SRP (Super Rugby Pacific) 2022 - NZ & Drua matches with no match thread

[waiopehu oldboy]

Highlights:

 

[Dan54]

Still think on reflection that one of the best things about this game was Chiefs stayed to a pretty good pattern in last 20 when usually where a score blows it teams tend to firgat how to play. Weber made comment about it after game, when he said they remembered taking ball to ground and recycling with rucks was the game plan.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ starting to look like a Championship team, aren't they? We'll know more next week, hopefully both teams are back to something like full strength.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Round 6 (Provisional):

7:05 Friday Moana Pasifika v Hurricanes at Mount Smart
4:35 Saturday Highlanders v Blues at Forsyth Barr
7:05 Saturday Chiefs v Crusaders at FMG

Hurricanes & Matatu (combined Crusaders & Highlanders) women putting on quite a show in the early game at FMG ahead of what's effectively the GF, Chiefs v Blues. Comp badly affected by Covid, hopefully it's back next year & Highlanders can eventually get a team together. Wouldn't mind seeing MP (Moana Pasifika) in there, either.

 

[Dan54]

Round 6 (Provisional):

7:05 Friday Moana Pasifika v Hurricanes at Mount Smart
4:35 Saturday Highlanders v Blues at Forsyth Barr
7:05 Saturday Chiefs v Crusaders at FMG

Hurricanes & Matatu (combined Crusaders & Highlanders) women putting on quite a show in the early game at FMG ahead of what's effectively the GF, Chiefs v Blues. Comp badly affected by Covid, hopefully it's back next year & Highlanders can eventually get a team together. Wouldn't mind seeing MP (Moana Pasifika) in there, either.

Makings of some good games there WOB. Salivating just thinking about Saturday's games.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

CruSadists didn't hold their regular Tuesday media session today & it's reportedly "touch & go" whether they can put a team out this week. At this stage a 23 will be named tomorrow but what happens after that is anyone's guess.

Stuff

i.stuff.co.nz

Clan on the other hand are confident of fronting vs Loss Bleus.

Stuff

i.stuff.co.nz

Gov announcement due tomorrow wrt "traffic light" settings, vaccine mandates & passes etc. Possibly some good news wrt crowd sizes, Bloomfield has hinted that he's advised Gov to loosen those restrictions.

 

[Dan54]

Crusaders are making noises of having to use a couple of players from the pool of players that is being kept fit for such things.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

There may be some devil in the detail but outdoor crowd-size limits to be removed & indoor venue limit raised to 200 fully-seated & separated at midnight Friday. Vaccine passes will no longer be compulsory from 4 April. Mask mandates will remain in place, however.

Stuff

i.stuff.co.nz

 

[Dan54]

YEEHAA!!!! Canes vs Crusaders nest week here I come!!!
I heard the news while having aberr at golf club (rained off course) and have gone into absolute heaven!
Noone knows how happy I am, my return home is now almost complete, will start making sure I got tickets for at least one Irish test!!!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Moana Pasifika: William Havili, Tima Fainga’anuku, Levi Aumua, Henry Taefu, Neria Foma’i, Christian Leali’ifano, Jonathan Taumateine, Henry Time-Stowers, Solomone Funaki, Sione Tu’ipulotu, Samuel Slade, Veikoso Poloniati, Sekope Kepu (c), Samiuela Moli, Ezekiel Lindenmuth. Reserves: Ray Niuia, Taukiha’amea Koloamatagi, Joe ‘Apikotoa, Alex McRobbie, Josh Kaifa, Ereatara Enari, Lincoln McClutchie, Danny Toala.

TJP's back:

Hurricanes: Jordie Barrett, Josh Moorby, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Teihorangi Walden, Wes Goosen, Aidan Morgan, TJ Perenara; Brayden Iose, Blake Gibson, Reed Prinsep (c), Scott Scrafton, Caleb Delany, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia. Reserves: James O’Reilly, Alex Fidow, Tevita Mafileo, Tom Parsons, Ardie Savea, Cameron Roigard, Ruben Love, Salesi Rayasi.

 

[Dan54]

Seems Canes/Crusaders is 8th of April, not next week. So I will either go then, or I suspect the postponed Chiefs game will be next week.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Chiefs: Kaleb Trask, Shaun Stevenson, Alex Nankivell, Quinn Tupaea, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Bryn Gatland, Brad Weber (cc), Samipeni Finau, Sam Cane (cc), Tupou Vaa’i, Brodie Retallick, Josh Lord, Sione Mafileo, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris. Reserves: Tyrone Thompson, Aidan Ross, Angus Ta’avao, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum Boshier, Mitch Jacobson, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane.

CruSadists still TBA which is a little concerning.

 

[Dan54]

Crusaders: Will Jordan, Chay Fihaki, Leicester Fainga'anuku, David Havili, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Quinten Strange, Scott Barrett (c), Oli Jager, Brodie McAlister, Finlay Brewis. Reserves: Codie Taylor, George Bower, Tamaiti Williams, Mitch Dunshea/Zach Gallagher, Corey Kellow/Dominic Gardiner, Mitch Drummond, Fergus Burke, Sevu Reece.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ coupla unfamiliar names but way fewer than I was expecting. Tribe definitely have the better bench so won't be surprised if they finish over the top of CruSadists as happened at NLP.

 

[KiwiM]

Finlay Christie not available. He has been one of the Blues best so that's a big loss. A possible debut for highly touted young 12 Corey Evans on the pine.

BLUES (1-15): Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Marcel Renata, James Tucker, Josh Goodhue, Tom Robinson, Dalton Papalii (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Sam Nock, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Bryce Heem, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Zarn Sullivan

RESERVES: Ricky Riccitelli, Jordan Lay, Nepo Laulala, Sam Darry, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Corey Evans, Stephen Perofeta

 

[zer0]

Akira and Karl must be really banged up? Also, Riccitelli. Ugh.

EDIT: And Plumtree is very unlucky.

 

[KiwiM]

Akira and Karl must be really banged up? Also, Riccitelli. Ugh.

EDIT: And Plumtree is very unlucky.

Akira sustained a lisfranc foot fracture about 5-6 weeks ago so is probably out for at least a few more weeks.

The plan with Karl after some offseason surgery was an April return.

As for Plumtree - the Blues play 3 games in 10 days (play Moana Pasifika twice next week) so I'd expect Plumtree to feature then.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

the Blues play 3 games in 10 days

 

[zer0]

> 3 games in a week
> vs 0-4 Highlanders
> vs 0-2 Moana (twice)
> Blues on the table:

Included for scale: The Evil Empire's stalling campaign after they get administered a second consecutive thorough spanking by the Chiefs.