Blues v NSW Waratahs Rd 16. Sat May 31, 2025

[Dismal Pillock]

Auckland Blues Official Matchday Team GIF;

NSFW Waratahs Official Matchday Team GIF;

 

[A mutterer]

we're both blue ....

 

[John S]

I'm sure DP is praying for an absolute bollocking from the Blues. After this season I'm just not seeing the Tahs get up (even though it pains me to say it).

 

[Braveheart81]

1 Angus Bell

2 David Porecki

3 Taniela Tupou

4 Fergus Lee-Warner

5 Miles Amatosero

6 Hugh Sinclair

7 Jamie Adamson

8 Langi Gleeson

9 Teddy Wilson

10 Jack Bowen

11 Triston Reilly

12 Joey Walton

13 Henery O’Donnell

14 Andrew Kellaway

15 Lawson Creighton



Reserves

16 Mahe Vailanu

17 Tom Lambert

18 Daniel Botha

19 Ben Grant

20 Leafi Talataini

21 Jack Grant

22 Tane Edmed

23 Darby Lancaster

Players Unavailable For Selection :​

​

Jake Gordon - Knee​

Charlie Gamble - Calf​

Lalakai Foketi - Shoulder​

Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i - Concussion/fractured jaw​

Max Jorgensen - Syndesmosis​

Rob Leota - Ankle​

Jimmy Hendren - Broken wrist​

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Have been impressed with Botha this season. He looks to have taken the next step from squad/depth Prop to a genuine starting standard guy. He looks a good chunk heavier as well. Don't think he was 120kg last year. Much better all round player than Archer Holz who we seemed to wait for play to catch up to size.

 

[Froggy]

Is Gamble in or out?

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Wanna Gamble on it?

You take in, I'll take out.

 

[Braveheart81]

Is Gamble in or out?

Out. I didn't check when I copied and pasted.
Adamson starter and Talataina is on the bench.

 

[Hogan]

Tahs can’t seem to settle on a 10 to steer the team around. No wonder their attack is so clunky. You need a playmaker to settle into the position and build on combinations around him throughout the season. I would have stuck with Creighton. The best of an ordinary bunch.

 

[Froggy]

I agree to a point re the 10's, but just finding the best option has been a challenge. I agree Creighton is probably the best option right now, although I think 21 year-old Jack Bowen has the most upside. He's still a long way from the complete package, but finishing last week and his starting game at the end of last season I thought showed there he may be a talent worth developing. I think we are unlikely to beat the Blues at home on Saturday, and even if we do the exit from the finals is likely to be swift, so Dan is possibly looking to next year.

 

[Braveheart81]

Bowen has an excellent passing game. His kicking isn't great and his place kicking isn't up to standard.

Edmed has the best running game and is comfortably the best defender of the three. Probably the best place kicker of the three.

Creighton has the best kicking game and probably the most steady of the three.

 

[Dctarget]

Bowen has an excellent passing game. His kicking isn't great and his place kicking isn't up to standard.

Edmed has the best running game and is comfortably the best defender of the three. Probably the best place kicker of the three.

Creighton has the best kicking game and probably the most steady of the three.

Thought Bowen put some ripper tactical kicks in at the end of last week's game.

 

[Braveheart81]

Thought Bowen put some ripper tactical kicks in at the end of last week's game.

He did. He's had a few horrible shanks though.

I think his control when he's kicking within his limits is pretty good. I think the issue might be more that he doesn't have the longest boot so when he tries to get distance he really loses accuracy.

 

[Tazzmania]

Bowen has an excellent passing game. His kicking isn't great and his place kicking isn't up to standard.

Edmed has the best running game and is comfortably the best defender of the three. Probably the best place kicker of the three.

Creighton has the best kicking game and probably the most steady of the three.

Spot on:

 

[cyclopath]

Blues by the length of a Killdozer (about 20 Tasesa Laveas ).

 

[Dismal Pillock]

"It's OK, Ranga Christie has been selected to start,
he has played for the All Blacks before so is one of
the best rugby players in the world therefore my
Auckland Blues should win easily.....

 

[Froggy]

You don't need Bowen to kick for goal with Creighton at 15.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu'a, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Laghlan McWhannell, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali'i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele'a, Corey Evans

Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Jordan Lay, Angus Ta'avao, Josh Beehre, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Cole Forbes

 

[A mutterer]

Bowen has an excellent passing game. His kicking isn't great and his place kicking isn't up to standard.

Edmed has the best running game and is comfortably the best defender of the three. Probably the best place kicker of the three.

Creighton has the best kicking game and probably the most steady of the three.

Edmed used to have a running game. His go to play now is to become a pot plant and shovel a pass.

Can't recall the last time he realised he could use his legs to run towards the other guys on the field in a different coloured jumper.

 

[fatprop]

Surprised Amatosero gets another start, the pigs functioned so much better when Grant got on the field