SF Blues v Brumbies
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MacDonald isn’t sure whether he will have his captain Dalton Papalii next Saturday after the in-form No 7 had been a late withdrawal. After having his appendix removed on Thursday, he was a surprise appearance at the game to offer some words of encouragement to his team-mates. “It was a bit of an emergency, a quick operation with his appendix,” said the coach. “He came in and spoke to the boys before kickoff which highlights how passionate he is around this group. We want him back as soon as possible but we’ll be guided by the doctors and don’t know how long that will be.” MacDonald confirmed in-form Caleb Clarke was unlikely to make the semifinal as he waited for his hamstring to heal, and fill-in wing Bryce Heem also left the field inside a half-hour with a head knock. Luckily the Blues are somewhat blessed with depth, with Lam making a fine fist of covering off the bench.Even if Heem is available, AJ should be ahead of him now
If Papali'i is out again I hope there is a bit more balance on the bench. One of Tucker/Goodhue to drop out for Plumtree maybe?
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I don’t think we can have Robinson at lock against the Brumbies, affects the scrum too much.
Pick the big boppers and attack their strength.
Best part of the game last night it was one of few times we were good on both attack and defence. Reall pleasing.
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@Kirwan said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
I don’t think we can have Robinson at lock against the Brumbies, affects the scrum too much.
Pick the big boppers and attack their strength.
Unfortunately Tucker decided to save up all his mistakes and poor decisions for the QF. On form he's the lock that should miss out
However his best game of the year was against his 2021 teammates the Brumbies. So maybe he gets another shot
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With rain forecast all week in Auckland this could be a similar style of game to Brumbies-Blues in Canberra a few weeks ago - Brumbies will be hoping so.
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@KiwiMurph I think a ref that's strict on the breakdown (for both sides) will negate any hopes the Brumbies have of being competitive. Even if Valentini is fit to play, they'll get whistled off the park.
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@antipodean so Pickerill...he's strict, now and then, sometimes...
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@taniwharugby for some reason I think student teacher on work experience when I see him.
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I am expecting that the SF refs will be two of O'Keeffe, Gardner and Berry. The latter two are already in NZ. It could be that two are given the SFs and the other the final.
Williams can't be the ref in Chch and Pickerill can't ref the Blues.
@antipodean I've called Pickerill "work experience" all year.
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@Bovidae said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
I am expecting that the SF refs will be two of O'Keeffe, Gardner and Berry. The latter two are already in NZ. It could be that two are given the SFs and the other the final.
Williams can't be the ref in Chch and Pickerill can't ref the Blues.
@antipodean I've called Pickerill "work experience" all year.
As long as this game gets either Gardner or Berry, I’ll take O’Keefe
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My favourite Blues v Brumbies moments. Rupeni back in 2003. Shame about the shitty video quality
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@Duluth the quality of the players he was beating.
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Perofeta feels the Blues have made some important shifts across the franchise to produce this remarkable run in ‘22. “Each week the boys are holding each other to standards but also having fun. It’s fun working hard for each other and then the actual fun which is playing. It’s special and very enjoyable.” He has no doubts the level goes significantly with a Brumbies side which would have taken a lot of confidence from their victory over the Hurricanes. “The occasion is going to be huge but we’re here because of the work we’ve done and our love of the preparation. We’ve got to commit to that again, and then it's about turning up and trusting what we’ve done all year, and this week in particular.” The rising star of Kiwi rugby is not thinking beyond Saturday night, and the chance to advance to his first real final at this level. But if good news should come Monday, he admits it would “mean the world … my journey has been quite different, and probably not the smoothest of runs. With the sacrifices I’ve gone through and my family always in my corner, it would be huge. In this environment now the coaches and players have made this season so enjoyable, and it’s allowed us all to flourish, to stand out and enjoy our footy.” -
@Duluth only ever looked like he was at 3/4 pace too!
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Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 1: Angus Gardner
Assistant Ref 2: Stu Curran
TMO: Shane McDermott -
Rupeni is the most gifted player I have ever seen.
With the right path, he could have been one of the greatest players ever. -
@Chris said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 1: Angus Gardner
Assistant Ref 2: Stu Curran
TMO: Shane McDermottUnfamiliar with Stu Curran. Has he reffed Super Rugby before?
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@Tim said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
@Chris said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 1: Angus Gardner
Assistant Ref 2: Stu Curran
TMO: Shane McDermottUnfamiliar with Stu Curran. Has he reffed Super Rugby before?
He's been an AR in Super Rugby.
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@Tim said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
@Chris said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 1: Angus Gardner
Assistant Ref 2: Stu Curran
TMO: Shane McDermottUnfamiliar with Stu Curran. Has he reffed Super Rugby before?
Young Ref he has refereed some NPC last season
as well as AR in a couple of SR games . -
@Chris Seems weird to give him such a big game then ...
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@Tim said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
@Chris Seems weird to give him such a big game then ...
I thought it was a strange pick when Williams and Fraser are not selected.
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Angus Mabey never stops talking when he is a AR, so O'Keeffe will be happy he isn't there.
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Brumbies to challenge Ikitau red card ahead of semi final | Latest Rugby News | RUGBY.com.au
The Brumbies will head to SANZAAR's Judicial Committee on Tuesday night in a bid to get Len Ikitau's red card reversed and ensure he is free to play Saturday's semi-final against the Blues.
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@Daffy-Jaffy if he gets off that, World Rugby should involve themselves as overseeing all competitions.
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@antipodean said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
@Daffy-Jaffy if he gets off that, World Rugby should involve themselves as overseeing all competitions.
Yep, a no-arms shoulder to the head is as clear a red as you can get. Will see if they are serious about protecting players from head injuries.
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He did everything they are trying to get 'coached out' of the game. Stayed high, led with the shoulder, went for force at a line that was always going to be above the chest.
When teams play lip service with statements like "we agree about player safety" then challenge cards like this it removes all credibility of the statement IMO.
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O'Keefe should be good for the Blues. His rulings at the breakdown are usually 'less loose' although if the Blues want loose breakdowns he will be happy to let it go both ways for a flowing game.
Trick will be for the Blues to be extra disciplined and let him know that without handing the Brumbies too much advantage early on. -
@Crucial Yeah with Ikitau I thought the first tackler didn't actually affect the ball carrier's height so I can't see how there would be much mitigation
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@KiwiMurph said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
@Crucial Yeah with Ikitau I thought the first tackler didn't actually affect the ball carrier's height so I can't see how there would be much mitigation
Even if he did the risk was always there as Ikitau was aiming to go for a hard hit above the chest and was coming across with a late wrap.
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@antipodean or someone competent....
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@Duluth showed it all in those 3 tries, speed in that first one, the support play in the second, the skills to pick up in crap conditions and swerve in the third.
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@Frank said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
Rupeni is the most gifted player I have ever seen.
With the right path, he could have been one of the greatest players ever.I blame NZ immigration 😉
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@Stargazer 6-2 bench for the Brumbies.
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@KiwiMurph said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
3 week ban for Ikitau
"I’m told he was the best trainer last Thursday."
It's the Ozzie rugby way, winning on the training gound.
Only there, but at least they won something
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@Machpants in fairness Valetini has been playing the house down this season but yeah Doran writes some rubbish at times.
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I expect that the honest review on Monday after that average performance will have them wanting to put in a much improved effort.
I think they'll munt the Brumbies. 20+
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@Stargazer hope sapsford goes well🙂
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@antipodean said in SF Blues v Brumbies:
I think they'll munt the Brumbies. 20+
I hope so.
So much depends on the ref. The Brumbies were the most cynical team at the ruck I saw - just flooded it, and figured the ref wouldn't ping every time. It kinda worked, too.
Blues should get to 30, Brumbies should struggle to get to 20. But knockout footy's a funny game
