MacDonald on Plummer

 Harry has played a lot at 12, especially through the age-groups. More recently he's been a 10, but he's a big, strong guy and I think he suits 12. He's quite physical in the way he carries and his breakdown work.

Rieko will be back in the Stormers match

MacDonald confirmed All Blacks wing Rieko Ioane, who was part of the touring party, was not available for the Bulls match. He said the plan had always been to re-introduce him from his hand fracture for the second match against the Stormers

Yeah as much as I dont rate these 3 players as 10s and dont really like the idea of all 3 of them being on the field at once, if hes going with that approach then Black at 10 and Plumber at 12 isn't too bad. Keeps perofeta out of the way.

Who's kicking goals?

@Duluth said in Bulls v Blues:

(also I have a theory that real 2nd fives are about to make a return to NZ rugby)

Yes!!!! Like Walter Little style! Big cross field wipers kick here we come!

@JK said in Bulls v Blues:

Who's kicking goals?

Our kickers don't kick goals.

true that mate. Think Black may be taking the attempts? Or Plumber?

@JK Black would probably have more chance of getting it in the vicinity of the posts than the other two have recently.

@Snowy said in Bulls v Blues:

Black would probably have more chance of getting it in the vicinity of the posts than the other two have recently.

Plummer is 3/4 this year. That was his success %age for Auckland last year too

He's been kicking well in the warmups. His technical issues from last SR season where the ball would die mid flight appear to be behind him

Perofeta has been awful

I expect Black to be the kicker though

@Duluth said in Bulls v Blues:

Plummer is 3/4 this year. That was his success %age for Auckland last year too

Yeah. I know he's not as bad has been made out, but tend to remember the misses rather than the hits (and I was also suggesting that it would be Black).

Agree about Perofeta, terrible.

Perofeta 5/12

Perofeta seems better from out wide but anything from in front or even 10m either side of the posts appears near impossible for him

@Bones said in Bulls v Blues:

Is this just resting Faiane then? Thought he was one of the blues best last week.

Sounds like its a combination of resting Faiane, needing more kicking options at altitude and giving Plummer an opportunity at 12 where he has played a lot of rugby growing up.

@JK said in Bulls v Blues:

Perofeta seems better from out wide but anything from in front or even 10m either side of the posts appears near impossible for him

That's what makes it appear even worse - missing the very getable ones.

@Snowy said in Bulls v Blues:

@JK said in Bulls v Blues:

Perofeta seems better from out wide but anything from in front or even 10m either side of the posts appears near impossible for him

That's what makes it appear even worse - missing the very getable ones.

I find it easier for my mental health to assume he's going to miss every kick.

@Kirwan And a fairly accurate assumption too.

MacDonald confirmed Black, the most accurate of the Blues’ goalkickers, would get the kicking duties.

Hopefully Narawa gets a decent amount of ball. He had some freakish moments during the NPC

This video is only from the Northland match but it gives you an idea about his balance/swerve etc

@Duluth Lovely body swerve AND soft hands!

Looks like rain forecast.

I'm picking a tiny crowd.

Is anybody watching the Stormers v Jaguares. Yet another advert to ditch this bullshit system of home country refs. Ref Rasta making up rules and disallowing a fantastic Jaquares try

I mean if your refs are incompetent most of the time, neutral refs are just a no brainer

Just tuned in. Is the ref Nic Berry?

There's hardly a crowd; all those empty blue seats ...

Most boring 20 minutes of the 2020 SR season that I've watched thus far. Maybe that will change now that Ferreira has been sent to the bin.

Shoulder charge? Where was the direct contact?

Looks like direct contact with the head. What colour of card? Red?

@Stargazer said in Bulls v Blues:

Shoulder charge? Where was the direct contact?

Looked like direct contact shoulder to head to me - red coming up?

Hmm, Narawa ducking considered enough mititgation. It's a yellow. Bulls down to 13 men.

If the Blues don't score now, they're not worth a win.

YC seemed fair.

WTF. Where's the duck. Farrel dipped far more than this and it didn't matter. Really why must we bother with this shit this ref has rewritten multiple laws already this galf

@Stargazer said in Bulls v Blues:

If the Blues don't score now, they're not worth a win.

They rarely disappoint...

Just when the Blues get a line-out close to the Bulls' try line, Ferreira comes back on.

Try Blues?

Well done, Mark Telea. Try time!

Jesus what the assistant ref doing. Didn't even care to look whether a try is being scored

Bulls back to 15 men.

@Rebound Isn't that Egon Seconds?

Ruru sent off for cynical play, just before the break.

Try Specman?

Nope, foot in touch.