Highlanders v Blues
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@Duluth said in Highlanders v Blues:
BLUES WELCOME BACK HEAVY HITTERS FOR HIGHLANDERS — Blues Rugby
Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Akira Ioane return to the Blues side this weekend as the team travel to Melbourne for DHL Super Rugby Pacific’s ‘Super Round’ to take on the Highlanders on Friday night at 8pm (NZT). Blues Head Coach Vern Cotter has made several changes to his side with an eye to build
Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Laghlan McWhannell, Sam Darry, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali'i (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Taufa Funaki, Stephen Perofeta, Caleb Clarke, Bryce Heem, AJ Lam, Mark Tele'a, Zarn Sullivan
Reserves: Soane Vikena, Joshua Fusitu'a, Angus Ta'avao, Josh Beehre, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes
Players not considered: Patrick Tuipulotu (jaw), Rieko Ioane (load management), Finlay Christie (load management)
Load management in Game 2? Goodness. But I guess get it over with early to keep them on the paddock for the back end of season.
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Load management? looool fuck this comp hates itself
I thought Segner was just about the Blues' best player last week. Tough to get the rissole altogether
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Cotter on this weeks selections -
“It’s great to welcome back Akira and Ofa this weekend, both are high quality players who we’re sure will make a big impact on Friday night,” said Cotter.
“Ofa joins a new-look front row for this match, it’s crucial we build depth in those tight forward positions and to welcome someone of his calibre back to the starting team is very pleasing.”
“Akira is a big, bruising loosie who imposes himself on any match. He’s starting to dial it up at training so it will be good to let him loose on the opposition this weekend.”
“Laghlan McWhannell gets his crack at lock, he’s been impressive through the pre-season and is itching to get out there. We were really impressed with Josh Beehre in his debut match last weekend and we’re happy with the depth we are building in that position,” said Cotter.
Meanwhile in the backline, Taufa Funaki gets a start at halfback while Bryce Heem and AJ Lam have a chance to impress in the midfield.
“We’re going to need our entire squad fit and firing in this campaign and halfback is no exception. We’ve got three quality players in that position and Taufa gets his chance to impress on Friday night,” said Cotter.
“Rieko felt his hammy a little against the Drua so this is an opportune time to manage his workload and make sure that’s 100 percent.”
“It’s been a special week for Bryce as he returns to the side after welcoming his third child to the family. He’s an experienced campaigner and a big body so we expect him to bend the defensive line and create opportunities around him.”
“AJ is a gifted rugby player, he’s versatile and very capable. He replaced Rieko at centre in the weekend and that’s where he gets his chance on Friday night – a great opportunity for him to show us what he’s got.”
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@mariner4life said in Highlanders v Blues:
I thought Segner was just about the Blues' best player last week. Tough to get the rissole altogether
I hope there's plenty of rotation in the loosies this year.
Papali'i, Sotutu, Ioane, Choat, Suafoa, and Segner are all good enough to start at this level. 6 loosies and probably 4 spots in the 23. Keep them all fresh. Hard to see how Rush gets a run any time soon
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@mariner4life said in Highlanders v Blues:
Load management? looool fuck this comp hates itself
I thought Segner was just about the Blues' best player last week. Tough to get the rissole altogether
Agree load management, you have to give all your players a bit of a load so they ready when you need em.
Couldn't agree more about Segner, I rate him as just about best loosie Blues have got, though he played a lot preseason, so maybe a reason to use Akira. -
@Dan54 said in Highlanders v Blues:
I rate him as just about best loosie Blues have got
nah that is Hoskins Sotutu who is probably the best all-round loose forward in NZ. Looked huge on the weekend as well.
Sotutu, Finau and Harmon would be an awesome back row
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Cotter on rotation:
“We’re going to need everybody in this squad, so it’s important we rotate. I’ve come out of some big seasons before and know the importance of getting to the end of the season reasonably fresh. If we can do that and manage them the right way without too many injuries, it’s all part of the game.”Segner also had a minor injury and didn't train early in the week. Both him and Rieko could've started but there's no point forcing it
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With my rose-tinted 2024 glasses on, there is a bit of me that thinks we can take the Blues really close here
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@SouthernMann will be happy to avoid any injuries and keep it close
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@TheMojoman said in Highlanders v Blues:
Load management in Game 2? Goodness. But I guess get it over with early to keep them on the paddock for the back end of season.
As well as the other stuff said above - those are 2 guys who will definitely be playing any big games and whose replacements probably aren't considered even a level below.
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@Dan54 said in Highlanders v Blues:
@mariner4life said in Highlanders v Blues:
Load management? looool fuck this comp hates itself
I thought Segner was just about the Blues' best player last week. Tough to get the rissole altogether
Agree load management, you have to give all your players a bit of a load so they ready when you need em.
Couldn't agree more about Segner, I rate him as just about best loosie Blues have got, though he played a lot preseason, so maybe a reason to use Akira.Rieko has a hamstring issue and Segner took a knock last week.
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Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Reuben Keane
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From the Herald -
Lining up against Tele’a and Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens adds another layer to Ioane’s comeback.“He knows I’m coming for him. I already texted him this morning,” Ioane said of Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens. “He played awesome last week so did Tanielu. They’re our brothers off the field but on that field there will be a lot of laughs and trying to get under each other’s skin. That’s the way the game goes and maybe after have a cold beer.”
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/akira-ioane-makes-blues-comeback-with-super-rugby-pacific-rotation-in-full-swing/ -
@Winger said in Highlanders v Blues:
what's happened to Kurt Eklund
Likely has paid for a creaky lineout last week
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How long is Reiko out for?
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@Canes4life He could've played this week
1 game is a massive workload to start the season.