2014 Super Rugby: Lions V Blues (Round 5)

[Shaggy]

No fancy graphics ... no Sticky

But some one can do both if they like ... I don't mind

Rumour has it that Benji Marshall is starting at Fullback for the Blues, and Charles Puitau at Outside Centre ... the team is due to be released at 5pm NZ time

... and confirmed as planet rugby site, except Puitau is on the left wing: http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_9210479,00.html

Blues: 15 Benji Marshall, 14 Frank Halai, 13 George Moala, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Charles Piutau, 10 Chris Noakes, 9 Piri Weepu , 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Brendon O'Connor, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons, 1 Tony Woodcock
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Sam Prattley, 18, Angus Ta'avao, 19 Liaki Moli, 20 Jordan Manihera, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Simon Hickey, 23 Jackson Willison

Interesting to see Ahki starting at 12, Noakes back in at 10, and Luatua shifting from Blindside to Number 8

 

[Muzzy]

good to see Ahki get a start, he was brilliant when he came on last week

 

[Gena_ZA]

I have this feeling that the Blues will go for an all out attack and suck the Lions into this.
If this is a complete open game they will crush the Lions I feel.
Looking forward to see Benji at 15.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Surprised that Hickey has been dropped - I guess Kirwan is resting him.

The Blues will look very stupid if they lose this match, given the changes they've made. It's not as bad as against the Bulls last year, but it's still a bit dubious.

 

[SomeOke]

Surprised that Hickey has been dropped - I guess Kirwan is resting him.

The Blues will look very stupid if they lose this match, given the changes they've made. It's not as bad as against the Bulls last year, but it's still a bit dubious.

At the beginning of the season I would have given the Lions no chance, and even now I'd say Blues are definite favourites but something about the Blues side seems a bit jumpy and unsettled to me, Lions have shown that can perform this year and the Blues might find them a hard nut to crack.

Here's the Lions side:


15. Coenie van Wyk
14. JW Jonker
13. Deon van Rensburg
12. Stefan Watermeyer
11. Courtnall Skosan
10. Marnitz Boshoff
9. Faf de Klerk
8. Warren Whiteley (c)
7. Willie Britz
6. Jaco Kriel
5. Franco van der Merwe
4. Franco Mostert
3. Julian Redelinghuys
2. Robbie Coetzee
1. Schalk van der Merwe

16. Willie Wepener
17. Corne Fourie
18. Ruan Dreyer
19. MB Lusaseni
20. Warwick Tecklenburg
21. Ross Cronje
22. Elton Jantjies
23. Ruan Combrinck

Nothing special on paper, it's probably for the best that Jantjies is dropped thought.

 

[jessta]

Yeah ahki deserves the start. I speculated he would come in for moala who had a case of butterfingers last week, but I am very happy for them to both start. Massive pairing! I would like to see piutau at centre thou******** if noakes starts, hickey has been building really nicely.

 

[Shaggy]

At the beginning of the season I would have given the Lions no chance, and even now I'd say Blues are definite favourites but something about the Blues side seems a bit jumpy and unsettled to me, Lions have shown that can perform this year and the Blues might find them a hard nut to crack.

Here's the Lions side:


15. Coenie van Wyk
14. JW Jonker
13. Deon van Rensburg
12. Stefan Watermeyer
11. Courtnall Skosan
10. Marnitz Boshoff
9. Faf de Klerk
8. Warren Whiteley (c)
7. Willie Britz
6. Jaco Kriel
5. Franco van der Merwe
4. Franco Mostert
3. Julian Redelinghuys
2. Robbie Coetzee
1. Schalk van der Merwe

16. Willie Wepener
17. Corne Fourie
18. Ruan Dreyer
19. MB Lusaseni
20. Warwick Tecklenburg
21. Ross Cronje
22. Elton Jantjies
23. Ruan Combrinck

Nothing special on paper, it's probably for the best that Jantjies is dropped thought.

... Maybe the Lions can beat the Blues up in the forwards, or exploit Luatua's inexperience at number 8 ... it wasn't really glory that Janjies covered himself in against the Sharks last week, was it

 

[Jaguares]

I like Patrick Tuipulotu, what do u think about him?

 

[Shaggy]

I like Patrick Tuipulotu, what do u think about him?

He's certainly big enough, and seems to be quite good in open play ... he should get even better as he gets more game time

 

[ABs2011]

I like Patrick Tuipulotu, what do u think about him?

He's a good young player and I certainly think he should be starting ahead of Moli!

Really keen to see how Bennji goes! I've been a massive critic of how they dealt with his introduction to Rugby (believe they should have prepped him in club and ITM cup) but in saying that I would love for him to succeed and therefore hope he goes well in his first start. I am skeptical though to say the least! Will look forward to watching. How do you all think he will go? I think the Lions will make it tough for him, hoping to catch him out of position by kicking a lot down field and chasing up hard to then put pressure on him. Will be interesting to see how he responds!

 

[jessta]

My word its frustrating watching the blues! Its like club rugby. What is the game plan? What are the fowards doing at the rucks? Protect the ball!!! Why is our front row getting killed by such an inexperienced opposition when both our props are accomplished all blacks? why is piri weepu so slow? He just sits there scratching his nuts. the only positive thing is the development of tuipulotu

 

[Amobokoboko]

I can't believe the Lions won another one.

 

[Chikwa]

My word its frustrating watching the blues! Its like club rugby. What is the game plan? What are the fowards doing at the rucks? Protect the ball!!! Why is our front row getting killed by such an inexperienced opposition when both our props are accomplished all blacks? why is piri weepu so slow? He just sits there scratching his nuts. the only positive thing is the development of tuipulotu

Club rugby indeed!

 

[steblin]

Well watched the game on record and just getting wound up by the Blues, so much talent going to waste!

The Good
Tuipolotu - another great game till he got injured, a monster in the open
Bryn Hall - really added a spark when he came on, upped the tempo
Benji - thought he added a lot, his talent with ball in hand is without doubt. Kicking was a bit aimless and still hopeless around the breakdown, but much better outing than I was expecting
Faumuina - thought he had a really good game, especially with ball in hand
Halai - nice to see him running strong consistently, that's what we need from him

The Bad
Piri Weepu - I love the guy, but I've had dental surgery that seemed to go quicker! So slow not only getting to the breakdown but moving the ball on, no zip. I think Bryn Hall needs the start next week to make the most of this back line, not to mention threaten round the fringes.
Parsons / The Lineout - offered little round the field and the Lineout was appauling again, every time we get our own Lineout I reckon we've got a 50% chance at best
Noakes - didn't have an awful game, but just doesn't offer much, can't wait till Kerr is back and we can run with him and Hickey
Discipline - 2 yellows away from home, not going to win like that

The Indifferent
Forwards at the breakdown - really not offering much
Luatua - really not got into his stride this year
Moala at 13 - he's scored a few tries but think our midfield combo doesn't offer much at the minute, maybe spoilt after lasts years performances by Ranger

 

[Bada-Bing!]

When's Kaino going to get picked? Is he fit yet?

 

[steblin]

Think he only came back from Japan the week before the SA tour, so should hopefully be fit sometime in the next few NZ games

 

[austingtir]

That seems like the second week in a row (well third if you count the crusaders) they've been totally thrashed for the majority of the match and then came back into it well (probably when the other team has lost intrest).

 

[jessta]

Bryn hall has to start next week, the backline started clicking when he got on. I think weepus legacy is over, its time for youth. Pretty sure both nonu and kaino return next week against the cheetahs, with nonu going to come off the bench. benji marshall is very dangerous in space however his positioning at the back is a bit iffy. Piutaus abilities at this level are wasted on the wing, so best bets to start him at fullback with marshall coming off the bench against tierd d. The fowards must turn on if we are going to get anywhere in this comp! Need to sort the set piece up (especially the line out) and they must get aggressive and show urgency at the breakdown. Who the heck is coaching the fowards? Also can someone please give me the reason why woodcock and faumuina get out scrummaged by youth when there all blacks? Really thought grahame henry would have a bigger impact on the team. Its not all bad though, just need to fix up some major issues

 

[Freddie Howard]

disappointing to see Blues lose again

 

[ABs2011]

Bryn hall has to start next week, the backline started clicking when he got on. I think weepus legacy is over, its time for youth. Pretty sure both nonu and kaino return next week against the cheetahs, with nonu going to come off the bench. benji marshall is very dangerous in space however his positioning at the back is a bit iffy. Piutaus abilities at this level are wasted on the wing, so best bets to start him at fullback with marshall coming off the bench against tierd d. The fowards must turn on if we are going to get anywhere in this comp! Need to sort the set piece up (especially the line out) and they must get aggressive and show urgency at the breakdown. Who the heck is coaching the fowards? Also can someone please give me the reason why woodcock and faumuina get out scrummaged by youth when there all blacks? Really thought grahame henry would have a bigger impact on the team. Its not all bad though, just need to fix up some major issues

On the face of it I completely agree with both those two points. I only got to see highlights of this last game so really keen to hear from some of our other knowledgeable pundits how Benji went? Obviously he scored a good try and also (I think) kicked aimlessly to the Lions and then missed a soft tackle which sparked one of the Lions tries, BUT how did he go in general? How was his D? his positional play? Does he look to be getting the hang of the game? Overall out of 10?? Will he start next week? Should he start next week based on that performance?