87 replies to this topic

[Duluth]

Teams starting to look more serious now.. game is at Albany on Friday Friday @ 5.30pm

Blues

15. Isaia Toeava
14. Rene Ranger
13. Benson Stanley
12. Luke McAlister
11. Joe Rokocoko
10. Stephen Brett
9. Alby Mathewson
8. Viliami Ma’afu
7. Serge Lilo
6. Peter Saili
5. Ali Williams
4. Kurtis Haiu
3. Charlie Faumuina
2. Keven Mealamu ©
1. John Afoa

16. Tom McCartney
17. Tevita Mailau
18. Anthony Boric
19. Jerome Kaino
20. Chris Smylie
21. Dan Kirkpatrick
22. George Pisi
23. Tom Chamberlain
25. Paul Williams
26. Rudi Wulf


Chiefs

1. Sona Taumalolo
2. Hika Elliot
3. Nathan White
4. Craig Clarke
5. Culum Retallick
6. Jarrad Hoeata
7. Luke Braid
8. Sione Lauaki (captain)
9. Brendon Leonard
10. Mike Delany
11. Dwayne Sweeney
12. Callum Bruce
13. Richard Kahui
14. Jackson Willison
15. Tim Nanai-Williams

Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Ben Afeaki, James McGougan, Kevin O'Neill, Romana Graham, Liam Messam, Jack Lam (WTG), Junior Poluleuligaga, Phil Burleigh (WTG), Trent Renata (WTG), Siale Piutau (WTG).

[Duluth]

Interesting selections at centre so far for the Blues.. Pisi in the first game and now Benson

[sambo1]

blues line up.....

Blues team to face Chiefs in second pre-season match
27/01/2010

A host of All Blacks will return to bolster the Blues for their second pre-season match of the year against the Chiefs at North Harbour Stadium on Friday (kick-off 5.30pm)

Captain Keven Mealamu and vice captain Ali Williams will both don the Blues jersey for the first time this year after overcoming lengthy injuries, while fellow All Blacks Luke McAlister, John Afoa and Isaia Toeava will also make their first appearances for the Blues in 2010.

After defeating the Hurricanes 19-17 in Mangatainoka last week, Blues head coach Pat Lam said he was looking for his team to build on its performance and to introduce a number of his key All Blacks back into the fold.

“It’s another step up on Friday,” Lam said.

“The team has some All Blacks coming back this week so again there are a few changes and a it’s a chance to build on our first game,” he said.

“Joe, Keven, Ali and Isaia have been here the whole time so it’s been an easy transition for them. It’s been a bit more difficult for John Afoa, Jerome Kaino, Anthony Boric and Luke McAlister because they’ve only just started coming back in so we’ll see how that pans out.”

Gates open at North Harbour Stadium at 5.00pm and in association with The New Zealand Blood Service, entry to the match is free. The team to play the Chiefs at North Harbour Stadium on Friday at 5.30pm is:

15. Isaia Toeava
14. Rene Ranger
13. Benson Stanley
12. Luke McAlister
11. Joe Rokocoko
10. Stephen Brett
9. Alby Mathewson
8. Viliami Ma’afu
7. Serge Lilo
6. Peter Saili
5. Ali Williams
4. Kurtis Haiu
3. Charlie Faumuina
2. Keven Mealamu ©
1. John Afoa

16. Tom McCartney
17. Tevita Mailau
18. Anthony Boric
19. Jerome Kaino
20. Chris Smylie
21. Dan Kirkpatrick
22. George Pisi
23. Tom Chamberlain
25. Paul Williams
26. Rudi Wulf

[Razbra]

that's damn near full strength for the Blues. By rights they should spanks the chiefs boys

[sambo1]

whats the story with lowry? is he still injured?

[sambo1]

i'd like to see Wulf at FB this year and Toe at centre...

[taniwharugby]

sambo1 said:

i'd like to see Wulf at FB this year and Toe at centre...

that would be my preference too, not sure Benson is a 13, obviously the genes would say he'll be fine...

[MajorRage]

Razbra said:

that's damn near full strength for the Blues. By rights they should spanks the chiefs boys

There's something about that forward pack wichih the blues have put out that doesn't worry me too much. I'm not saying the chiefs is any great shakes of a pack either, but the only 2 Blues players to put any real fear in are Mealumu & Williams are both are first game back after long injury lay offs. I should add that I've saw no 2009 NPC, so I may be very wide of the mark here.

Blues backline looks a touch stronger on paper, but be interesting to see how they go on the field.

Having seen no warm up games yet, I pick the chiefs by 5.

[sambo1]

MajorRage said:

There's something about that forward pack wichih the blues have put out that doesn't worry me too much. I'm not saying the chiefs is any great shakes of a pack either, but the only 2 Blues players to put any real fear in are Mealumu & Williams are both are first game back after long injury lay offs. I should add that I've saw no 2009 NPC, so I may be very wide of the mark here.

Blues backline looks a touch stronger on paper, but be interesting to see how they go on the field.

Having seen no warm up games yet, I pick the chiefs by 5.

first team pack will look alot different, Add woody, boric, kaino and possibly lowery.

[Duluth]

It's bizzare to be making predictions on a warm-up game with 11 reserves. Who knows what either side will look like 40mins into the game.. and thats without even considering what theories the coaches may be trying out

[Watu]

taniwharugby said:

that would be my preference too, not sure Benson is a 13, obviously the genes would say he'll be fine...

Same, Wulf and Williams would be in the mix before Stanley or Pisi would be IMHO.

[MajorRage]

sambo1 said:

first team pack will look alot different, Add woody, boric, kaino and possibly lowery.

Yes, exactly.. which is why I think the chiefs will get up.

And that's my prediction. Bizarre to be predicting or not!

[Duluth]

Watu said:

Same, Wulf and Williams would be in the mix before Stanley or Pisi would be IMHO.

Tuitavake is another option for centre..

The problem is Toeava is the best 13 & 15 in the squad. With his boot and safety under the high ball and they way rugby was played in 2009 I suspect he's of more use at fullback. Wulf is a manufactured fullback and Williams (whilst great in the NPC) was poor for the Blues last year.

I wonder about Stanley's pace but maybe he could work for the Blues. Given the defensive problems of 2009 and alll the talent out wide maybe the Blues just need an efficient stopper in midfield with a good pass?

Worth a look at least..

[Razbra]

Its fun to make predictions regardless of the situation Duluth. No matter how pointless it is. I mean why post a team line up in the first place? Its sport mate thats what you do.

[Duluth]

Razbra said:

Its fun to make predictions regardless of the situation Duluth. No matter how pointless it is. I mean why post a team line up in the first place? Its sport mate thats what you do.

That does not make any sense. Trials are about seeing combinations and different players. Of course the team lists are important. There is no correlation in what I said to this over reach you are attempting.

I was simply pointing out making a prediction made on the starting XV is a little strange when their are 11 reserves and the game is not played under 1st class conditions. Kaino and Boric could be on after 20mins and then gone again after 60mins and maybe back again for the final 5mins.. the starting lineups don't mean a hell of a lot

Another huge variable is what are the cocahes are doing. Last year before the NPC there was a trial like this and one side kept its starting lineup on the field for 80mins and the other side changed the 2/3 of their team at half time! Guess which side won..
There's even been trials when coaches have deliberately tested their 14 or 13 man team structures.

If someone wants to make random predictions I've got no problem with it. I just think it's bizzare to make it based on the starting XVs when the full 26 is likely to be used and the when the coaches decide to make changes will have a huge impact.

Comprehend?

To paraphrase your little post - it's a sports forum mate, people make comments, I was making a comment... it's what you do

[sambo1]

Duluth said:

Tuitavake is another option for centre..

The problem is Toeava is the best 13 & 15 in the squad. With his boot and safety under the high ball and they way rugby was played in 2009 I suspect he's of more use at fullback. Wulf is a manufactured fullback and Williams (whilst great in the NPC) was poor for the Blues last year.

I wonder about Stanley's pace but maybe he could work for the Blues. Given the defensive problems of 2009 and alll the talent out wide maybe the Blues just need an efficient stopper in midfield with a good pass?

Worth a look at least..

Toe was the most line breaks in the comp last year from centre wasn't he?

[Duluth]

The first half of the season he started at the back and then moved to the centre. Plenty of those breaks would have been from him joining the line too

He was very good in both positions

[BartMan]

Interesting to note john Afoa wearing the number one jersey - a string that he needs to add to his bow to remain in the AB frame perhaps? Being a tighthead who can play loosehead would be a big bonus, and also put more pressure on Neemia Tweeterlata, whcih in the big scheme of things, can only be good for Blues, and NZ rugby.

would be intersting to see what diffrernt combos are used from both teams over the game, I expect there will be plenty of trials within trials in this one - as all the pre season games are!

Just so long as Joe Punter sees plenty of tries though, is the main thing!

And I wonder when Mealamu got copyrighted...

[Duluth]

BartMan said:

Interesting to note john Afoa wearing the number one jersey - a string that he needs to add to his bow to remain in the AB frame perhaps? Being a tighthead who can play loosehead would be a big bonus, and also put more pressure on Neemia Tweeterlata, whcih in the big scheme of things, can only be good for Blues, and NZ rugby.

Good enough to cover the position in the 3N's according to Henry!

Yeah good to see he's getting some time on the other side. I still can't understand why he wasn't given a shot during the NPC if that's they way they might use him

[Razbra]

Duluth said:

That does not make any sense. Trials are about seeing combinations and different players. Of course the team lists are important. There is no correlation in what I said to this over reach you are attempting.

I was simply pointing out making a prediction made on the starting XV is a little strange when their are 11 reserves and the game is not played under 1st class conditions. Kaino and Boric could be on after 20mins and then gone again after 60mins and maybe back again for the final 5mins.. the starting lineups don't mean a hell of a lot

Another huge variable is what are the cocahes are doing. Last year before the NPC there was a trial like this and one side kept its starting lineup on the field for 80mins and the other side changed the 2/3 of their team at half time! Guess which side won..
There's even been trials when coaches have deliberately tested their 14 or 13 man team structures.

If someone wants to make random predictions I've got no problem with it. I just think it's bizzare to make it based on the starting XVs when the full 26 is likely to be used and the when the coaches decide to make changes will have a huge impact.

Comprehend?

To paraphrase your little post - it's a sports forum mate, people make comments, I was making a comment... it's what you do

Trials are about seeing combinations- by the coaches!

Last year before the NPC there was trial like this and one side kept its starting lineup on the field for 80mins and the other side changed 2/3 of their team at half time! Guess which side won..-If sport was about foregone conclusions we'd all switch off.

To paraphrase your little post-I love that ,both condescending and needless.

[BartMan]

Quote

Good enough to cover the position in the 3N's according to Henry!

You're hardly going to hear your coach say, "we're fucked if Woody gets injured, we'll have to bring on Afoa, who has had 35 mnutes at LH since 1987"...

[Duluth]

Razbra - you aren't making sense

I explained the variables why I think making an exact prediction is a bit bizzare/random.

That was all my comment was saying. I never said no one can make a prediction (did you mis-read my post?) It was a comment on the ability to make a prediction on a trial match with weird match conditions

I don't understand what you are attempting to say? Are you saying I was not allowed to comment on that? Your arguments don't appear to have any relevance to what I said? I posted the team list so my post was invalid? "It's sport mate" so my comment was invalid?
You may disagree that it's a bit of a random prediction? Ok, then lets discuss that? If you don't disagree then what is your problem - you have not articulated it?

[Scorz]

I think regardless of the combinations the players will want to win, just like last year in Pukekohe. Being on the winning side always helps if you're trialling for anything imo.

Be interesting to see what Willison does from the wing.

[Razbra]

Nope would never suggest anyone should hold their tongue. Your comment didn't even irk me. I just thought it was bizarre in its self.

Sports fans make predictions. How is that Bizarre? Im not a coach so seeing combinations is not high on my list of priorities. Im going to the canes vs brumbies on fri and as I paying I expect to see a contest and I hope for a canes win. Im not a simpleton I realize these games are not for the benefit of the fans but Im still going to make predictions based on who's playing.

I don't think I will ever right anything that'll make sense to you

[Duluth]

Obviously not..

Where did I say sports fans shouldn't make predictions? Oh I didn't

I was commenting on how random a prediction is in these games when the coaches primary goal may not be to win the game. The biggest variable is whatever is going on inside Lam and Fosters heads. A different team every quarter? The same players for the full 80? Sub on all the experience? Sub off all of the experience and see how the young guys go? etc etc

It seems you have mis-read my initial post and then ignored my subsequent posts and are telling me off for something I did not say. You primary goal seems to be to disagree with me whilst ignoring what I have actually written.

[Razbra]

Duluth said:

Obviously not..

Where did I say sports fans shouldn't make predictions? Oh I didn't

I was commenting on how random a prediction is in these games when the coaches primary goal may not be to win the game. The biggest variable is whatever is going on inside Lam and Fosters heads. A different team every quarter? The same players for the full 80? Sub on all the experience? Sub off all of the experience and see how the young guys go? etc etc

It seems you have mis-read my initial post and then ignored my subsequent posts and are telling me off for something I did not say. You primary goal seems to be to disagree with me whilst ignoring what I have actually written.

no not at all. you said its bizarre to make predictions for a trial game with 11 reserves. no where have i said that "Duluth said we can't make predictions " I am merely asking why is it bizarre for sports fans to make predictions. Even taking into account your points -trial game, 4 1/4's, subbing and wholesale changes, coach predilections- all things that I have not ignored either, people will still make predictions.

[Duluth]

I won't repeat myself - I've said multiple times why I think a prediction like the one given is bizzare/random and I never said it shouldn't be given.
I'm sure MR probably acknowledges the huge variables and just wants to redeem his oracle claims after the tennis prediction yesterday.. Good luck to anyone that wants to predict a points differential on these trial games without knowledge of the pre-planned subs.

[taniwharugby]

anyone know if Ranger got time at 13 v the çanes last week, as I had heard he spent some time there??

[bayimports]

Im now starting to think one of the reasons Lauaki was made Captain, was to get him playing lots of pre-season to get his fitness up and to care about how his performance relates to the team. Hopefully will be the last of lazyaki and a more enthused fitter Lauaki replaces him.

Foster has plenty of frontrowers on the bench, so am expecting a few changes up front.

Good to see Retallick getting a run too

[JK]

Not a bad looking side at all for pre-season.

Agree with Duluth though, would like to see Wulk at FB and Ice at centre. Always though Lucky and Ice would make a dam fine centre pairing given some time together. Unfortunately they didnt get that time before the last world cup. Maybe this will be the season for them to gel.

And where is Ant Tuitavake at the mo as I see he is not in the reserves? Hopefully not injured. Would make a good centre / wing cover in the 22 for when the season kicks off good and proper