Don't call it a comeback

[Puja]

Joe Marchant due to stay with the Blues will the end of your Super rugby, instead of leaving in July as his loan had originally suggested.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/england- ... uper-rugby

Puja

[Cameo]

I’ve coughed up for Sky Sports specifically for this. Any players, beyond the usual suspects, I should keep and eye? Blues players would be appreciated as I’ve decided to ‘support’ them due to Carter.

Mark Telea on the wing is one that I hadn't heard of before this season but has been beating defenders for fun. Sitotu at No.8 has also been a bit of a revelation at 8.

For Scottish watchers, Finley Christie, who is a back up scrum half, was born in Peebles and is periodically linked to a move/call up. He was injured for the first few games but is fit again.

Tom Robinson and the props are all fun to watch too.

[Mellsblue]

Cheers

[Cameo]

Over 15,000 tickets for the Chiefs Highlanders game sold so far along with over 35,000 for the Blues Hurricanes one. At least for the Blues, they will double their top attendance from last year.

Hopefully the weather will hold up and there are a couple of good games so these kind of attendances aren't just one offs (although I would expect weak one to have the biggest buzz).

Does anyone know if it is straight league or if a final is planned?

[morepork]

Peeps want to see Dan Carter get smashed.

[Cameo]

Barrett at 15. I can see the logic given the lack of options there and that Black has played well but seems a shame.

For English posters, Marchant doesn't seem to have made the squad but no mention of an injury. Thought he would have made the bench but Duffie is there.

p.s. the reason I am lurking on this board so much is just because I've moved to Auckland. Not meaning to take over the SHMB!

[zer0]

Peeps want to see Dan Carter get smashed.

Show some respect.

That's Blues rugby legend Daniel Carter.

[Puja]

p.s. the reason I am lurking on this board so much is just because I've moved to Auckland. Not meaning to take over the SHMB!

Mods, can we get a ban in place here? This poster's showing an interest in rugby and contributing to the board, both of which have got to be bootable offences.

Wonder why Marchant's not in the XXIII? Hopefully it's not on form, although reputation has him as a hard enough worker that he'll grow from the experience if it is.

Puja

[zer0]

I'm guessing they just need someone to cover fullback in Perofeta's absence. As far as I know, neither of the three wingers in the backline can do the job, so if they had Marchant on the bench they'd have to try chuck one of Black or Plummer there if needed. Instead they've gone for the safer option of Duffie.

Personally I'd have Marchant at centre with Rieko competing with Clarke and Telea for a wing berth, but there we go.

[Puja]

I'm guessing they just need someone to cover fullback in Perofeta's absence. As far as I know, neither of the three wingers in the backline can do the job, so if they had Marchant on the bench they'd have to try chuck one of Black or Plummer there if needed. Instead they've gone for the safer option of Duffie.

Personally I'd have Marchant at centre with Rieko competing with Clarke and Telea for a wing berth, but there we go.

It's the problem Marchant's got - he's a 13 through and through (Blues playing him on the wing notwithstanding) and Ioane's currently having a deluded IWant about moving inside and being Tana Umaga. Do you say to him to stop being a prat and that he's clearly a winger and risk him leaving in a sulk? Or do you indulge him for this season at the expense of the guy who's only going to be here for a season?

Puja

[Spy]

Fuck, how good is this?

[twitchy]

Just so I am getting my time zones right the match starts in about 35 mins?

[Spy]

It’s done and dusted, mate. 5.30pm kickoff. Blues-Hurricanes tomorrow is a 3.30pm kickoff, NZ time.

Worth a watch, regardless.

[twitchy]

Fuck. Oh well thanks.

[Cameo]

Just coming to half time. Was 7.05pm kickoff

Unless I'm watching on some wierd time delay!??

[Spy]

I must’ve been watching a replay of an old classic. What a spastic.

[Spy]

I got quite invested. What a waste of emotion.

[Cameo]

Haha easily done. Just half time now and a good game so time to get into it

[twitchy]

Yeah I was out by an hour cet vs gmt. I'll watch the second half.

[Puja]

Bloody hell, that looked like a good game.



Puja

[zer0]

Yeah was a good game. While it probably gave Cas an aneurysm, it was quite entertaining to see a NZ derby end with two drop goals in about as many minutes.

Them windy bitches is gon' get rekt though.

[morepork]

Yeah was a good game. While it probably gave Cas an aneurysm, it was quite entertaining to see a NZ derby end with two drop goals in about as many minutes.

Them windy bitches is gon' get rekt though.

I look forward to the Auckland Grammar Old Boys ruining DCs reputation in a tired wave of inevitability.

[J Dory]

Anyone have links to the full replays? From the highlights both games looked awesome. Loved the Canes players including Barrett in the try celebration.

[Cameo]

Blues team out - pretty much the same except Akira Ioane gets a start (as does Papali'i).

A major border lapse but despite some panicky (and misleading) headlines, no sign of Covid having got back into the community so no reason to expect any changes to the rules allowing fans in.

[morepork]

How long is the quarantine period upon arrival from overseas? Still two weeks or do they test and give you less if you come back negative?

Asking for a friend...