rather meh. A number of ferners then claimed he was too slow and better (and younger) options existed. -
@Daffy-Jaffy I believe he will or has been offered an option for 2023
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@Nogusta said in Blues v Reds:
@Daffy-Jaffy I believe he will or has been offered an option for 2023
Great news, he's been really good for us.
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@Kirwan hes done exactly the job Leon brought him in for and been great at it! Injury/utility cover and veteran leadership/experience around the club. Has turned a 1 year 'lifeline' into 3 seasons of SR.
Youd've thought that when Plummer and RTS both went down long term that Tele'a would've been next in line but Heem has been McDonalds preferred option. That doesnt bode well for Tele'a for the immediate future especially with Plummer back. He will be the 4th option at 12 so wont get many if any starting opportunities. He could be on the move next year.
I wonder too how patient Corey Evans will be stuck behind RTS. Hes too good not to be getting more than the odd appearance off the bench. -
@Nogusta said in Blues v Reds:
@Kirwan hes done exactly the job Leon brought him in for and been great at it! Injury/utility cover and veteran leadership/experience around the club. Has turned a 1 year 'lifeline' into 3 seasons of SR.
Youd've thought that when Plummer and RTS both went down long term that Tele'a would've been next in line but Heem has been McDonalds preferred option. That doesnt bode well for Tele'a for the immediate future especially with Plummer back. He will be the 4th option at 12 so wont get many if any starting opportunities. He could be on the move next year.
I wonder too how patient Corey Evans will be stuck behind RTS. Hes too good not to be getting more than the odd appearance off the bench.Yeah, it's certainly a different problem for the Blues - too many good players, not enough spots. Great for depth, not great for individual careers and will be hard to keep everyone.
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@Nogusta I could see Heem transitioning next year into the 2021 Romano role at the Crusaders - older head who doesn't play as much whilst Evans gets more game time.
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@Nogusta said in Blues v Reds:
I wonder too how patient Corey Evans will be stuck behind RTS. Hes too good not to be getting more than the odd appearance off the bench.
Corey looked silk when I saw him playing. Hopefully he gets more time next year, and develops well during the NPC.
There's quality talent coming through which is awesome.
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@nzzp the lack of NPC in 2021 has certainly not helped some players particularly those in the greater Auckland region, just exaggerated the issues already with stuttered seasons.
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Reds
Dane Zander, Albert Anae, Feao Fotuaika, Ryan Smith, Angus Blyth, Connor Vest, Angus Scott-Young, Seru Uru, Tate McDermott (c), James O'Connor, Jordan Petaia, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell
Reserves: Matt Faessler, Harry Hoopert, Sef Fa'agase, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Tuaina Tualima, Kalani Thomas, Hamish Stewart, Lawson Creighton
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@Duluth With Albert Anae playing hooker, the Blues will want to pressure his throws. It looks like the Reds have picked the heaviest, tallest pack available to them. They will miss Wilson at 8 though. That backline has plenty of pace and looks much stronger with O'Connor and Paisami back this week.
Edit - I just realised that Fraser McReight is also out. They will miss him too, he has been outstanding for them. -
Referee:Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 1:Angus Mabey
Assistant Ref 2:Jono Bredin
TMO: Aaron Paterson -
@Nogusta said in Blues v Reds:
I wonder too how patient Corey Evans will be stuck behind RTS.
He's welcome to head south if Havili doesn't decide to go further south...
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@Bones think realistic.. Plummer in DunnersðŸ˜
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@FakatavaFuture said in Blues v Reds:
@Bones think realistic.. Plummer in DunnersðŸ˜
Plummer would be a great get for the Highlanders.
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@Kirwan sure, the guy came up clutch in last yrs final
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Not on the Blues site yet, but this is on the official Aussie rugby site:
Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, James Tucker, Tom Robinson, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Stephen Perofeta
Reserves: Soana Vikena, Jordan Lay, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Bryce Heem, Zarn Sullivan
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@Duluth said in Blues v Reds:
Not on the Blues site yet, but this is on the official Aussie rugby site:
Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, James Tucker, Tom Robinson, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Stephen Perofeta
Reserves: Soana Vikena, Jordan Lay, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Bryce Heem, Zarn Sullivan
I'm liking that team a lot. Glad they are giving Vikena another run, and I like Robinson at lock.
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A very mobile pack
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@Kirwan said in Blues v Reds:
@Duluth said in Blues v Reds:
Not on the Blues site yet, but this is on the official Aussie rugby site:
Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, James Tucker, Tom Robinson, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Stephen Perofeta
Reserves: Soana Vikena, Jordan Lay, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Bryce Heem, Zarn Sullivan
I'm liking that team a lot. Glad they are giving Vikena another run, and I like Robinson at lock.
I do against the Reds; if the Saffers were still in the comp, I'd hate it. You need some power against those boys
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@nzzp said in Blues v Reds:
@Kirwan said in Blues v Reds:
@Duluth said in Blues v Reds:
Not on the Blues site yet, but this is on the official Aussie rugby site:
Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, James Tucker, Tom Robinson, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Stephen Perofeta
Reserves: Soana Vikena, Jordan Lay, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Bryce Heem, Zarn Sullivan
I'm liking that team a lot. Glad they are giving Vikena another run, and I like Robinson at lock.
I do against the Reds; if the Saffers were still in the comp, I'd hate it. You need some power against those boys
Where are we losing power? Robinson? He's not small, and Romano is on the bench anyway.
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@Kirwan said in Blues v Reds:
@nzzp said in Blues v Reds:
@Kirwan said in Blues v Reds:
@Duluth said in Blues v Reds:
Not on the Blues site yet, but this is on the official Aussie rugby site:
Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, James Tucker, Tom Robinson, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Stephen Perofeta
Reserves: Soana Vikena, Jordan Lay, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Bryce Heem, Zarn Sullivan
I'm liking that team a lot. Glad they are giving Vikena another run, and I like Robinson at lock.
I do against the Reds; if the Saffers were still in the comp, I'd hate it. You need some power against those boys
Where are we losing power? Robinson? He's not small, and Romano is on the bench anyway.
Robinson seems short and light for a lock to me. He's fine at Super, and against most packs, but he isn't a Patrick T/Brodie Retallick.
Happy to be corrected if there are proper stats, but to me he looks light
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@nzzp said in Blues v Reds:
@Kirwan said in Blues v Reds:
@nzzp said in Blues v Reds:
@Kirwan said in Blues v Reds:
@Duluth said in Blues v Reds:
Not on the Blues site yet, but this is on the official Aussie rugby site:
Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, James Tucker, Tom Robinson, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Stephen Perofeta
Reserves: Soana Vikena, Jordan Lay, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Bryce Heem, Zarn Sullivan
I'm liking that team a lot. Glad they are giving Vikena another run, and I like Robinson at lock.
I do against the Reds; if the Saffers were still in the comp, I'd hate it. You need some power against those boys
Where are we losing power? Robinson? He's not small, and Romano is on the bench anyway.
Robinson seems short and light for a lock to me. He's fine at Super, and against most packs, but he isn't a Patrick T/Brodie Retallick.
Happy to be corrected if there are proper stats, but to me he looks light
He seems to be five kgs lighter than the other lock options, but pretty much the same height as Tucker and Romano.
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Strong side on paper.
Not convinced they have the 10 and 15 around the right way on 2022 form.
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@Kirwan possibly more like 10-15kg against locks of the same height.
I think Robinson is superb, but I'd be concerned about him being considered a front line lock. He's a great tall 6, or a stopgap lock for bench cover.
Anyway, strong side, hope the Blues follow up with another strong performance.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Reds:
Strong side on paper.
Not convinced they have the 10 and 15 around the right way on 2022 form.
Perofeta has been good this year going forward, but BB has led the team well in the tougher matches. That contribution is being massively underated on the Fern.
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The team is confirmed on the Blues site now
Only injured players are Plummer & Goodhue
BLUES CHASE STRONG PERFORMANCE IN FINAL REGULAR SEASON CLASH AT EDEN PARK — Blues Rugby
There is a relatively settled look to the Blues team for their final regular season clash in the DHL Super Rugby Pacific competition. They host the Queensland Reds at Eden Park on Saturday at 7.05pm, with the Australian visitors fully committed as they are in a fight with the Chiefs, Waratahs and
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Any news on when Goodhue might be back?
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For all the talk of Zarn Sullivan - it seems he plays 2nd string to Perofeta at fullback.
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@Frank said in Blues v Reds:
For all the talk of Zarn Sullivan - it seems he plays 2nd string to Perofeta at fullback.
Perofeta's playing really good rugby at the moment. But yeah - a bit surprised to see Zarn struggling to break into the side.
