Moana Pasifika v Highlanders
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Few injury/suspension doubts for the Highlanders for this one:
de Groot (Knee on knee, wasn’t fit enough to come back on… could be used to finish the game)
DLB (Off to tackle school)
Vikena (Had knee issues leading up to the last game, would not be surprised if he doesn’t start having then played 80)
Ma’u (Concussion, generally a mandatory stand down these days)
Howden (Was running last week, so can’t be far off)Possible Team? We have the bye after this, before a real stretch so I suspect it to be fairly similar
- Bartlett
- Taylor
- Kautai
- Holland
- Dunshea
- Naeta
- Withy
- Renton
- Fakatava
- Robinson
- Tangitau
- Tavatavanawai
- Tele’a
- Gilbert
- Hurley
- Vikena
- de Groot
- Wingham
- Howden
- Broughton
- Hastie
- Millar
- Umaga-Jensen/Lasaqa
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I think it is worth making some changes. Some of the guys have played some massive minutes in tough games over the first couple of rounds.
While we have the bye coming up, giving some lads a big of a breather will be good for the morale and care of the playing group.
Props will need some switched out. If de Groot is anything less than 100%. He is rested. The Bravehearts of Barlett and Sexton may need to come in.
Wingham will need to come in for Ma'u. Off the bench.
I'd play a short locking duo of Stodart and Naeata. Have one of Dunshea/Holland off the bench. The two starters have done some nig minutes.
Loose trio, keep the same as the Blues game.
Same inside back pairing.
Let Jim Tavatavanawai have a run off the bench. Bring TUJ in.
We need to balance the need of the squad, and the pressure put in over the first couple of rounds while still going to Albany to get the W.
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@SouthernMann Don't want to rest too much... MP won't be easy. Most of these guys have only played around 120 minutes.
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@frugby said in Moana Pasifika v Highlanders:
@SouthernMann Don't want to rest too much... MP won't be easy. Most of these guys have only played around 120 minutes.
MP have the shortest line-out in the comp. It is the right game to look after the big boys, who have both played 160 minutes?
Before Jim Tavatavanawai decided to turn midfield play on its head, TUJ was our top 12.
These aren't earth shattering changes. It is basically just rotating three out of the starting XV and keeping two on the bench.
The propping rotation will be the biggest issue.
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I’m taking not taking Moana lightly. First home game for them in North Harbour and culture round, they will be up for it big time.
My prediction below, taking injury and suspension into consideration. I don’t think we rotate much at all, they are a physical side so think speed, specifically at loose forward will be key.
Reason for picking the same locking pair is we have a bye next week, 3 weeks in a row they should be able to handle. Stodart and Naeata providing cover there.
- Bartlett
- Taylor
- Kautai
- Holland
- Dunshea
- Renton
- Withy
- Broughton
- Fakatava
- Robinson
- Tangitau
- Tavatavanawai
- Tele’a
- Gilbert
- Hurley
Bench
16. Bell
17. EDG/Jack Sexton
18. Wingham
19. Stodart
20. Lasaqa
21. Hastie
22. Millar
23. Could be a 6/2 about but will list both. Umaga Jenson or NaeataIf reports are true Howden still 2/3 weeks away.
Thought about giving Renton a run off the bench but keeping him in the starting XV due to being a CC.
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@SouthernMann I don’t have an issue with a few changes, but the front row injuries make it problematic. If de Groot is out, then IMO two proper locks are necessary or else it all of a sudden becomes a very lightweight pack. Broughton might get a run at 8 also, so Howden could start at 6?
Jim needs to play, so if TUJ plays then Tele’a gets a rest, which is okay because he has played 280 minutes in the past four weeks, and is injury prone.
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@Landers92 I’ve heard Howden was back running so I think it’ll either be this week or after the bye.
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@frugby yeah he’s back at training. Landers release last week had that time frame on him. Hamstrings are niggly so just play it safe and bring him back after the bye imo.
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My proposed lineup would be
- Josh Bartlett
- Henry Bell
- Sefo Kauitau
- Mitchell Dunshea
- Will Stodart
- Lui Naeeta
- Sean Withy
- Hugh Renton
- Folau Fakatava
- Taine Robinson
- Caleb Tangitau
- Timcoi T
- Tanelea Telea
- Sam Gilbert
- Finn Hurley
- Soanne Vikenna
- EDG / Jack Sexton
- Rohan Wingham
- Fabian Holland
- Lasaqua
21 . Nathan Hastie - Cam Millar
- Thomas Umunga Jensen
I Think Prop / Hooker split will be a challange. Despite his amazing game last week I'd probably opt for Bell and Vikenna just based on experience given we'll be rolling out two possibly three inexperienced props this week.
I'd put big Fabian Holland on the bench, and give Will Stodart a run. Mitchell Dunshea had a 10 minute yellow card week one, and twenty minutes off the field last week. So I'd rest Fabian who's played more minutes.
I'd want big Lui Naeeta Starting and some Bruisers off the brench so it's Lasaqua who gets the nodd for bench spot this week.
Midfield stays unchanged. But TUJ comes onto the bench for his first game back. We really want some big bodies to bend the line in the last 20.
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@Bovidae said in Moana Pasifika v Highlanders:
The MP scrum is much stronger this year, particularly when the subs come on. Bartlett and Wingham will be tested.
Sadly our defence hasn't improved.
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I might be out of the loop, but has Cam Millar slipped down the pecking order behind Taine Robinson? Not long ago it was him vs Jacomb to get an ABs call up?
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@DurryMexted Certainly seems that way... JJ might just be sending him a message though. Still a good player, and I expect by the end of the season he will win the jersey back - probably the first time he has to deal with positive competition though (generally has been a race to the bottom in his career)
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@Grooter It's a tough call. Based on form absolutely. But just wonder given injuries if we might benefit from having the experience of Bell in the 23 this week over him. Like if you've got potentially three props making their season debuts at once, having Bell might make sense. However if EDG is in the mix I've probably throw caution to the wind and go with Taylor.
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@frugby said in Moana Pasifika v Highlanders:
@DurryMexted Certainly seems that way... JJ might just be sending him a message though. Still a good player, and I expect by the end of the season he will win the jersey back - probably the first time he has to deal with positive competition though (generally has been a race to the bottom in his career)
I think plenty of people in Otago/Southland want Millar to succeed. Everyone was surprised when he got surpassed by effectively one of the final players added to the squad.
Robinson's playing style is far more suited to how Joseph wants the backline to run. He plays a bit tougher. Is a bigger and has been involved in some pretty big plays.
If he maintains the standard he has exhibited for the first couple of weeks, he deserves to keep the spot.
Millar has proven himself to be a very good game manager and kicker. Which makes him perfect to be a potential game closer.
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ODT articles states EDG and Ma'u likely to be available for Friday. I hope they take a very cautious approach with both.
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@SouthernMann Good news. I’d personally have them both on the bench with Bartlett and Kautai to start… six day turnaround so the tight forwards will be feeling it
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I'd personally swap out the entire tight forward starting group. With most of the starters on the bench
