Blues v Waratahs

[FlukeArtist]

Any predictions here...?

Blues should be too good for the Waratahs, but you never know with the Blues.

Either way- should see some godo running rugby I reckon

 

[Darwin]

Have to think the Blues will be favorites. Both teams have some injury issues, especially the Waratahs, with the likes of Wycliff Palu, Berrick Barnes, Phil Waugh and Atieli Pakalani already ruled out, and Tom Carter also unlikely to be fit. The Blues have a few injury problems of there own, with Ali Williams, Dan Braid, and Charlie Faumauina still out, and Tony Woodcock doubtful. I'll make a proper prediction when I see the two teams named...

 

[Larksea]

I'm picking the blues to help the highlanders into the top 6 with this one. Blues have had a bad run against the Tahs but they have improved this year and will be out for revenge at home.

 

[Shaggy]

I think the Blues should take it be say ... 7 points ... I think Phil Waugh being out is a big factor in the Waratahs leadership

 

[Darwin]

Blues:
Isaia Toeava, Joe Rokocoko, Jared Payne, Luke McAllister, Rene Ranger, Stephen Brett, Albie Mathewson, Peter Saili, Luke Braid, Jerome Kaino, Anthony Boric, Kurtis Haiu, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (captain), Tevita Mailau.
Reserves: Tom McCartney, Pauliasi Manu, Filo Paulo, Chris Lowrey, Chris Smylie, Lachie Munro, Benson Stanley.

Two changes for the Blues, with the fit again Kaino replacing Lowrey at 6, and Mailau coming into loose-head prop to replace the injured Woodcock.

Waratahs:
Lachie Turner, Tom Kingston, Ryan Cross, Daniel Halangahu, Drew Mitchell, Kurtley Beale, Luke Burgess; Ben Mowen, Pat McCutcheon, Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Dean Mumm (capt), Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson.
Reserves: John Ulugia, Al Baxter, Pat O'Connor, Sitaleki Timani, Chris Allcock, Brendan McKibbin, Sosene Anesi.

 

[Seaton]

From a Sharks perspective, and for the tournament in general, it would be good to see the Blues maintaining pace with the Crusaders, at least until they falter

But as other posters have mentioned above, the combination of injuries to key players and where the game is being played, the Blues should take this one

 

[Sam Owen]

the Blues should take this one

Agreed, consider it done

 

[Darwin]

I'm thinking the Blues will try to play an pretty expansive game, and get the ball to their strike runners out wide in Ranger, Rokocoko, and Toeava. Ranger in particular will be looking forward to the game, as he has a 19 year old Super Rugby rookie in Tim Kingston marking him - it's certainly going to be a big test for Kingston when Ranger runs straight at him! I'd imagine MacAlister and Brett (and probably Toeava) will also try targeting the 10/12 channel of the Tahs, as I don't think Beale or Halangahu are that strong defensively (especially as they are not playing in their preferred positions). The Tahs will likewise target the 10/12 channel of the Blues as neither Brett nor MacAlister are strong defensively.

Overall I'm picking the Blues to take it by about 10 points.

 

[Muzzy]

just because its at eden park i think the blues will win

 

[Sam Owen]

just because its at eden park i think the blues will win

Exactly, no doubt.

 

[Muzzy]

mcalister your kicks are f*ckin genius, the look on turners face said it all lol he knows its gonna be a long match

 

[DariusLovehall]

That was one of the tries of the year exactly how we want the All Black backs to operate ......
Bravo Blues ... Macalister and Payne doin the bizness!

 

[Charles]

Tahs getting mostered.

The day I decide to sub Mathewson to play Pretorius in my fantasy team, he has a blinder. 2 tries already...*sigh*...

 

[Seaton]

Good win for the Blues, no penalties

Nothing better than lying on a couch relaxing after playing a bit of rugga in the morning, with an ice-pack on the thigh from a tackle where the tackler went off with a broken shoulder, and satisfied you had done the best you could.

That Blues number 8 should be the ABs reserve fly-half

 

[Darwin]

Quite an interesting game, despite the wet conditions. It was a bit messy at times, however both teams had periods where they displayed some superb ball-handling skills. The Blues certainly dominated the first half, but the Tahs did come back well in the second half to keep the game interesting.

The Blues tight-five performed pretty well as a unit, with Boric particularly impressive. I was also again impressed with Saili at 8; he's starting to mature into a top class player. He was one of the Blues players that really seemed to rally the team when it looked like the Tahs might make a serious comeback in the second half. Probably the standout Blues players were the outside backs. Payne looked was his consistent self, Ranger looked dangerous as always, and it was great to see Rokocoko looking dangerous as well. Toeava was again the best player on the park - if there is a better outside back playing in Super Rugby this season I have not seen him. He looked dangerous whenever he got the ball, breaking the line numerous times. He was also solid at the back, pulling off a great try saving tackle, and he even managed to rip the ball from a Waratahs maul when it was over the try line... If he is not starting for the AB's this year there is something wrong!