Rd 16 - Blues v Rebels, Sat 2nd June @3:00pm

[KevinO]

Time for a win at Eden Park. But in all honestly have the Blues have not won at home this season. 3 Wins have all been on the road. They will be looking at this as a game they should win but we all know with the Blues it's about which team shows up on the day.

Rebels still have a lot to work on but the last 2 weeks has been an improvement, if they can contain the Blues I think they would be the better side in the last 20 minutes.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Time for a win at Eden Park.

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Blues coming off a bye which means one thing: strip clubs, KFC, beer, Pizza Hut, netflix bingeing and McD.​

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Ok then, 6 things.​

 

[cyclopath]

There just has to be an avatar bet for some unsuspecting Rebels supporter on the table.
Make it so.

 

[Forcefield]

There just has to be an avatar bet for some unsuspecting Rebels supporter on the table.
Make it so.

Ali Williams?

 

[zer0]

Blues side:

1. Alex Hodgman
2. Matt Moulds
3. Ofa Tuungafasi
4. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
5. Matiaha Martin
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Dalton Papalii
8. Akira Ioane
9. Augustine Pulu (C)
10. Stephen Perofeta
11. Tumua Manu
12. Sonny Bill Williams or Terrence Hepetema
13. Orbyn Leger
14. Matt Duffie
15. Michael Collins

Reserves: 16. Leni Apisai, 17. Pauliasi Manu, 18. Sione Mafileo, 19. Ben Nee-Nee, 20. Sione Havili, 21. Jonathan Ruru, 22. Bryn Gatland, 23. TJ Faiane or Terrence Hepetema

Collins is the only one back from injury after two weeks off. Somehow.

Clarke is out mugging some poor Japanese high school graduates and R.Ioane is being rested. I still don't know who half the guys in this team are.

 

[Derpus]

I thought Nanai was back?

 

[zer0]

Probably contracted gangrene while buttering his toast, or something equally unlikely.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

my avatar bet not looking flash here

I thought Nanai was back?

Tana hates him because he's too exciting and he doesn't like to catch the ball then kick it directly back to the other f**king team

2. Matt Moulds: great chance for him to usurp our dipshit bog-standard captain
5. Matiaha Martin. who?
8. Akira Ioane: He starts. Unlike the Dick Frizzle guy doing crosswords on the Landers bench in his shiny brand new fucken AB jersey
12. Sonny Bill Williams or Terrence Hepetema

 

[Dan54]

If the Rebels can't beat this team, they got big problems. I seriously think the second string Sunwolves team from last week would probably knock over this Blues team. Well I think so as I don't know many of them at all.

 

[Derpus]

If the Rebels can't beat this team, they got big problems. I seriously think the second string Sunwolves team from last week would probably knock over this Blues team. Well I think so as I don't know many of them at all.

The Tahs couldn't beat them at brookie when they then beat the Highlanders and pushed the Chiefs all the way. Its a psychomalogicamil thingo.

 

[Rebels3]

If the Rebels can't beat this team, they got big problems. I seriously think the second string Sunwolves team from last week would probably knock over this Blues team. Well I think so as I don't know many of them at all.

Still not confident, they will find a way to stuff it up.

In all honesty i'd be content with a bonus point but a win would probably mean the Rebels play finals this year.

 

[Rebels3]

Genia should be back as well, which will help

 

[Braveheart81]

Genia should be back as well, which will help

The Rebels are resting Genia.

 

[swingpass]

team

Melbourne Rebels team vs Blues on Saturday 2 June, 2018 at Auckland, New Zealand:
1. Fereti Sa’aga
2. Anaru Rangi
3. Jermaine Ainsley
4. Matt Philip
5. Adam Coleman (capt.)
6. Angus Cottrell
7. Colby Fainga’a
8. Amanaki Mafi
9. Michael Ruru
10. Reece Hodge
11. Marika Koroibete
12. Billy Meakes
13. Tom English
14. Jack Maddocks
15. Dane Haylett-Petty

Reserves
16. Jordan Uelese
17. Ben Daley
18. Sam Talakai
19. Geoff Parling
20. Ross Haylett-Petty
21. Harrison Goddard
22. Tayler Adams
23. Lopeti Timani

« ​

BLUES FRONT OF MIND AS WALLABIES LOOM FOR HODGE​

 

[lou75]

The Rebels are resting Genia.

that's not good

 

[Rock Lobster]

So is Deb still being "rested"??
This is where coaches get themselves in trouble with the bullshit they try and spin to the media and the players themselves.

 

[Mr Wobbly]

Genia should be back as well, which will help

I posted this stat in the match preview last week. It's worth repeating I reckon:

Prior to last week's game the Rebels have a points differential of +74 when Genia is on the field and -107 when he is not. I guess it's +74 and -80 now.

It would help a bit if we had him this week

 

[RugbyReg]

I posted this stat in the match preview last week. It's worth repeating I reckon:

Prior to last week's game the Rebels have a points differential of +74 when Genia is on the field and -107 when he is not. I guess it's +74 and -80 now.

It would help a bit if we had him this week

wow. that is incredible

 

[KiwiM]

I posted this stat in the match preview last week. It's worth repeating I reckon:

Prior to last week's game the Rebels have a points differential of +74 when Genia is on the field and -107 when he is not. I guess it's +74 and -80 now.

It would help a bit if we had him this week

Well Blues are also resting their best player Rieko Ioane - who I think has played every minute of every game so far this season.

EDIT - oh and also SBW - who is out injured for 4 weeks.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

SBW ruled out "for several weeks" after re-injuring a knee at AB camp:

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/a...of-all-blacks-threetest-series-against-france