DRUA v FORCE, Rnd 5 - Saturday 19 March
- Thread starter Equalizer
- Start date
Drua strengthened with Nagusa back and Lomani starting
DRUA (1-15): Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, Mesulame Dolokoto, Samuela Tawake, Sorovakatini Tuifagalele, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Joseva Tamani, Vilive Miramira, Nemani Nagusa (c), Frank Lomani, Teti Tela, Vinaya Habosi, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Apisalome Vota, Selesitino Ravutaumada, Jona Mataiciwa
RESERVES: Zuriel Togiatama, Jone Koroiduadua, Manasa Saulo, Chris Minimbi, Kitione Salawa, Peni Matawali, Napolioni Bolaca, Onisi Ratave
DRUA (1-15): Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, Mesulame Dolokoto, Samuela Tawake, Sorovakatini Tuifagalele, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Joseva Tamani, Vilive Miramira, Nemani Nagusa (c), Frank Lomani, Teti Tela, Vinaya Habosi, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Apisalome Vota, Selesitino Ravutaumada, Jona Mataiciwa
RESERVES: Zuriel Togiatama, Jone Koroiduadua, Manasa Saulo, Chris Minimbi, Kitione Salawa, Peni Matawali, Napolioni Bolaca, Onisi Ratave
Tazzmania
Bob Loudon (25)
Changes due to the following:
Sampson has made seven changes. Four are tactical, the other three injury enforced.
Veteran scrum-half Ian Prior replaces livewire Issak Fines-Leleiwasa in a new halves combination with Jake McIntyre who gets his first start of the season ahead of Reesjan Pasitoa.
Brynard Stander returns to the starting line-up in his favourite No.8 jumper and prop Greg Holmes gets his first start of the campaign.
Front-rower Tom Robertson (calf) and backs Kyle Godwin and Toni Puku (both HIA) are out.
They are replaced by Harry Lloyd in his first start of the year, former All Blacks centre Richard Kahui and winger Byron Ralston.""
As per Nick Taylor in The West
Sampson has made seven changes. Four are tactical, the other three injury enforced.
Veteran scrum-half Ian Prior replaces livewire Issak Fines-Leleiwasa in a new halves combination with Jake McIntyre who gets his first start of the season ahead of Reesjan Pasitoa.
Brynard Stander returns to the starting line-up in his favourite No.8 jumper and prop Greg Holmes gets his first start of the campaign.
Front-rower Tom Robertson (calf) and backs Kyle Godwin and Toni Puku (both HIA) are out.
They are replaced by Harry Lloyd in his first start of the year, former All Blacks centre Richard Kahui and winger Byron Ralston.""
As per Nick Taylor in The West
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
Are the Force pulling a Rebels here? Shafting the future flyhalf for a bloke who won't even be with the team next year?
I haven't watched all the games in detail - is the benching warranted?
I haven't watched all the games in detail - is the benching warranted?
chiraag
Larry Dwyer (12)
Yeah, seems a strange decision to me. Pasitoa has missed the quick service from Prior the last 2 games, but certainly hasn't been the main problem. Likely been made worse by the slower ruck ball also with the Reds and Waratahs doing a pretty good job in slowing us down there. Would've preferred a Prior / Pasitoa starting combination given Mcintyre is off next year.
D-Box
Cyril Towers (30)
Could be a combination thing. Plan for the season to have Fines/Pasitoa starting and Prior/Mcintyre finish. This keeps the combos just swaps them around. Could also be a look at the Dura who have finished well and wanting to have strength at the finish.
Mr Pilfer
Alex Ross (28)
Macintyre has been surprisingly good off the bench so deserves a crack. Also probably a lot to ask of a 20 year old to back up every week in his first proper season and get bashed around, this week Fiji would have targeted him as well for some big hits so maybe good for a rest
Cancelled Account
Desmond Connor (43)
These young players need to earn their positions. Pasitoa has had one great day, and others have been mediocre. Nothing wrong with switching it up so they understand this is Super Rugby and they need to perform 100% of the time.
TSR
Andrew Slack (58)
Always happy to help someone achieve their dream.