Blues vs Force, Sun Mar 26th. Eden Park.

[Dismal Pillock]

Auckland Blues Team Matchday GIF:

Western Force Team Matchday GIF

 

[Derpus]

Haha that puzzle gif got me for some reason. Perfectly captures the Force trying to play rugby football.

 

[RugbyReg]

Young Marley Pearce to make his debut. An exciting talent but what a place / way to debut! Spink back too

1 Angus Wagner

2 Folau Fainga'a

3 Santiago Medrano

4 Felix Kalapu

5 Jeremy Williams

6 Michael Wells (C)

7 Tim Anstee

8 Rahboni Vosayaco

9 Gareth Simpson

10 Bryce Hegarty

11 Toni Pulu

12 Hamish Stewart

13 Sam Spink

14 Zach Kibirige

15 Chase Tiatia

16 Tom Horton

17 Marley Pearce*

18 Siosifa Amone

19 Ryan McCauley

20 Ollie Callan

21 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa

22 Bayley Kuenzle

23 George Poolman

 

[GaffaCHinO]

Only 1 prop on the bench and 2 hookers?

 

[Tazzmania]

Only 1 prop on the bench and 2 hookers?

I suspect Marley will cover as a prop in need, thats were he started his playing career.

I did not expect him to get a chance at this level just yet, but absolutely stoked for him.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Mid Pole Update.
​

Leading vote getter; they're both stupid: Votes: 40%​

 

[Wilson]

Mid Pole Update.

60% if you add in the people who don't give enough of a shit to bother calling them both stupid

 

[Equalizer]

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Oh baby, the handbrake is gone. No Beaudy. The future starts now with Zarn and Perofuture.

 

[Tazzmania]

A "second" string Blues that would be the starters at just about every other franchise, They sure have talent and depth. We can only dream about being in their position

 

[zer0]

Huh. I figured the Blues had a bye this week, such has been the lack of coverage.

Anyway. Good to see the Blues finally roll out their best 10/15 combination, and to finally see Darry return. Have been getting spanked in the locking matchups so far this season, so hopefully he can even it up a bit. Didn't realise Plummer was still alive. Why couldn't we have had Corey Evans running out at 12 instead though? Has looked good in the limited appearances he had last year.

 

[Thalium]

Although it is expected the blues will win the force team this week actually looks really good. The whole backline is pretty exciting. Finger crossed Fainga’a throws at least one straight lineout and Medrano doesn’t need the first 3 scrums to get settled

 

[VassMan]

Second game in a row that's on a Sunday morning. Not exactly ideal time to engage TV audiences. It's silly stuff like this I'm hoping an independent committee running super rugby will sort out.

 

[Dan54]

Interesting Blues line up, sensible time to rest players even if wasn't AB protocals, as tough game last week and got Chiefs next week, so guessing freshening up some players is not a bad idea anyway. And that is in no way being disrescpful of Force, just realism of a tough draw.

 

[zer0]

Is it much different to Perth games kicking off at midnight NZT?

 

[Wilson]

Is it much different to Perth games kicking off at midnight NZT?

I think the main difference there is even if it's two home games in a row in Perth they'll be playing different teams so their fans are less affected. Giving the Force two NZ Sunday afternoon games in a row feels like poor planning when they could easily have had at least one of them as a Friday/Saturday night game.

The trade off should probably be force playing Kiwi sides in the afternoon in Perth and getting night games in New Zealand, at least the majority of the time.

 

[zer0]

Hmmm I initially just thought of it in the context of the time zone differences.

But yes, agree that two consecutive matches like that should be a no-no, and should generally be limited as much as possible.

 

[Dan54]

Hmmm I initially just thought of it in the context of the time zone differences.

But yes, agree that two consecutive matches like that should be a no-no, and should generally be limited as much as possible.

They actually got 3 in a row as next week is similar time, I got tickets!
I think it's a bit hard on Force supporters, but maybe it also comes with trying to cut travel, get the NZ trip done once!
Not sure what answer is, maybe night games on Saturday would be better? And could the problem be also that Force with their strength aren't good tv viewing on a Saturday night, which would relate to 2-3 on Saturday arvo. Not knocking Force etc , just trying to work out why the games at time they are.

 

[SteveWA]

The unavailability of HBF Park due to resurfacing for the Woman's Football World Cup is likely to have been a factor in scheduling

 

[Mr Pilfer]

Have been happy with the selections Cron has been making. Less head scratching than Sampson last year.

I.e he has ditched Prior, he has brought back Felix, Anstee back in and spinx back. Kuenzle hasn’t been great and neither was Mataele

if you included Rodda, Koteka and Pasitoa it would be a solid team