Brumbies v Highlanders
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I heard Broughton took a knock on the weekend so unsure if he'll be eligible based on that. Assuming worst case scenario given injuries I'd run with a 23 like this. Kauitau is confirmed to be elligable for this week.
- Ethan De Groot
- Henry Bell
- Sefo Kauitau
- Fabian Holland
- Mitchell Dunshea
- TK Howden
- Sean Withy
- Will Stodart
- Folau Fakatava
- Taine Robinson
- Timcoi T
- Thomas Umunga Jensen
- Tanelea Telea
- Jona Nareki / Michael Mason
- Sam Gilbert
- Soanne Vikenna
- Josh Bartlett
- Saula Ma'au
- Lui Naeeta / Hayden Michaels
- Venevui Lasaqua
- Nathan Hastie
- Cam Millar
- Michael Mason / Jake Te Hiwi
- . I think starting Bell who's a fantastic srummager is a wise move this week. Our Bench has lost us the last few games so having Vikenna as impact would be useful. Ma'au is a big body and probably needs some confidence back. Kauitau will be itching to play his old team so I'd start him.
- . Lock and Looseforwards need some mongeral and bulk so Stodart at eight and Howden at six makes sense. Holland, Dunshea and Withy are no brianers, while I'd probably opt for Lasaqua as impact and then a big body off the bench too. Bit torn between given Michaels a shot late in the game or Naeeta. I'd be tempted to for the mongeral and give Michaels a shot. Maybe even both and give Venevui the week off.
- . Fakatava and Robinson are no brainers in the halves. Assuming Millar is back in the mix but if not I'd rather Gilbert cover 10 and we drop Falefaga. We loose games when he comes on.
- . I'm a bit unsure if Nareki is even elligable for selection this week. If he is - then he slots right in. If not next cab off the rank is Mason. Big Jim goes to the wing if Tangitau is injured. But if he's fit I'd push him to 12 and drop TUJ to the bench for impact. Assuming Tangitau is injured then I think we try and have Big Jim, Gilbert and Nareki as our back three and then Mason on the bench to break open the game with Jim slotting into 12 at about the sixty minute Mark. But I could live with Jake Te Hiwi coming into the mix too given lack of remaining depth we have in that position.
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@handa457 yeah Broughton was playing in pain last week holding his ribs, he’s being managed at the moment.
No point having Lasaqa and Michaels on the bench, they are both specialist 7s.
- Howden
- Withy
- It’s whoever os healthy at this point which looks most likely to be Stodart.
Bench. Lasaqa
Wouldn’t be surprised to see Naeata in 19 covering lock and 6. -
We are in a growing pains period.
Hurley should be retained
The hookers stay.
Ma'u was the big problem. Will likely be given a shot at redemption.
Changing half the team, isn't the right move.
Naeata is all but goooone. I highly doubt we ever see him again.
Big toss up whether big Jim goes back to 12. The toss up there is whether he is better at 12 than on the wing. I think the question asked the other way, of is TUJ a better 12, than big Jim is a winger, the answer could be yes. Then it is the toss up between the two at 12.
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@Bones said in Brumbies v Highlanders:
Pretty concerning how poor Mau was. Don't recall him being that bad before, plus he's a bloody huge lump. What happened?
Yeah that was what concerned me more than Hurley's catching and kicking. The scrum problems lost us the game. He wasn't just struggling. He got his arse handed to him. A 130kg seasoned prop shouldn't have got smacked around like that.
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@SouthernMann said in Brumbies v Highlanders:
@Bones said in Brumbies v Highlanders:
Pretty concerning how poor Mau was. Don't recall him being that bad before, plus he's a bloody huge lump. What happened?
Yeah that was what concerned me more than Hurley's catching and kicking. The scrum problems lost us the game. He wasn't just struggling. He got his arse handed to him. A 130kg seasoned prop shouldn't have got smacked around like that.
Up against Faagase and Hodgman too. Not exactly names that typically strike fear into SR level tightheads I imagine.
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@Bones said in Brumbies v Highlanders:
@SouthernMann said in Brumbies v Highlanders:
@Bones said in Brumbies v Highlanders:
Pretty concerning how poor Mau was. Don't recall him being that bad before, plus he's a bloody huge lump. What happened?
Yeah that was what concerned me more than Hurley's catching and kicking. The scrum problems lost us the game. He wasn't just struggling. He got his arse handed to him. A 130kg seasoned prop shouldn't have got smacked around like that.
Up against Faagase and Hodgman too. Not exactly names that typically strike fear into SR level tightheads I imagine.
Faagase spent two years at the Highlanders too. Mostly holding tackle bags and playing club rugby. Strange to turn into an absolute destroyer
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@Grooter said in Brumbies v Highlanders:
In the landers social post Bell, DLB and Fakatava? are wearing the purple training kit usually indicates they'll be playing. Tanielu Tele'a is in the silver kit tho, would be a shame if he's rested.
Looked like Cam Millar in silver kit too.
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Squad for Brumbies.
EDG out. Broughton out. Taylor out. Arcott out. Hurley out. Tele’a rotated to the bench. A welcome back to Nareki and DLB.
Loft and Lennox to debut.
- DLB
- Vikena
- Ma’u
- Holland
- Dunshea
- Howden
- Lasaqa
- Withy
- Hastie
- Robinson
- Nareki
- Tavatavanawai
- Umaga-Jenson
- Tangitau
- Gilbert
Bench
16. Bell
17. Bartlett
18. Kautai
19. Stodart
20. Loft
21. Lennox
22. Faleafaga
23. Tele’a -
Brumbies
James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Lachlan Shaw, Tom Hooper, Rory Scott, Rob Valetini, Harrison Goddard, Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, David Feliuai, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
Replacements: Liam Bowron, Blake Schoupp, Rhys van Nek, Cadeyrn Neville, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Klayton Thorn, Jack Debreczeni, Ollie Sapsford
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Arscott dropped. Hurley injured. Broughton injured. De Groot workload. Millar available and Faleafaga picked ahead of him. Taylor dropped.
Injury update: Oliver Haig (Foot / 2 weeks ), Jonah Lowe (ACL / 1-2 weeks ), Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Neck / 2-3 weeks), Folau Fakatava (Hamstring / 1-2 weeks), Finn Hurley (Quad / TBC), Nikora Broughton (Rib Injury / 1-2 weeks) Hugh Renton (Groin /1-2 weeks)
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Glad that Lennox is getting a shot. Suprised that Loft is. As @Bovidae said Michael’s must really be disliked by Joseph. He and Wingham both seem to be Dermody picks that Joseph does not rate.
Bit suprised Millar was available for selection and didn’t make the cut. Falefaga has not impressed me of late. Resting Telea and De Groot does make sense.
Worried that DLB will get monstered by the Brumbies scrum. Can’t really see us winning this one unfortunately.
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Not an easy place to travel and win. Hope the Highlanders front row are up for a contest.
