Canes vs Jags

Canes4life

If the Canes really are play-off potential then beating the Jaguars on Saturday should be fairly straight forward. A fitter Julian Savea should make a return to the side and it will be a milestone game for Cory Jane bringing up his 100th. Id say if Jane doesn't perform in this match though he may lose his spot to Woodward or Proctor moving forward.
 
Id say the Canes starting squad will look something like this:
 
Hurricanes Team vs Jaguars
1. Reggie Goodes
2. Dane Coles
3. Jeff Toomaga Allen
4. Blade Thomson
5. Geoff Cridge (Aparantly Mark Abbott has a niggle so that will provide the chance for this big fella to cement a spot in the starting XV)
6. Vaea Fifita
7. Ardie Savea
8. Victor Vito
9. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Julian Savea
12. Ngani Laumape
13. Willis Halaholo
14. Cory Jane
15. Jason Woodward
Reserves:
16. Leni Apisai
17. Chris Eves
18. Loni Uhila
19. Brad Shields (On the bench because I think Fifita is quite simply a more well rounded player than Shields in terms of his skillset)
20. Callum Gibbins
21. TJ Perenara (Takes a seat this week, allowing TTT the opportunity to shine)
22. Otere Black (Black needs minutes on the field and with James Marshall out there is a great chance for him to put his hand up against a weak Jags outfit)
23. Vince Tavae Aso (Makes the bench over Proctor as he can cover more positions)

MN5

Shields has had the tag of potential AB all over him since he debuted. Any chance it ill actually happen ?

Canes4life

He still needs work before he can be considered for the All Blacks. He still drops the ball for the Canes in crucial moments and gets held up when he runs the ball into contact far too often. I was a big fan of Shields when he burst onto the scene with his rangy style of play and hard nosed attitude on defence but he just lets himself down on offence. If he can nail down that part of his game then no doubt he has the potential to wear the All Black jersey in the near future. He has to get his jersey back off Fifita first though.

taniwharugby

Is Julian fitter?

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="570033" data-time="1459902417">
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Is Julian fitter?
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I hope so. Hes been running non stop for 10 days so id hope he made some progress on that pie frame.

mariner4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="570039" data-time="1459903858">
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I hope so. Hes been running non stop for 10 days so id hope he made some progress on that pie frame.
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<img src="http://api.theweek.com/sites/default/files/legacygeneric/Forrest_BiggestBeard_end.jpg" alt="Forrest_BiggestBeard_end.jpg">

Higgins

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="570016" data-time="1459898205">
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He still needs work before he can be considered for the All Blacks. He still drops the ball for the Canes in crucial moments and gets held up when he runs the ball into contact far too often. I was a big fan of Shields when he burst onto the scene with his rangy style of play and hard nosed attitude on defence but he just lets himself down on offence. If he can nail down that part of his game then no doubt he has the potential to wear the All Black jersey in the near future. He has to get his jersey back off Fifita first though. 
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Almost certain that you will find Shields back in the No 6 jersey given he was the incumbent prior to his injury. Whether it proves to be a wise selection remains to be seem.

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="570062" data-time="1459909053">
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Almost certain that you will find Shields back in the No 6 jersey given he was the incumbent prior to his injury. Whether it proves to be a wise selection remains to be seem.
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They may even move Fifita to lock considering Abbott is likely to miss this match. I really hope Michael Fatialofa moves aside. I just don't think he cuts it at this level. Another Liaki Moli in my opinion.

Higgins

I have an inkling that your suggestion Fatialofa move aside will not be acceded to by the selectors. If Abbott is replaced, as you think likely, it really leaves just Fatialofa, the mysterious Geoffrey Cridge and some other young guy that has rarely been sighted at Mitre 10 Cup level (James Blackwell?) as the remaining fit locks in the squad. You would have to be a brave man to start either of the last two given their virtual nil experience above club rugby level.

bobily

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="570064" data-time="1459909237">
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They may even move Fifita to lock considering Abbott is likely to miss this match. I really hope Michael Fatialofa moves aside. I just don't think he cuts it at this level. Another Liaki Moli in my opinion. 
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In what areas is Michael Fatialofa lacking, in your view?
 
I'm not wanting to argue the point, by the way - I haven't managed to watch him at this level. I'm simply interested.

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="570071" data-time="1459912235">
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I have an inkling that your suggestion Fatialofa move aside will not be acceded to by the selectors. If Abbott is replaced, as you think likely, it really leaves just Fatialofa, the mysterious Geoffrey Cridge and some other young guy that has rarely been sighted at Mitre 10 Cup level (James Blackwell?) as the remaining fit locks in the squad. You would have to be a brave man to start either of the last two given their virtual nil experience above club rugby level.
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You could have Thomson and Fifita as a locking partnership as they've played enough at both Super and ITM Cup level to slot in there. Mind you that would be a fairly loose forward pack. Could work wonders but it could also bite us in the ass.
 
I would back Cridge as a starter though. I've seen him play a couple of times and he really nails his core roles excellently. Great at set piece, a strong ball carrier and he is also an athlete in open play. Offers alot more than Fats.

Canes4life

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="bobily" data-cid="570072" data-time="1459912481">
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In what areas is Michael Fatialofa lacking, in your view?
 
I'm not wanting to argue the point, by the way - I haven't managed to watch him at this level. I'm simply interested.
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I just think he lacks mobility around the park and I watched him against the Kings and Blues (in pre season) and his handling could have been alot better. seems to be a bit of a journeyman type player. If he is picked I hope he proves me wrong though.
 
If they are going to start Fats I would rather them start Fifita so Shields can slot in at 6.

pukunui

I thought Fatialofa had done pretty well in his games so far. Has put in some massive hits on defense. Havent been watching him too closely though.

Stargazer

Canes4life

Dammit where is TTT? Great to see Otere there though.

Nairobi

Is this game on. 
Scores anyone?

taniwharugby

starts in about 6 minutes...

Nairobi

Thanks, just assumed the game had started. First NZ game is normally televised at 9.30 am Kenya time

gt12

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nairobi" data-cid="570984" data-time="1460187504">Thanks, just assumed the game had started. First NZ game is normally televised at 9.30 am Kenya time</blockquote>
 
End of daylight saving. 
Jane at fullback for his 100th. 
Jags putting some pressure on the Canes, but Ardie wins the penalty

taniwharugby

some shoddy handling and probably some well executed slow exit of the ruck area helps TJ blow a good chance to spread it on the line

The Silver Fern

Canes vs Jags