Hurricanes vs Blues
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Going from the Hurricanes post on Instagram and the assumption that players in yellow will be playing on Saturday, it looks like Brett Cameron will be involved this week, same with Pasilio Tosi who looks like Mafileo’s replacement.
If ASavea is suspended it looks like Lakai will start at 8 and Blackwell will keep his position at 4. Bird still not involved as he’s wearing blue.
Perenara looks to be training again so that’s good news. Will be good to have his competitive nature back around the group in a training capacity.
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So Savea is officially suspended for one match, just bad timing for the Canes that it’s one of our most important games of the year.
Plenty of depth to cover Ardie though, I’m picking we select Lakai at 8, however if Flanders is fit again he might get the nod. Brayden Iose is another option.
It will be an interesting test to see how the Canes go without Ardie, hopefully the next man can step up.
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@Canes4life yea not ideal losing our best player, but will do wonders if the boys get up without Ardie. And if there is one area we have real depth it's the loosies.
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@foobaNZ Ardie needs a rest, one match wasn't the end of the world, he is a real battering ram. When is TJ returning or is that just a picture of him training?
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@SBW1 said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@foobaNZ Ardie needs a rest, one match wasn't the end of the world, he is a real battering ram. When is TJ returning or is that just a picture of him training?
I'd say they would have been lining up a rest for Ardie in the Force or Moana Pasifika week, not the Blues. The silver lining of him not being there is that someone else gets an opportunity and we have the depth to cope IMO.
TJ was meant to be out for most of the season but inside word is that he isn;t too far away after training the house down over the off-season.
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@SBW1 said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@foobaNZ Ardie needs a rest, one match wasn't the end of the world, he is a real battering ram. When is TJ returning or is that just a picture of him training?
I'd say they would have been lining up a rest for Ardie in the Force or Moana Pasifika week, not the Blues. The silver lining of him not being there is that someone else gets an opportunity and we have the depth to cope IMO.
TJ was meant to be out for most of the season but inside word is that he isn;t too far away after training the house down over the off-season.
I would hope when TJ is back he isn't automatic at 9 anymore - but I would be surprised if isn't straight back in when fully fit.
I hope Roigard continues to show he's our best 9 and can keep the jersey.
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@Canes4life Just hope T.J. is not brought back too soon. What is Brett Cameron like at 10? Don't recall him getting a run at 10 for the Hurricanes.
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@SBW1 said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@Canes4life Just hope T.J. is not brought back too soon. What is Brett Cameron like at 10? Don't recall him getting a run at 10 for the Hurricanes.
He hasn’t played for the Canes yet, aside from a game for the Development side last week so it’s hard to gauge.
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@Canes4life He was Crusader before going to Japan and I believe he was rated as a future All Black candidate for the 10 jersey. I realize that was a few years ago.
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@SBW1 said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
Ardie needs a rest
But the week off wont count towards his AB rest...
Super Rugby Pacific: Ardie Savea's throat-slitting gesture suspension won't count towards All Blacks rest, coach Jason Holland confirms | Newshub
The 29-year-old will use his week-long ban to help his teammates prepare.
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@taniwharugby said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@SBW1 said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
Ardie needs a rest
But the week off wont count towards his AB rest...
Super Rugby Pacific: Ardie Savea's throat-slitting gesture suspension won't count towards All Blacks rest, coach Jason Holland confirms | Newshub
The 29-year-old will use his week-long ban to help his teammates prepare.
Will have to rest him against Moana Pasifika or dear I say it the Highlanders.
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@SBW1 said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@Canes4life He was Crusader before going to Japan and I believe he was rated as a future All Black candidate for the 10 jersey. I realize that was a few years ago.
Cameron has one ABs cap, and was a member of the ABs squad of 50 that played against Japan in 2018. At that time, he'd only played one game for the Crusaders (6 minutes) and two seasons of NPC for Canterbury. One of the most controversial selections in Hansen's final years as head coach. I don't think anyone else saw him as a future AB at the time.
He was pretty uninspiring for the Crusaders and after Burke came into their squad in 2020, it was clear he'd be overtaken in the pecking order. He barely got game time (13 games in three seasons of which 2 starts; on average less than 20 minutes per game). That's why he went to Japan in the first half of 2022. He had a good NPC season for Manawatū in 2021, probably the reason why the Canes signed him, but didn't have the same impact in 2022.
We can only hope that he's matured in the last few years, has learned a lot and has improved since his days at the Crusaders, otherwise he won't be of much use to the Canes. Any improvement on Jackson G-B is a positive, but is he? We'll find out, I guess.
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@SBW1 said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@foobaNZ Ardie needs a rest, one match wasn't the end of the world, he is a real battering ram. When is TJ returning or is that just a picture of him training?
There’s been two weeks of footy. Doubt he needs a rest right now, if he does then there should be alarm bells ringing.
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@Stargazer said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@SBW1 said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@Canes4life He was Crusader before going to Japan and I believe he was rated as a future All Black candidate for the 10 jersey. I realize that was a few years ago.
Cameron has one ABs cap, and was a member of the ABs squad of 50 that played against Japan in 2018. At that time, he'd only played one game for the Crusaders (6 minutes) and two seasons of NPC for Canterbury. One of the most controversial selections in Hansen's final years as head coach. I don't think anyone else saw him as a future AB at the time.
He was pretty uninspiring for the Crusaders and after Burke came into their squad in 2020, it was clear he'd be overtaken in the pecking order. He barely got game time (13 games in three seasons of which 2 starts; on average less than 20 minutes per game). That's why he went to Japan in the first half of 2022. He had a good NPC season for Manawatū in 2021, probably the reason why the Canes signed him, but didn't have the same impact in 2022.
We can only hope that he's matured in the last few years, has learned a lot and has improved since his days at the Crusaders, otherwise he won't be of much use to the Canes. Any improvement on Jackson G-B is a positive, but is he? We'll find out, I guess.
I’d have to agree with you here, I’m not sure if Cameron is going to offer much more, if any more than JGB did last year. In the past he has looked pretty ordinary for the Crusaders and nothing has shown me he has made any sort of improvement. I guess time will tell.
I feel like out of all the fly halves coming through, Godfrey is the man I would be backing to be the Canes ten long term. Maybe I’m jumping the gun a little here and I could very well be wrong but from what I’ve seen of him, he looks to have all the skills to succeed. He has a bigger boot than Morgan, he’s quicker than Morgan and he seems to read the game really well. Another campaign with the Under 20s next week should showcase the growth he’s had over the last year.
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Shame he did't get more game time in the last 2 weeks.
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I like what I have seen of Godfrey so far, hope he gets more time.
But it does feel like we keep jumping to the next wonder kid, Love, Morgan, now Godfrey -
@Darren How far away is Ruben Love from making a return?
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If the Blues select a competent tight five this week, I can't see the Canes winning without their talisman.
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@antipodean said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
If the Blues select a competent first five this week, I can't see the Canes winning without their talisman.
Don't forget this part.
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@KiwiMurph said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@antipodean said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
If the Blues select a competent **first five** this week, I can't see the Canes winning without their talisman.Don't forget this part.
I understand they will and he'll be playing at fullback
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Hurricanes named to face the Blues at Sky Stadium on Saturday:
1. Xavier Numia
2. Dane Coles (c)
3. Tyrel Lomax
4. James Blackwell
5. Isaia Walker-Leawere
6. Devan Flanders
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi
8. Peter Lakai
9. Cameron Roigard
10. Brett Cameron *
11. Salesi Rayasi
12. Jordie Barrett
13. Billy Proctor
14. Julian Savea
15. Josh MoorbyReplacements:
16. Asafo Aumua
17. Pouri Rakete-Stones
18. Pasilio Tosi
19. Caleb Delany
20. TK Howden
21. Jamie Booth **
22. Aidan Morgan
23. Riley Higgins- Denotes debut
** Denotes 50th Super Rugby match
Unavailable for selection: Ruben Love, Bailyn Sullivan, Daniel Sinkinson, Tyler Laubscher, Reed Prinsep, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Justin Sangster, TJ Perenara, Jacob Devery.
Suspension: Ardie Savea, Tevita Mafileo
- Denotes debut
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Pretty settled side to be honest, interesting to see Brett Cameron get the nod without taking the field yet. Dane Coles to captain the side, Flanders back at 6, Lakai to start in his favoured position for the first time.
Bring it on Blues. If we can get up without our charismatic leader, that will be massive for our season.
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1 Joshua Fusitu’a
2 Ricky Riccitelli
3 James Lay
4 Patrick Tuipulotu
5 Cameron Suafoa
6 Tom Robinson
7 Dalton Papalii
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Finlay Christie
10 Beauden Barrett
11 Caleb Clarke
12 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
13 Rieko Ioane
14 AJ Lam
15 Stephen PerofetaReserves:
16 Kurt Eklund
17 Alex Hodgman
18 Nepo Laulala
19 James Tucker
20 Adrian Choat
21 Taufa Funaki
22 Bryce Heem
23 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-KneepkensPlayers not considered: Sam Darry (knee), Akira Ioane (knee), Sam Nock (calf), Harry Plummer (ribs), Mark Telea (concussion), Ofa Tuungafasi (concussion)
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Yes, broken record:
Again, no Zarn Sullivan!
Sad that he's contracted to the Blues until the end of the 2024 season. He should ask for an early release so he can move elsewhere.
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Hurricanes media release:
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Blues media release:
BLUES SEEK CONSISTENCY IN CAPITAL — Blues Rugby
It’s a Capital city showdown this weekend in Wellington as the Blues travel to Sky Stadium to take on the Hurricanes at 7:05pm on Saturday night. Blues coach Leon Macdonald has placed faith in those who narrowly lost to the ACT Brumbies in Melbourne last weekend with AJ Lam replacing Mark Telea on
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Beauden at 10.
Leon is weak.
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@Canes4life Good to see Flanders and PRS back in the team
But still no Bird. I would prefer Delany to cover 6 with Lakai covering 7. And Flanders 8
Franks dropped. Or just rested
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
Pretty settled side to be honest, interesting to see Brett Cameron get the nod without taking the field yet. Dane Coles to captain the side, Flanders back at 6, Lakai to start in his favoured position for the first time.
Bring it on Blues. If we can get up without our charismatic leader, that will be massive for our season.
If Cameron is no good (hope he steps up though) then I would like to see Barrett tried at first in some games. Higgins at 2nd. Canes can't win it all with a limited 1st
Expect an easy enough blues win
Coles as captain is surprising. Kirifi is likely to last on the field longer. Barrett is another option. There's always Blackwell too. But maybe it's best to start with Coles
And Dan Sinkinson has been removed at last so 👍
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@Winger an easy Blues win, even after last week? You're confident.
I feel like we've got more experience across the board but I get what you're saying. Brett Cameron will need to take command.
6-15 the Blues look very strong.
It would also make more sense to throw Love the 10 jersey, bring Higgins into 12 and move Barrett back to fullback.
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@Winger an easy Blues win, even after last week? You're confident.
I feel like we've got more experience across the board but I get what you're saying. Brett Cameron will need to take command.
6-15 the Blues look very strong.
It would also make more sense to throw Love the 10 jersey, bring Higgins into 12 and move Barrett back to fullback.
An easy ENOUGH win. Not a thrashing but say a 10-15 point win (due mainly to a superior backline. And without Savea loose forwards). And overall dominating the game. But Canes could still cause an upset even without Savea. Home advantage is one factor but this team if it clicks could beat anyone.
Regarding Love at first. He hasn't shown yet that he's got the qualities as a 1st 5. Even at NPC level. He might eventually make it but on the other hand he looks like a FB. And I doubt if Jordie wants to move back to FB when there are 2 other options. But a few games at first due to a Cane's weakness (assuming Cameron is only OK) will likely be acceptable. And the team needs to keep the best players happy. So Savea plays 8 not 7 as another example
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@Winger said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@Winger an easy Blues win, even after last week? You're confident.
I feel like we've got more experience across the board but I get what you're saying. Brett Cameron will need to take command.
6-15 the Blues look very strong.
It would also make more sense to throw Love the 10 jersey, bring Higgins into 12 and move Barrett back to fullback.
An easy ENOUGH win. Not a thrashing but say a 10-15 point win (due mainly to a superior backline. And without Savea loose forwards). And overall dominating the game. But Canes could still cause an upset even without Savea. Home advantage is one factor but this team if it clicks could beat anyone.
Regarding Love at first. He hasn't shown yet that he's got the qualities as a 1st 5. Even at NPC level. He might eventually make it but on the other hand he looks like a FB. And I doubt if Jordie wants to move back to FB when there are 2 other options. But a few games at first due to a Cane's weakness (assuming Cameron is only OK) will likely be acceptable. And the team needs to keep the best players happy. So Savea plays 8 not 7 as another example
Love is a better option at 10 than Jordie lol. Love hasn’t played 10 for over a year anyway, he clearly sees himself as a fullback so I don’t think it will matter much, they clearly see their generals as Cameron or Morgan. Atleast Cameron is a sharp shooter at goal.
The Blues have a weaker front row than usual, they have a loose forward playing lock, and they have a 10 that kicks all their ball away, plus they don’t have the best record at the Cake Tin.
I think it will be a lot closer than you think. Ardie’s a big loss yes but so is Mark Telea for the Blues taking into account the way he is playing. If Peter Lakai steps up and Cameron runs the cutter well it could quite easily be a 10-15 point deficit the other way which makes this match-up a tasty one.
If we have a match that replicates the one under the roof in Dunners last year, then we’ve got something to look forward to.
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I hope you are right.
Regarding Barrett. He kicks too much now. Maybe Im remembering incorrectly but I think he never use to until Clark Laidlaw left (after 2015 super rugby) then it was kicking for position. In 2015 he was brilliant but the Canes still lost the final. But until then they were the best team. Then we won in 2016 and it was this year that started the Barrett decline. From brilliant to not as good
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@Winger said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
I hope you are right.
Regarding Barrett. He kicks too much now. Maybe Im remembering incorrectly but I think he never use to until Clark Laidlaw left. then it was kicking for position. In 2015 he was brilliant but the Canes still lost the final. But until then they were the best team.
The Canes were stacked with a team that was geared towards running the ball in 2015. Barrett was full of running in that 2016 season aswell. Ironically the best try he set up against the Chiefs in the semi was from a kick, but it was the intent to attack which really made him standout at the time.
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When is Perenara back ? He could be a stop gap at first five, considering that Roigard and Booth have played very well so far.
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@cgrant said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
When is Perenara back ? He could be a stop gap at first five, considering that Roigard and Booth have played very well so far.
Are we really that desperate? Let's give Cameron a chance to show what he's got and then we can panic after that. At the end of the day if it means we have to give Love another crack in the ten jersey, or promote Godfrey earlier than expected, then so be it.
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Why has everyone gone sour on Morgan?
At end of last season and during the NPC, most were suggesting he would be the next long term 10 for both Wellington and the Hurricanes.
