[2016 Super Rugby] Blues vs. Highlanders (Round 1) 26/02/2016

[TRF_heineken]

Venue: Eden Park
Time: 08:35 (SA, GMT+2)​

Teams

Blues: 15 Lolagi Visinia, 14 Melani Nanai, 13 Male Sa’u, 12 George Moala, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Joe Edwards, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 James Parsons (captain), 1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi

Substitutes: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Namatahi Waa, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Akira Ioane, 20 Kara Pryor, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Matt McGahan, 23 Rene Ranger

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (co-captain), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Liam Squire, 7 Shane Christie (co-captain), 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Tom Franklin, 3 Josh Hohneck, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown

Substitutes: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Brendon Edmonds, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Alex Ainley, 20 Dan Pryor, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Hayden Parker, 23 Matt Faddes

 

[The Jones Boy]

Tana goes under the spotlight.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

I think it's going to be high scoring and we'll just pip them at the post

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Yeah that's mirrors my thoughts. Sopoaga will play a big role, I think. It will be interesting to see who starts at 12 for the Highlanders, I'm hoping Rob Thompson gets the first shot. I feel like he'd complement Fekitoa well.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

i think Thompson will get the first shot at 12, him squire and whitelock were all brought in to strengthen rather than fill holes.

will be disappointing to see dixon on the bench so much as he defined "earning your jersey" last year. Also means guys like Gareth evans (who was very good of the bench with 20min to go) will get less chances, just dont think we were short for good blind sides

 

[back2back]

Is Ioane playing for the Blues?

What's the deal with 7's players this season Ioane, Messam, Ardie, SBW etc?

 

[nickdnz]

Is Ioane playing for the Blues?

What's the deal with 7's players this season Ioane, Messam, Ardie, SBW etc?

I believe Messam and SBW are fulltime 7s prep - the others are all with their franchises.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

surprised to see Tei Walden starting, hes in our wider training group...whats the rules with that?

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

surprised to see Tei Walden starting, hes in our wider training group...whats the rules with that?

No rules - the WTS are basically just an extra part of the squad now, but probably have didn't contracts.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Ah, I had it in my mind there had to be injuries in your squad first, now I just feel sorry for him as he's not on a full contract but is obviously considered a potential starter!

 

[back2back]

Highlanders by 4, gunna be around 32 - 28, Sopoaga will have a blinder and do some stupid stuff as well. Expecting West to make a mark, Ioane coming off the bench to help the Blues attempt to pull back a deficit, but it will be too much

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Lovely rugby

 

[austingtir]

Nasi who? This Squire guy looks pretty decent!

I was worried about the HL backrow in this game but they look fine so far.

- - - Updated - - -

I gotta say the Blues look the same to me. Same stupid ass mistakes. No concern for ball control or looking like they want the ball more than the other team.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Great vision by West

Squire looks very good for highlanders

 

[austingtir]

That chip does look like it will consistently work against the HL the way their defence is running up on the outsides.

- - - Updated - - -

LOL what a totally lame penalty. Complete waste of time.

REF: "if your going to jump that early then jump out of the way"

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Yeh should keep there blitz slow down.

Gibson wasn't even trying to charge down the ball. Lame penalty but he knew what he was doing.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Tackling optional by Highlanders

Feking NZ just fart out 7's now.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Blues' scrumhalf is on fire!

 

[austingtir]

Damn it the Blues have actually looked decent for the last 10 minutes.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

God I missed super rugby.

Would be better if Defense was tighter but in terms of attacking rugby it is brilliant.

Shame about the competition set up.