QF - Blues v Drua

[Duluth]

Cotter has already confirmed that RI will play. Hopefully Funaki is fit again

Most of the selection questions are in the backs. I'd like to see Funaki/Plummer at 9/10 with Perofeta at fullback.

Any idea if Heem is healthy? I'd put him straight back at 12 and have AJ on the bench

[george33]

@Duluth I did hear they were hoping Heem will be available for the Semi Final so unlikely at this stage

[Kirwan]

If Heem is out, I'l put AJ at 12 and Plummer back to ten.

[Duluth]

COTTER CONSISTENT IN SELECTION FOR QF  — Blues Rugby

Blues Head Coach Vern Cotter has opted for consistency in his team selection this week as the Blues host the Fijian Drua in a DHL Super Rugby Pacific Quarter Final on Saturday night at Eden Park, 7:05pm (NZT). Cotter has made only one forced change to the starting pack this week with lock Josh Beeh

1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi
2 Ricky Riccitelli
3 Marcel Renata
4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c)
5 Josh Beehre
6 Akira Ioane
7 Dalton Papali’i
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Finlay Christie
10 Harry Plummer
11 Caleb Clarke
12 AJ Lam
13 Rieko Ioane
14 Mark Tele’a
15 Stephen Perofeta

16 Kurt Eklund
17 Joshua Fusitu’a
18 Angus Ta’avao
19 Cameron Suafoa
20 Adrian Choat
21 Taufa Funaki
22 Corey Evans
23 Cole Forbes

Players not considered: Lucas Cashmore (hamstring), Sam Darry (concussion protocol), Bryce Heem (calf), Jordan Lay (ankle, season), Laghlan McWhannell (concussion protocol), Zarn Sullivan (knee)

[Duluth]

DRUA RETAINS STARTING LINE-UP | Fijian Drua

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua have named their squad for the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinal clash against the Blues in Auckland this Saturday.

Livai Natave, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Leone Rotuisolia, Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa, Meli Derenalagi (c), Frank Lomani, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Waqa Nalaga, Kemu Valetini, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese

RESERVES: Zuriel Togiatama, Emosi Tuqiri, Samu Tawake, Isoa Nasilasila, Motikiai Murray, Elia Canakaivata, Peni Matawalu, Caleb Muntz

[KiwiMurph]

Disappointed but not surprised that Funaki is benched for Christie.

I truly wish pro rugby coaches would make tougher calls based on form rather than defaulting to the big name.

On form I simply don't know how you justify it.

[Gunner]

@KiwiMurph even more so when the ‘big name’ is Finlay Christie

Here come the box kicks that barely clear the ruck he’s just picked the ball out of.

[Kirwan]

Christie looked good before he ran out of gas (after 8 weeks off). It's smart to get more game time into him from this game, and freshen up Funaki. He's also a better kicker, so may hint at our tactics for this one.

He's so much better than Nock it's not funny, so we need him back up to speed if we progress further into the comp.

[Tim]

At least Funaki is available this week. Hope he starts the next two games.

[Tim]

McWhannell has been out due to concussion for a while now. Concerning ...

[george33]

@Tim same as Reiko , he's available next week

[Canes4life]

@george33 said in QF - Blues v Drua:

@Tim same as Reiko , he's available next week

He's playing this week.

[george33]

@Canes4life I mean same situation as Reiko went thru 2 weeks concussion

[Landers92]

@george33 said in QF - Blues v Drua:

@Tim same as Reiko , he's available next week

I think that you’ll find that what they are saying is McWhannel is now about to be out for longer than 2 weeks….

[KiwiMurph]

@Kirwan said in QF - Blues v Drua:

He's also a better kicker

I would disagree here. Funaki is a better kicker (and option taker, which comes into kicking) than Christie.

[Tim]

Maybe Christie will improve a lot with a game under his belt, but he was ass last week.

[antipodean]

@Tim Why would one more make a difference after a hundred first class games..?

[nzzp]

@antipodean said in QF - Blues v Drua:

@Tim Why would one more make a difference after a hundred first class games..?

match fitness and pace - getting back up to speed.

[antipodean]

@nzzp said in QF - Blues v Drua:

@antipodean said in QF - Blues v Drua:

@Tim Why would one more make a difference after a hundred first class games..?

match fitness and pace - getting back up to speed.

I'm saying he's shit and another game won't make a difference.

[Kirwan]

Anyway, Christie + Funaki is > Funaki + Nock, so this is an improvement.