Super Rugby Pacific

[Dan54]

I reckon between Barrett and Grace

Grace was up there with Barrett among the forwards. He was pretty good in the lineouts as well.

I wonder if Grace has done enough recently to make the ABs squad. And I wonder if Sowakula's played his way out of contention.

Reckon he would of done enough even before last night, as I don't really see anyone getting in or out of team on one game.

[Gumboot]

Grace was up there with Barrett among the forwards. He was pretty good in the lineouts as well.

I wonder if Grace has done enough recently to make the ABs squad. And I wonder if Sowakula's played his way out of contention.

Reckon he would of done enough even before last night, as I don't really see anyone getting in or out of team on one game.

Yeah that's what I meant, his form's continued to improve over the past few games. Sotutu's timing his run nicely as well.

[Gumboot]

Blues vs Brumbies kicking off in about 10 minutes.


Blues: 1-Alex Hodgman, 2-Kurt Eklund, 3-Nepo Laulala, 4-Josh Goodhue, 5-Tom Robinson, 6-Akira Ioane, 7-Adrian Choat, 8-Hoskins Sotutu, 9-Finlay Christie, 10-Beauden Barrett, 11-AJ Lam, 12-Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 13-Rieko Ioane, 14-Mark Telea, 15-Stephen Perofeta
Reserves: 16-Soane Vikena, 17-Karl Tu'inukuafe, 18-Ofa Tuungafasi, 19-Luke Romano, 20-James Tucker, 21-Sam Nock, 22-Tamati Tua, 23-Zarn Sullivan

Brumbies: 1-James Slipper, 2-Folau Fainga'a, 3-Allan Alaalatoa, 4-Darcy Swain, 5-Cadeyrn Neville, 6-Tom Hooper, 7-Pete Samu, 8-Rob Valetini, 9-Nic White, 10-Noah Lolesio, 11-Andy Muirhead, 12-Irae Simone, 13-Ollie Sapsford, 14-Tom Wright, 15-Tom Banks
Reserves: 16-Lachlan Lonergan, 17-Scott Sio, 18-Sefo Kautai, 19-Nick Frost, 20-Luke Reimer, 21-Jahrome Brown, 22-Ryan Lonergan, 23-Hudson Creighton

[Kiwias]

I like the Brumbies back row and reckon the Blues will struggle without Papali’i.

[Gumboot]

I like the Brumbies back row and reckon the Blues will struggle without Papali’i.

Yep, I agree. Big test for Sotutu against Valetini.

[Torquemada 1420]

I wonder if Grace has done enough recently to make the ABs squad. And I wonder if Sowakula's played his way out of contention.

Thought Sowakula was guilty a little of trying to take too much on his own: not enough to rule him out though?

[ASMO]

Tackling optional? That was the softest try ever.

[Torquemada 1420]

Well Papalii would not have missed that tackle.

[Kiwias]

Perofeta then BB missed him completely

[Torquemada 1420]

Someone need to have a word to BB about his sh*t tactical kicking.

[Torquemada 1420]

Someone need to have a word to BB about his sh*t tactical kicking.

[ASMO]

James Slipper been hitting the pies hard it looks like.

[Torquemada 1420]

Whtie line fever

[ASMO]

Nice try, Blues woken up

[Kiwias]

Blues looking easily the more dangerous team

[ASMO]

Blues looking easily the more dangerous team

Yes, suspect they will stretch away in the second half

[Gumboot]

Robinson's playing well.

[ASMO]

pwning them in the scrums

[ASMO]

That was utterly brainless

[Kiwias]

A very clear YC

[Biffer]

Blues have been penalised at every single phase inside their own 22 for the last fifteen minutes. Ridiculous there's not been a yellow

Add that to the holding on penalty a few minutes ago which should have been the other way and the ref is having a shocker.

[Kiwias]

Should have taken the points.

[Biffer]

That's a red. SH reffing is dreadful

Brumbies should be playing against thirteen

[Kiwias]

How many cards do there need to be dished out until players learn not to tackle high?

Buffer, I agree it should have been red

[Biffer]

How many YCs do there need to be dished out until players learn not to tackle high?

This is the problem - YCs don't do it and neither does the neutered red they've been using this year. It's only when you lose a man for the whole game that things will change. But refs have to be brutal about it in the same way soccer refs were with the tackle from behind in the nineties.

[Kiwias]

How many YCs do there need to be dished out until players learn not to tackle high?

This is the problem - YCs don't do it and neither does the neutered red they've been using this year. It's only when you lose a man for the whole game that things will change. But refs have to be brutal about it in the same way soccer refs were with the tackle from behind in the nineties.

I tend to agree with you, given the number of cards dished out so far this season yet still players are doing the same.

[Kiwias]

Really? Kicking it away with 2mins left and 1 point behind???

[Biffer]

Really? Kicking it away with 2mins left and 1 point behind???

And then why go for the drop so early, when you have the ball and are still a way out.

[Gumboot]

Phew!

[Kiwias]

Blues sneak in by a single point. Brumbies made some silly decisions down the stretch

[ASMO]

Bloos were lucky, easily second best in the second half.

[Kiwias]

Who is this idiot announcer? She is a heartbeat from dropping to her knees and blowing BB.

[Gumboot]

Robinson had a great game tonight. Really made his case for ABs selection.

[Kiwias]

Robinson had a great game tonight. Really made his case for ABs selection.

Yep, I love seeing this sort of competition for places in the ABs.

[Certain Navigator]

Robinson had a great game tonight. Really made his case for ABs selection.

Yep, just about the only Blue to stand out positively for the full 80. I've been doubtful about him as a lock, but another effort like tonight's next week (edit: except of course the AB squad is named on Monday...) and you'd have to say he's right in the frame. Probably instead of Vai'i.

Telea was good again, but is up against stiff competition. RTS doesn't look up to it yet, but will probably be picked anyway.

[Kiwias]

It seems that Whitelock will be able to play in the final. I certainly hope so.

[Grandpa]

I reckon between Barrett and Grace

Grace was up there with Barrett among the forwards. He was pretty good in the lineouts as well.

I wonder if Grace has done enough recently to make the ABs squad. And I wonder if Sowakula's played his way out of contention.

I like Grace. Only 22.. but seems rugby smart.

[Torquemada 1420]

Caught up with the rest of the other semi.

FHs:
- Broken record: BB is still a dangerous runner but his tactical kicking is pish.
- Lolesio was a revolving door in defence.

Blues better hope for good weather next week and sort out their discipline. Also, in the absence of Papalii, Akira needs to do some actual work. Practically invisible and why TF, as one of the most powerful Blues players, was he standing off, just watching at every Brumbies' lineout maul given that's the Aussies' key weapon?

[convoluted]

...why TF, as one of the most powerful Blues players, was (Akira) standing off, just watching at every Brumbies' lineout maul given that's the Aussies' key weapon?

He was surely under instruction to do so. It did indeed look alarming in that he didn't 'hit' until Brumbies momentum was on the roll, which seemed pointless.
But maybe he'd been told to hold back to pick the right angle before piling in to hopefully disrupt their maul. Watching him, he seemed intent on looking for just the right disruptive spot.

Re. Perofeta, it was heartening to see him recover from that dreadful opening missed tackle. A couple of seasons back when at 10, the old forum used to crucify him as a flake.

[JM2K6]

He is a flake... At 10.

Crusaders game was superb, a fantastic contest. Real sporting theatre stuff worthy of a semi final.