Close Menu
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Shop
    • Jerseys
    • Training
    • Men
    • Women
    • Kids
    • Headwear
    • Gifts & Accessories
      • Babywear
      • Balls
      • Collectibles & Memorabilia
      • Home & Office
      • Keyrings
      • Pet Accessories
      • Scarves
      • Souvenirs
      • Toys & Games
    • Super Rugby
    • Clearance
  • Wallabies
  • Super Rugby
    • ACT Brumbies
    • Blues
    • Chiefs
    • Crusaders
    • Fijian Drua
    • Highlanders
    • Hurricanes
    • Moana Pasifika
    • NSW Waratahs
    • Queensland Reds
    • Western Force
  • Six Nations
  • Women’s
  • Sevens
  • Podcast

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

What's Hot

Friday’s Rugby News.

May 9, 2025

Lions Squad Named Tonight.

May 8, 2025

Thursday’s Rugby News – the final countdown

May 8, 2025
Facebook Instagram YouTube X (Twitter)
Latest News
  • Friday’s Rugby News.
  • Lions Squad Named Tonight.
  • Thursday’s Rugby News – the final countdown
  • Yowie on the Loose: almost too much rugby news
  • Dementia and CTE: differences, similarities and impact
  • Tuesday’s Rugby News
  • Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #68: that was certainly unpredictable.
  • Friday’s Rugby News.
  • Thursday’s Rugby News – adults running the show
  • 2025 Super Rugby Rd 12 — G&GR’s teams podcast
  • The Dropped Kick-Off 153 – Schmeal – Les Kiss from a Rose
  • Hump Day News – in from the side
  • New Wallabies coach finally confirmed!
  • Tuesday’s Rugby News – 29 April 2025
  • Your G&GR Wallabies Squad.
  • Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #67: another cracking round of Super Rugby Pacific – ANZAC Day style.
  • Friday’s Rugby News.
  • 2025 Super Rugby Rd 11 — G&GR’s teams podcast
  • Nutta on a Thursday – ANZAC 2025
  • Culture club.
Green & Gold Rugby
0 Shopping Cart
Facebook Instagram YouTube X (Twitter)
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Shop
    • Jerseys
    • Training
    • Men
    • Women
    • Kids
    • Headwear
    • Gifts & Accessories
      • Babywear
      • Balls
      • Collectibles & Memorabilia
      • Home & Office
      • Keyrings
      • Pet Accessories
      • Scarves
      • Souvenirs
      • Toys & Games
    • Super Rugby
    • Clearance
  • Wallabies

    Tuesday’s Rugby News

    February 25, 2025

    G&GR readers hate Australians?

    February 23, 2025

    Schmidt extends Wallabies tenure through TRC as search for head coach successor begins

    February 6, 2025

    Tickets on sale for blockbuster Wallaroos and Wallabies home Tests

    February 5, 2025

    Tuesday’s Rugby News, 4 February 2025

    February 4, 2025
  • Super Rugby
    1. ACT Brumbies
    2. Blues
    3. Chiefs
    4. Crusaders
    5. Fijian Drua
    6. Highlanders
    7. Hurricanes
    8. Moana Pasifika
    9. NSW Waratahs
    10. Queensland Reds
    11. Western Force
    12. View All

    Brumbies lob first grenade.

    March 19, 2025

    Hoodoo Gurus: Brumbies beat Blues.

    March 8, 2025

    Super Rugby Women’s Team List: Trial Match v Queensland Reds

    February 5, 2025

    Brumbies and Raiders combine for ANZAC weekend fixtures

    February 4, 2025

    Sotutu Returns to Boost Blues for Highlanders Clash

    February 19, 2025

    MG Motor Joins Blues as Official Vehicle Partner

    February 13, 2025

    Tu’ungafasi Celebrates 150th Cap as Blues Unleash Star-Studded Line-Up at Eden Park Opener

    February 12, 2025

    Blues Team Up with Gerard Roofs for a Strong 2025 Season Partnership

    February 11, 2025

    Chiefs Prepare for Crusaders Clash: Brown’s Debut and Tupaea’s Milestone

    February 19, 2025

    Chiefs’ All Blacks Set for Pre-Season Action Against Moana Pasifika

    February 6, 2025

    Chiefs Unveil New Talent Ahead of Taranaki Pre-Season Clash

    January 30, 2025

    Chiefs’ Rising Star Wallace Sititi Sidelined After Knee Surgery

    January 25, 2025

    Crusaders Ready to Kick Off Pre-Season with Blues Battle in Kirwee

    January 30, 2025

    Crusaders Partner with Moa Brewing Company to Elevate Fan Experience

    January 23, 2025

    Jamie Hannah Commits to Crusaders Until 2028

    January 23, 2025

    Crusaders 2025 Tickets Now Available!

    January 23, 2025

    Fijian Drua to Host Rugby FCLA in Historic Fiji Showdown

    January 20, 2025

    Highlanders Set for Home Opener Against Blues

    February 19, 2025

    Waratahs edge Highlanders in thrilling season opener

    February 16, 2025

    Highlanders Announce Squad for Season Opener Against Waratahs

    February 12, 2025

    Highlanders Gear Up for Waitangi Day Showdown Against Crusaders

    February 4, 2025

    Xavier Numia Commits to Hurricanes Through 2027

    January 29, 2025

    Hurricanes Brew Up Partnership with Flight Coffee for 2025 Season

    January 28, 2025

    Hurricanes Poua Swap Rugby Boots for Riding Boots at Hutt Valley RDA

    January 16, 2025

    Match Review: Qld Reds v Moana Pacifika — Rd2 2025

    February 21, 2025

    Ardie Savea Named Moana Pasifika Captain for 2025 Super Rugby Season

    February 3, 2025

    Ardie Savea Named Moana Pasifika Captain for 2025 Super Rugby Season

    February 2, 2025

    Moana Pasifika Set to Face Highlanders in Pre-Season Opener

    January 29, 2025

    More Tahs misery.

    March 29, 2025

    Tahs best Brumbies.

    March 22, 2025

    Isaac Kailea re-signs with RA.

    March 21, 2025

    U18s & U20s Tahs sides named.

    March 14, 2025

    Reds top of the pops.

    March 29, 2025

    Reds break drought.

    March 22, 2025

    Tom ‘The Laser’ Lynagh: Its the vibe.

    March 22, 2025

    Caslick to start in Reds #100th.

    March 19, 2025

    Force out-Brumby the Brumbies 45-42.

    February 22, 2025

    Jeremy Williams Re-Signs with Western Force for Two More Years

    February 6, 2025

    Club captain Jeremy Williams re-commits to Western Force with new deal

    February 6, 2025

    Western Force Unveils Star-Studded Squad for Brumbies Pre-Season Clash

    February 5, 2025

    Reds top of the pops.

    March 29, 2025

    More Tahs misery.

    March 29, 2025

    Super Rugby Round #7: Bye-bye-bye

    March 24, 2025

    Live: SRP ladder

    March 22, 2025
  • Six Nations

    Six Nations round 4

    March 8, 2025

    Tree Irish legends call time

    February 28, 2025

    Frogs flog Italy.

    February 24, 2025

    Welsh rugby: heartbeat found!

    February 23, 2025

    Poms pinch it.

    February 23, 2025
  • Women’s

    More in store for Qld women’s comp.

    March 21, 2025

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News

    November 28, 2024

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News – progress mixed in with some injustice

    November 21, 2024

    Yowie on the Loose: How long until test rugby restarts?

    October 15, 2024

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #50: limited rugby, but plenty of news

    October 14, 2024
  • Sevens

    G&GR team’s podcast, Ireland and done

    December 2, 2024

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News

    November 28, 2024

    Happy’s Thursday’s Rugby News – US edition marketing the game, Perry Baker, Super Rugby my new dawn.

    October 17, 2024

    Sevens Olympic Heaven!

    July 18, 2024

    Thursday’s Rugby News

    July 4, 2024
  • Podcast

    The Dropped Kick-Off 153 – Schmeal – Les Kiss from a Rose

    April 30, 2025

    The Dropped Kick-Off 151 – did we mention we like the Tahs?

    April 18, 2025

    The Dropped Kick-Off 150 – Angry Italian Hand Gestures 🤌 🤌

    April 10, 2025

    The Dropped Kick-Off 149 – RIP Val Kilmer

    April 4, 2025

    The Dropped Kick-Off 148 – Sprained Ankles and Tah Road Rage

    March 27, 2025
Green & Gold Rugby
Home»Rugby»Northern Provincial Rugby»Preview: Reds give A Faingaa to the Blues
Northern Provincial Rugby

Preview: Reds give A Faingaa to the Blues

Shane SullivanBy Shane SullivanApril 26, 201253 Comments
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp VKontakte Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

Anthony Faingaa is back! I’ve been hearing the rumours for days but I wasn’t getting my hopes up until I saw his name on an official team list. Well the QRU media release just hit my inbox and there he is at 22. The Starch in the Reds defencive line will finally reappear to scream orders at his team mates. Oh how I’ve missed that high pitched scream when the Reds have their backs to the wall. I’m excited Anthony Faingaa is back!

But this game isn’t all about Anthony Faingaa (he’s back). The Blues and the Reds have had seasons that both sides probably want to forget. Auckland recruited strongly in the off season and on paper should be right up with the front runners. I can’t tell you want went wrong with their game plan but for long periods of the games I have watched they just seem to be going through the motions. Then they will switch on the magic for 5 minutes and then just as quickly hit cruise control again. And it’s not one player or even a group of players. It’s like when you see a flock of birds all change direction at the same time. The blues players all turn on and off at exactly the same time. Here’s hoping they don’t figure out the problem until next week.

As for the Reds well the tale of their season is well documented. They have lost the services of their attacking and defencive leaders for the first 9 rounds of the competition. And every person who touches or has touched the 10 jersey winds up on crutches or in hospital. Now I could break down and cry a bit like a Waratahs fan circa 2011 or I can realise that the guys have done pretty well in trying circumstances. And we are still in with a chance of playing finals this year. It may be slim but it’s a chance.

The bad news for the Reds is Sam lane’s knee injury is season ending and Ben Tapuai’s Collar bone has him on an extended break as well. Van Humphrey’s has an arm injury and makes way for the return of Adam Wallace-Harrison possible the Reds best lineout jumper. Along with AW-H Digby Ioane returns from suspension to take over Tapaui’s centre spot. And Anthony Faingaa is back!

The Blues have lost loosehead legend Tony Woodcock to a calf injury. But apart from injuries to Mealamu and Boric field a full strength side.

Blues V. Reds - The Teams

BluesV.Reds
Tevita Mailau1. LooseheadBen Daley
Tom McCartney2. HookerJames Hanson
Charlie Faumuina3. TightheadJames Slipper
Ali Williams4. LockRob Simmons
Filo Paulo5. LockJames Horwill
Daniel Braid6. BlindsideBeau Robinson
Luke Braid7. OpensideLiam Gill
Peter Saili8. # EightScott Higginbotham
Piri Weepu9. HalfbackWill Genia
Gareth Anscombe10. Fly HalfBen Lucas
Rudi Wulf11. WingDom Shipperley
Ma'a Nonu12. Inside CentreMichael Harris
Rene Ranger13 Outside CentreDigby Ioane
George Moala14. WingRod Davies
Hadleigh Parkes15. FullbackLuke Morahan
James Parsons16. ReserveAlbert Anae
Pauliasi Manu17. ReserveGreg Holmes
Liaki Moli18. ReserveAdam Wallace-Harrison
Chris Lowrey19. ReserveJake Schatz
Alby Mathewson20. ReserveEd Quirk
Michael Hobbs21. ReserveNick Frisby
Benson Stanley22. ReserveAnthony Faingaa

The Details

Venue &time: Eden Park, Auckland, Friday April 27, 17:35 EST

Head to Head: Played 17 – Blues 8, Reds 8, Draws 1

Last Time: Blues 13 – Reds 30

Referee: Craig Joubert

Weather: 17° Chance of showers.

Be part of the conversation on Twitter using #BluVReds

The Game Breaker

For the Reds Digby Ioane will be jumping out of his skin to get involved after 5 weeks on the sideline. The Blues centre pairing of Nonu and Ranger are just as dangerous on their day. Any of

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 10: Liam Gill of t...

these three could break this game right open. But the man I think could be the game breaker is Liam Gill. The young openside has a shooting star next to his name. This week he runs out in tandem with Beau Robinson and against the Braid Brothers. Essentially four opensides starting the match. There is no hiding where the coach’s think the game will be won.

 

The Fearless Prediction

I’ve been to a few Blues V. Reds matches over the last few years and none of them have disappointed. No not even the the one at Ballymore where I stood soaked to the bone protecting my Rum a cokes from the torrential rain and watched the Reds try to play running Rugby when they could barely see each other. both teams are cruelled by injury. Both teams form is patchy. Both teams season is on the line! Both teams love to run the ball. If the weather stays fine conditions are perfect for Rugby. Both teams play similar styles. they like to play hard in the forwards then carve up in the backs and can be lethal on kick returns. The Blues forward pack is missing three key men in Woodcock, Mealamu and Boric and this may just give the Reds and advantage.

This is too close to call! Out of pure parochialism for the Reds I predict a win by 5.

Oh and Anthony Faingaa is back!

Related articles
  • Review. 50 Caps And A Try to Ioane In Reds Defeat Of The Blues(greenandgoldrugby.com)

Enhanced by Zemanta

We are a fan run website, we appreciate your support.

💬 Have you got a news article suggestion? Submit a story and have your say
👀 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.com
🎵 Listen to our Podcasts on Spotify and iTunes
🎥 Watch our Podcasts on YouTube


Anthony Faingaa beau robinson Blues V. Reds craig joubert digby ioane eden park Preview queensland reds Rugby super 15 Super Rugby tony woodcock
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email
Previous ArticleThe G&GR Social Pages – Week 10
Next Article Brumbies venture into the Lions den
Shane Sullivan
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)

Make Australian Rugby Great Again

Related Posts

Thursday’s Rugby News – the final countdown

May 8, 2025

Yowie on the Loose: almost too much rugby news

May 7, 2025

Tuesday’s Rugby News

May 6, 2025

Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #68: that was certainly unpredictable.

May 5, 2025
Latest

Friday’s Rugby News.

May 9, 2025

Lions Squad Named Tonight.

May 8, 2025

Thursday’s Rugby News – the final countdown

May 8, 2025

Yowie on the Loose: almost too much rugby news

May 7, 2025
1 2 3 … 2,595 Next
Latest Super Rugby

Reds top of the pops.

March 29, 2025

More Tahs misery.

March 29, 2025

Super Rugby Round #7: Bye-bye-bye

March 24, 2025

Live: SRP ladder

March 22, 2025
1 2 3 … 790 Next
Latest Six Nations

Six Nations round 4

March 8, 2025

Tree Irish legends call time

February 28, 2025

Frogs flog Italy.

February 24, 2025

Welsh rugby: heartbeat found!

February 23, 2025
1 2 3 … 25 Next
GAGR Podcast
Follow Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
About Us
About Us

greenandgoldrugby.com is your one stop shop for all things Rugby Union - news, podcasts, opinions, fixtures, events & everything in between.

greenandgoldrugby.com - created by fans of rugby, for fans of rugby.

About
Submit a Story
Authors
Contact
Privacy

Our Picks

Rising rally to overrun Queensland Country

September 4, 2016

Waratahs young leaders to shine

January 18, 2017

Eight ANGRY Observations from tonight’s game

June 18, 2016
New Comments
  • Eloise Pasteur on Friday’s Rugby News.
  • Damo on Friday’s Rugby News.
  • Eloise Pasteur on Friday’s Rugby News.
  • Eloise Pasteur on Friday’s Rugby News.
  • Eloise Pasteur on Friday’s Rugby News.
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Super Rugby
  • Wallabies
  • Podcast
  • Privacy Policy (2023)
© 2025 Ponderosa Publishing Pty Ltd | ABN 76 668 430 386.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.