Hurricanes v Blues : MATCH THREAD : Sat 18th Jul

[Ymx]

WHEN:
Sat 18th Jul

KICK OFF:
Local - 7.05pm

WHERE:
Wellington, NZ



VENUE:
AMI Stadium, Wellington



MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe

Assistant Referee 1: Brendon Pickerill

Assistant Referee 2: Paul Williams

TMO: James Doleman

TEAMS:




1 Ben May
2 Dane Coles [cc]
3 Tyrel Lomax
4 James Blackwell
5 Scott Scrafton
6 Reed Prinsep
7 Du’Plessis Kirifi
8 Ardie Savea
9 TJ Perenara [cc]
10 Jackson Garden-Bachop
11 Ben Lam
12 Ngani Laumape
13 Peter Umaga-Jensen
14 Kobus Van Wyk
15 Jordie Barrett

RESERVES
16. Asafo Aumua
17. Fraser Armstrong
18. Alex Fidow
19. Isaia Walker-Leawere
20. Vaea Fifita
21. Jamie Booth
22. Billy Proctor
23. Wes Goosen






15 Beauden Barrett,
14 Emoni Narawa,
13 Rieko Ioane,
12 Harry Plummer,
11 Mark Telea,
10 Otere Black,
9 Finlay Christie;
8 Akira Ioane,
7 Dalton Papalii,
6 Aaron Carroll,
5 Josh Goodhue,
4 Patrick Tuipulotu ©,
3 Ofa Tuungafasi,
2 Kurt Eklund,
1 Alex Hodgman.

Reserves:
16 Tolai Luteru,
17 Marcel Renata,
18 Sione Mafileo,
19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti,
20 Tony Lamborn,
21 Jonathan Ruru,
22 TJ Faiane,
23 Matt Duffie.

[Ymx]

For you RB

[ManhoodObesity]

It’s on!

Hopefully someone can organise a cabal soon

[Ymx]

The Canes can nick 2nd spot over Auckland it they win with a BP.

Not that they seem to like BPs according to the table.

[Ted.]

I was just about to create a thread. It's a good thing I checked first, Ali.

[ManhoodObesity]

Hopefully the crowd attendance will reflect the magnitude of the match

[Ted.]

It’s on!

Hopefully someone can organise a cabal soon

Sure. It might, depend on who is asking though. Maybe.

[Ymx]

I was just about to create a thread. It's a good thing I checked first, Ali.

Sorry mate. I did so on RBs instruction. Let us know if there’s any extra content you want in the OP.

And will happily dot this one if you want to do it.

[ManhoodObesity]

I am in Auckland sadly. Be keen to meet up with some of you insane cunce at the Kingslander or Eden Park

[Ymx]

Not FOG then?

[Monkey Magic]

Looking forward to this.

Blues will be hurting - physically and mentally - after the saders game. Hurricanes finding some form of mojo and bit of revenge for round 1.

Really enjoyed the first game between these two, hoping it's a repeat with fewer penalties now teams have got used/refs have eased off the interpretation.

Player wise keen to see Barrett B do some barretty things, and hope Faiane is back at 12

[ManhoodObesity]

Not FOG then?

Who is FOG?

[Ymx]

Fat Old Git. Thought it was a play on the user name.

But he’s a cantab. And he would unlikely use the phrase insane cunce

Who were you at PR?

[-RB-]

Fat Old Git. Thought it was a play on the user name.

But he’s a cantab. And he would unlikely use the phrase insane cunce

Who were you at PR?

Is it Kovana?

Username fits....

[-RB-]

Looking forward to this.

Blues will be hurting - physically and mentally - after the saders game. Hurricanes finding some form of mojo and bit of revenge for round 1.

Really enjoyed the first game between these two, hoping it's a repeat with fewer penalties now teams have got used/refs have eased off the interpretation.

Player wise keen to see Barrett B do some barretty things, and hope Faiane is back at 12

I hope the Barrett's are both at fullback.

Either way I'll be internally booing that traitorous cunt Beauden for all I'm worth.

[Ted.]

I was just about to create a thread. It's a good thing I checked first, Ali.

Sorry mate. I did so on RBs instruction. Let us know if there’s any extra content you want in the OP.

And will happily dot this one if you want to do it.

Nah, waste of a perfectly good thread. Plus, you snooze you lose.

[Ymx]

I’m seeing, or at least think I’m seeing a reduction in ruck penalties.

If so, do we think this is down to
a) the players adapting
b) the realisation of it creating too many penalties and the pendulum swinging back in refs interpretations

I personally think it’s mostly b.

[Ymx]

Also, I had expected Savea to have absolutely run riot with the new laws, but hasn’t imo.

[FujiKiwi]

A few days ago I would have said the Blues were clear favorites. But the Hurricanes showed both nous and flair yesterday. It’s not as clear cut as it was but I still pick the Blues to win this.

[Gumboot]

I’m seeing, or at least think I’m seeing a reduction in ruck penalties.

If so, do we think this is down to
a) the players adapting
b) the realisation of it creating too many penalties and the pendulum swinging back in refs interpretations

I personally think it’s mostly b.

Yeah, think you're right about there being fewer ruck penalties. Tacklers and other defenders who are off their feet seem to be getting out of the way a lot faster. Not so many players diving over the ball, not so many coming in from the side - so I think it's largely to option a rather than the refs intentionally dialling it back.

[FujiKiwi]

Doesn't it seem that more ruck penalties are going against the attacking side? In their desperation to secure ball, the attackers are diving off their feet and the refs are pinging them for it. The new rules just seem to have given too much to the defending side, for my money, meaning that enterprising teams aren't being rewarded for keeping the ball in hand.

[Ymx]

Doesn't it seem that more ruck penalties are going against the attacking side? In their desperation to secure ball, the attackers are diving off their feet and the refs are pinging them for it. The new rules just seem to have given too much to the defending side, for my money, meaning that enterprising teams aren't being rewarded for keeping the ball in hand.

And it’s in a time we want to encourage the attacking team, reducing cynical play, and reducing stoppage time.

Not convinced they’ve helped in those metrics

[Ymx]

Although I can’t but help think certain nations in a certain part of the planet will be rejoicing in this new area of penalties (opportunity to get penalties)

[Enzedder]

Officials

Saturday 18 July, 7.05pm, Sky Stadium, Wellington

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe

Assistant Referee 1: Brendon Pickerill

Assistant Referee 2: Paul Williams

TMO: James Doleman

[FujiKiwi]

The Canes midfield of Laumape and Aso provides a real threat. I hope the Blues look to fight fire with fire and start Faiane and Ioane.

[FujiKiwi]

Some speculation that Otere Black will be dropped in order for Beauden Barrett to run the cutter from 10.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sup ... performing

Stuart Barnes quoted AGAIN with his tired old guff about Barrett being a better 10 than a 15.

Apart from a good year in 2016, Barrett's best moments have been at 15 OR coming on as an impact player at 10.

[Kiwias]

The Canes midfield of Laumape and Aso provides a real threat. I hope the Blues look to fight fire with fire and start Faiane and Ioane.

Four very impressive players going head to head.

[-RB-]

Also, I had expected Savea to have absolutely run riot with the new laws, but hasn’t imo.

Yeah he's been pretty quiet of late. I was wondering if he had a niggle.

[Gumboot]

I think Kirifi's been the pick of the Canes' loosies so far, but he throws himself around with such reckless disregard that you have to worry about his longevity. Reminds me of Jordan Taufua.

[Monkey Magic]

Also, I had expected Savea to have absolutely run riot with the new laws, but hasn’t imo.

Yeah he's been pretty quiet of late. I was wondering if he had a niggle.

Still coming back from pretty serious injury. He will take long time to get to 100% walrus

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

Some speculation that Otere Black will be dropped in order for Beauden Barrett to run the cutter from 10.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sup ... performing

Stuart Barnes quoted AGAIN with his tired old guff about Barrett being a better 10 than a 15.

Apart from a good year in 2016, Barrett's best moments have been at 15 OR coming on as an impact player at 10.

Oh dear, I expect more from MacDonald than that. I hope that's not correct.

It would be interesting to see how Barrett goes though. He'd probably make a decent fist of it given defences are not as in your face as Tier 1 test matches.

I agree with you though, Barrett's best performances in recent years have been starting at fullback or as a super sub.

[FujiKiwi]

Blues named. Carter not considered due to calf injury, Barrett at 15.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sup ... ains-at-15

BLUES: Beauden Barrett, Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane, Harry Plummer, Emoni Narawa, Otere Black, Finlay Christie; Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Aaron Carroll, Josh Goodhue, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Alex Hodgman. Reserves: Tolai Luteru, Marcel Renata, Sione Mafileo, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Tony Lamborn, Jonathan Ruru, TJ Faiane, Matt Duffie.

[FujiKiwi]

Not convinced by TJ Faiane being kept on the bench again.

[stemoc]

Canes

1 Ben May
2 Dane Coles [cc]
3 Tyrel Lomax
4 James Blackwell
5 Scott Scrafton
6 Reed Prinsep
7 Du’Plessis Kirifi
8 Ardie Savea
9 TJ Perenara [cc]
10 Jackson Garden-Bachop
11 Ben Lam
12 Ngani Laumape
13 Peter Umaga-Jensen
14 Kobus Van Wyk
15 Jordie Barrett

RESERVES
16. Asafo Aumua
17. Fraser Armstrong
18. Alex Fidow
19. Isaia Walker-Leawere
20. Vaea Fifita
21. Jamie Booth
22. Billy Proctor
23. Wes Goosen

[Gumboot]

Lomax has been very impressive. He must be pushing Laulala hard for the starting tighthead spot whenever test rugby resumes.

[FujiKiwi]

And Jason Holland claims Jordie is a better fullback than his brother.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sup ... rly-battle

He’s said it before, Hurricanes coach Jason Holland, and on Thursday he said it again for effect: Jordie Barrett is “streets ahead” as best fullback in Super Rugby Aotearoa.

It’s a bold statement with the likes of rising Crusaders star Will Jordan and Chiefs All Black Damian McKenzie filling the 15 jerseys at other franchises. And, most notably, a bloke named Beauden Barrett who returns to Wellington as fullback for the Blues on Saturday night.

After a false start in round one when Jordie Barrett was ruled out with a shoulder injury, the battle of the Barrett brothers is officially on at Sky Stadium (7.05pm).

Asked the question about his Barrett, the younger, Holland was only too happy to talk him up.

“A hundred per cent: in my eyes he’s the best [fullback] in the country but he’s got to work hard to make sure he stays there and perform week in, week out,” Holland said.

It's more than fair to say Jordie is ahead of Beaudy at this stage. But at the moment, for me, Will Jordan is the fullback with all the X factor in the comp.

[Trapper]

The Canes midfield of Laumape and Aso provides a real threat. I hope the Blues look to fight fire with fire and start Faiane and Ioane.

Four very impressive players going head to head.

I’m starting to think that Rieko might be the best centre in the comp, he’s playing very well there, only thing is that he doesn’t have a lot of experience in a position where experience is everything imo. But he does look the goods.

[FujiKiwi]

Interesting. As a dyed-in-the-wool Blues fan I don’t see Rieko as a standout centre. He’s not bad, certainly. But I don’t see him as being ahead of the likes of Ennor and Goodhue, who I know is playing 12 at the moment, but is probably the starting centre outside ALB for the All Blacks.

I hope you’re right, though, Trapper!

[Monkey Magic]

Blues named. Carter not considered due to calf injury, Barrett at 15.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sup ... ains-at-15

BLUES: Beauden Barrett, Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane, Harry Plummer, Emoni Narawa, Otere Black, Finlay Christie; Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Aaron Carroll, Josh Goodhue, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Alex Hodgman. Reserves: Tolai Luteru, Marcel Renata, Sione Mafileo, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Tony Lamborn, Jonathan Ruru, TJ Faiane, Matt Duffie.

What is Narawa like? Still not a Plummer fan.

Hoping the weather plays ball and both backlines get to light it up.

After being so prominent in the lineout for the blues last week losing Sotutu is a big blow. In round one every time the canes were working their way into the game they'd blow an attacking line out, hopefully the blues can still pressure that area

[FujiKiwi]

What is Narawa like? Still not a Plummer fan.

A speedy winger. Good step, too. He's kind of slight. Not a big lad.

Fun highlights here: