[2015 Super Rugby] Hurricans vs. Rebels (Round 7) 27/03/2015

[TRF_stormer2010]

Westpac Stadium, Wellington

19:35 CAT (NZ, GMT+13)

​

Teams

Hurricanes:

Rebels:

 

[nickdnz]

Finally get a home game to go to, and their results so far have put me in good spirits.

With that said the Rebels are a banana skin team - I'd be gutted but not entirely shocked if fell just short. Also, Ardie Savea looks to be out for six weeks.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I can't see the Hurricanes lose... unless they rest a number of key players on top of Ardie being out and just don't gel while the Rebels get a few lucky bounces/calls.

From a fantasy rugby POV I hope the Rebels get slaughtered as I have a number of Hurricanes players in my draft team and Barrett has yet to live up to his being the top billed player (in fantasy rugby) pre season.

 

[Shaggy]

The Canes will probably rest some of their ABs for this match (maybe Barrett), but they probably have the squad depth to still take the match

 

[Jaguares]

The first game at the Cake Tin stadium for the Canes. In recent years its crowds were very poor. This year the team is playing a good rugby so the attendances should be improve.

 

[MotherRucker1]

Agree with Shaggy; might be a good idea to rest a couple of players who have been playing week in, week out without missing anything or been subbed off. Will Dane Coles be fit to play?

Rebels have a couple of players which will need to be neutralized, especially Scott Higginbotham who can be a handful. Don't see this being an issue for the Hurricanes. Main question is probably whether they pick up a bonus point.

 

[Shaggy]

Agree with Shaggy; might be a good idea to rest a couple of players who have been playing week in, week out without missing anything or been subbed off. Will Dane Coles be fit to play?

Rebels have a couple of players which will need to be neutralized, especially Scott Higginbotham who can be a handful. Don't see this being an issue for the Hurricanes. Main question is probably whether they pick up a bonus point.

Just heard on NZ Radio sport: Barrett, B.Franks, and J.Savea being rested. Woodward is at Full back, Proctor on Left wing, James Marshall at 10. Maybe Woodward will take the shots at goal.

EDIT:- Coles is still out with injury. Apparently

 

[nickdnz]

Just heard on NZ Radio sport: Barrett, B.Franks, and J.Savea being rested. Woodward is at Full back, Proctor on Left wing, James Marshall at 10. Maybe Woodward will take the shots at goal.

EDIT:- Coles is still out with injury. Apparently

I have little faith in Marshall at 10.

Would love to see Otere Black at least on the bench.

 

[MotherRucker1]

Cool, should be interesting! Was kinda picking Savea in the back of my mind, just given how key he is and how a rest might not be bad. I'm sure they can get the job done, might be a bit more gritty, who knows.

Also, just by the way, kinda surprised at how the 'Canes have gone this season. I know they've got a lot of great players, and showed signs of this at the end of last season, but didn't really think the current coach would take them this far. Think John Plumtree's influence might be showing though.

 

[Shaggy]

I have little faith in Marshall at 10.

Would love to see Otere Black at least on the bench.

Well, you got your wish regarding Black ... do you think Woodward will do the goal kicking?

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_39115,00.html

Hurricanes: Hurricanes: 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith (c), 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Matt Proctor, 10 James Marshall, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Callum Gibbins, 6 Brad Shields, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Jeremy Thursh, 3 Ben May, 2 Motu Matu'u, 1 Reggis Goodes.
Replacements: 16 Brayden Mitchell, 17 Jerrery Toomaga-Allen, 18 Chris Eves, 19 Mark Abbott, 20 Adam Hill, 21 Chris Smylie, 22 Otere Black, 23 Nehe Milner-Skudder.

 

[nickdnz]

Well, you got your wish regarding Black ... do you think Woodward will do the goal kicking?

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_39115,00.html

Hurricanes: Hurricanes: 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith (c), 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Matt Proctor, 10 James Marshall, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Callum Gibbins, 6 Brad Shields, 5 James Broadhurst, 4 Jeremy Thursh, 3 Ben May, 2 Motu Matu'u, 1 Reggis Goodes.
Replacements: 16 Brayden Mitchell, 17 Jerrery Toomaga-Allen, 18 Chris Eves, 19 Mark Abbott, 20 Adam Hill, 21 Chris Smylie, 22 Otere Black, 23 Nehe Milner-Skudder.

Very pleased about Black, this is a great game to give him a run on towards the end.

My guess would be Woodward doing the kicking. Boyd seemed happy letting Woodward kick for Wellington Lions while Marshall hasn't had goal kicking duties for anyone in recent memory. If he has a shocker we could see Black take over kicking when he comes on - he's probably the best goal kicker in the squad (hitting 84.3% success ratio last ITM Cup).

 

[InsaneAsylum]

Interesting that the Canes have rested some of their All Blacks for this, I'm not sure that's a good idea. Good to see Woodward get a run against his old team.

 

[Shaggy]

Interesting that the Canes have rested some of their All Blacks for this, I'm not sure that's a good idea. Good to see Woodward get a run against his old team.

Well, they have so many, and they've got to rest them for two games each, so I guess they had to rest them against somebody ... if the Rebels were top of the Aussie conference, they probably wouldn't have rested as many

... Rebels named

http://melbournerebels.com.au/news/article/major-milestones-reached-as-rebels-team-named

1. Toby Smith (Rebel #60, 18 Rebels Caps)


2. Pat Leafa (Rebel #57, 23 Rebels Caps)


3. Laurie Weeks (Rebel #19, 58 Rebels Caps)


4. Luke Jones (Rebel #32, 51 Rebels Caps)


5. Cadeyrn Neville (Rebel #42, 40 Rebels Caps)


6. Sean McMahon (Rebel #62, 18 Rebels Caps)


7. Scott Fuglistaller (Rebel #45, 37 Rebels Caps)


8. Scott Higginbotham (Rebel #46, 34 Rebels Caps, Captain)


9. Nic Stirzaker (Rebel #38, 28 Rebels Caps)


10. Jack Debreczeni (Rebel #71, 9 Rebels Caps)


11. Sefanaia Naivalu (Rebel #77, 5 Rebels Caps)


12. Mitch Inman (Rebel #35, 49 Rebels Caps)


13. Tamati Ellison (Rebel #62, 20 Rebels Caps)


14. Tom English (Rebel #50, 31 Rebels Caps)


15. Mike Harris (Rebel #76, 5 Rebels Caps)


Reserves:


16. Tom Sexton (0 Rebels Caps)*


17. Cruze Ah-Nau (Rebel #59, 16 Rebels Caps)


18. Paul Alo-Emile (Rebel #44, 40 Rebels Caps)


19. Radike Samo (0 Rebels Caps)*


20. Colby Fainga'a (Rebel #65, 20 Rebels Caps)


21. Ben Meehan (Rebel #67, 8 Rebels Caps)


22. Bryce Hegarty (Rebel #54, 24 Rebels Caps)


23. Jonah Placid (Rebel #80, 1 Rebels Cap)

 

[InsaneAsylum]

Well, they have so many, and they've got to rest them for two games each, so I guess they had to rest them against somebody ... if the Rebels were top of the Aussie conference, they probably wouldn't have rested as many

I understand the reasoning behind it, I just think it's a risky move. don't underestimate the Rebels, they aren't the team they were back in 2011

 

[Shaggy]

I understand the reasoning behind it, I just think it's a risky move. don't underestimate the Rebels, they aren't the team they were back in 2011

Yep, I totally agree ... you can't underestimate any sides now, as all teams are a lot more even ... I don't think the Canes are underestimating the Rebels though, they have a great chance this year to make the knock out phase, and even go further, but they know they have to win their home matches, and have been itching to play at the Cake Tin.

 

[InsaneAsylum]

true that, the Canes have been unlucky the last couple of years, but they do look the biz so far this year.

 

[MotherRucker1]

Hopefully Canes can keep netting big victories, especially at home. If a New Zealand team is going to be at the top of the conference which isn't my Crusaders, then they might as well be the top of the entire Super rugby table. That will ensure a final at home, and imo, that does make a difference at this level. Suncorp was a fortress for the Reds in 2011 for example. Still a long way to go obviously.

 

[austingtir]

Hurricanes are just ticking along like a good championship machine atm.

This Nehe Milner-Skudda chap is something else... Id actually be seriously looking at dropping Piutau for this guy. He just needs to be tested under some high balls and defensively but so far he looks pretty solid and is easily the best stepping fullback in NZ.

 

[MotherRucker1]

He's definitely good. The Chiefs have one or two awesome fellas in their backline who will be stars of the future as well. Dunno about dropping Piuatu though, that's a big call - Piuatu hasn't but a foot wrong really and in a World Cup he's use to the AB environment. Only thing I'd like Skudda to do is maybe bulk up? That tends to be the prerequisite for entering the next level.

Awesome win by the 'Canes. Found their rhythm towards the second half. Great to see they can still bust out some nice moves even without Savea and Barrett.

 

[austingtir]

The reason why id be changing piutau out is not so much because he's been bad but because I dont think he offers any real point of difference to Dagg and Ben Smith. Milner has some real ability to beat guys one on one and i think his step is better than Piutau's which is saying something because his aint bad either.

And I dont think Piutau is going to get the chance to play to his potential anyway because of a woeful blues outfit and Dagg (should of been dropped years ago).