Hurricanes vs Moana Pasifika
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Hope the Canes have dusted themselves off after coming close at Eden Park, they'll want to bank full competition points here to make sure they stay with the Blues and keep the Brumbies/Chiefs at bay.
On the selection front I expect to see a rather B looking lineup take the field on Friday with key guys like Numia, Lakai, Iose, Perenara, Barrett, Love and Moorby getting rested. I think we'll see something close to the below:
- Rakete-Stones
- O'Reilly
- Tosi
- Delany
- Grant
- Shields
- Kirifi
- Flanders
- Judd
- Morgan
- Rayasi
- Higgins
- Sullivan
- Naholo
- Godfrey
- Tuputupu
- Mafileo
- Lauaki
- Tucker
- Howden
- Vijoen
- Umaga-Jensen
- Sinkinson
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I wonder whether the coaches are starting to see any temptation with starting Morgan.
I wasn't as low on Cameron as others, but, I do feel like he can be a bit of a handbrake on our backline at times.
I'm not convinced him or Morgan are title winnings 10 tbh. Cupboard is a bit bare and it's too late in season to throw Godfrey in who probably has the best future of the 3.
I was pretty gutted we couldn't snag Jacomb pre season. He looks the goods of the young first fives to me.
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Moana Pasifika:
Hope the Canes have dusted themselves off after coming close at Eden Park, they'll want to bank full competition points here to make sure they stay with the Blues and keep the Brumbies/Chiefs at bay.
On the selection front I expect to see a rather B looking lineup take the field on Friday with key guys like Numia, Lakai, Iose, Perenara, Barrett, Love and Moorby getting rested. I think we'll see something close to the below:
- Rakete-Stones
- O'Reilly
- Tosi
- Delany
- Grant
ShieldsFlanders- Kirifi
FlandersLakaiJuddVijoen- Morgan
- Rayasi
- Higgins
- Sullivan
- Naholo
- Godfrey
I would give Shields another rest. Unlike some he seems to play better when he's well rested.
Vijoen needs game time. One injury to either HB and he's in the team. So, give him a start -
@Winger I don't agree with starting Lakai though, he's probably the one that needs a rest the most. If you rest Shields then I would bring Howden into the 6 jersey who is now back from a long term injury. He was very good in pre-season so deserves another chance.
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1. Pouri Rakete-Stones (Ngāpuhi)
2. Raymond Tuputupu (Faleasiu, Nuku’alofa)
3. Siale Lauaki (Saina Faleata and Samatau)
4. Justin Sangster (Tauranga)
5. Ben Grant (Te Tai Kōura)
6. Brad Shields (C) (Masterton)
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (Iva (Savai'i - Sāmoa)
8. Devan Flanders (Te Matau a Māui)
9. Richard Judd (Thames Valley)
10. Aidan Morgan (Tāmaki Makaurau)
11. Kini Naholo (Nadroumai Village, Sigatoka, Fiji)
12. Peter Umaga-Jensen (Leulumoega & Afega (Upolu) and Sagone (Savai'i)
13. Bailyn Sullivan (Ngāti Kahungunu)
14. Daniel Sinkinson (Waikato)
15. Harry Godfrey (Hunterville)16. James O’Reilly (Lower Hutt)
17. Xavier Numia (Saoluafata (Upolu-Samoa)
18. Pasilio Tosi (Niua Toputapu)
19. Isaia Walker-Leawere (Ngāti Porou/ Galoa, Korovisolou & Serua (Fiji)
20. Peter Lakai (Longomapu and Vaini Tonga)
21. Jordi Viljoen (South Africa)
22. Riley Higgins (Ngāti Porou)
23. Salesi Rayasi (Lau, Matuku/Qalikurua (Fiji), Savai'i, Palauli (Samoa)Unavailable due to injury: Asafo Aumua, Jacob Devery, Cam Roigard, James Tucker, Caleb Delany, Billy Proctor
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PUJ. Can't defend. Can't or won't pass. Yet Higgins is strong in both areas. This is a Blackwell type selection
I would've given Shields another rest but I can see the reason for the forward selections. And good to see Sinkinson and Godfrey get another start
But PUJ over Higgins and to a lesser extent Judd instead of Viljoen (who needs game time at this level just in case) are strange selections
edit good to see JO back. But Mafileo?
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@Winger id say Higgins and Rayasi on the bench to keep them on ice for games coming up. Higgins seems to be the preffered bench player for the bigger games over Umaga-Jensen so I don’t mind that selection.
Mafileo is injured I believe which is why he wasn’t called up for the Blues game last week.
Good to see Godfrey get a crack. Hopefully he gets some min at 10.
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@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Moana Pasifika:
@Winger id say Higgins and Rayasi on the bench to keep them on ice for games coming up. Higgins seems to be the preffered bench player for the bigger games over Umaga-Jensen so I don’t mind that selection.
Mafileo is injured I believe which is why he wasn’t called up for the Blues game last week.
Good to see Godfrey get a crack. Hopefully he gets some min at 10.
pLAYERS ARE OFTEN MISSED
Unavailable due to injury: Asafo Aumua, Jacob Devery, Cam Roigard, James Tucker, Caleb Delany, Billy Proctor
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@Winger interesting that there is no Mafileo. Maybe he's going to the Blues and they want to give other players an opportunity. I'm happy Lauaki is getting opportunities, he's the upmarket version of Alex Fidow. Has all the ball playing and defensive abilities but can scrummage aswell.
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@Bones said in Hurricanes vs Moana Pasifika:
@Duluth said in Hurricanes vs Moana Pasifika:
Lower Hutt
Love it
I didn't realise Shields was from the 'rapa!
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Sheesh Tuputupus a solid lad . Putting in some bangers
Hurricanes Celebrate Mana Moana Week as Moana Pasifika Come to Town
Moana Pasifika name team for Hurricanes clash – Moana Pasifika
