TT Rd 5: Blues vs Force

[Dismal Pillock]

Date: Saturday June 12, 4:05pm
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland

Auckland Blues Match Day Team GIF:

Cyclo, seen here imploring his 2nd team onto greater heights.





Western Force Match Day Team GIF:

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Am I right in thinking that Karl T & both Ioane bros have been in the 23 for every game so far? If so they'll have to be rested if the NZR rest protocol Razor referenced post-WA match is actually a rule & not just a guideline.

 

[KiwiM]

Am I right in thinking that Karl T & both Ioane bros have been in the 23 for every game so far? If so they'll have to be rested if the NZR rest protocol Razor referenced post-WA match is actually a rule & not just a guideline.

Yep that's what Paul Cully is reporting.

Ofa T is being rested too (knee).

 

[Dan54]

Am I right in thinking that Karl T & both Ioane bros have been in the 23 for every game so far? If so they'll have to be rested if the NZR rest protocol Razor referenced post-WA match is actually a rule & not just a guideline.

There are no rules on protocols only recommendations.ALB has been in all Chiefs games hasn't he?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ I guess we'll find out when teams get named.

Edit: just read this on stuff.co.nz:

"[ALB] is a likely absentee from Saturday night's final-round clash against the Waratahs in Sydney due to All Blacks rest protocols."

Then goes on to quote ALB: ".......I guess it’s probably up to Foz [Foster] and New Zealand Rugby what they want to do with load management. And I know other teams have been doing it as well, so you’ve got to be fair, and even, and we’ll see what happens this week.”

So maybe it's somewhere between a requirement as implied by Razor & a suggestion as implied by ALB?

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...ton-lienertbrown-found-his-extra-yard-of-pace

 

[Dismal Pillock]

"So sorry Blues, NZRFU rules stipulate you have to rest all your key All Blacks now".
--Wylie, Hayes, Deans, Thorne, Mccaw, Blackadder (NZRFU Rules Committee).

 

[Teh Other Dave]

They've already had rest weeks against the Tahs and Rebels. Just did some drill work with witches' hats. Canterbury had a similar week in Brisbane I believe.

 

[zer0]

Leon MacDonald comments on these All Black rest and rotation shenanigans that have suddenly materialised now the Evil Empire is in danger of failing to make a Super Rugby final:

The hosting of the final at Eden Park shall continue as planned.

 

[ForceFan]

Force focused on Blues
June 9, 2021
The Western Force will be looking to finish their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman campaign on the winners list as they take on the Blues in Auckland this Saturday at 3:05pm AWST.
Read more....

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Shiggins and the Force squad, seen here currently en route to Eden Park:

 

[Teh Other Dave]

Shiggins and the Force squad, seen here currently en route to Eden Park Thunderdome:

There ya go, fixed it

 

[chiraag]

BLUES (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Nepo Laulala, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Tom Robinson, Dalton Papalii, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Otere Black, Mark Telea, TJ Faiane, Rieko Ioane, Bryce Heem, Zarn Sullivan

Reserves: Ray Niula, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Marcel Renata, Josh Goodhue, Akira Ioane, Jonathan Ruru, Harry Plummer, AJ Lam

INs: Marcel Renata, Josh Goodhue, Ray Niula
OUTs: Ofa Tuungafasi, Jacob Pierce, Soane Vikena


That's a rather strong looking Blues team. Force will have to put in an outstanding performance to get the win, especially over there at Eden Park.

 

[KiwiM]

Pleased to see Blues not mucking around too much with selection. Good 23 (except for Ruru).

I think this is Ray Niuia's second appearance in the second year of his Blues deal.

 

[Equalizer]

 

[Equalizer]

Michael McDonald set for his Force debut off the bench. Good team named. Hope the coach's and team have learnt how to best use Olowofela's speed after last week's showing. Give it some air and let him run run run. If the Force show up with the same guts and determination as last week it should be a cracking game. Lets end this tour of middle earth with a W. Go the Force!

 

[kiap]

Cyclo, having to buy Dismal's drinks after losing his avatar betting on NSFW v Bloose

Cyclo, released from Dismal's bond after regaining his avatar betting on Force v Bloose

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Michael McDonald set for his Force debut off the bench.

Oh yeah, that's right. I keep forgettin'.

I'll be following how he goes minute by minute.

 

[ForceFan]

Back to some reasonable coverage in today's West.

 

[Equalizer]

Oh yeah, that's right. I keep forgettin'.

I'll be following how he goes minute by minute.

......hope it's not a cloudy day so your sun-dial works.

 

[Equalizer]

A Force win and we could be the top Australian team in TT. Could the establishment stomach such a travesty. LETS GO FORCE!