Blues v Crusaders
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I assume Tuipulotu will mss this match?
Patrick would be the player that the Blues could least afford to be injured. Particularly after Darry's pre-season injury
So what happens at lock? Tucker & Suafoa in the second row with cover from Robinson? Or do they risk bringing one of the dev team locks into the 23? Beehre or Craig?
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Ok, with Patrick out for that long I would be tempted to get Beehre involved now. Maybe even look at a 6/2 split to keep the inexperienced locks fresh
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@Duluth I think they are better leaving Tom at 6, while he is good enough at lock, he is a better 6 and I think they need to start developing the guys they have, given Suafoa is probably in the same boat as Tom.
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@taniwharugby GF replay, Blues will want payback while the Saders really need to play themselves back into some form. Seems like they are a bit up and down this year.
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@Duluth Blues injury concerns pfft, it’s only the Crusaders…
Hopefully the Saders 9/10 combination can fire up.
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Blues tight five depth has been exposed by injuries, Eklund still has nightmares about last year's finals. Crusaders to take this one. The playoffs might be a different story though. Huge game for Tucker.
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Game will be won or lost on the lineout, similar to the GF. And without Patrick and Eklund having the yips, it's going to take a herculean effort to get up, even with the Crusaders being in a similar position with their lack of depth being exposed by the Drua.
Will be a cracking game.
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My pick for the Crusaders team **NOT THE OFFICIAL TEAM
Taylor
Moody
Williams
Whitelock
Barrett
Christie
Blackadder
Lilo-Wille
Drummond
Moun'ga
Fainga'anuku
McLeod
Ennor
Reece
Burke/FihakiReserves
McDonald
Bower
Calder
Gallagher
Havilli
Heinz
Burke/Finaki
Springer -
Blues supporters will know more but I read somewhere that Perofeta maybe in doubt with a foot or ankle injury.
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@Tim got to have maul defence and good set piece. Neither up to scratch this year, I'm expecting a crusaders win unless a miracle happens
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@Chris yes zarn Sullivan on stand by but think he b close
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@nzzp said in Blues v Crusaders:
@Tim got to have maul defence and good set piece. Neither up to scratch this year, I'm expecting a crusaders win unless a miracle happens
Geez I am expecting an easy win for the Blues,I thought the Blues looked like they were getting their game together.
Crusaders look under done and heaps of key injuries, not claiming under dog status here but I genuinely believe the Blues by 10 or 15. -
PAPALII CALLS ON HOME FANS FOR GRAND FINAL REMATCH — Blues Rugby
The Blues are back in front of home fans at Eden Park this weekend for a rematch of last season’s DHL Super Rugby final against the Crusaders on Saturday, March 18 at 7:05pm. The match doubles as a reunion for the 2003 Blues team and a chance to celebrate 20 years since their own Super Ru
1 Alex Hodgman
2 Ricky Riccitelli
3 James Lay
4 James Tucker
5 Cameron Suafoa
6 Adrian Choat
7 Dalton Papalii
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Finlay Christie
10 Beauden Barrett
11 Caleb Clarke
12 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
13 Rieko Ioane
14 Mark Telea
15 Stephen Perofeta (50 Blues games)Reserves:
16 Soane Vikena
17 Jordan Lay
18 Nepo Laulala
19 Tom Robinson
20 Taine Plumtree
21 Taufa Funaki
22 Bryce Heem
23 Zarn SullivanPlayers not considered: Sam Darry (knee), Joshua Fusitu’a (ribs), Akira Ioane (knee), Sam Nock (calf), Patrick Tuipulotu (knee), Ofa Tuungafasi (concussion).
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@Chris said in Blues v Crusaders:
I genuinely believe the Blues by 10 or 15.
Not with our tight 5. 6+ we should be good, but it's up front I'm worried.
Still going along though!
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@Duluth Zarn at last at 23!
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Choat has been playing well off the bench.
It'll be interesting to see which side of the scrum the flankers pack. Papali'i has been blindside when Choat is on the field. I suspect the number on the back don't mean much
Robinson covering lock. Doing that from the bench is better than starting at 6 and then moving forward
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Eklund won't be misfiring with his thrown-ins this week!
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@Duluth choat like a modern day rambo this boy I now tuff as but still gotta put it out there
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@Duluth pretty sure it's because Blackadder there meet fire with fire just saying
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Typical conservative Leon having to rearrange his 23 instead of just showing faith in a young lock.
Good to see Zarn in the 23.
Hopefully the rain holds off.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Crusaders:
Typical conservative Leon having to rearrange his 23 instead of just showing faith in a young lock.
Good to see Zarn in the 23.
Hopefully the rain holds off.
Did anyone manage to watch Zarn at 10 last week?
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@Crazy-Horse yes he was great at 10 just needs more time he b our blues 10 next season all goin well don't forget young Payton Spencer tho but he is currently 7s but signed up
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@george33 said in Blues v Crusaders:
@Crazy-Horse yes he was great at 10 just needs more time he b our blues 10 next season all goin well don't forget young Payton Spencer tho but he is currently 7s but signed up
So you watched in person or was the game streamed?
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@Crazy-Horse watched it he will b great bit more games at 10, think u will c him this year at 10 for blues maybe force game when beauden and Stephen have a break that's my pick but jock was good to tho
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Crusaders should win in the tight five, blues dominate in the Loosies , evens in the halves and Blues in the centres and outside backs. Still should be within 8 points to blues as whenever these two meet
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@Nevorian said in Blues v Crusaders:
Crusaders should win in the tight five, blues dominate in the Loosies , evens in the halves and Blues in the centres and outside backs. Still should be within 8 points to blues as whenever these two meet
Blues will win it at the breakdown and mobility
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@Chris said in Blues v Crusaders:
Is Quin Strange not available?
I'd have been tempted to include him in the 23 and play Scott Barrett at 6 - Ethan at 8. How does Bower go at tighthead? I can't recall seeing him there, but this old article says he prefers it.
Our backs look pretty weak without Havili, Goodhue Jordan (and Hall).
Be a good night for pissing rain and 10 man rugby!!!
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Both teams paying $1.92 at the TAB.
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@Chris-B said in Blues v Crusaders:
@Chris said in Blues v Crusaders:
Is Quin Strange not available?
I'd have been tempted to include him in the 23 and play Scott Barrett at 6 - Ethan at 8. How does Bower go at tighthead? I can't recall seeing him there, but this old article says he prefers it.
Our backs look pretty weak without Havili, Goodhue Jordan (and Hall).
Be a good night for pissing rain and 10 man rugby!!!
Not sure about Strange,the backs look weak I agree, Burke at FB makes me nervous,he goes well at First five but looks lost at the back, And the midfield is a worry.
Yep wet night would help us a bit. -
With those Blues tighties, I can't see them winning this game. Saders to kick to the corners and maul all night long.
I hope I'm wrong.
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@Duluth said in Blues v Crusaders:
7 Dalton Papalii
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Finlay Christie
10 Beauden Barrett
11 Caleb Clarke
12 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
13 Rieko Ioane
14 Mark Telea
15 Stephen PerofetaAn AB laden 7-15. Saders are toast
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Seems to be lots of talk about last years GF, is that girl friend, gluten free? Dunno.
Anyway what is interesting is this game is a repeat of last year's final, surprised no one has pointed that out yet
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@Machpants said in Blues v Crusaders:
Seems to be lots of talk about last years GF, is that girl friend, gluten free? Dunno.
Anyway what is interesting is this game is a repeat of last year's final, surprised no one has pointed that out yet
Thank you.
Can't stand that Aussie thing of Final/Grand Final.
Final means final. Not decide who plays next week.
And then there's the stupidity of 'Finale'.
That reminds me. The GOM thread needs some new additions.....
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@gt12 said in Blues v Crusaders:
With those Blues tighties, I can't see them winning this game. Saders to kick to the corners and maul all night long.
That would depend on Blues players giving away silly penalties.........
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@Crucial said in Blues v Crusaders:
@Machpants said in Blues v Crusaders:
Seems to be lots of talk about last years GF, is that girl friend, gluten free? Dunno.
Anyway what is interesting is this game is a repeat of last year's final, surprised no one has pointed that out yet
Thank you.
Can't stand that Aussie thing of Final/Grand Final.
Final means final. Not decide who plays next week.
And then there's the stupidity of 'Finale'.
That reminds me. The GOM thread needs some new additions.....
Yeah I was going to go there, too. Finale is just French, but grand final is ozzie tautological rubbish.
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@Crucial said in Blues v Crusaders:
@Machpants said in Blues v Crusaders:
Seems to be lots of talk about last years GF, is that girl friend, gluten free? Dunno.
Anyway what is interesting is this game is a repeat of last year's final, surprised no one has pointed that out yet
Thank you.
Can't stand that Aussie thing of Final/Grand Final.
Final means final. Not decide who plays next week.
And then there's the stupidity of 'Finale'.
That reminds me. The GOM thread needs some new additions.....
ive been in australia so long I wasnt aware its an Aussie thing , its just become part of the language
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About that grand final, I wonder if Romano was using a similar lineout calling system to his previous team? The throwing went off as the game went on but I thought the Crusaders knew where the ball was going from the start
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@Duluth said in Blues v Crusaders:
About that grand final, I wonder if Romano was using a similar lineout calling system to his previous team? The throwing went off as the game went on but I thought the Crusaders knew where the ball was going from the start
The story from Ryan was that a non playing lock (injured, can't remember who) was tasked with analysing the Blues lineout for the comp and working out their system.
