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I don't think McCaffrey did his chances much good on the weekend. I'm not sure he would have been picked anyway as I don't think he was included in the leadup camps but he didn't impress or have impact against essentially a test pack. I thought the level looked a bit above him.

Happy with that squad. Really pleased with the new blood at loose forward and outside back. Have no problem with Akira being left out as this time Hansen has made it perfectly clear exactly why - fitness. I think Akira needs to leave the Blues for his own development.

He had some hype on him as he was in a strong school team in Auckland before going to Melbourne Storm. Didn't really offer much for the Blues or Harbour (Mitre 10 Cup) I must say. Played as much if not more 15 than 10 if I remember correctly but was pretty much in the 'journeyman' category...

Not sure how L Whitelock is more versatile than Akira. Anyway - Blues team named. SBW and Papalii still a week away Blues: Melani Nanai, Caleb Clarke, TJ Faiane, Ma'a Nonu, Reiko Ioane, Harry Plummer, Jonathan Ruru, Akira Ioane, Blake Gibson, Tom Robinson, Scott Scrafton, Patrick Tuipulotu...

Blues named. Hoskins Sotutu in line for a potential debut off the bench. Son of former Auckland/Blues winger Waisake Sotutu. 1 Alex Hodgman, 2 Leni Apisai, 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 5 Scott Scrafton, 6 Tom Robinson, 7 Blake Gibson, 8 Akira Ioane; 9 Jonathan Ruru, 10 Harry...

Scrafton was excellent. Try saving tackle, high involvement, high accuracy. Other standouts were Plummer, Akira, Nanai, Clarke and Ofa.

A familiar name on the Chiefs bench making his comeback. Chiefs: Solomon Alaimalo, Sean Wainui, Tumua Manu, Anton Lienert-Brown, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Marty McKenzie, Brad Weber (c), Tyler Ardron, Mitchell Karpik, Pita Gus Sowakula, Mitchell Brown, Jesse Parete, Angus Ta'avao, Nathan Harris, Atu...

Blues: 1 Alex Hodgman, 2 James Parsons, 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (co-capt), 5 Scott Scrafton, 6 Dalton Papalii, 7 Blake Gibson (co-capt), 8 Akira Ioane, 9 Jonathan Ruru, 10 Harry Plummer, 11 Rieko Ioane, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 13 TJ Faiane (VC), 14 Caleb Clarke, 15 Melani Nanai. Reserves: 16...

Parson's 100th game for the Blues. He'll be hoping for a better performance than last week. Blues 15 Melani Nanai, 14 Caleb Clarke, 13 TJ Faiane, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Otere Black, 9 Jonathan Ruru, 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Tom Robinson, 5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 4 Patrick...

In that scenario Ben Smith would be 14. ABs have a big question at 14 right now. Having said that the ABs won't do it - BB will be 10 and Mounga will be on the bench. 14 is still very much up for grabs especially considering ABs took 2 rookie 14s (Naholo & NMS) to the last RWC.

Blues team to play Chiefs 15 Melani Nanai, 14 Caleb Clarke, 13 TJ Faiane, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Otere Black, 9 Jonathan Ruru; 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Tom Robinson, 5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 2 James Parsons, 1. Karl Tu’inukuafe...

That's a very big if. Chiefs have turned a corner, are fresh coming off a bye and look a completely different outfit to the rag-tag bunch that played the first 3 or so games (amazing what happens when you shift DMac out of 10). Chiefs almost always get up for the Blues clashes and Blues are...

I'll take that W. Tahs are a tough team in those conditions. Was impressed by Staniforth for the Tahs. Folau and Foley very good too. For Blues Nonu is a gem. What a player. Faiane excellent at 13 too. Blues have really started understanding how to close games down. Excellent. On the other...

Yeah Dan54 good call on Gibson. Nice to see him get some games under his belt after having so many injuries. He's not the biggest guy but he is very accurate and has terrific rugby nous. I'm not getting too carried away - I think the Blues could be vulnerable next week against a Tahs team that...

Very happy with that Blues win. That defensive effort was something else. Forward pack stood up against a serious onslaught too. Tuipulotu had another blinder - this time as a starter. Very enjoyable to watch this young group grow. Old fellas like SBW and Nonu sure as heck made an impact too!

Cameron being an AB last year is one of the weirdest selections I can remember. It was widely panned. The only reason he got a call up was because Perofeta was injured but even so - if he played for any other province/franchise I highly doubt he would have been selected.

Blues named. SBW back (on the bench) - Otere gets the start. I wonder if SBW will take over captaincy in the second half as both co-captains are starting (Tuipulotu and Gibson) and may get replaced. 15 Melani Nanai, 14 Tanielu Tele’a, 13 TJ Faiane, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Otere...

What a win Blues! Bloody stoked with that. A decent coaching setup and look what happens. The backs have an actual plan and the forwards work hard. Special shoutout to TJ Faiane at 13. Playing out of position he had an absolute blinder. Best performance by a Blues 13 in an NZ derby for a very...

Given the horrendous travel i'm not surprised. Ioane brothers sensational. Backline went much better with Plummer at 10.

It was dumb from Luke Whitelock. You have to play the situation and the ref. That always likely to get pinged in that situation.