Blues v Tahs
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Blues have been named. Moala and Faumuina bracketed on the bench.<br><br>
The Blues team is:<br><br>
Sam Prattley, James Parsons ( C ), Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Bekhuis, Jerome Kaino, Kara Pryor, Steven Luatua; Bryn Hall, Ihaia West, Tevita Li, Piers Francis, Male Sa’u, Matt Duffie, Melani Nanai.<br><br>
Replacements: Matt Moulds, Nic Mayhew, Sione Mafileo or Charlie Faumuina, Scott Scrafton, Blake Gibson, Billy Guyton, Matt Vaega or George Moala, Lolagi Visinia. -
Look forward to this game , although the blues have been out of the race , I think the fact that they can have an influence on the finals set up has motivated them somewhat .
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<p>Waratahs need to win, and get a bonus point, to give themselves a shot at finals, given the Brumbies have the Force at home, and the Force are shit, returning from South Africa, and are falling apart off the field.</p>
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<p>And the game is Friday night, so they know they have to put the pressure on the Brumbies for Saturday night. But that pushing for a bonus point might be their undoing. </p>
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<p>So they'll either be hyper-focused, and that big pack will turn up like against the Chiefs and roll forward, or they'll choke under the pressure, turn the ball over, and be chasing Blues backs all over the field. I can't see it being close either way. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="596177" data-time="1468372457">
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<p>So they'll either be hyper-focused, and that big pack will turn up like against the Chiefs and roll forward, or they'll choke under the pressure, turn the ball over, and be chasing Blues backs all over the field. I can't see it being close either way. </p>
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<p>I like OPtion B.</p>
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<p>Unfortunately will miss the game as away up north, but will be another great night out at Eden Park I"m sure. As a Blues fan, next season looks very exciting right now</p> -
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11673483'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=11673483</a></p>
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<p>Blues faced the opponents with the most average wins.</p>
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<p>Well, it's an interesting metric. Makes sense on some levels, but our success this season ain't based on who we play. Super success sure does - look at the Reds in 2011, for instance - but I think we didn't win more games this year because of mental issues at the back end. A bit of confidence, and who knows.</p> -
<p>I'm not sure who i'd rather see miss out on the playoffs out of the Brumbies and Waratahs. I hope they both get a hiding this week and it comes down to points differential. The Brumbies should sneak in as they are playing the Force who are alot weaker than the Blues.</p>
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<p>wow, Moulds on the bench!</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Canes4life" data-cid="596194" data-time="1468376110">
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<p>I'm not sure who i'd rather see miss out on the playoffs out of the Brumbies and Waratahs. I hope they both get a hiding this week and it comes down to points differential. The Brumbies should sneak in as they are playing the Force who are alot weaker than the Blues.</p>
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<p>The Brumbies have won 1 more game so the only way the Tahs make it is if they get a BP win over the Blues and the Brumbies only win versus the Force (possible but unlikely) or the Force upsets the Brumbies (more unlikely) and the Tahs beat the Blues. So basically, the Tahs need 1 more competition pt than the Brumbies get.</p>
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<p>I think this game will be more physical than NSW-Canes, given the desperation of the Tahs.</p> -
<p>We have the game to do it, just not the consistency.</p>
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<p>The Brumbies might fall over the line because it looks like their wheels have fallen off, but they've got the better run home. They're also without Tomane who broke his leg playing for Uni Norths.</p> -
<p><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Waratahs</span></span></strong></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color:#666666;">1.</span> <span style="color:#666666;">Paddy Ryan (76 caps) 2.</span> <span style="color:#666666;">Tatafu Polota-Nau (140 caps) 3.</span> <span style="color:#666666;">Tom Robertson (12 caps) 4.</span> <span style="color:#666666;">Dean Mumm (100 caps) 5.</span> <span style="color:#666666;">Will Skelton (52 caps) 6.</span> <span style="color:#666666;">Jack Dempsey (13 caps) 7.</span> <span style="color:#666666;">Michael Hooper (c) (95 caps) 8.</span> <span style="color:#666666;">Dave Dennis (vc) (106 caps))</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color:#666666;">9.</span> <span style="color:#666666;">Nick Phipps (96 caps) 10.</span> <span style="color:#666666;">Bernard Foley (76 caps) 11.</span> <span style="color:#666666;">Matt Carraro (54 caps) 12.</span> <span style="color:#666666;">Rob Horne 101 caps) 13.</span> <span style="color:#666666;">Israel Folau (59 caps) 14.</span> <span style="color:#666666;">Reece Robinson (12 caps) 15.</span> <span style="color:#666666;">Andrew Kellaway (10 caps)</span></span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color:#666666;">Reserves: 16.</span> <span style="color:#666666;">Hugh Roach (20 caps) 17.</span> <span style="color:#666666;">Jeremy Tilse (59 caps) 18.</span> <span style="color:#666666;">Angus Ta’avao (62 caps) 19.</span> <span style="color:#666666;">Sam Lousi (17 caps) 20.</span> <span style="color:#666666;">Wycliff Palu (133 caps) 21.</span> <span style="color:#666666;">Matt Lucas (26 caps) 22.</span> <span style="color:#666666;">David Horwitz (12 caps) 23.</span> <span style="color:#666666;">Jim Stewart (uncapped – potential NSW and Super Rugby debut)</span></span></span></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="596211" data-time="1468380293">
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<p><strong><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Waratahs</span></span></strong></p>
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<p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;color:rgb(102,102,102);">7.</span><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;"> </span><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;color:rgb(102,102,102);">Michael Hoopah (c) (95 caps)</span></p>
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<p>Squinty Hoopah is going to have 100 caps when he's just 25 years young. Is this the fastest in Super Rugby history?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tordah" data-cid="596235" data-time="1468384925">
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<p>Squinty Hoopah is going to have 100 caps when he's just 25 years young. Is this the fastest in Super Rugby history?</p>
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<p>It looks more like a strabismus, could be wrong, but impressive stat otherwise.</p>
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<p>The big question is if the Blues pack can front the Tahs. I think they have the pack to do this. Be good to see Charlie play and Moala to keep Folau honest physically.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="596201" data-time="1468378230">
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<p>And Scott Scrafton. :)</p>
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<p>Yup good to see Umaga give him and Cowley-Tuioti a run before the end of season.</p> -
<p>thought he mighta given Nock a run too, especially with Hall on his way out the door. </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="596308" data-time="1468394368">
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<p>Li finally gets a chance!</p>
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<p>Yup fully deserves it. We get to see him crash the ball up aimlessly one last time.</p>
