@nzzp said in Stormers vs Blues:

@Kirwan said in Stormers vs Blues:

TJ has been defending extremely well this year, and issue last year when played at 13 and Marchant has certainly improved defence when he played at 13. A risk swapping them around, but I like this backline.

that Marchant Ioane swap is weird. Must have some reason, but Rieko seems a better winger, and Marchant a better centre. I dunno, hope this isn't back to the days of Tana's lottery...

Rieko wants to play 13 - it's his preferred spot. Leon has confirmed he is going to get plenty of chances to play 13.

@KiwiMurph said in Stormers vs Blues:

@nzzp said in Stormers vs Blues:

@Kirwan said in Stormers vs Blues:

TJ has been defending extremely well this year, and issue last year when played at 13 and Marchant has certainly improved defence when he played at 13. A risk swapping them around, but I like this backline.

that Marchant Ioane swap is weird. Must have some reason, but Rieko seems a better winger, and Marchant a better centre. I dunno, hope this isn't back to the days of Tana's lottery...

Rieko wants to play 13 - it's his preferred spot. Leon has confirmed he is going to get plenty of chances to play 13.

Well perhaps just this one

Up to him to demand selection there.

@Duluth well I was surprised the Blues had re-signed him when they did last time...its sink or swim time, but by the same token, not seen anything of Christie to say he is the answer to the Blues woes.

Ruru looks to be where McDonald has put all his money.

@taniwharugby said in Stormers vs Blues:

Ruru looks to be where McDonald has put all his money.

MacDonald definitely prefers Ruru to Nock at this stage. Where he rates Christie we don't know.. he hasn't been fit for selection

@nzzp said in Stormers vs Blues:

@Kirwan said in Stormers vs Blues:

TJ has been defending extremely well this year, and issue last year when played at 13 and Marchant has certainly improved defence when he played at 13. A risk swapping them around, but I like this backline.

that Marchant Ioane swap is weird. Must have some reason, but Rieko seems a better winger, and Marchant a better centre. I dunno, hope this isn't back to the days of Tana's lottery...

Could it be a missprint?

@Nepia said in Stormers vs Blues:

@nzzp said in Stormers vs Blues:

@Kirwan said in Stormers vs Blues:

TJ has been defending extremely well this year, and issue last year when played at 13 and Marchant has certainly improved defence when he played at 13. A risk swapping them around, but I like this backline.

that Marchant Ioane swap is weird. Must have some reason, but Rieko seems a better winger, and Marchant a better centre. I dunno, hope this isn't back to the days of Tana's lottery...

Could it be a missprint?

No, Reiko wants to play there so they are giving him a shot in a game they sort of expect to lose, hence the shot to nothing comments for this and Nock.

@Duluth no bigger game or stage for Nock to step up, or likely check out....

Career defining game for him

@taniwharugby said in Stormers vs Blues:

@Duluth no bigger game or stage for Nock to step up, or likely check out....

Career defining game for him

100%. What's weird is he's been in the squad for so long, but without game time. If they don't rate him, why keep him?

@nzzp said in Stormers vs Blues:

Hopefully Kurt's improved. Any update on the Parsons injury? I haven't seen anything, but getting trampled by a couple of monsters didn't look good

The info on injuries on the Fern's frontpage is up-to-date.
Click on the Blues' logo in the Super Rugby panel and then click on "squad".

@Stargazer his arm was in a sling in an Instagram picture.

@Stargazer thanks fella

Blues v the Stormers (it's missing one game vs WP back in 1996)

Pretty even

The last 6 matches have been won by the home side

@Duluth my tip for this game was decided by a coin toss...

By all accounts Stormers are planning on really emptying the tank in this one with a bye for them coming up the week after.

I have a worrying feeling Blues may have a few more in the injury ward after this game.

@taniwharugby said in Stormers vs Blues:

my tip for this game was decided by a coin toss...

You're much more confident than me

Stormers are on a good roll, the Blues will need some luck

@Duluth the margin I picked was double that of the average result above too...

Blues have the cattle to give this a good shout. The challenge is that Stormers are a seasoned team and will jump on any Blues lack of composure/cohesion. :crossed_fingers_medium-light_skin_tone:

Highlights from the 2019 match vs Stormers

That Tele’a try was great. Anyone know when he’s due back?

Other than the Tele’a try the main thing I remember about that match was the stoppages the Stormers created. They were really concerned about their fitness last year

@Duluth I went to that game. Tele'a also got ref carded for taking a man out in the air. It was far tighter than the scoreline suggested,with our defence standing up to the task.

@African-Monkey said in Stormers vs Blues:

@Duluth I went to that game. Tele'a also got ref carded for taking a man out in the air. It was far tighter than the scoreline suggested,with our defence standing up to the task.

I was there too. Big Karl was motm for me