Super Rugby: Blues vs. Bulls in Auckland (10/03/2013)

[FlukeArtist]

I hear you Darwin.

I certainly hope that dosn't happen.

However, I am a long time Auckland / Blues fan, and know the difference Graham Henry brings to teams from my region.
And it just seems to me like the pieces are falling into place at the moment.
The flair on attack has always been with the Blues, but Henry brings a stanuch defence to their game as well.

I'm not saying the Blues are going to win the ***le at the moment, but as I stated earlier; from what I have seen from both the conferences so far; a team from NZ will win the ***le.
I put my money where my mouth is at the start of the season and placed a lazy tenner on the Highlanders, but maybe I should have gone with the Chiefs to repeat....
I just couldn't resist the $5 odds for the Highlanders with the team they have.

 

[Larksea]

not sure why weepu is taking all the kicks, he's not looking that sharp from the tee and Nokes kicked very well for the highlanders last year.

Would also like to see Kerr a bit more.

 

[Darwin]

not sure why weepu is taking all the kicks, he's not looking that sharp from the tee and Nokes kicked very well for the highlanders last year.

Would also like to see Kerr a bit more.

I understand Noakes is still recovering from a groin injury, so isn't able to take placekicks at the moment.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

This is the game of the round IMO. Will be interesting to see it follows the pattern of the other games I thought were the week's main attractions in that one of the supposedly top teams fell flat;

Week 1 Brumbies vs Reds (Reds weren't in the game)
Week 2 Bulls vs Stormers (Stormers weren't in the game)
Week 3 Blues vs Crusaders (Crusaders were nowhere near in the game)

Week 4 Blues vs Bulls ?

So far the home teams have been dominant. Both teams have had winning starts but IMO the Blues' were more impressive and coupled with home advenatage and the travel factor I'll go for the Blues by 5; I think it'll be a lot closer than most Blues fans seem to believe. If the Bulls play smart, are accurate and keep up their concentration in defense for the entire 80 minutes then I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Bulls won handsomely though.

 

[tenpm]

I'm supporting the Blues, but I have a feeling the Bulls will take this one. I don't think the Bulls' style of playing is a good match for the Blues.
The Blues seem to be relying on tries for points. This worked with the Hurricanes (first round, much more of an attacking team than a defensive team) and the Crusaders (playing with one-match disadvantage, using Dagg on wing), but the Bulls have had plenty of time to settle and they don't play like NZ teams.
If the Blues can't score tries, the poor goal-kicking will come back to bite them sooner or later... and I'm not just saying this because I'm a fan of Anscombe.

 

[Ruckyou]

I have only seen highlights of the Bulls this season but they are always in the running for the ***le and will be a formidable oppent. Morne looks like he has his mojo back and fowards look like someone stole their bike and they want to do damage.

Blues look really impressive, former New Zealand sevens players Halai and Piatau seem to have adjusted the 15 aside game and are destined for greater honours IMO, Saili and Ranger must have the top line break stats for centre combination in the compeitition, that backline is awsome to watch. Weepu , Williams and Braid obviously the leaders around the ruck area and their decision making has been spot on, that one might go down to coaching.

tough day at the office for the Bulls at Eden Park, easy 30000 on a sunday arvo, no chance of winning.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Bulls Team Announced:

Bulls:
15 Zane Kirchner
14 Akona Ndungane
13 JJ Engelbrecht
12 Wynand Olivier
11 Lionel Mapoe
10 Mornè Steyn
9 Jano Vermaak
8 Pierre Spies (c)
7 Arno Botha
6 Deon Stegmann
5 Juandrè Kruger
4 Flip van der Merwe
3 Frik Kirsten
2 Willie Wepener
1 Mornè Mellett

Substitutes:
16 Chiliboy Ralepelle
17 Werner Kruger
18 Grant Hattingh
19 Jacques Potgieter
20 Francois Hougaard
21 Louis Fouché
22 Jürgen Visser

Wow!! 7 changes to the starting 15 that played vs the Force...

Based on that team, It's clear the Bulls are going to play a structured suffocation game, with a big reliance on the set phases...

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Bulls Team Announced:

Bulls:
15 Zane Kirchner
14 Akona Ndungane
13 JJ Engelbrecht
12 Wynand Olivier
11 Lionel Mapoe
10 Mornè Steyn
9 Jano Vermaak
8 Pierre Spies (c)
7 Arno Botha
6 Deon Stegmann
5 Juandrè Kruger
4 Flip van der Merwe
3 Frik Kirsten
2 Willie Wepener
1 Mornè Mellett

Substitutes:
16 Chiliboy Ralepelle
17 Werner Kruger
18 Grant Hattingh
19 Jacques Potgieter
20 Francois Hougaard
21 Louis Fouché
22 Jürgen Visser

Wow!! 7 changes to the starting 15 that played vs the Force...

Based on that team, It's clear the Bulls are going to play a structured suffocation game, with a big reliance on the set phases...

Bulls look like they've gone for 'damage control' by picking the better denfesive wingers in Mapoe and Ndungane on the wings. I actually think that's the right call. Maybe bring up Hougaard to replace Ndungane later on if they find themselves trailing? Visser is also a surprisingly elusive runner.

Also some mobile forward replacements on the bench that might have some work to do at the closing stages.

Vermaak has looked that little bit better at 9 than Hougaard for some time now so the call doesn't surprise me. Looks like a solid if not inspirational Bulls XV that might get the job done if they can keep the concentration and intensity up. Only call that I wonder about is Werner Kruger on the bench after he has seemed to be in better form than ever over the 1st 2 games of this season.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Bulls look like they've gone for 'damage control' by picking the better denfesive wingers in Mapoe and Ndungane on the wings. I actually think that's the right call. Maybe bring up Hougaard to replace Ndungane later on if they find themselves trailing? Visser is also a surprisingly elusive runner.

Also some mobile forward replacements on the bench that might have some work to do at the closing stages.

Vermaak has looked that little bit better at 9 than Hougaard for some time now so the call doesn't surprise me. Looks like a solid if not inspirational Bulls XV that might get the job done if they can keep the concentration and intensity up. Only call that I wonder about is Werner Kruger on the bench after he has seemed to be in better form than ever over the 1st 2 games of this season.

Hougaard and Chilliboy is on the bench because they have a little ****ling ankle injury. Mapoe is moved to wing because Basson is out injured. But yes, looks like they picked a team that can defend very well (Stegman and Botha on the flanks) and then try to get within scoring range for Morne to put the points on the board and use that rolling maul of theirs...

 

[FlukeArtist]

So typical Bulls play then Heineken?

Shame that guy Basson isn't playing. From what I have seen, he looks like a talent

 

[Darwin]

I'm surprised to see so many changes for the Bulls. There selection certainly points towards a more conservative gameplan, which I think will be a good tactic against the Blues.

I will wait until I see the Blues team announced (hopefully sometime today..) before I make my prediction for the game..

 

[Darwin]

Blues: Charles Piutau, Frank Halai, Rene Ranger, Francis Saili, Waisake Naholo, Baden Kerr, Piri Weepu, Steve Luatua, Luke Braid, Kane Barrett, Liaki Moli, Ali Williams ©, Charlie Faumuina, Quentin MacDonald, Tim Perry.
Reserves: James Parsons, Angus Ta'avao, Ronald Raaymakers, Brendon O'Connor, Jamison Gibson-Park, Marty McKenzie, Albert Nikoro

Surprisingly quite a few changes for the Blues! Obviously they want to give other squad members a run, but I would have preferred if they been a bit more consistent with their selections (perhaps I'm just getting old and conservative). Perry and MacDonald come into the front row. I'm a fan of MacDonald, though Parsons has done a good job at hooker, while it will be interesting to see how Perry goes in his starting debut (he didn't really impress me for Tasman last season). Moli gets a start at lock and will need a big match as Retallick has impressed at lock so far. It is good to see Barrett get a chance as he as a lot of potential, and I'm particularly interested to see how Luatua goes at 8 (has he ever started there?). Raaymakers could make his debut from the bench too - I like him as he just does the basics right (though I wonder if he has the height to be a lock at this level).

There are only two changes in the backline, with Kerr replacing Noakes and Naholo replacing Moala. Naholo is still a bit erratic, but he could bring even more excitement to the Blues backline, as can be incredibly elusive with ball in hand. Interesting to see a pile of new backs on the bench too. All 3 have a pile of talent, but are very inexperienced even at ITM Cup level - I would be a bit worried how they will cope if they have to come on in a tight game...

 

[admartian]

Not a fan of replacing Noakes for this game.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

I believe he wasn't considered due to injury, though in an absolute emergency he could play.

 

[admartian]

I believe he wasn't considered due to injury, though in an absolute emergency he could play.

Cheers. Didn't know. Makes sense now.

 

[ABs2011]

I'm really hoping JK et al. will suprise me again, BUT for me, I fear these changes have lowered the Blues probablity of victory this week quite considerably. Noakes' injury is a real blow - the only upside (maybe) being Kerr will kick goals? I don't like the changes in the tight five as I am concerned the Blues set piece will suffer, and while I think the Peter Saili chage might actually be one forced by injury, I much prefer Luatua at 6. And finally I don't at all see the need to swap Moala for Naholo.

I really hope this is a gamble that will pay off for hte Blues but for me this game is now a little better than 50-50 for the Blues while before, all else equal I would have thought they were a 70% chance of winning.

Will be on here next week at the first opportunity to congratulate JK and the Blues if they win though!!!

 

[nickdnz]

Pleased to see Naholo get a shot - think if he ca gain any kind of consistency then he could become a lethal winger. I think he actually has more promise than Halai and Moala (who I tend to think is actually a little slow for winger and a better centre, though naturally Darwin will disagree).

Kerr for Noakes is not a big deal. I think Kerr actually has a lot more potential.

 

[Amobokoboko]

It looks like a good team, hope they can keep their defense up to prevent the Bulls of playing their favorite game.

 

[jordiev]

moala slow? he looked rapid in that try he scored last week... or was that a unjust representation? not really very familiar with him

 

[Muzzy]

Its about time Kerr got a start, I actually like him more than Noakes. Plus Noakes misses a lot of tackles anyway, Kerr imo was the best first five in the itm cup last year