From Blues Instagram -
Few injuries to report from the weekend

Finlay Christie and Alex Hodgman both fall under HIA protocols and will be unavailable for selection, both available for Perth

Josh Goodhue has broken his thumb and will miss several weeks

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues v Drua:

From Blues Instagram -
Few injuries to report from the weekend

Finlay Christie and Alex Hodgman both fall under HIA protocols and will be unavailable for selection, both available for Perth

Josh Goodhue has broken his thumb and will miss several weeks

Goodhue is a big blow, the NZ locking stocks sure are taking a beating this year. One way to blood new players I guess.

Blues by

points

@KiwiMurph Yeah keep Barrett out there, and RTS back at 12 with Rieko outside him as they need some time to work together.

I'm sure there will be a bit of rotation, but would like to see a few combos kept together.

@African-Monkey said in Blues v Drua:

@KiwiMurph Yeah keep Barrett out there, and RTS back at 12 with Rieko outside him as they need some time to work together.

I'm sure there will be a bit of rotation, but would like to see a few combos kept together.

Barrett needs game time, not a rest. I hope he starts

Drua

Meli Tuni, Mesulame Dolokoto, Manasa Saulo, Chris Minimbi, Viliame Rarasea, Meli Derenalagi (c), Rusiate Nasove, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Peni Matawalu, Simione Kuruvoli, Onisi Ratave, Caleb Muntz, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Kitione Taliga

Reserves: Zuriel Togiatama, Timoci Sauvoli, Jone Koroiduadua, Isoa Nasilasila, Joseva Tamani, Leone Nawai, Jona Mataiciwa, Frank Lomani

@African-Monkey
Lay
Riccitelli
Laulala
Tucker
Darry
Robinson
Choat
Sotutu
9 Funaki
10 Barrett
11 Telea
12 RTS
13 Rieko
14 Lam
15 JRK

@Nogusta 3 Naki lads in there, if they ever squeeze 4 in the start line up they'd be able to be called the Blues Bulls

How far away is Akira Ioane?

@TheMojoman said in Blues v Drua:

How far away is Akira Ioane?

3 weeks ago the Blues said he’d be back in 3 weeks

@Nogusta I really like the idea of surrounding Funaki with Sotutu and Beauden and RTS between Beauden and Rieko.

@Duluth Some strange selections in this Drua team. Four Halfbacks in the 23. 2 starting at 9 and 10 and 2 more on the bench. Seems very much a B team with some starters having been little used in the season so far. Have they had lots of injuries or are they are keeping their A team fresh for a crack at upsetting the Highlanders next week?

@Daffy-Jaffy very much a b team this week but will be interesting to see how Taliga goes at 15s.

1. Jordan Lay (4)
2. Ricky Riccitelli (6)
3. Nepo Laulala (18)
4. James Tucker (5)
5. Sam Darry (11)
6. Tom Robinson (39)
7. Adrian Choat (12)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (30)
9. Taufa Funaki (4)
10. Beauden Barrett (11)
11. AJ Lam (14)
12. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (4)
13. Reiko Ioane (80)
14. Mark Telea (32)
15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (5)

16. Soane Vikena (9)
17. Karl Tu’inukuafe (35)
18. Marcel Renata (25)
19. Luke Romano (7)
20. Anton Segner (3)
21. Lisati Milo Harris (0)
22. Tanielu Tele’a (18)
23. Jock McKenzie (1)

@Duluth good team considering the situation. Shows the depth in the squad

@nzzp great team I counted 12 none starters who would probably b in 23 and that not counting plummer depth amazing now and beauden captain nice

Hopefully JRK has a big impact. I'd like to see him force his way into the top XV

Ideally my back three would be:
11 Clarke
14 JRK
15 Sullivan

A power wing, a second fullback. Also I think the Blues play better with Sullivans long boot at the back

@Duluth yeah nice combo but still like mark talea there his workrate huge

JRK hasn't lived up to the hype so far. Still very young though.